The annual Victory Ball held by the Ministry always makes Harry uncomfortable.
It's a room full of important people, dressed to the nines. It always makes him remember the James Bond movies he watches with Hermione; all champagne and smoke and political secrets. It's an odd thought, he knows that, but as he watches one person after another being plied with drink and promises to reveal information, he cannot help but think of espionage and spy dramas.
He is required to attend these soirees by Hermione, Ginny and Minerva. After all, it wouldn't look good if the saviour couldn't be bothered to attend the party celebrating him, would it?
He's never been terribly fond of it. It's touching that the wizarding world would do something like this for him, even though he doesn't feel like he deserves it, but he has always seen the Ball as less a way of celebrating the downfall of Voldemort and more of a way for the power-hungry men and women to try and wrangle themselves a place in his bed. He's lost count of the number of times he's found somebody trying to slip Love Potions into his drink.
At first, heading off the would-be seducers was something he could use to occupy his night. It fascinated him, in a morbid sort of way, trying to figure out the different distractions people could come up with so that they could surreptitiously slip something into the glass he was holding. But soon, even this lost its fascination – people were nothing if not predictable.
The Victory Ball was something he had always dreaded with every facet of his being, but today was different. Walking into the Ball, Draco (who would definitely be the Bond girl if this were a movie, not that he would ever tell him that) at his side and an engagement ring on his finger, a part of him could almost begin to understand why the Ball had held everyone's fascination and interest for so long.
A/N: Possibly the oddest thing I've ever written - I don't know how this happened. It's what my messed up mind comes up with when given the prompts smoke and champagne.
For:
The If You Dare Challenge, Prompt 288. James Bond
OTP Bootcamp, Prompt 8. Sin
Slash/Femmeslash bootcamp, Prompt 30. Celebrate
Gemstone Competition, Agate