my very first (!) @drarrymicrofic for the prompt “prank” (350 words, T) thanks to @makeitp1nk for the beta and to all the server members for the warm welcome yesterday!
Pub night attendance was hit or miss in the wintertime, everyone busy with the holidays and weary of the short days and chilly winds that swept through London’s narrow streets.
April 1 signalled the switch. Everyone wanted to be present for George’s birthday; that it usually coincided with the first warm days didn’t hurt.
Draco had originally been invited by Blaise when he started dating the Weaslette; then Pansy when she started dating the Weaslette. Once he felt comfortable arriving without an explicit invitation, he became part of the regular crowd, rarely missing a night.
Harry was the other staple of the evening, guaranteed to show up in his work clothes, bits of wood shavings clinging to his curls on days that he was turning wands on his lathe.
George’s birthday celebrations were a special brand of pub night. You had to mind your drink if you didn’t want to sprout feathers or a tail, and everything was accented by raucous laughter as attendees pulled pranks in Fred’s memory.
“Scooch over.” Harry crowded Draco into a booth where he’d been observing the revelry and ignoring Pansy and Ginny snogging across from him. “Got you a drink.”
“Cheers.”
Harry tapped his fingers against the side of his glass. “Erm, question for you.”
“Yes?”
“Would you like to get dinner with me on Friday night?”
Draco levelled a glare at him. “Like a date?” he asked, dryly.
“Yes, best April Fool’s ever, the Saviour asking the ex-Death Eater out for a lovelymeal.” Draco scowled, hurt swirling angrily in his belly. “Get out, I’m getting up. Honestly, I thought you were better than this.”
“Draco,” Harry growled. “It’s not a prank. Would it help if I asked again tomorrow?”
Draco narrowed his eyes. “Perhaps.”
“Consider it done.” Harry grinned and he nudged Draco’s knee with his own before standing up. Draco watched him walk away.
–
Draco’s Floo chimed at 7:30 the next morning as he was pouring himself a cup of tea, still in his pyjamas.
