The moment we left our dorm I realised I was a little more gone than I originally thought. I had planned on getting tipsy to calm my nerves, not get halfway to blacking out before the party had even started. Hermione and I stumbled together, hiccuping and giggling intermittently, hands held together by our intertwined little fingers

It almost felt as though we were walking the halls of an abandoned building. I could almost hear the echos of the previous voices that once filled these halls, but had since fell dormant. That's how still the air was, as though the school had not seen people for years

Perhaps it was the nerves tricking my brain into thinking we were going somewhere we shouldn't, I mean we weren't allowed to be throwing a raging party, but it almost felt like it was morally wrong. I rid my brain of every nagging thought telling me to turn back and stay in the safe space of Hermione's dorm, the excitement for my first ever party outweighed everything else

Images of me and my mother dancing around our large kitchen, listening to muggle music and drinking muggle drinks flashed through my scattered brain. I'll miss that woman like no other, she was my only companion up until now besides my dearest Hokey, our house elf. Some of my fondest memories were the laughs I'd have with my Mother, when my Father wasn't around

She found a new lease of life in his absence, becoming a shadow whenever he returned. I promised myself I'd never settle for a relationship that made me hide even a fraction of myself, after watching my Mother suffer in silence because of her love for my Father

It felt as though we'd been walking for hours, my brain was working overtime to try and deter me away from the horrors I could be subjected to in a room full of drunken teenagers. The hand that wasn't connected to Hermione's couldn't be still, picking at the skin on my lips and twirling strands of hair around each finger

Despite my already drunken state, I took a long swig from my flask. Trying desperately to numb the heartbeat that was pounding in my head, causing my face to contort. The room of requirement was all the way up on the 7th floor, giving the tingles in my legs enough time to engulf my entire body

"I'm freezing.. are you cold?" I blurted, trying to excuse my jitters as shivers. Hermione laughed softly at my comment, seeing straight through it "don't be so nervous Iz, it's going to be fun" she assured me. She picked up the pace, dragging me along with her

The brisk walk that was quickly turning into a light jog didn't help my profuse sweating. As she stopped abruptly before a tapestry that read 'Barnabas the barmy' below it, I rubbed my damp palms down my bare legs

"Right Isabelle, this is how we get in" she slurred, as she began to pace back and forth in front of a blank wall adjacent to Barnabas. I was terribly confused as I watched my friend mutter to herself "Hermione, I think you're blacking out there's nothing there" I didn't want to cause offence, but I was getting a little worried for her state of mind

"Oh Iz you have so much to learn, this place is full of secrets" she smiled back at my confused expression "we must walk past this wall 3 times. Thinking clearly about whatever it is that we require, and the door will materialise" I slowly nodded, trying to comprehend what she had just said. "...Okay" I wasn't totally convinced

I copied her regardless of whether I thought it'd work or not. I paced back and forth, the words 'we need a place to party' on repeat in my mind. I watched in amazement as the wall seemingly began to.. melt? A door shape started to appear, just as Hermione had said. It was black as coal, composed of patterns of intricate swirls

As the door materialised before our eyes, so did the sound of pumping music and laughter it contained. I could feel the bass of the music sending vibrations through my face, making my ears pulse to the beat. "Well then" I said in amazement, as Hermione proceeded to push on the large door, allowing us entry to the party this secret room bestowed

I held my breath as we walked into the room, it felt as though all eyes were on us, everyone taking note of our arrival. I tried to tell myself it was all in my head, but it was somewhat expected for people to study my appearance, I was the new girl after all. I looked at my feet, avoiding the lengthy gawps in our direction. I swallowed hard, the strong smell of alcohol nagging at the back of my throat made me question the strength of my stomach

As we made our way through the sea of students, many of the attendees greeted me by name. Something I was glad of, yet felt almost guilty that my nerves wouldn't allow for a proper conversation. The room was packed, wall to wall filled with 5th, 6th and 7th year students. Many of which were girls dancing erotically, setting a standard I wasn't completely sure I could meet

