After yelling at Sarah for being a nosing prat I threw my exhausted body upon my own bed. Crap. Crap. Crap. This was going to be harder than I thought. I had feelings for Anthony that was sure. Sexual feelings for my brother. Crap that sounded bad, sexual feelings for someone who had always been like a brother to me. Now the question was Harry or Anthony? Hmmm…
The next few days were spent in a whirl of homework and planning. The party at the Shrieking Shack was going to be a night to remember. The invites had been sent and word had spread among the elite Hogwarts students about the party. No one was permitted entrance if they did not have an invitation.
From Ravenclaw: Charlotte Shenwick, Anthony Goldstein, Sarah Fawcett, Terry Boot, Michael Corner, Mandy Brocklehurst, Cho Chang, and Roger Davies.
From Gryffindor: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Katie Bell, Seamus Finnigan, and Dean Thomas.
From Hufflepuff: Justin Finch-Fletchley, Hannah Abbot, Susan Bones, Matthew Stebbins.
From Slytherin: Blaise Zambini, Draco Malfoy, Adrian Pucey, and Daphne Greengrass.
Sarah figured that if the Slytherins were invited they would do less damage. At least the party wouldn't be found out. The plan was to take the passageway that led to Honeydukes and once in the basement, we'd apparated to the Shrieking Shack. Flawless. Fred and George were contacted and of course willingly obliged in providing firewhiskey and butterbeer as well as various activities from their joke shop.
When Friday finally arrived, classes dragged slower than normal. It was as if all the professors took a leaf out of Professor Binns' book and decided to become dreadfully boring. Anthony and I wasted time by flicking ink pellets at unsuspecting classmates. Though funny at first, that even lost its enjoyment.
After a drawn out Herbology lesson, the Ravenclaw team made their way to the Quidditch pitch. Tryouts were to take place before dinner. All they needed was one more beater and a bloody good keeper. The team seemed more popular than ever, seeing as Ravenclaw had narrowly lost two years previous. This was Ravenclaw's year.
The Beater position was filled rather quickly by a magnificent new find, Marcus Belby. He was short, yet gruff and could handle a beater's bat with ease. The Keeper position proved to be much more of an issue, however after much debate and many arguments a Fourth Year, Miranda Bogsworth, was appointed the position. She needed some definite training, but I felt confident that this would be the year Ravenclaw beat Gryffindor.
Anthony and I walked back up to the castle, hand in hand. We were to eat in the Great Hall and then prepare for the night's festivities. I sat across from her friend, "So tonight…how much do you want to bet that Sarah and Terry hook up?"
Anthony considered the question for a moment, "I'd say my entire vault at Gringotts."
I laughed, "Ohh it is only a matter of time. I just know it!"
We ate heavily, as to not get sick later on when they drank copious amounts of firewhiskey. As we left the Great Hall Harry, Ron, and Hermione were on their way inside. Harry stopped and smiled at me, "So, are you planning on coming tonight?"
"Of course, wouldn't miss the first big celebration of the year. You're coming too?" I asked, feeling the food in her stomach churn uncomfortably.
"Yes of course I will. I saw you training earlier. Looks like the Gryffindors have some competition still," said Harry giving me a grin, "Well see you two later on then."
"See you," I immediately walked away after that painful conversation ended, "Merlin, Anthony I should just become a nun. Boys are too much to worry about."
He nodded silently, "Tonight will be interesting I suppose. Firewhiskey brings out the true feelings of people you know."
I agreed, unsure of what exactly alcohol would possess me to do tonight. With two boys I fancied in the same house…Merlin I'm turning into Sarah. Bidding Anthony goodbye for now, I climbed the staircase to the dormitory still deep in thought. Opening the door to the 7th year girl's room I stopped in shock. Sarah had clearly disassembled her entire wardrobe and strewn the contents across the entire room.
"Merlin Sarah! A wardrobe decision is not that difficult!" I cried throwing skirts, underwear, and socks off of her bed and onto Sarah's.
"It is if you're planning on snagging a new man before the next Hogsmeade trip," grumbled Sarah, "You on the other hand already have two men biding for your hand. Honestly, when did our roles switch?"
"About the time you ran out of new guys to date and had to go back for seconds. Unless of course you want to move a little younger? I heard there are a fair few single first years that would be honored to enjoy your company this evening," enjoying Sarah's scatterbrained state far too much.
Sarah shot me a look of deepest loathing accompanied by a rather rude hand gesture. I continued, "Sooo…who's the lucky guy?"
"Justin Finch-Fletchley if you must know. He and I had a thing back in third year…so young and innocent were we! Now, as mature 7th years we can explore new aspects of our relationship," said Sarah with the most mischievous face.
