The Greengrass estate looked like something pulled from the pages of an old winter fairytale. Snow rested atop the high iron gates in thick silver drifts, and enchanted lanterns floated through the gardens like fallen stars that had forgotten how to reach the sky again. The manor itself rose proudly against the darkening evening, its pale stone walls glowing amber beneath hundreds of bewitched candles hanging from the balconies. Frost curled along the windows in intricate patterns resembling feathers and thorned vines, while soft music drifted from within every time the grand doors opened to admit another guest. Mira stood near the entrance beside her family, quietly taking everything in while servants carried cloaks away and warm air wrapped around them like a blanket. The scent of cinnamon, cedarwood, and mulled cider lingered throughout the foyer, mixing with the faint perfume of winter roses arranged in silver vases. Draco stood only a few feet away speaking to his mother, though Mira noticed his attention drift toward her more often than not. Somewhere behind her, Theo was already arguing with Blaise over whether a magically animated suit of armor in the corner was blinking at them intentionally. Daphne laughed softly at the sound, her pale blue gown shimmering like frost beneath moonlight as she moved toward her family waiting deeper inside the ballroom.
“Welcome,” Daphne said warmly, returning to Mira’s side after greeting several relatives. “Mother has been preparing for this gathering for weeks. She threatened to hex anyone who ruined the decorations.” Her voice carried that familiar dry amusement that always made Theo snort under his breath. Mira smiled faintly as Daphne gently took her arm and began guiding her through the crowded ballroom. Everywhere she looked, old wizarding families mingled beneath floating chandeliers made of enchanted ice crystals that never melted. Long tables lined the walls beneath silver garlands, filled with roasted meats, pastries dusted with powdered sugar, steaming drinks, and glittering desserts that shifted colors every few moments. Neville stood near the refreshment table speaking awkwardly with Augusta Longbottom while Frank and Alice listened with patient smiles, clearly amused by his nervousness. Mira felt warmth settle in her chest at the sight of them healthy and happy together. After everything that had happened during the year—the Chamber, the Horcruxes, the attacks—it felt strange seeing everyone gathered peacefully beneath music and candlelight instead of fear and uncertainty. Yet perhaps that was why the evening felt so important. They had all survived another storm together.
Blaise introduced Mira to several members of the Zabini family shortly afterward, though most conversations quickly shifted toward curiosity regarding her inventions, the trial, and the recent events surrounding Hagrid’s innocence. Mira answered politely without revealing too much, careful as always with what information she allowed into public spaces. Theo’s relatives proved louder and far less restrained, with one elderly aunt loudly proclaiming that Mira reminded her of “a young battle tactician wrapped in manners.” Theo nearly choked on his drink while Daphne quietly looked away to hide her laughter. Across the room, Lucius Malfoy stood beside Alaric Silverthorne near one of the massive windows overlooking the snowy courtyard outside. Both men held glasses of wine while observing the younger generation with expressions that hovered somewhere between amusement and calculation. Narcissa stood beside Lucius in elegant silver robes while Elarisse conversed with several Greengrass relatives nearby, though Mira noticed the women occasionally glancing toward Draco and herself with suspiciously knowing expressions. It made her narrow her eyes slightly. Adults became very strange whenever dancing and formal gatherings were involved. Draco caught her look from across the ballroom and smirked faintly as though he had guessed exactly what she was thinking. That only made Mira more suspicious.
As the evening deepened, the orchestra shifted into slower music. Enchanted violins floated near the ceiling while a cello played itself near the center of the ballroom, its strings glowing faintly gold with each note. Couples gradually moved toward the polished dance floor beneath the chandeliers, their reflections shimmering across the marble like moving candlelight on water. Mira had just accepted a glass of sparkling cider when Draco approached her. His black formal robes were trimmed in dark green silk, though the silver embroidery near the cuffs caught the light whenever he moved. He looked calmer than usual tonight, though Mira noticed the slight tension in his shoulders that always appeared whenever he was uncertain about something. 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCd6yrKqwJJ
“Would you like to dance?” he asked quietly. The question itself sounded composed, but Mira knew him well enough now to hear the hesitation hidden beneath it. Around them, Blaise immediately elbowed Theo hard enough to nearly make him spill his drink. Daphne rolled her eyes at both boys while pretending not to watch. Mira studied Draco for a moment before placing her glass aside. 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r3b2BUmZK
“Alright,” she answered softly.