I braced myself to force out another smile as I felt a light tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see a stern looking girl, it was evident that her face wasn't used to smiling as she were missing the little lines happy people get at the corners of her mouth. She looked rather intimidating actually, like someone who were a bitch to the protagonist in every film I'd seen

She seemed happy to see me, although I wasn't sure why. Her bright white smile complimented her green eyes, she was painstakingly beautiful, jet black shoulder length hair that framed her sunken cheekbones magnificently. "Hey Isabelle" her voice was low and sultry, but I could tell she wasn't being disingenuous. After a slight pause she pulled me into a warm embrace, to which I returned with a tight squeeze

"Hi?" I trailed off, it came out almost like a question. I suddenly felt awful, like I should have known her name too. Her eyes widened at my awkwardness "Pansy, Pansy Parkinson" she rushed out, "you're the new girl aren't you?" she blurted, flashing a look at Hermione over my shoulder. "Erm yes I am, nice to meet you" Pansy, I liked that name, it suited her

"Yes nice to meet you, sorry I've heard lots about you. I'm a friend of Draco's" I couldn't help but to wonder what exactly he could've said about me, after spending such a short amount of time with me. Yet I couldn't deny the feeling it gave me, I was flattered to know he'd mentioned my name. "Oh yes, I met him today" I tried to hide the fact I were screaming out in joy inside

She lingered longer than the others, as though she wasn't sure what to say next. "Nice to see you Pansy, we're just going to find Harry and Ron we'll catch up with you later, maybe you need to calm down on the coke" Hermione said, slightly patronisingly. "Yes! I'll see you later then, Isabelle" she added before disappearing back into the crowd

"Coke?" I questioned. Hermione sighed, a look of regret on her face "it's a muggle drug, banned from Hogwarts yet still it manages to get in, probably from Oliver Wood, he's in 7th year. All of the quidditch teams take it"

"Oh" I felt silly, why had my Mother not told me about this 'coke' I pondered.. but I supposed if it was so bad, surely she'd have warned me. "I tend to stay away from it, with a few exceptions of course. It makes for a good time but also makes people say things they shouldn't. A non-magical truth elixir almost, but not quite" she laughed to herself "all this coke talk is making me want some, I'm sure Fred and George will have their own supply"

I didn't bother asking who the two boys were, whom she'd just mentioned. In my short time at Hogwarts I'd learnt not to ask questions about everything, as I'd always find out soon enough. Relief washed over me as we spotted the boys through the crowds of gyrating students

Two identical extremely tall boys sat on a couch beside Neville, whilst Ron, Harry and Luna resided on the one facing them. They were both very handsome and definitely older, hair red as embers, I thought perhaps they were relations of Ron. I assumed they were the two Hermione had just mentioned

"Alright gorgeous" they said in unison, evidently twins in every aspect. I blushed at the sudden compliment, not expecting it at all. "Hello" I laughed "Fred and George I'm presuming?" I chewed on my lip as an outlet to calm my nerves. "You presumed correctly" one of them threw back

"What's this coke I know barely anything about, and where can I get some?" I queried. "Well Isabelle, you've come to the right guys" the opposing twin replied with a smirk. One of the boys plunged a hand into the pocket of his jacket, pulling out a small clear pouch full to the brim with a white powdered substance

"Fucking hell George, you've got enough there to kill the whole of year 5" Hermione exclaimed. "Hermione, I'm a man for the people. I like to share" said one of the twins, I took note of which was Fred and which George. Willing to make a conscious effort to tell them apart

Hermione huffed before extending her arm to George, who poured a small mound of the substance onto the back of her hand. She held one nostril shut with a finger, quickly inhaling it through the opposing one. She closed her eyes and knocked her head back, shaking as the substance made its way to the back of her throat