"You know there is one boy you haven't had much to do with…romantically. Terr-"
"Shut the bloody hell up right now. The day Terry Boot and I get together is the day Nearly Headless Nick's head actually comes off entirely. Seeing as that is entirely impossible, you will forgive my utter revulsion at your suggestion," said Sarah, finally selecting a rather short black skirt, a red halter top, and red high heels.
I, on the other hand, chose a much less revealing outfit. Dark skinny jeans, strappy black wedges, and a pale blue v-neck shirt encrusted with sparkly jewels around the neckline. Sarah looked as though she rather disapproved of the more concealing nature of my outfit but kept her mouth firmly shut.
We walked down the stairs and met with Terry and Anthony, both of whom looked extremely attractive. Anthony had on a light green button up shirt, with the sleeves rolled up past his elbow, showing off the newly conditioned muscles beneath. I couldn't help but smile in appreciation. Sarah took a more obvious approach, "Hot damn Anthony, if you weren't totally into my best friend…" she left the sentence hanging and walked out of the common room with Terry at her side. Anthony shook his head and followed them. He took my hand as we tried to look nonchalant walking toward the statue of the witch with the humpback.
Only passing students on their way to or from the library, we were relieved. Anthony and I stood in one of the secret passageways as Sarah and Terry went ahead to enter the witch's hump.
"You look beautiful tonight Charlotte," whispered Anthony.
Though the passageway was pitch black, I knew he could feel the heat emanating off of my cheeks, "Thanks Anthony, you don't look so bad yourself."
We waited another moment and then chanced an entry into the witch's hump. Muttering the incantation, the hump broke open and I crawled inside first followed closely by Anthony. We breathed a sigh of relief as the hump sealed itself and left the group in darkness. We walked on for several long minutes. Anthony slipped his hand into mine on the way to Honeydukes. I felt my stomach lurch, but not in an unpleasant manner.
Upon reaching the cellar we immediately apparated to the kitchen of the Shrieking Shack. Not only did we find the Weird Sisters blaring from the radio, but also more firewhiskey to last them half a century. The group grinned at each other knowing that tonight was going to be epic. Not much needed to be done for setup, so we each sat down in the living room with a glass of firewhiskey.
"Though it may be rather childish…I thought of a game we could play to pass the time once the others arrive," said Sarah thoughtfully.
The group looked at her expectantly and she continued, "Truth or Dare?"
Everyone nodded their heads, not really sure if the idea would go over well. However, they were certain after a few drinks it'd be a better idea than broomsticks. I was already getting tipsy off of my first glass and began to find many things in the room amusing, such as the rugs or the funny chairs. Sarah's buzz began when the rest of the party began to arrive.
The houses arrived in groups. Much to Sarah's pleasure, the Hufflepuffs arrived first. She immediately steered Justin over to the vat of firewhiskey, pouring him a glass large enough to satisfy Hagrid. The Gryffindors arrived next, Harry looking dashing in a dark blue sweater and jeans. He sought me out in the crowd almost immediately after apparating. Grinning broadly, he grabbed a drink and sat close to me. Every now and again I caught him staring at in my direction out of the corner of his eye. Finally, the Slytherines arrived, looking as though they found nothing better to do than come here. They slouched into a corner, waiting for the effects of strong alcohol to lighten their spirits.
A half an hour into the party, and everyone was itching to play the game that Sarah had suggested earlier. I was especially nervous, not knowing what I was going to do about Harry Potter…sitting feet away from me…looking so hot. Sarah began the explanation, "Now…if any of you have only played muggle Truth or Dare…you are not going to last very long in the Wizarding version. When the game begins, you must answer the question truthfully…if not we will know. Your face will remain unbearably red until you utter the truth. So unless you'd like to explain to dear Professor McGonagall why you are discolored…tell the bloody truth. Same goes for the dares, if you don't do it…then suffer the same consequence. Obviously, we will not be asking you to do anything too far out of your comfort zones…so for now…let the game begin!"
Sarah began with a question directed at Justin Finch-Flechley, "Justin…Truth or Dare?"
He grinned, "Dare."
Sarah looked thoughtful for a moment and then responded with, "I dare you…to kiss the prettiest girl in this room."
A dull flush rose in Justin's cheeks, he made his way over to whom he thought was the prettiest girl in the room, and sadly, it was not Sarah as she had been hoping. He, instead, walked over to Hannah Abbot and kissed her full on the mouth. When he sat back in his seat, I noticed a rather pleased look on Hannah's face and I couldn't help but grin myself.
The game continued in Hogwarts fashion. Justin dared Malfoy to jump on one leg around the house in his boxers. That alone was comical enough to last a life time. Malfoy, in turn, dared Seamus to dance ballet in his boxers for an entire ten minute song. The game continued for some time until more firewhiskey had been consumed and the tasks and questions began to get more and more risqué.
