We made our way down to the Quidditch pitch shortly before 11am. The grounds are quite noticably covered in a thin layer of frost that crunches under our footfall. Albus and Alice are bickering over scorelines, fouls and possible injuries while I'm almost gliding towards the pitch on a metaphorical cloud. I wonder if the thought of another potential tryst with Malfoy makes me feel this elated what on earth it's like to actually sample that liquid luck we brewed. The wind seems to pick up, the further from the castle we get; perhaps Albus' prediction wasn't too far off after all.
Climbing the stairs into the stands, Albus spots James and pushes through the crowd to him, insisting he'll find us again before the match kicks-off. When Albus is out of earshot Alice jabs me in the ribs.
"So you and lover boy is definitely a thing then?" She smiles knowingly and I have to resist jabbing her in the eye in retaliation.
"Keep your voice down for Circe's sake. It was one look after our little...whatever it was last night." As much as I'm playing this through in my head to my hearts content, I also don't want to speak out loud about it and jinx any chance of it ever happening again. Curse you brain for your fickle ways! Stop sounding so mental in your head Weasley; get a grip.
We pick a spot somewhere in the middle of the pitch, so we have a good view of both sets of hoops and are high enough up to see all the action. The wind has picked up even more and Alice's hair wips my face as she leans in to avoid shouting over the howling wind.
"I'd give yourself some more credit Rose. It's not everyday a guys looks at you that way. Ok that came out wrong." I raise an eyebrow in amusement. "What I mean is, don't put down the situation. That look I just observed basically said 'I'd be happy to have some more of that please'." I look at her dumbfounded and we laugh.
"Well I hope you're right. I'll bring my things to the Hufflepuff common room and get ready with you tonight. I'll probably be majorly anxious about the situation by then. This is after I go finish my Tranfiguration essay in the library this afternoon. Before you get any ideas."
"Yes! Our Rosie finally taking the 'work hard, play hard' attitude seriously."
"Alright, you can shut up now." I say, seeing Al making his way back towards us past a rather disgruntled group of third years.
"I refused to take their bets," said Al after seeing my questioning look. "Too young in my opinion. James gave me some grief but it's all sorted now. You guys know who's taken over as commentator this year?"
"No idea actually," said Alice standing on tip toes trying to get a view of the commentary box. As if to answer our question a voice spoke over the blustering weather and was met with a noticeable hush from the crowd around us.
"Good mornin' folks. Dylan O'Neill here to commentate the first match of the season; Ravenclaw vs Slytherin!" This announcement was met with much cheering from the crowd and some whooping from Albus and Alice among others around us.
"Here comes the Slytherin team-" He reeled off the players names, Malfoy's among them as they strode out into the middle of the pitch. "and the Ravenclaw team-" I can just about make out which players are which on both teams as small colourful dots on the muddy pitch, my eyes lingering on Malfoy for longer than anyone else. We watch the captains shake hands and hear the distant sounding whistle.
"AND THEY'RE OFF!" Both teams are air born in the blink of an eye and already in position. My eyes are almost blurred by the speed which the Slytherin team is passing the Quaffle and I'm not surprised that O'Neill as a rookie to his new role is struggling slightly.
"And it's Flint with an under pass to Archer to ducks behind, wait Ravenclaw have possession, no Slytherin win it back-,"
"Poor guy, first time commentating and he up against almost new racing broom speeds. He needs a pair of omnioculars really," mutters Albus to my left hand side.
Unfortunately O'Neill's commentary doesn't improve as the match goes on but one thing that is becoming startlingly obvious is just how strong a team Slytherin appear to be this year. They've been doing formation plays, their beaters have successfully stopped half a dozen goals, forcing almost twice as many drops and naturally I saved the best news for last. Malfoy has been all over those hoops and only let in a single goal. I really have tried to pay attention to the whole match but it hasn't been all that easy with inaccurate and barely audible commentary over the swirling wind. The scores are currently Ravenclaw 10 and Slytherin 160 and to be honest, watching this game has really got me wanting to head out flying again.