I followed suit and copied what Hermione had done, held out my arm for George to deposit a small amount on the back of my hand. I didn't want my nervousness to show, I wanted to seem cool and collected. A figure appeared next to me, throwing me off immediately "no darling, dip your finger in and rub it on your gums, it gets into your blood stream quicker that way" I recognised the voice without having to turn my head an inch

"Shove off Malfoy, it's her first go she doesn't need it to happen fast" said Harry, jumping to my defence. I turned to my side to face him, careful not to spill the contents of my hand, annoyed that he'd just ruined my composure. "Thanks Draco, but I think I've got it" I expressed sarcastically

Harry snorted at my response, Draco glared at me with dark eyes, making my stomach knot. He disappeared back into the crowd, just as quickly as he'd appeared in the first place. His scent lingered in my nose for a little while after, rendering me unable to rid my mind of the thought of him

"So like just breathe in yeah?" I queried, snapping back to reality after a Draco-induced daze. "Yeah, ignore him Iz, do the same as Hermione" replied the other twin, Fred. I felt almost drawn to him, his eyes hadn't moved away from me since the moment I arrived. I took his advice and inhaled quickly, wanting to just get it over with

The substance burned as it travelled through my nasal cavity. A more than unpleasant taste exploded at the back of my mouth. "Ewww" I yelped out, unable to hold it in. My friends surrounding me burst into laughter at my distaste, I was glad they found it funny because I certainly didn't. "You'll get used to it Isabelle, don't worry" Fred gave me an endearing side smile

"Am I supposed to feel something?". "Oh you will" replied the twins, in unison looking at each other with wide eyes. "Take a seat gals" Ron slurred, he was clearly wasted. We laughed at his intoxicated state, and took a seat on the couches opposite one another. I wished Hermione was next to me, but I felt safe enough sandwiched next to Fred

"So, what brings you to Hogwarts?" he asked, the smirk that lived on his face enticed me. "I've begged to come for as long as I can remember, and suddenly my Father just gave in"

"Wonder what changed his mind" he cocked an eyebrow. I thought it a rather odd thing to say, but decided not to dwell on it. We carried on talking in our little group, enclosed from the majority of the party. We drank, inhaled coke, drank some more and so on.. a few guys had tried to speak to me but I didn't have the energy to entertain it, I wanted nothing more than to have fun with my friends

At some point of the evening Fred snaked his arm around me and pulled me closer to him, I didn't mind it. But as we were sat there I felt eyes burning into us, I figured he must have a girlfriend.. why else would everyone be looking at us in disgust?

"Have you got a girlfriend Fred?" I whispered, glancing at the people around us. "Wouldn't you like to know Iz" he chuckled "easy tiger". I stayed serious "yes that's why I asked you, everyone's giving us death stares"

"Iz don't be silly you're doing nothing wrong, ignore them, you've only just got here" he placed a hand on my knee, I felt my head start to throb. I almost forgot how to breathe, as I stared at his huge hand that had chosen to reside on my knee. Out of all the knees he could've chosen, he chose mine

Pansy reappeared to save my night before I had the chance to start feeling awkward, death glares and all. "Coming for a dance Isabelle?" She didn't give me a chance to say no, before I knew it she'd pulled me to my feet. I allowed her to lead me across the floor, to a small opening within the crowd

There wasn't a sliver of sobriety in the room, everyone was way beyond their limit by this point of the night. I'd gotten a little confident in my intoxicated state, flinging my arms over Pansy's shoulders and following her lead as she danced seductively, no longer caring for the many sets of eyes watching our every move

"Pansy I feel like I know your face, but where would I have seen it?" I asked, the coke inducing me to ask the question that rang through my mind. "Erm" she faltered, I could almost see the cogs turning in her mind "maybe in the train station I'm not sure, but at least you've met me now" she smiled wide, closing her eyes and continuing to sway against my body

I fully released my inhibitions, feeling like we were the only two people in the room as we danced on each other. A strong arm snaked around my waist, snapping me out of my trance. My mind ran to Draco imminently, but Pansy's gawping expression told me otherwise