I was laughing and smiling happily as the room spun on its own accord. This was such a wonderful night, and I couldn't help but grin in pleasure when Anthony took his hand and rested it on my leg, casually rubbing my thigh. After Cho Chang had been asked to explain in great detail, the strangest place she had ever had sex, the Truth or Dare turned to me. I felt a great rush of nerves and felt my face turn bright red, "Truth."
Cho grinned, "Alright then. Though you are with Anthony now, do you still have feelings for Harry?"
Sarah looked as though she wanted nothing more but to punch Cho full in the face. I felt my cheeks grow to a dark red and stole a nervous glance at Harry and Anthony, who had withdrawn his hand from my leg, "I…I…yes, I suppose so."
The students in the room all looked at each other knowingly. Anthony, though he had known I had feelings for Harry all along, looked slightly crestfallen. I tried to brush past this question, and asked Hermione to choose. She turned pink and muttered, "T-truth." Her body swaying slightly on her chair, Hermione waited expectantly for the question. I thought it over for a moment and replied, "So…you and Ron…how far have you…gone?"
Hermione glanced at her knees, "Um…we we-we've only gone to…we've gone to 3rd…just the other day in fact."
She looked rather pleased with herself, knowing that many people in the room considered her more of a goody two shoes. A short time later, after Anthony was forced to eat a considerable amount of doxy droppings…followed by throwing up the contents of his stomach. He directed his truth or dare at Terry. Terry chose dare.
"Alright then mate, take the prettiest girl here and have a nice snog session in the bedroom," grinned Anthony giving me a look of knowing. I couldn't believe my eyes when Terry stood up and grasped Sarah's hand, leading her into the bedroom. The whole room enjoyed a laugh at the couple that was created before our very eyes. Who knew what Sarah would think about it tomorrow though?
When Terry returned he was ready for payback and immediately directed a question at Anthony, who promptly chose truth. "Alright then, tell us…how long have you been into Charlotte?"
He glanced at me quickly out of the corner of his eye, "Ever since I first set eyes upon her on the Hogwarts Express first year."
I turned to him, not caring what the others thought, "That long Anthony? And you…you never said or did anything about it."
"What can I say…I was never born with the Gryffindor courage like your Harry was. It was too late for me, once you had him back in fifth year," replied Anthony.
I forced him to look into my eyes, "Well…you have me now."
A look of triumph crossed Sarah's face as she watched us. Anthony merely nodded while the girls in the group joined together in a resounding, "Awwww." I noticed Harry was downing yet another firewhiskey at a quick pace. He turned on the spot and apparated to the cellar of Honeydukes. We tried to continue with the party but after several snogging sessions with individuals including Draco and Susan Bones, Katie Bell and Dean Thomas the party came to an end. A few apparated back to the school, daring to make the journey to their common rooms hopefully undetected.
I on the other hand, decided to stay at the Shrieking Shack. Normally Sarah and I would share a room and rehash the night's events. This time, however, I took Anthony's hand and led him into a bedroom at the top of the stairs. I layed down, feeling a wave of exhaustion, and closed my eyes. I felt the bed lower as Anthony layed down next to me.
I rolled onto my side and looked at his exhausted form, "Can we talk?"
He shook his head, "Come on Char, I'm exhausted. I don't have time for your worrying over my feelings when you're clearly still in love with Harry."
I sat up, "Anthony…did you ever know that I was practically in love with you until fourth year? I was hoping you'd ask me to Hogsmede or the Yule Ball or something…but you never did. So I settled for the next best guy in the school, Harry Potter. I ended up falling for him…hard. But you were…you were always my first choice. I assumed you loved me as a sister, so I pushed all my feelings for you out the window…and now here we are…and my feelings are fighting to come back inside…"
"Sure Char. Just get some rest," said Anthony rolling away so I could no longer see his face.
"Kiss me Anthony." I said, roughly grabbing his shoulder and turning him to face me, "Kiss me now." He looked up at me and saw a hard blazing look upon my face. I wanted nothing more but those lips to come crashing down upon my own. To feel the heat of his body pressed up against mine.
"Stop confusing yourself Charlotte. We are not dating. I was humiliated in front of all our friends and soon the school with know. You're dating someone yet have deeply romantic feelings for someone else. Now who's the fool? Not Harry as you had intended, I am the fool Charlotte. Now shut the bloody hell up and go to sleep," yelled Anthony.
I felt like I had been stung…like someone had just stunned me in the chest….like my heart was ripped out and thrown to the dogs. I rolled over on my side and began to sob silently. I was at fault here, not Anthony…I have done nothing but play with his emotions…shit I was a bitch. I continued to shake with sobs, when I felt a hand on my shoulder, expecting Anthony to ask me to quit my blubbering I turned at the touch. Anthony was fast asleep next to me…the touch had come from Harry Potter standing at the foot of our bed.
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