Prompt used - Colour - Black.

Gringotts Prompt - Vampire Diaries Quote - Yeah, he's one scary dude. But with nice hair.

Word Count Without AN - 1,048

Friendly Assistance

"I can't believe you're forcing me to go to a Ministry Ball," Harry whined. He wasn't one to complain usually, but he truly hated anything to do with Ministry Functions. The served food he didn't like, played music he didn't know and worse than that, he was expected to be paraded around for his adoring public, schmoozing with politicians he couldn't stand.

"Come on, Harry! It's a Halloween Party! Hermione will be there with Lucius, so it's not like none of your friends are going."

Harry felt Teddy shiver slightly on his knee.

"Yeah, he's one scary dude. But with nice hair," Harry added, noticing the glare Kingsley was aiming in his direction. Still, at least he'd got a giggle out of his godson.

"You'd do well to remember he's your best friend's partner."

"That only means that she has to like him. I mean, I know we share a lot, but we don't share everything."

Kingsley couldn't stop himself from chuckling. "Look, I know you don't like them, but will you please attend tonight?"

"Fine."

With a triumphant grin, Kingsley added, "Oh, and Harry? It's a masquerade ball, so make a nice mask, huh?"

Kingsley floo'ed away with another laugh, leaving a glowering Harry Potter behind.

Mission Accomplished.

Harry arrived at the Ministry alone, walking as quickly as sociably acceptable through the flashing lights of the photographers. His mask firmly in place, he was relatively sure that none of them had known it was him. Not that it really mattered. His face adorned the front page all too frequently as it was.

He'd chosen to design a silver and green mask, matching the trim of the dress robes Hermione had gifted him with for his birthday. He was hoping that as no one would be expecting Gryffindor-To-The-Core Harry Potter in Slytherin colours, he might just survive the evening without dying of boredom.

Taking a glass from a passing waiter, Harry scanned the crowd. He quickly spotted Hermione and Lucius. Wearing masks or not, he'd been telling the truth earlier. Lucius has nice, identifiable hair.

He crossed the room, wrapping his arms around Hermione's waist.

"Harry!"

"Miss Granger, you look beautiful," he told her honestly, kissing her cheek. Turning to the man beside her, Harry nodded respectfully. "Lord Malfoy."

"Lord Potter," Lucius replied with an equally respectful nod. Hermione rolled her eyes at the formality, but let it slide.

"Kingsley wouldn't tell me if he'd managed to convince you to come," she told him happily. "I'm so glad you did though, Harry."

Harry frowned behind his mask. Why on earth were they so desperate for him to attend this ball? He'd refused four invitations at least in the last six months alone. He opened his mouth to ask when the band took their places on the stage and began their opening number.

"Why was it so important for me to be here?" he said, raising his eyebrows when she blushed. Lucius chose that moment to turn his attention back to them, unknowingly saving Hermione from floundering to find an answer.

"My Lady, may I have the first dance?"

Harry watched them go, frustration building inside him. Turning away, he found someone watching him from across the room. The masked man wore all black, and his steady gaze unsettled Harry. He knew those eyes. Swapping his now empty champagne glass for a tumbler of whisky, Harry escaped the ballroom for one of the empty balconies.

As soon as he'd seen those familiar eyes, he'd known what the evening was about. Kingsley, Hermione, and he was sure even Lucius to a certain degree, had decided to play matchmaker. Why Hermione in particular thought it was a good idea, Harry couldn't fathom. She'd been the one he'd cried too. She'd been the one to take away the firewhiskey when he was drinking too much. She was the one who reminded him that he had a little boy who needed him.

Harry sighed. He just wanted to go home.

A stir in the air told Harry he was no longer alone, but he kept his back to the intruder.

"I'm sorry, Harry."

Words Harry'd longed to hear for months. Now though, his heart hardened by necessity rather than choice, Harry snorted.

"For which part?"

"I'll never be sorry for taking your virginity Harry, but I am sorry for what I did afterwards."

"Save it for someone who believes it."

"I made a mistake. I pushed you away because you scared me."

"I scared you? Severus, pull the other one. You might want to talk to someone who hasn't seen you bat away Death Eaters in a duel like they're nothing but irritating bugs."

"You could, would have become my weakness. I didn't want to face getting hurt again. I was a coward."

Harry winced despite himself. He knew how hard it must have been for Severus to reference to himself with that word.

"It's done. Is it forgiveness you need? Consider yourself forgiven."

"I need you, Harry. Despite my best intentions, you're all I think about. I... no matter what I did, you became my weakness anyway."

"So, what? I accept your words, we fall into bed, and then I get to try and glue my heart back together when you get bored? Again?"

Harry flinched when hands settled onto his hips. He could feel Severus' breath on his ear when the man replied.

"No. You allow me to attempt to make it up to you by showing you just how much I love you."

Harry leant back into the embrace, his body betraying him by softening at the whispered words. After a few minutes of silence, Harry spoke again.

"Why are you here? You hate these events even more than I do."

"I've attended them all for the last six months, waiting to see you. It's the only place I know you can't apparate away from. Eventually, I enlisted your friends assistance."

Harry laughed. "I'll give you a chance to make it up to me under one condition."

"Anything."

"We never have to attend a Ministry Party again."

Clearly happy with the stipulation, Severus sealed their agreement with a kiss.