I turned around to see a boy much taller than I, although that wasn't exactly hard. His skin didn't have the same youthful glow as my own, he looked almost weathered. I thought he must be older, maybe 18? His skin was slightly tan, speckled with tiny beauty marks. Warm brown hair, with wisps of golden blonde around his face, bleached by the sun during summer break. Above all else, he looked very much intoxicated

"Can I help you?" I questioned, annoyed that he thought it appropriate to put his hands on me without a proper introduction. My aggravation stemmed from his presumption that I'd find him attractive enough to man handle me, alongside the fact that I wished it were Draco's hands instead

"Woah, I only wanted to introduce myself to the prettiest girl that's ever graced the halls of Hogwarts. I'm Oliver Wood" I grimaced at the words that rolled so smoothly off of his tongue, they seemed far too rehearsed to be genuine. I couldn't help but to swoon at his Scottish accent though, I could imagine he wasn't familiar with rejection

"Well hello there Oliver, nice to know the name of the boy with his hands around my waist" I broke the eye contact he'd been maintaining, fixating my gaze towards his hands that laid dormant on the space just above my hips

"Sorry, I didn't realise you weren't single" he muttered removing his unwanted hands. I was outraged by the premise that the only reason I'd reject him would be because I already had a significant other. I flashed him a crooked smile, hoping he'd detect my conflicting emotions of amusement and dislike, despite the fact he seemed quite brainless

"I'm more than single actually, Ollie. I'm simply just not attracted to you" I shrugged. His expression didn't falter for a moment, as his brain absorbed my cruel words. It was a lie of course, he was gorgeous, but one with an ego so large is always deserving of being knocked down a few pegs. His body became rigid as he realised my rejection

"Coke?" He questioned with an awkward smile, seemingly using drugs as a way to win my affections. "Thank you" I replied bluntly, as he grabbed my hand and poured a small mound out. I inhaled and quickly turned back round to my friend, ending the conversation without warning

"Wow Isabelle I'm impressed" Pansy laughed, taken aback by the whole interaction. "He's a 7th year Gryffindor, captain of the quidditch team, perhaps a little too passionate about it.. but pretty much every girl in this school is in love with him"

"Well not me, I don't quite see the attraction if I'm honest" he was undeniably good looking, but his egotistical attitude was a red flag I wasn't able to look past. "That will have been a blow to his ego, he rarely ever approaches girls himself, they usually just flock to him" she added. "Oops" I shrugged, causing us both to cackle

"I wonder if a certain blonde haired boy had something to do with you turning him down hey?" She cooed, her eyebrows laced together suggestively. "Never" I narrowed my eyes "is Draco the same as Oliver then? Does he have half the school fawning over him?" I'd have never asked the question sober, my drunken self thought it appropriate to ask

"Definitely not" she paused before continuing, leading me to believe she were trying not to say something she'd later regret "he has extremely high standards.. rather very strict specifications when it comes to girls" I groaned internally knowing I wasn't a patch on half the girls in this room, let alone the entire school. I hid my sunken feeling well, trying to convince myself it's probably for the best I didn't have a crush on Draco after all

It took a few swigs of whisky to rid the dejected feeling in the pit of my stomach. After a while, the thought of Draco was just a distant memory, I was having far too much fun for my brain to be consumed by a boy I'd only just met

As though he'd sensed my disregard, Draco's hand snaked around my waist. I wasn't sure I could be as dismissive of him, as I was with Oliver. I knew it were him straight away, almost as though I could detect when he were near. I cursed myself for allowing him to have this hold on me, I didn't want to make it obvious to him though, I'd never forgive myself for that

I leaned my head back to rest on his shoulder "hello Draco" I spoke in a sensuous tone, hoping he'd like it. "Hello princess" his raspy voice was like music to my ears, I closed my eyes as his words clouded my brain rendering me unable to form a coherent reply. "Rude of you to not say hi to me Belle" his face were so close to my ear I could hear the sound of his tongue as it formed each spoken word

