eforethisoldhousebreaks,justsohehasanexusetofixitup.sofar,noluk.wizardsmakethingsforkeeps,apparently.“youalmostready?we’regoingtobete.”

notreally,buthermionewantedpitures,andshealsowanteddrao’sopiniononherdressbeforeshethrowsherselfatthemeryofthemob.ron’swrittenandsaidthatshehadspentalldaygettingready,withthathairsleekingpotionanddoinghernails.itseemsthathildhoodtauntshadmadeherunwillingtogoifshelookedanythinglessthanperfet.

“we’renotgoingtobete,”draosays,andthere’sreakingofthestepsbehindhim.harryknowswithoutturningaroundthatdraoisrollinghiseyesandputtingthefinishingtouhesonhishairatthesametime,likethere’sastringtwistingthetwoofthemtogethersoharryknowsexatlywhat’shappeningwithhimatalltimes.“youan’trushbeauty.”

harry’salreadyfaresponse,thewordsrightonthetipofhistongue,butthenheturnsaroundandfetsanythinghemighthavesaid,beauseeventhoughheknewthathefounddraoattrative,thiswasthefirsttimethathewasaughtoffguardenoughtoallowhimselftolookwithoutfeelingguilty.

“youlook…”he’sinanewsuit,too,thisonegrey.he’sininrediblymutedolors,withhispaleskinandlighthairandthedarkgreyofhissuit,likehewantedtomeltintothebakgroundwhilegivingharryalltheroomtoshine,buttherewasnothingthatwouldlethimfalloutofsightwhenhe’swalkingaroundlookinglikethis.“amazing.”

“thanks.”draosrathesathisolr,butotherthanthat,there’snosignthathewasflusteredatall.“youdotoo.”hedidn’t.harrydidn’tlookbad,buthedidn’tlookgreat,notthewaydraodid,likehewasgoingtobetheonlythingintheroomworthlookingat.“exeptforthetie,you…”

harryfumbledatitforamoment,andthendraowasthere,pushinghis