Twenty minutes passed, and Draco and Hermione had already been absent for longer than intended.

They made their way back through the crowd while stifling the occasional chuckle. Her hand remained clasped in his as he led them toward the Gryffindors across the Hall.

Ginny swayed her hips to the live music with arms extended over her head as Harry stood at a distance, uncomfortably rubbing the back of his neck with a timid expression. Harry had two left feet and didn't feel the need to embarrass himself in front of the entire school. His face lit up as Draco and Hermione neared.

"So, how did it go?" he prompted, pleased to find a tangible diversion from participating in a silly jig. "Go on, then."

"From the sounds of it, Jade has asked her elf to follow around one of the students," Draco informed with a permanent satisfied grin plastered across his lips. "Could have been anyone, really."

Harry's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Although the Slytherin had just confessed a troubling revelation, he was displaying relaxed body language and a very non-characteristic, genuine smile.

On the other hand, Ginny was susceptive to her best friend's demeanor; Hermione appeared equally delighted, and there was a newfound flush to her cheeks. Ginny placed a fist on her hip and raised an eyebrow at her, wordlessly communicating that she was on to her.

Hermione purposefully avoided eye contact while turning her attention to those surrounding them. The convenient joyous dancing and laughter encircling them was bound to drown out their voices.

The Head Girl took the opportunity to tactfully inform her comrades. She waved her fingers toward herself, prompting the trio to enclose the space around her, as her eyes slowly transitioned between their faces. "Even though we don't know who Jade was talking about.." she began above a whisper. "We do know that what she demanded of Faye won't work."

"How do you mean?" Ginny elevated her voice over the live music.

"There was one crucial, blaring sentiment that Jade failed to notice," Hermione noted matter-of-factly. She glanced to Draco whose eyebrows were pinched together in confusion. "Didn't you notice?"

"Sorry love," the Slytherin admitted while scratching the back of his head. "Was a bit distracted; think I blacked out for a minute there."

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, but the corners of her lips curled into a smile. Based off the suspicious look from Ginny, Hermione was eager to get their conversation back on track.

"Jade instructed Faye to follow, whoever it was, wherever she saw fit; meaning, at Faye's leisure and personal agenda. House elves encompass the ability to interpret their master's commands and manipulate their requests based off an ulterior motive, should they have one."

"The same thing happened when Kreacher betrayed Sirius," Harry grimly noted. His upper lip snarled while reluctantly adding, "Or, the time Kreacher betrayed me by leaving out the details of Malfoy's whereabouts in our sixth year."

Draco's eyes scanned the ceiling as he stroked his chin in contemplation. "A verifiable loophole."

"And what of your elf?" Harry pointed out to Draco. "Surely Poppy would be willing to help keep an eye on Faye in order to figure out who Jade was talking about? In contradiction to Kreacher, it seems as though she has a certain loyalty to you." Based off the smug look on Draco's face, Harry felt inclined to add, "For whatever reason."

"Harry has a point," Hermione added. "Where is Poppy, anyway?"

"Poppy was helping assist in the kitchens for preparation of the Halloween feast," Draco explained. "I'll have a word with her in the morning. In the meantime, I propose we take advantage of the party we orchestrated and enjoy the fun while we can."

"Can't argue there," Harry replied while throwing an arm around Ginny and kissing the side of her head.

Ginny kept a close eye on Hermione while leaning into her boyfriend's kiss. "'Mione and I will grab us some drinks," she stated as more of a command than an offer as she gripped Hermione's hand. "Come on."

"You're leaving me here with Scarhead?" Draco groaned.

"Yeah, what's this all about?" Harry complained with equal dissatisfaction.

"Play nice you two," Hermione instructed as Ginny yanked her in the opposite direction.

Once they were out of ear shot Ginny immediately asked, "So, how was the kiss?"

Hermione promptly tore her hand from Ginny's with a forced scoff. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You know perfectly well what I'm talking about," her friend stubbornly insisted in true Ginny fashion. "I know a post-glow snog when I see one."

Hermione bit back a smile while casually prompting, "Well which kiss are you referring to, exactly?"

"You minx!" Ginny shouted in amazement. "There was more than one?"

"Just today," Hermione sighed.

Ginny squealed with hands clasped beneath her chin. "How was it, then? Is Malfoy a good kisser?"

"Lower your voice," Hermione scolded while glancing to those surrounding them. "And yes.. yes, of course he was."