"I hadn't seen you yet Draco, I almost forgot you existed" I twisted around in his embrace to face him, loosely placing my hands around his neck. He looked breath taking, even with his drunken eyes that seldom moved from my lips. "I've seen plenty of you, and all the guys that you've been speaking to" he sounded almost annoyed, his tongue lubricated his pink lips

I squinted at him "seeing as you've been watching me, you've seen them all leave pretty much as soon as they come over, not that that's any of your business anyway. I don't even know you". He clearly didn't find my sarcasm very funny, his smile disappeared and he clenched his jaw tight "I feel familiar don't I Belle"

His ability to see straight through the facade I'd created angered me, how could he possibly read me so well? "I could see it in your face when you bumped into me on the train" he answered the question before I even asked. "I could say the same for you" he didn't feel the need to respond

"How do I know you, Draco?"

He shrugged, irritating piece of shit. I tried to break away from his grasp but he only pulled me in closer. He licked his lips as his gaze beat down on my face, his eyes fixating on my own plump pout

I'd love to know what it felt like for his lips to be pressed against mine, it would only take a few millimetres to make them touch. Yet I wouldn't be the one to close the gap, I wasn't sure if I even wanted to kiss him.. despite the fact it were probably nothing new to him, I'd never kissed anyone. I didn't want to rush into anything, opening myself up to be hurt

"Are you just going to stand there staring at me?" I desperately tried to fill the silence that was adding to the tension. It was almost as though he was trying to suppress his want to kiss me, although I very much doubted that the case

"Of course not Belle" he rolled his eyes "you seem familiar to me too, I wonder why" he smirked, why would he not tell me? It was obvious he knew something I didn't. Unless this was his weird way of getting into my head..

"Just tell me you annoying little worm" I huffed. He laughed at my sudden change in tone. "Shut up Belle" I was beyond irritated, mostly at myself for caring so much about what were going on inside his head

"Make me Malfoy" the words slipped out of my mouth, I've done it now. I felt sick. Either outcome horrified me. He'd kiss me, or he wouldn't. If he did I predict that I'd be terrible at it, and he'd never do it again. If he didn't, I'd never forgive myself for being so desperate

He moved his lips even closer to mine, I parted my lips in anticipation. I realised my yearning for his touch, why was he so irresistible to me? Nothing else mattered in this moment. I wanted him to kiss me. I wanted absolutely nothing more than for him to kiss me

"Not here" he said, before taking my hand and starting towards the door. I soon realised we'd grabbed the attention of everyone surrounding us, they'd been watching us for goodness knows how long. My face was prickly and hot, the veins in my head throbbing. I hoped he hadn't mistaken my words for me wanting to get into his bed..

I couldn't turn back to look at Pansy, whom I'd abandoned in the middle of dancing. I didn't want to see the look on her face, it would only make me feel worse. "Draco where are you taking me?"

"Quiet Belle, we shouldn't even be out of the party. We're dead if we get caught" he whispered "I need to show you something"

I obeyed his orders and followed his lead, hands still tightly cupped together. We made it to the school grounds, away from prying eyes and ears. Draco didn't stop there of course, he carried on marching towards what I knew to be the forbidden forest. "Draco where are we going?" He didn't respond

Even though the summer wasn't yet over, the 12am air hit me hard, I began to regret the decision to wear such a skimpy dress. My lack of bra accentuated my cold nipples as they poked through the satin material. Although that was the least of my issues right now, I began to wonder what the forbidden forest could bestow that were so important for me to see in the dead of night

Finally Draco stopped when we got to a large tree, I looked back to see the dimly lit castle behind us. If only the professors knew what was happening on that 7th floor I thought.. the cold wind was whipping through the trees, creaking and groaning like an old rocking chair

He sat on the woodland floor. "Draco, are you out of your mind, have you seen what I'm wearing? I don't fancy losing my virginity to a tree root" I sighed as I realised what I'd said, if he was even a tiny bit attracted to me I was sure he wouldn't be anymore. I bet he lost his virginity ages ago, I'm probably the only person in our year who hasn't!

