#doped

The first time Tom and Harry went out in public as a couple was also the first ball Tom attended as junior assistant to the Minister of Magic.

Tom and Harry dated in secret while at Hogwarts for almost three years, but, after graduating, they drifted off a little. Tom was busy climbing ranks in the Ministry, reaching his goal in less than two years, much to the displeasure of pure-blooded traditionalists. Harry was busy learning how to be an Heir and probably fighting his parents about playing Quidditch professionally. 

Either way, the two of them had been busy.

They could see each other maybe once or twice every month. Moments that were cherished by both of them. Harry took advantage of his father’s cloak most of these times and met with Tom near his apartment with no one the wiser.

So, on the night of the ball, Tom was wearing his most expensive robes, the ones he could pay for with his new income. He was poking idly at the mask his boss had extended to him.

Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled when he offered the white crow mask and told him to “enjoy yourself, Tom, my boy.”

Tom couldn’t quite remember if the ball was supposed to be a masquerade, but seeing as Dumbledore wore a red phoenix mask and his companion was hiding under a blue phoenix mask, Tom could do nothing more than put on his own mask.

He spent time talking to people, forming new connections, and strengthening old ones. He also had to deviate people’s attention when they were looking too closely at the Minister’s date.

It wasn’t long, though, until one person hiding behind a mermaid mask bumped into him.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” said a familiar voice.

Tom peered into the eyes behind the mermaid’s mask and couldn’t help the smile that grew on his face.

“Finally,” he said, ushering Harry to one end of the salon, near the food table. “I was worried I wouldn’t recognize you.”

“Well, I just had to look for tall people,” Harry joked. “I bumped into two others before I found you. At least they didn’t know it was me who was acting drunk.”

Tom huffed.

“You look amazing, darling,” he said honestly.

Harry did. He was wearing dark green robes that highlighted his lithe figure. The mask was a lighter tone of green, and it made his eyes glow behind it. His hair was as unruly as usual but Tom could tell Harry had at least attempted to flatten it. 

“You too,” Harry said, running his hands over Tom’s shoulders and chest. “And you know- no one knows I’m here. My parents still refuse to cooperate with Dumbledore. My mask and robes are as generic as possible and I just saw the Minister’s date coming out of the men’s restrooms.”

“What are you saying?” Tom asked, smirking at his lovely date.

“I’m saying no one will know and no one will say stupid things when the Minister himself invited his boyfriend to the ball,” Harry whispered then leaned closer to Tom’s face, having to stand on his tiptoes to do so. “Dance with me, Tom.”

“You don’t have to ask twice,” Tom answered, pulling Harry’s hand towards the dance floor.

He could see the Minister and his date holding hands in a corner, speaking quietly between them. He thought he saw Dumbledore’s eyes follow him and Harry when they began dancing, but when he checked again, he saw Dumbledore had his head lowered closer to his date’s. He checked who else was observing their Minister, in case he had to fix some memories, but, to his surprise, most people were looking at him and Harry.

He tensed. Harry chuckled.

“They don’t know, Tom,” Harry whispered. “Enjoy it while it lasts.”

Tom looked at Harry’s eyes and decided that yes. Even if people were looking at them, there was no way they knew who he was dancing with. He has introduced himself to the most important guests, so they’d know he was the one in the white crow mask, but Harry’s shape and robes would make it difficult to guess if it was a with or a wizard.

“One day,” Tom promised in a low voice, keeping his eyes on Harry’s. “We’re going to dance, together, with no masks and no secrets. Everyone will know you’re mine, Harry Potter.”

Harry blushed under his mask and leaned closer in a twirl, wrapping his arm around Tom’s shoulders.

“And you’re mine, Tom Riddle,” he whispered back.

The music ended, people clapped politely, and before the music could start again, Harry fled from Tom’s hands and towards the exit.