"I always thought he would be," Ginny replied with a reflective scan of the ceiling. "Not that I've ever thought of it or anything.."

"Of course not," Hermione replied with a knowing smile.

Her friend's comment didn't come as a surprise; every woman that attended Hogwarts around the same time frame as the Head Boy had presumably considered the scenario.

The Slytherin was the epitome of every Muggle drama series or romantic literature that Hermione had ever absorbed, depicting the misunderstood bad boy that required saving.

This character arc was existent in every form of media throughout history; he was the smoldering antihero with a distorted view of reality that rendered him misinterpreted and mysterious.

In both the Muggle and wizarding world alike, there was an innate attraction to explore this type of personality and unwrap the overlapping layers to such an intriguing persona.

Plus, it didn't hurt that Draco Malfoy was extremely attractive and blessed with striking features that complimented his appearance.

But it wasn't the bad boy complex that drew Hermione to Draco; if anything, he had exemplified constant progress in the transition from a spoiled little brat to a mature and compassionate young adult.

It was more so the savior complex, Hermione reflected. She had always seen the good in people, and rarely gave up on those who exhibited the potential of progress.

At the height of his career as a Death Eater in their sixth year, Draco was prompted with multiple tasks that he was unable to fulfill. His appearance declined with his mental health while undergoing intensive stress and being pulled in opposite directions.

While being faced with such daunting responsibilities, the visible repercussions of his inner struggles served as a representation to his true colors. Hermione pitied the Slytherin despite her animosity toward him, and she often found herself contemplating his potential should he have been initially aligned with the right side.

The Slytherin had the tendency to get under Hermione's skin and ruffle her feathers to a level of debatable obsession in their adolescence. And yet, his underhanded flirtations and taunting had always gained the reaction he desired. His off-putting tactics had initially driven her away, made her hate him even, but he always managed to turn her head in his presence.

And her head was turned, once again, as she kept a close eye on him from across the Hall.

The Slytherin's tall frame leaned against a wall with ankles crossed and hands stuffed in his pockets beside Harry. Harry kicked up a foot to balance himself against the barrier as they scanned the group of rowdy students surrounding them.

Draco tilted his head back, resting it against the wall, while exhaling. "I have to admit, Potter," he began in a serious tone. "At the end of the day, I can't help but contemplate why someone would want me dead."

"I haven't been able to come to a proper conclusion myself," Harry admitted. "But you've made your allegiance to Hogwarts clear since the beginning of term; more so your allegiance to myself. It was bound to rub some people the wrong way."

The crowd roared in applause as the band's third song came to a close. Draco continued to analyze the crowd in a dream-like state, consumed by the daunting predicament that he had unfortunately found himself at the center of.

From out of Draco's peripheral, he noticed Harry yank the lacrosse helmet from off of his head as he demanded clear eye contact. "But we have to keep open communication if we're going to figure out who's after you," he warned. "No more secrets."

The Great Hall suddenly tilted from Draco's viewpoint as he was consumed by a dizzy spell. His jaw stretched into yawn and his eyes watered as he lightly shook his head. "Right," he blandly deflected. For whatever reason, he was losing the ability of short-term memory as he racked his brain. "Where did Hermione run off to?"

Harry's bright green eyes narrowed as he scoured his comrade. "She and Ginny went to get us some drinks.." he slowly replied. "Are you feeling alright?"

Draco nodded while sending Harry a look as if he was the one losing his head.

Ginny and Hermione monitored their counterparts from across the Great Hall.

"It's a concoction for disaster; them working together," Ginny noted while gesturing a hand toward the Princes of Gryffindor and Slytherin perched against the wall. "It'll be up to us girls to make sure that they don't scratch each other's eyes out."

Hermione nodded in thorough agreement as they turned to the beverage stand.

Goyle made a point to come across as though that he'd rather be anywhere else while Neville appeared equally as annoyed.

Neville's features brightened as they neared. "'ello, Ginny; Hermione."

"You're looking rather beautiful tonight," Goyle complimented Hermione with an undiscernible smirk. "Be careful, you won't want Draco catching you chat up other blokes."

Hermione glanced over her shoulder to find just exactly that; Draco's icy blue eyes glowed against the dark room while keeping a possessive close eye on her. She curled a lock of hair behind her ear and straightened her posture while turning back to the two with poise.

