The benefit was in full swing and the crowd seemed to be dancing and laughing merrily. Had Miles been there by his own choice, he probably would have said the party was definitely a huge success.
But the clock was closing in on 9.30. He guided Daphne to the edge of the dancefloor, smiling as he grabbed her hand and firmly whisked her into a very dark alcove. Nobody looking would think anything untoward had happened.
"Turn around," he suggested to her quickly, his heart hammering now that it was time. "Keep an eye out," he hissed.
His wand was sweaty in his hand as he got a firm grip, and he quietly muttered the spell, his wand movement rather swift and sharp.
Nothing happened. Well, he didn't think anything had happened. A tiny 'pop' happened, but it was only one of those cupids nearby, and its infernal arrows.
He would have tried it again, but he heard a loud cheer go up as someone must have made a rather large donation and there was a large round of clapping applause.
Fuck! Had it worked? He had no idea. All this waiting, and no indication if the spell had worked or not. Dammit, he didn't want to return to Rodolphus and tell him nothing happened.
Now he was nervous, and decided that he should try the spell one more time. He did, but again, nothing visibly happened. He knew that time was running out, so quickly cast a few charms with his wand. Breath freshning, removing wrinkles from his robes, contraceptive charm... just a few, in case anyone was checking it on the way out.
His palms were still sweaty, but he pulled Daphne towards him by the hips and spinning her around to kiss him. May as well make use of his darkened corner. His lips found hers and he snogged her for the longest time, not caring if they were caught out.
"See, that was all rather painless," he said with a confident voice, but not knowing if he'd done a goddam thing. He'd know in the next day, however, and he might just make Daphne a widow yet again if he'd fucked up.