At this particular moment of my internal realisation a few things happen in quick succession. One of the Ravenclaw Chasers, quaffle in arms (I can't remember his name, although it turns out neither can O'Neill) started hurtling towards Malfoy who's taken a few mild bludgers to his arms over the duration of the match, and looks slightly frazzled. It's at this moment that Alice yells and points towards Lambert whose gaze has fallen from his own chaser to take a nose dive following a small golden ball near the outer edge of our side of the pitch. Clearly keeping his faith that his own teammate will score past a flagging Malfoy and arguably right to believe that Baines, the Slytherin Seeker won't catch up with him. Alice, Albus and I all lean forwards to watch Lambert hurtle out of view at the base of the stands, as Malfoy manages to kick the quaffle aimed at the top left hoop with the tip of his toe away from it's course and Lambert pulls up from his dive back into view with the snitch wings visibly fluttering in his hands. Looking over at his sapphire clothed teammate his shoulders slump and an eruption from everyone dressed in green in the stands is somehow heard over the howling wind. I crack a grin and clap along with the rest of Hufflepuff and Gryffindor house. I turn to Albus waggling my eyebrows and holding out my hands as he groans.
"Damn, I really thought Ravenclaw had that one." He said fishing in his pockets for the small leather bag. I look back at the pitch to see the Slytherin team back on the ground clasping hands and patting each other on the back. After a few moments two team members hoist Malfoy up onto their shoulders and carry him out of the stands, their shouts of joy masked my a rumble of thunder from above us.
XXX
It's been a while since I've attended a Hogwarts party. And never have I been invited, or informed of the password to get into the Slytherin common room to attend one. Most Quidditch celebration parties are held in the winners common room, I'm convinced the Professors can't be ignorant of the parties that become ever more debaucherous as the evenings wear on. I've overheard many times from Patricia in the past that Slytherin parties are the ones you have to attend while you're at Hogwarts. I assume that even though many families who are still present in Slytherin, may have been devalued after the most recent wizarding war their assets still allow their children to afford to arrange more opulent parties than the others houses. Thankfully, in Gryffindor, we have James Potter who is on first name terms with the daughter of Madam Rosmerta who can often barter for a half dozen barrels of butterbeer and probably too much Firewhiskey for a small Quidditch celebration.
Alice and I finally arrive outside the Slytherin common room, where all I can hear is a distant dripping. If there is indeed a party behind the stone brick you would never have guessed it. Another reason why the dungeons down here are so damn unappealing is the idea that the walls could cave in at any minute and drown us in ice cold water from the lake; although a rather dramatic event I have thought about that a few times during dull theoretical potions lessons. I draw my cardigan across my chest. I chose to dress, not as my mother would probably do, but also not like those...well, I don't like to use the term sluts but sometimes it's the only fitting description. I've got on my dragon-hide boots, thick socks on top of black tights, shorts and a tshirt with cut off sleeves sporting my favourite band; The Cornish Pixies. Alice said I looked like one of those muggle "rock chicks" but hot all the same. I'd rolled my eyes and thanked her, refusing to agree but secretly hoping it would be enough and not create any unwanted attention. I tried to dress up for a party once and got aggressively told that a bookworm shouldn't bother to dress up. This was back in fourth year and incredibly upsetting at the time, but I'm very grateful this didn't alter how I presented myself in the future. Alice has a little more self confidence than me and went for a mid-length swing-style dress that accentuates her curves. Sometimes I wonder why the hell this girl doesn't have a fella hanging off her at all times, but Alice is far too much one of the guys and I think even as a Hufflepuff she can intimidate a lot of the boys at this school.
"You ready lass?" Asks Alice ginning at me. I'm pretty sure I'm having heart palpitations right about now.
"Don't look so bloody worried. I told you, that look he gave you this morning meant something." She pats me on the back encouragingly.
"Like seriously Rose. You look about five minutes away from being sick on your own shoes. Smile. It's a party. I knew we should have had a little tipple in my room..." I finally crack a grin.
"Thanks Alice. I really owe you. Like all the time. I'm sorry I was so caught up with things at the start of the year." I finally manage. I feel silly doing this now, but I feel compelled to tell her this. Her loyalty is something I love most about her. She's a good egg.
"You're such a good egg." I find myself saying out loud. Alice barks a laugh in response.
"Come on girlie. He's one hot bloke and it'll all work out tonight. Just maybe don't make out in the centre of the room in front of your cousins."
"Thanks for that." I manage to grin now. One last glance over my shoulder as Alice speaks the password to the blank stone wall.
"Sanguis dragonis."