"Hello Neville," she greeted, intentionally ignoring the problematic Slytherin sat beside him. "Having a pleasant evening so far?"

Neville's chin tilted down as he peered at them from out of the tops of his eyes. "It's just getting started," he lowly replied. "And yourself?"

"It's been a brilliant turn out," the Head Girl admitted while glancing over her shoulder. "However, I wanted Ginny to try out one of the cocktails I put together."

"She's been going on about them for weeks," Ginny groaned. "They better live up to my expectations."

Hermione glared at her friend with a playful smile.

With a bored yawn, Goyle waved his wand at the beverage menu beneath them and levitated it into Ginny's grip. She observed the list of parchment listing the festive drinks while ordering, "I'll try the Skele-gro."

"Make that two please," Hermione requested.

"A Wolfsbane for Malfoy," Ginny sniggered with a continued analysis of the thematic beverages. "It would be wildly entertaining to witness that arrogant git howling at the moon."

Hermione shared a laugh at the idea. "And a Draught of Living Death for Harry."

Neville's ears visibly perked as he stirred in his seat, looking more alert than he had for the entirety of the evening. He scrambled for a few goblets beneath the concession stand before pivoting toward the four labeled cauldrons depicting each cocktail.

Goyle let out another sloppy yawn while placing his chin against his palm and tapping a finger against his cheek. He lazily watched Neville fill each drink from out of the corner of his eyes. Although he had been instructed to uphold the beverage stand with an equal amount of diligence as the Gryffindor, there was simply zero chance that Goyle would ever participate in something he viewed as servant's work.

Hermione and Ginny turned their backs to the concession stand while a group of cackling students trailed past. The person at the forefront was wearing a familiar mask that depicted a Muggle's stereotype of a witch with ruby red glowing eyes.

"Stop right there!" Hermione firmly commanded.

The group of second-year Slytherins screeched on their heels, some of them running into the back of one another, while forcing innocent smiles. As they met the eye of the Head Girl, the one at the head of the group yanked the mask from off her face and held it behind her back.

Hermione wordlessly extended an arm as the Slytherin returned Luna's mask. Once it was in her possession, the Slytherins scurried off in the opposite direction.

In a timely manner, Luna casually skipped toward them through the crowd. She was still wearing a long purple and black cloak, but her face was now exposed revealing a very aloof expression. "Hello," she greeted Hermione and Ginny. "I was wondering when I would see you again."

"Were you looking for this, Luna?" Ginny asked while Hermione returned her witch mask.

Luna's eyes widened as if it was the first time she had noticed she was missing the accessory. "Oh, yes," she replied while attaching it to her head. "A few Slytherins told me how lovely it was, so they decided to borrow it. They were very nice."

"Borrow it?" Ginny asked, feeling defensive of her friend. "More like steal it."

"Difference of opinions," Luna replied airily. Her eyes searched the crowded Great Hall while adding, "I'll see you around, then. I'm trying to find someone."

"Do you need our help?" Ginny offered.

"No thank you," Luna replied. "I have the feeling I'll find him soon." Turning away from them, she clasped her hands behind her back and continued her journey skipping through the crowd.

"Bless her," Ginny commented to Hermione as their friend trailed off. There was no one quite like Luna Lovegood who held the charismatic ability to remain comfortably aloof in the presence of deceptiveness.

Hermione promptly drew her wand while casting, "Accio Firewhisky."

Another group of students, this time a gang of older Gryffindors, had been intercepted by the Head Girl as a concealed flask promptly flew from one of their grips. The students groaned as they met the eyes of the Head Girl, but were quick to emanate a naïve smile.

"I'll have you know that alcoholic beverages are not permitted," Hermione pridefully reprimanded.

With their tails between their legs and their heads held low, the group quickly disappeared into the crowd of students gathered around the Weird Sisters.

Turning to Ginny, Hermione disapprovingly noted, "Draco deemed it appropriate to partake in a spot of Firewhisky earlier this evening himself."

Ginny yanked the flask from Hermione's grip with the intention of provoking the strict Head Girl. "You're a real downer, you know that?" she teased. She shook the container's contents while mockingly nearing it to her lips to get a rise out of her.

Hermione's eyes narrowed as she snatched the flask and pocketed it in her purse. "What's gotten into you lot?" she criticized. "I can't turn my back for more than one second without mischief arising, can I?"

"Downer," Ginny reiterated while flicking a batch of hair over her shoulder.