The moment Draco took her hand, the noise of the ballroom seemed to dull around them. His fingers were warm despite the winter cold lingering in the manor, and Mira could feel the slight stiffness in his posture as he guided her toward the dance floor. He clearly knew the steps well—Narcissa would never allow him not to—but Mira sensed he was focusing far more on not embarrassing himself in front of her than the actual dance itself. The music slowed further as they joined the other couples beneath the floating lights. Draco placed one hand carefully at her waist while Mira rested hers against his shoulder, and together they began moving across the ballroom in smooth measured steps. Around them, robes swirled in waves of silver, blue, green, and gold while enchanted snow drifted harmlessly near the ceiling overhead. Mira found herself relaxing despite the attention several people were clearly paying them. Draco’s movements gradually became more natural as the dance continued, his earlier nervousness fading into quiet confidence. 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqme9KOSKYR
“You’re staring,” Mira murmured after catching him glance at her again. 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6J7Uro4s9
Draco’s ears turned slightly pink. “You noticed?” he replied dryly. 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvw8WP1T3Wx
“You’re not subtle,” she answered.
Near the edge of the ballroom, Alaric took a slow sip from his wine while watching the pair dance. 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zEaOBMVEk
“Third year,” Lucius said calmly beside him. “Middle of third year. Seventy-five galleons.” 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY5oJmkz0l
Alaric snorted softly without taking his eyes off the dance floor. “Far too early. Mira’s stubborn.” 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58RnhEf5sg
“And Draco isn’t?” Lucius countered. “That boy spent two weeks rehearsing how to ask her to dance tonight.” 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelYIMcHxH0
Narcissa hid a smile behind her glass while Elarisse outright laughed beneath her breath. 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJyc0v9itu
“Ninety galleons says fourth year,” Alaric declared. “Near the end.” 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kd4yCKZ8t
“You underestimate romantic tension,” Narcissa replied smoothly. “Seventy-five by the end of third year.” 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHL2N0fjhe
Elarisse folded her arms thoughtfully while watching Mira and Draco circle slowly beneath the chandeliers. “One hundred says fourth year as well,” she said at last. “Though probably after some dramatic incident involving danger, emotions, and one of them nearly dying.” 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5gm6AXQsr
Lucius nodded as though this sounded entirely reasonable. “That does sound statistically likely.” 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4fGXe0Fui
None of them noticed Blaise listening nearby with the expression of someone who had just discovered the greatest source of entertainment imaginable.
Meanwhile, Mira remained blissfully unaware that several adults were now gambling over her nonexistent love life. She focused instead on the music and the steady rhythm of Draco’s movements. The ballroom lights reflected softly in his pale hair while snow drifted beyond the windows behind him in glittering curtains. 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcD7T6Iilli
“You look less tired,” Draco observed quietly after a while. 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrKnttYc4U
Mira blinked in mild surprise at the comment. “59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvIHcsN0zm
You’ve been sleeping,” he continued before she could respond. “Good.” 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEax2ucs17
Mira stared at him for a moment before sighing. “You really were serious about bringing Professor Snape to the manor if I overworked myself again.”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6z9TzXEGLw
“Completely serious,” Draco replied without hesitation. “Terrifyingly serious.” Mira huffed a small laugh despite herself, and Draco visibly relaxed at the sound. Around them, the orchestra swelled into another slow movement while the dancers turned gracefully beneath the floating lights. For the first time in months, Mira felt something dangerously close to peace settle inside her chest. No chambers. No curses. No battles. Just music, warmth, and people she cared about surrounding her on a quiet winter evening.
At the side of the ballroom, Blaise finally wandered over to the adults with Theo and Daphne trailing behind him. “59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto8a1B9VR1
How much are we talking?” Blaise asked immediately. 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZjuCCEkRe
Lucius raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?” 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeUXPldQTm
“The betting pool,” Blaise clarified shamelessly. “I heard enough to know one exists.” 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxOi6qGwXr
Theo nearly wheezed with laughter while Daphne buried her face in one hand. 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5zBamWF51
Narcissa looked scandalized for exactly three seconds before amusement won out. “You children are terrible,” she said lightly. 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydMAru9PA9
“We learned from the adults,” Theo replied. 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmx9O4Dvre
Alaric gave a thoughtful hum before glancing toward the dance floor again where Mira and Draco continued moving together beneath the chandeliers. “One hundred and twenty says neither of them confesses until someone else points it out first.” 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FvbvwLHCK
Even Lucius laughed quietly at that. 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtvOHg0jrv
Across the room, Mira suddenly narrowed her eyes suspiciously as though sensing trouble from afar. 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1DuNOfhtE
Draco noticed immediately. “What is it?” he asked. 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHe23lV2RIU
Mira looked toward the cluster of laughing adults near the refreshments table and frowned slightly. 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnQubD8oJW
“I don’t know,” she murmured. “But I think our parents are plotting something.”
A/N: Please comment and review!59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEML2G7sgn
and then Add to home screen.