We hurry through the gap that appears in the rock quickly to be met with loud, but thankfully not ear-splitting music coming from an enchanted muggle hifi system. Funnily enough it looks identical to the one from my Granger Grandparents front room. Their common room looks almost exactly how my father has described it to me in stories from his, mum and my uncles past, however for the sake of a party it's quite obvious the room has been rearranged. Green, glowing lamps are littered across small tables along the edges of the wall with high backed arm chairs covered in dark green leather joining them. The ceiling hosts dozens of floating candles, their flames almost sparkling bronze in homage to their competitors. I get this warm feeling inside with the consciousness of how things have changed so much since my parents days. There are plenty of people here already. Many are dancing with bottles of butterbeer in their hands, while other small groups are stood chatting on the edge of the giant rug that covers the dancefloor. I see no blond heads among the thong of people and my heart sinks a little.
"Drink?" Asks Alice from my side and I nod before we make our way over to a table covered in drinks. The table overlooks glass windows that would normally show the depths of the lake in daylight but are darkest black now. I lean in and put my eye close to the glass and see (if it's possible) an even darker outline of some large creature in the depths. I pull back sharply in shock and move away from the glass.
A large group of people suddenly stumble through the same stone me and Alice came in from. It's quite apparent that this group is mostly Ravenclaws who've clearly had a drink or two already (perhaps to drown their sorrows). I see Lambert already lent on one of his chasers with a small smile on his face.
"Alright Slytherins!" he yells to the room at large. "Let's get drunk!" and he stumbles over to the hifi and cranks up the volume. I laugh, disbelieving at the exceptional sportsmanship and have Alice beside me look on equally as shocked by the events. A few people cheer in agreement and it's almost like a switch was flicked. It suddenly feels twice as warm in the room and there seems like three times as many bodies, laugh joking and dancing to the bass-heavy music.
Shortly afterwards a small group of Gryfinddors fall through the stone entrance headed by my rowdy cousin James. I'm actually surprised he's invited as he usually doesn't have great things to say about the Slytherins. Probably the only one in our family who can't just let the past stay that way. He notices me and Alice instantly (again, most probably due to my flaming red hair) and makes a beeline through the busy room. Without even a hello he strikes up conversation with me.
"Rosie dearest. Pass us a butterbeer would you?" I scowl at him as I thrust a butterbeer into his outstretched hand. "It's been a good while since I've managed to get an invite to a Slytherin party." He muses taking a sip.
"Perhaps that's due to you're rather, impolite attitude towards those in Slytherin House. Have you ever considered that James?" I ask, trying to keep my tone measured, after all the main reason I'm here tonight is to seek out a certain slytherin, who by the way I've still not managed to spot. And the common room isn't huge or anything.
"It's all in jest Rose. They know that, I know that. It's all just good banter eh?" He asks and I inwardly cringe.
"Please don't use that word. It makes you seem like a complete ignoramus." I don't hold back now, James always needs reeling in a bit back towards reality.
"Also there is a rather pretty lass I've wanted to find since speaking to her last week and word has it she was also invited tonight." He ignores my suggestion and Alice finally cuts in looking at him incredulously.
"Potter, you seriously need to get a grip." She scoffs, finishing her first butterbeer. I raise a questioning eyebrow but she doesn't respond.
"Ally, no need to act jealous or anything."
"You're a pig, James."
"Why thank you. I try my best. Watch out when they're drunk though, they are cunning those Slytherins." Me and Alice are about to protest when he clearly spots the girls he's trying to find as a broad grin spreads across his face and he turns and walks directly away.
"When will James grow up do you think?" Alice muses beside me.
"Not sure. I think it's some eldest child complex. I mean, we might be the children of War Heroes but he's Harry Potter's first son right? He was bound to get an ego too big to fit through the oak front doors of the castle at some point during his time here."
"Mmmmh," Alice just nods and takes another drink from the table. I have a look myself over the tables contents and finally find some elderflower wine wedged between some Hog's Head Mead. "Like seriously. Stop looking so worried." She finally said after scanning the room for a few moments. I don't respond but I know exactly what she's referring to. That huge elephant in the room that only we can see.
"He could be anywhere. Finishing homework, prefect duties, the kitchens for supplies, I really hope it's the latter as this party is ridiculously thin on the ground when it comes to snacks." I nod in agreement but don't speak at first. A few hundred ideas are racing through my head right now, the worst probably being a mental image of Malfoy trapped under a fallen bookshelf in the library unable to reach his wand and Madam Pince who is basically deaf now can't hear his calls for help.
"Aye I know," I say after a few other even more ridiculous ideas come to mind.
"Let's go have a dance."
"Alright then."