Hermione's words couldn't have been truer; as the girls faced away from the concession stand, Neville casually reached into his robes and retrieved a tiny potion vial that he concealed in his lap.

This caught Goyle's eye as Neville turned his back to him and poured its contents into one of the drinks from beneath the table.

The Slytherin purposefully knocked shoulders with him while lifting his chin in the direction of his hands. "What do you think you're doing, Longbottom?"

Neville wordlessly glared at Goyle from over his shoulder before placing each drink against the surface.

Hermione lifted hers and Draco's drinks from the stand. "Thank you, Neville."

Ginny followed suit, gripping hers and Harry's while sending Neville a gracious smile.

Goyle momentarily opened his mouth to say something but felt as though it would fall upon deaf ears. He had been rendered invisible and shunned by the entirety of the school, even by his own housemates, since the attack.

And he had only just regained the trust of Draco.

Keeping an eye out for suspicious behavior was the least Goyle could do in continuing the repairment of their friendship. And if there was any indication of suspicious behavior, it was being outwardly exhibited by the Gryffindor sat right beside him.

The careless execution of Neville's actions gave off the impression that he simply didn't care if he was caught by the Slytherin. But if Goyle didn't say anything or put a stop to what he feared was next to come, he would be guilty by association once more.

"What did you put in that drink?" Goyle demanded of Neville once the women were out of earshot. "That could get you expelled you know; tampering with someone's beverage!"

"What're you gonna do, Goyle?" Neville prompted above a whisper in an eerie, unsettling tone. "Are you going to tell McGonagall that I contaminated one of the drinks?"

Goyle's jaw involuntarily dropped as his eyebrows pinched together. "Well, yes – yes, I think I will!"

"I wouldn't if I were you," he warned with a menacing smile. "I'll only tell them that you were the one who did it. Who do you think they'll believe?"

The blatant threat triggered an unsettling sensation in the depths of Goyle's stomach. "How did you get past the Secrecy Sensor with that vile?"

"Did you happen to forget that I walked in with you before that Squib showed up? Incompetent moron," Neville spitefully insulted.

Goyle jolted his upper body toward him with a wound fist. "Call me a moron one more time, and I'll flatten your face with my fist," he seethed through clenched teeth.

Unfortunately for Goyle, his violent threats failed to incite the usually reliant and routine reaction from the Gryffindor.

If anything, his efforts of intimidation had only seemed to please Neville; his eyebrow was arched with a smug, entertained smile. It was as if he was intent on instigating a counter reaction from the Slytherin by fighting fire with fire.

And it was working.

A bright shade of red flooded Goyle's face as he grit his teeth in anger. "Where were you that day?" he persistently interrogated. "Quidditch practice, the day Draco was attacked?"

Neville smirked as his eyes lazily lolled from side to side. "Does it matter?"

Goyle's eyes narrowed and then reopened as if the dull lightbulb engrained his head suddenly ignited with pristine radiance. His eyes continued to dart across the Gryffindor's face as the wheels slowly turned in his head.

"It does matter," he finally replied. "Because I'm sitting here, forced to partake in this rubbish for something that I never did, when it was you the whole time; wasn't it, Longbottom?"

Neville rolled his eyes and sighed, leaning an elbow against the surface while laying his cheek against his palm. "You figured it out, Goyle," he drawled, sounding unimpressed. "It was me; innocent little Neville Longbottom."

Goyle kept a close eye on Hermione and Ginny as they approached Draco and Harry across the Hall. The Slytherin shoved his seat back from the stand while raising to his feet. With one last glance at Neville, he adjusted his robes with dignification and trailed after them.

He didn't care that he was abandoning his instruction of 'tending' the concession stand, or that no one would believe a word he said; all that mattered was that he would not allow Draco to fall victim to another deliberate attack beneath his nose.

Draco raised his beverage for a toast while wrapping an arm around Hermione's shoulders and pulling her in close. The Head Girl looked up at him with a shameless grin while resting her head against his shoulder.

"To old enemies and new beginnings," Draco declared with a nod to Harry.

Harry sent his childhood enemy a genuine smile while replying, "Cheers, mate."

"A successful bash if I've ever seen one," Ginny complimented the Head Girl.

"Happy Halloween," Hermione added with a gleeful smile.

The booming bass of the music washed out Goyle's voice as he approached them, and he knew his time was limited.

