Before yesterday, Draco had been dreading this party. Dreading spending so much time in the presence of Pansy looking her best, and keeping up her hostess facade, which was both easier and harder to deal with than the Pansy he saw when they were alone these days. He had expected to spend tonight wishing it was over, wishing he could drink enough to make it bearable without passing out (he really never had been able to hold his alcohol very well).
Instead, he was here as Pansy's date for the evening. The slight giddiness of that hadn't worn off at all, hopefully wouldn't wear off for a while, because it made him feel much better. He hadn't quite realized just how much of the pressure on him was due to their strained relationship, but he should have known better than to underestimate the effect she had on him. He felt lighter, closer to happy than he had felt in years, and it showed in his posture; upright but not tense and rigid, though his guard was still up.
He ran his fingers over the gift box in his pocket before straightening his clothes in preparation for Apparation. He turned on the spot, and reappeared in front of the club, entering through the charmed archway guarded by a bouncer dressed as Santa Claus, who gave him a nod without asking for his name.
It wasn't fashionably late yet, as was his usual custom, only a few minutes past the hour. His pride kept him from arriving early or even promptly on time, but he still seemed to be one of the first to get here. He didn't have to try very hard to smile as he approached Pansy, wearing black dress robes trimmed with a dark red. "I was expecting to match your toenails," he said, amused. "But it seems we match obviously, rather than secretly."