We must dance for over an hour, the room gaining people every so often. I am certain I've still not seen Malfoy around at all; anywhere. The rest of the Slytherin team have been joyously singing whichever tune comes on the hifi with gusto. Everyone seems in high spirits, even the Ravenclaws. There is a horrible moment where I lock eyes with Patricia who I didn't see come in the door but she merely scowls and walks to the other side of the room. What I think is more odd is that she appears to be alone tonight. She's brought the other Gryffindor sixth year girls with her so she clearly has at least a few people hanging off her every word tonight. I suddenly hear a loud cheer in the direction of the common room entrance again but I'm too busy observing Patricia at this moment to check who it is. She doesn't quite look as well put together as usual. She looks a little rough around the edges which is highly irregular with regard to her appearance. Her and the other girls look quite content at a table chatting between themselves though. One of them puts her arm around her suddenly and I'm forced to admit that I feel a sense of pity deep in my gut. I did wonder why she wasn't here with Davies. This action might be a bit implicit for me to garner that conclusion, but I can see her shoulders shaking a little now too. I have to tear my eyes away at this moment. She isn't really a friend of mine and therefore it really isn't any of my business. I can be reasonable. I claim that I don't like people knowing all the sordid details of my life so why should I pry into others? A rather hushed deep voice breaks through my thoughts.
"Hullo Alice. Rose." It's one of the Ravenclaw chasers if I am recognising him correctly. He's got dark hair and the eyes to match and his voice does sound rather heavenly I have to admit. He nods to me and addresses Alice again.
"You fancy having a dance with me?" He asks, no hint of nervousness in his voice.
"Me?" states Alice rather dumbly pointed at herself.
"Yeah." She looks him up and down before turning to me. "You mind Rose?"
"Not at all!" I push her closer towards him. "You guys have fun now won't you." Alice turns back to him and I just about hear her say over the music. "Alright then boy-o, let's see your moves." I make my way back to the drinks table grinning to myself. I lean against it for support supping on my drink just watching the students dance around and around the room to the music. I can see someone approaching in my periphery to the drinks table and think nothing of it until they lean a little too close beside me and I hear that gruff voice I've been wanting to hear again all day.
"Glad you made it Weasley." I don't turn around to face him but my heart is immediate threatening to burst though my rib cage. I hide my grin, straining to remain as nonchalant as possible.
"Congratulations are in order at they not Malfoy? That was quite a performance today." I don't even know why I'm playing this cool. There is a definite chance that Malfoy may not like the "playing hard to get" routine that for some reason I've decided to go with.
"Thanks." He leans to take a drink from behind me and grazes my back as he does so. I'm hyper aware of his presence lent against the table only a tangible distance from me. I can feel myself flush as I remember thoughts of the previous night. "It's a shame I spent the rest of the day finishing that damn Transfiguration essay, rather than starting this little celebration early." I just nod and scan the crowd again.
"How'd you find the essay?" I ask innocently, my academic curiosity getting the better of me.
"Struggled with the conclusion, I much prefer the practical side of transfiguration," he pauses and takes a short breath before muttering, "However, It's not quite as enthralling as potions." I nod and can't quite hide the smile forming on my lips. My heart is still racing. I see Alice has left her dance partner in favour of talking fervently to Albus who must have appeared since I left as I'd not seen him at all since lunchtime. Satisfied that I won't be missed by anyone here I feel I can indulge myself. I finally look up at Malfoy who it appears has been watching me already. His blond hair looks deliciously tousled and his grin is causing crinkles near his eyes. He's got a small glass in his hand filled with amber liquid and a single cube of ice. Annoyingly this make him look even more sophisticated than usual, this on top of this pale blue button down shirt makes me squirm a little at my choice of attire. Maybe you should have made a little more effort Weasley. Much to my internal delight though, he rakes his eyes over me unabashed by this overtly explicit gesture.
"Loving the shoes Weasley," he comments tilting his glass to me before turning his attention to the room and glancing over to his teammates.
"Cheers. That really was a damn good save at the end of the match though." I change the subject back to Quidditch as I'd rather not talk about dragon-hide boots with Scorpius Malfoy.
"Not sure if it was really worth it, I'm not sure if I'll lose that toe nail."
"Eugh. That really is unfortunate." I muse, reaching for the bottle of elderflower wine to top up my drink.
"Allow me." Says Malfoy grasping the bottle and filling my glass to the brim.
"Not trying to get me drunk are you Malfoy?" I ask coyly, eyeing my dangerously full glass. He places the bottle down on the table behind us before moving his face a lot closer to mine.