"Draco, stop!" he shouted, drawing his wand. "Your drink, it's-" He didn't bother finishing his sentence as he watched Draco pull the cocktail to his lips and take a sip. "Accio Wolfsbane!"

The targeted drink was promptly yanked from Draco's grasp as its contents sloppily sloshed across the crowd in Goyle's direction. The students shrieked in disgust as they were doused in the beverage and their attentions were drawn to the bulky Slytherin.

"What're you playing at, Goyle?" Draco sneered, licking his lips. "I was planning on finishing that!"

Goyle's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as his line of vision darted between Draco, the group of angered saturated students, and then back again.

Ginny folded her arms and shimmied her shoulders in amusement, basking in the reception of the dim-witted Slytherin's clumsiness. Hermione displayed an opposing expression of weariness as she examined Goyle with concern.

"I thought.." Goyle's voice weakened as he tried to explain, "Longbottom – your drink, he-"

The bickering between the Slytherins came to a prompt close as Harry dropped to the floor dead weight.

"Harry?" The entertainment was swiftly wiped from Ginny's face as she came to the harrowing realization that her boyfriend had slumped to her feet. "HARRY!"

The immediate attention of those surrounding them turned their heads in curiosity.

Foam regurgitated from Harry's mouth as he writhed against the floor. His eyes rolled into the back of his head, choking for air.

"Harry's been hurt!" one of the student's shouted in horror.

The live band came to a crashing close, the sound of a strained guitar transmitting from the speakers.

The Great Hall broke into complete chaos as word spread. The students formed a circle around Harry, gasping and choking, with Ginny at his side on her knees.

Draco's jaw dropped in shock, disbelieving of the scene in front of him.

By the time he had allowed his mind to momentarily stray from the first attack, a second one had already occurred. But the apparent failure of execution and consequential misfire by the unnamed culprit caused Harry to unintentionally take the fall for him.

The Slytherin had done extensive research on the effects of poison while indirectly administering the mishandled mead meant for Dumbledore in his sixth year.

There was an antidote for the poison, he had read, but the longer the night progressed the more his memories unexplainably faded. Coming to his wits, Draco was able to form a cohesive conclusion. "A bezoar," he quietly reflected, turning Hermione's head.

Hermione nodded her head diligently, having come to the same conclusion herself, while expeditiously instructing, "We have to get him to the Hospital Wing! Madam Pomfrey will have stock."

With a snap louder than any of the instruments, Faye the house elf Apparated by their side and extended an arm toward Harry for purposeful contact.

"No!" Ginny shrieked, putting Faye's motion to a halt. "What're you doing? You can't take him!"

"Faye has been instructed to take Mr. Harry Potter to the Hospital Wing," the house elf declared.

Ginny placed a hand against Harry's chest, feeling him twitch beneath her touch, while matching the eyes of Jade at the forefront of the room. The head of Slytherin peered across the Hall, appearing uncharacteristically on edge and breathless with anxiety.

Draco bent to the floor on one knee while clenching a hand on Ginny's shoulder. "It's alright," he consoled her, fighting back an overpowering sensation of exhaustion. "Potter needs immediate help."

Ginny sniffed, wiping her wrist beneath both eyes, while standing to her feet. Hermione pulled her in for a comforting hug while maintaining firm eye contact with Draco.

The three of them simultaneously pivoted toward the teacher's podium once more, coming to an unspoken agreement; they were given no choice other than to trust Jade and Faye in the transmission of Harry who was barely on the cusp of consciousness.

Ginny reluctantly nodded her head as Hermione gave Faye a pointed look, permitting the elf's next move. Tucking her forehead into Hermione's neck, Ginny concealed her eyes from the impending scene.

"We'll go to the Hospital Wing together," Hermione assured her friend. Her eyes curiously scanned Draco while hesitantly adding, "Right?"

Draco shook his head while deflecting, "I'll allow a moment of privacy between the three of you. I have the upmost confidence that Potter will make a speedy recovery, and we'll pick back up in the morning."

As much as he truly believed that Harry would make it out alive, there was an underlying motive to separate himself from the women so as to not worry them further based off his own complications.

Dreary and sluggish as ever, it was becoming more obvious by the second that he needed to get some sleep. If there was any chance of integrating a proper investigation moving forward, he required a good night's rest and a clear head space to reset for the morning.

