So, here's my new story. I don't know what exactly my update schedule will be. It might be kind of screwy at first, but I'll try really hard to get a new chapter uploaded each week.
Adalie loved going to parties. Except when they involved alcohol and Mena. Lugging her drunk best friend through the corridors, trying to avoid teachers and Prefects and anyone else who might get them in trouble, was not the way she had imagined her evening going.
But here she was, all but carrying Mena to the Hufflepuff common rooms, panting from the effort, as her friend slurred flirtatious greetings to the paintings lining the walls.
"Just a little bit more." Adalie murmured to herself. The entrance to the common room was just down the hall.
"Aadaallieeeee…" Mena sing-songed. She seemed like she was going to continue, but then hiccuped and fell silent.
Staggering into the common rooms, Adalie collapsed on the floor. Mena fell on top of her, and rolled over, giggling hysterically.
"Mena, I can't carry you up those stairs." She pushed herself up, off the floor, and held out a hand towards her friend, whose only response was to shake her head, and turn over.
"Here." A female voice said. Adalie looked up to see Kate Green raising her wand. Mena was levitated up in the air, causing her to start giggling again.
When Mena was safely in her bed, Adalie let out a sigh of relief and brushed her hair(which smelled of vomit, courtesy of Mena) out of her face before thanking Kate.
"No problem." The seventh year said, smiling before leaving the room.
Adalie hurried off to the bathroom, no longer able to stand the stench of vomit coming from her hair, her clothes, her shoes.
"Ew, ew, ew, ew, ew, eeewwww." She muttered as she removed her clothes. Never again, she vowed. Never again would she let Mena go off on her own to a party like that.
It wasn't that Mena got drunk often. In fact it was the exact opposite. Having grown up in a conservative family, she had never had alcohol at all before this.
Adalie came out of the shower and put on pajamas before climbing into bed, exhausted.
Mena looked beautiful even when she was hungover. It wasn't fair. Thick black hair, big brown eyes, red lips that didn't smile so much as quirk upwards at the corners (at least, that was how Nila put it). Adalie sighed when she took in her best friend's pitifully haggard appearance.
"I'll tell the professors you're sick." She said.
Mena beamed and threw her arms around Adalie. "Thanks, love."
Adalie gently untangled herself. "Take a nap, alright? And there's Tylenol in my old bag, take some."
"Alright."
Adalie couldn't stop frowning up at the ceiling in Transfiguration. She knew she should probably be working on nonverbal spells but this was the last class before they got on the Hogwarts Express to head home for Christmas and she figured she could probably work it out during break.
Her mind drifted over to Christmas break, as it had been doing for the last four days. Mena and her were going to go to Nila's engagement party.
Mena had spent every break since second year with Adalie's family. In second year, Mena's family had found out she was lesbian and subsequently kicked her out the house. It turned out, in the wizarding world being gay was equal to, if not worse than, being a squib. Adalie, being Mena's best friend, had asked Mena to stay at her house for the holidays. And then coaxed and wore her down, until she agreed. Mena had a lot of pride. Adalie had then repeated the whole procedure for the Easter holidays. Then for summer after that.
Now, Mena was practically family, and that was why she would be coming with Adalie to Nila's party.
Nila was marrying James Potter. They were so adorable together, it was scary.
Adalie had put a lot of thought into what to get them as a present. She had briefly considered getting them something like a gravy boat, or a brand new toaster, something practical, but quickly given that idea up. No, Adalie had gotten something much better.
She'd gotten them a television.
James and Nila were always complaining about how they didn't have one, and how they meant to buy one. They had never gotten around to it, and when Adalie had questioned Nila about it, her older sister had sighed, and said there was always something else they needed to pay for, bills, more furniture, clothes, food. They just never had the money.
So Adalie had resolved to get them one. Of course, she didn't have the money just by herself, but with Mena and Rose Weasley both adding their money, and Mrs. Malfoy promising to make up whatever was left over, there was just enough to buy a great one.
It wasn't technically Adalie's present, it was her's and Mena's and Rose's, but she felt proud of having gathered them both together to do it.
Mrs. Malfoy claimed that she was just helping out, that she was getting a different present for their engagement, and she insisted that they not put her name on the card.
Adalie left class, and hurried to get to her room, so she could pack a few last minute things into her suitcase.
When she got to the entrance, she stopped.
Albus Potter was leaning on the wall by the entrance, scowling. When she came closer he moved toward her.
"Hi." She said smiling, "Give me a minute, alright? I've just got a few things left to pack, and I have to get Mena."
He rolled his eyes, and she kept smiling. Being polite was the best way to deal with him, she had realized over the years.
Adalie and Mena were going to take the train with him and Rose, and then be driven by his mum to the party which was not going to be taking place at Nila and James's little flat, but at James's parents much larger house.
She went up to her room where Mena was just finishing up packing. Adalie took the last of her belongings and went to her still open suitcase.
"Albus is downstairs, so you can go wait with him if you want." She called over her shoulder to Mena.
The other girl laughed. "No. He hates me."
"That's not true!" Adalie protested.
"Actually you're right. He doesn't really hate me. He hates you, and as I am your best friend, me by extension. It's not real hatred."
"Gee… thanks, Mena." Adalie said sarcastically. "Anymore kind words for your best friend?"
Mena laughed again. "Alright, how about this? He strongly dislikes you, and has a more subtle dislike for me."
Adalie shook her head, but smiled all the same, as she picked up her suitcase and walked to the door.
"I think it's because you're so civil. It bothers him." Mena continued as she followed her.
"Why would it bother someone if I'm polite?" Adalie asked.
"I wouldn't know. But it does."
They came out into the hall then, and the conversation ended.
Albus scowled at them again, and Mena stifled a laugh when Adalie just smiled pleasantly back, causing him to glare.
"Where's Rose?" She asked, struggling to keep up with both Mena and Albus, who both had long legs and a naturally fast walk.
"We're stopping by her dorm on the way." Albus replied.
Mena groaned. "Hold on, I forgot something in my dorm."
Albus stared incredulously at her.
"You guys keep going. I'll meet you at Rose's dorm." Mena set off at a run, back toward the Hufflepuff common room.
Adalie glared at her retreating back.
"Come on!" Albus snapped. "Or did you forget something too?"
She smiled again, and shook her head. "I'm good."
He set off again, even faster then before, it seemed to Adalie, toward the Ravenclaw tower, yet somehow still at a walk.
It was only when they got to the foot of the stairs leading up, and he started climbing up those at around the same speed, that Adalie swallowed her pride.
"Could you please slow down a bit?" She asked.
He turned around to glare at her. Then turned and climbed up a little bit slower. Adalie let out a silent sigh. Whether it was a sigh of relief or exasperation, she couldn't be sure. Maybe a bit of both.
Honestly! She thought crossly, as she made her way up the stairs. Why is he so angry?!
Before they got to the top though, there was a loud stomping of feet from upstairs, and then Rose Weasley came pelting down the stairs, her auburn mass of hair flying out behind her.
Alright, if you liked it please please review. They make me so happy.