"I found it very difficult to concentrate in todays match Weasley. If I wasn't so adept at Keeping, Slytherin certainly wouldn't be celebrating. You and I in that corridor last night was hard to not think about, especially with you stood in the crowd." He turned and looked at the room, as I did and found Patricia watching us with her group of girls surrounding her forgotten. She was looking curiously between us both her head tilted to one side. Malfoy appeared to have also seen this and turning back to me his eyes dark, "Would it be too presumptuous to ask if you'd want to maybe take a walk somewhere quiet? Perhaps away from anyone that was not involved in the events I'm referring too."
"Oh you want to go see the House Elves!" I say unable to stop myself and see a flash cross his face before he speaks again.
"No Weasley." He speaks low and firm that feels like it reverberates through my chest. "I'd like it if we left and I could get better acquainted with the same charming red head from last night." His voice is serious and I can't help but grin up at him.
"All you had to do was ask Malfoy." I give him one more glance and throw in a wink for good measure to see him smirk in response. I see him drain his glass and grab a bottle from the table as he follows me with an innocent distance between us. I clamber through the stone exit into the silent corridor and walk a few paces, the corridor is freezing compared to the packed and rowdy common room. I can see my breath rise in front of me. I hear the din and feel a rush of warmth as Malfoy steps out into the corridor in front of me, a bottle of what looks like Firewhiskey in his hand and the biggest grin on his face. He doesn't even wait until the stone moves back into place before his lips are finally on mine again and his arms wrapped around me. It's at this moment that I thank Merlin for everything he's ever done for me as our tongues begin to dance. I can feel the cold glass through my top, pressed into my lower back. His hands are running through my hair with a lot more ease than the previous night. I bite his lower lip again which elicits a growl from the back of his throat again. He pulls back his hand balling into a fist in my hair and tugging gently. I resist the urge to moan gently and instead bite down on my own bottom lip, my breath shaking.
"Weasley," he finally growls back, his eyes alight with fire. "I don't think it's safe for you to do that to me in a corridor. I cannot be held responsible for my actions." I'm pretty sure even in this light he'll be able to see the deep blush that reaches the roots of my hair when he says this. "I'd much prefer if we had a little more privacy than a dungeon corridor." It's at this moment where my heart stops a little. As much as I am over the moon that Malfoy wants to fool around with me, I would rather not just jump straight into bed with him. I really do hope this isn't what he was referring to. Especially with the knowledge that it was literally only weeks ago he was seeing Patricia. He must have noticed my smile falter as he moved away a little further.
"Sorry Weasley," he said earnestly, "I mean it would just be nice to have some more privacy without the fear of someone finding us. I think we're both aware of the waves this may cause if word gets out that Scorpius Malfoy is dragging Rose Weasley off the straight and narrow." He waggles his eyebrows which I realise must be a reflex and not intentional as now he really does look abashed at what he just said.
"I get it Malfoy." I admit, "I completely agree with you there." I smirk, "but do recall I never once so much as whimpered a complaint."
"Whimpered..." Malfoy breathes and I see his eyes darken with lust again and my stomach flips. Obviously I chose some rather implicit words there with every intention that at some point we will definitely make the beast with two backs as it were. I'm not saying I don't want a good fooling around session with his man with the most gorgeous grin I've ever seen right this instant though. I toy with the top few buttons of his shirt pulling him back towards me as I have an unusual and yet what I would like to call inspired epiphany. "I think I have just the place. Can I have a drink?" He nods, grinning his toothy grin and hands me the bottle. I take a good swig, the liquid burning my throat and giving me goosebumps. I pull his lips down to mine and feel the searing heat of our bodies together once more.
"C'mon Malfoy." And we grin stupidly at each other as I take his hand and run down the dungeon corridor and up the stairs to the entrance hall, no thought for potential teachers roaming the corridors. No thought for the monstrous thuds my boots make as they make contact with the stone floor. We tear up the stairs in the entrance and up to the first floor. In a hidden passage leading to the fifth floor he clearly simply can't resist me as he drags me to him and pushes me against the wall again crushing my lips with his. I melted into him all to easily under the influence of a few elderflower wines.
"Where are you taking me Weasley?" He gasps when we split, in need of air.
"Ah you'll see Malfoy, but I assure you you won't be disappointed." The look he's giving me would make any girl weak at the knees. Honestly. It's like I'm all he can see in the world right now and all he's thinking about. I realise then that it appears I had nothing to worry about.
Well there you go. I wonder where they're headed? I was tempted to leave it here but there needs to be a few bumps in the road before it seems like a happy ending. Gotta have a bit of drama eh?
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