Whether it was his usual sleep deprivation or something more sinister, Draco was confident that whatever Harry had ingested was dissimilar based off the symptoms he was currently experiencing.

Faye lengthened her crooked bony fingers before clasping them around Harry's wrist. Once they came into contact, they Disapparated out of thin air.

"Draco?" Hermione prompted. "Draco, are you alright?"

Still deep in thought, the Slytherin hadn't taken notice to the firm grip Hermione held on his bicep. Despite her obvious distractions, Ginny appeared equally as concerned over his wellbeing.

Draco's eyelashes fluttered with heightened acceleration as his unstable vision struggled to center upon them. "I'm fine," he reassured while forcing a smile.

Inwardly, Draco was as weary as ever, but Harry's recovery was more important than the trivial state of fatigue he was in. He was well aware that Ginny and Hermione needed to get to the Hospital Wing as soon as possible, and didn't want to delay them any longer.

The crowd of frantic students filtered past them as they made their way through the exit and off to their common rooms as firmly instructed by the professors.

"Potter will be waiting for you," Draco encouraged. "I just have to.." His eyes fell upon Goyle who was conveniently darting toward them. ".. have a word with Goyle."

With one last look of thorough concern, Hermione nodded her head while leading Ginny toward the exit. Time was of the essence, and the Head Girl and Head Boy were required to split up in emergency situations such as this. Regulating the safety of the students was their priority, and they would have to touch base once it was safe.

Goyle jogged toward Draco, short of breath. "I tried stopping him," he hurriedly informed. "It was Longbottom, he poisoned your drink, and-"

"He didn't poison my drink," Draco scolded. "Potter was the one that – hang on, did you just say Longbottom?"

Goyle nodded with a pointed thumb in the opposite direction.

"I should have known," Draco groaned. He turned toward the concession stand only to find that it was vacant. In a flurry of students, he attempted to scan the crowd for any sign of Neville, but had come up short. "Polyjuice potion."

"I dunno," Goyle disagreed. "He seemed fine to me."

"That's because you display a severe lack of self-awareness," Draco reprimanded.

Goyle defensively folded his arms, having been insulted for his unintelligence once more, as his patience depleted. "If you think you're so smart, then just piss off, will you?"

"Gladly," Draco chided. As he fled his housemate's presence, he lost his balance and wobbled to the side. It was as if gravity was working against him, shoving him in different directions as he resisted.

Goyle made an impulsive decision to set aside his frustrations with his housemate. "Where are you running off to?" he questioned while gripping Draco's shoulder and spinning him around. The movement spun the blonde's head, causing his eyes to lose their tracking. "You're looking rather pale."

Wiping a hand across tired eyes, Draco sighed, "I simply require a proper night of sleep."

"Well, uh.. fine. I'll walk you back to your dormitory then," Goyle adamantly insisted.

Draco was experiencing an insurmountable level of frustration with his pesky housemate, but knew deep down that his offer was well-intended. Plus, it was clear that Goyle wasn't going to take no for an answer, and he was disinterested in wasting his already depleted energy in a needless argument.

On their route down the corridors, hysteric students passed by with worried chatter. The occasional passerby sent an apprehensive look to the Head Boy who was appearing sicklier by the minute.

Draco's posture hunched and his footsteps became clumsier as he accidentally bumped shoulders with Goyle. Goyle took it upon himself to throw Draco's arm around his broad shoulders for balance.

Naturally, the Head Boy initially resisted with a scoff, preferring to be hit with the Avada curse rather than be seen using Goyle as a human crutch, but his body wasn't as resistant. Most of his weight leaned against his housemate as they finally made it to his designated dormitory.

In respect to the absence of Harry and Neville, the dormitory was empty aside from Blaise who was sound asleep in his bed with the blankets pulled over his head.

Goyle curiously stabbed the handle of his wand against Blaise's back with his head tilted to the side. "You lot really can't handle your liquor, can you?" he muttered under his breath.

"What an appropriate time to boast about your elevated tolerance to alcohol," Draco sarcastically noted while dragging his feet to the bed adjacent to Blaise's. Turning to Goyle, he added, "Thank you for your assistance. I can take it from here."

"Well, alright then." Goyle gave one last pointed look across the room before letting himself out of the dormitory.

Once his housemate exited the room and he was finally left in peace, Draco slipped into bed. Still fully dressed in a suit, he threw the devil mask to the night stand before yanking the duvet up to his chin and falling into a deep sleep.