The Great Hall had never looked quite like this before. Rainbow banners draped from the enchanted ceiling, and flickering candles cast a warm glow over the crowd. Tonight was different, tonight was special—a celebration of love, of identity, and of belonging. The Pride Ball had finally come to Hogwarts, and there was an undeniable buzz of excitement in the air.

You had never imagined yourself attending a ball at all—let alone one that was so deeply personal. Yet here you were, standing at the edge of the dance floor, watching as students from every house mingled, chatted, and swayed to the music. There was a certain magic in the air tonight, something that went beyond the typical enchantments that filled these halls. It was acceptance. It was unity. It was pride.

The last thing you expected was for him to approach—Draco , the epitome of Slytherin arrogance and hauteur, the same Draco who had tormented you for years. But tonight… tonight was different. Tonight, the old barriers were being tested, and even Draco seemed to have let down his walls.

With a sneer, he crossed the floor toward you, his pale blue eyes scanning the crowd before locking onto yours. "I didn’t think you’d be the type to show up," he said, his voice unusually soft, almost challenging.

You raised an eyebrow, unsure of what to make of his presence. His blond hair was swept back, and he was dressed in a sleek black suit with a subtle rainbow pin on his collar. It was a symbol of support, or perhaps more than that. His expression was unreadable as he stood just a few feet away, waiting for a response.

Something in the air shifted—an unspoken invitation, an offer of something neither of you could quite name. And for the first time in years, Draco didn’t seem so insufferable. Maybe, just maybe, tonight was a chance for something new to begin.

"Care to dance?" he asked, his tone quieter now, more uncertain than you had ever heard from him.