"Don't then" he said as he pulled me onto his lap, straddling him. I gulped as I stared down at him, heart beat pounding the longer we were in this compromising position. Did he take me mentioning sex as an invitation to seduce me? He probably thinks I'm so desperate, following his every command the first day we meet

"Have you seen this tree before Belle?" I looked up "I don't think so? Maybe on my way in? They all look the same" had he seriously brought me all the way here just to ask me if I recognised an old moss-covered tree?

He sighed angrily "sorry? What's so special about a fucking tree" I asked. "Fuck!" He exclaimed, startling me "never mind just fucking forget it" he seemed awfully upset over my inability to see what were so special about a tree.. I had a niggling feeling of familiarity, but I'd been getting that feeling consistently since I'd gotten here

"I mean I'm having deja vu I guess? I feel like I've been in this situation before..." I continued, looking around and then back at Draco's face. "Really do you Belle?" He perked up. I presumed I'd had a dream about being with a lover in a forest, that would explain the deja vu. I had dreams about meeting my soul mate most nights. "Yeah, really"

"A virgin are you Isabelle?" His lip twitched, obviously sparking his interest. My sexual activity, or lack there of, wasn't something I was prepared to discuss with an almost stranger. "Yes and what? Nothing to be ashamed of, I've never even met a someone that I could of-" I spoke in a hurry, before he cut me off. "Me too"

"I'll take that shocked face as a compliment" he chuckled, as my jaw fell slightly ajar. I was shocked to say the least that such a gorgeous boy hadn't slept with a single person. Pansy meant what she said when she mentioned his high standards

His eyes darted across my body, his eyebrows raised as he caught a glimpse of my hard nipples "cold Belle?" "Clearly" I said, punching his chest "from the size of your shrivelled up dick pressed against me I can tell you are too. Unless it's always that size" I bit back, taking offence to the comment

"It'll be bigger in a minute Belle, if you stay sat there" he jeered, pushing his hips into mine. My breath caught in my throat, causing me to let out a staggered cough. He found it very amusing. "You're truly one of a kind Belle, has anyone ever told you that"

It took me a moment to gather my composure, before I could begin to even think of a reply.. "No actually"

Draco sat up, leaning back on his hands to hold himself up. He edged closer to my face so our lips were millimetres apart once again. His were slightly parted causing his hot breath to dance along my face. In the shadows, moonlight barely able to find us under the refuge of a large oak tree, I felt as though my mind were playing tricks on me

I could smell the sweet fragrance of alcohol lingering on his tongue, I couldn't deny my want to taste it. My head and heart were at war, one moment I wanted to give myself to him and the other my stomach turned at the thought of our lips colliding

I wished the ground would swallow me whole, providing me with an easy escape from this position I'd found myself in, straddling a boy I'd just met on a woodland floor past midnight on the day of my arrival. I couldn't help but to think that this was the beginning of the ineffable life which, ably assisted by fate, I had finally willed into being

"May I ask why you haven't slept with anyone?" I watched his face intently, hoping I hadn't overstepped a boundary. "Because I was waiting for you" he smiled proudly, somehow knowing that wasn't the answer I wanted, or needed. He could tell he was driving me mad, I huffed to show my distaste to his nonsense reply

"Why did you bring me here?" I asked a question I thought he couldn't escape. "It's special to me" I could tell he was being sincere. "What can possibly be so special about a tree" I laughed, shaking my head. "Something funny?" He smouldered with resentment

"Yes, what's the story with the tree? Is this your spot you bring all the girls to?" I shuddered at the thought of him being in this very position with other girls before me, I couldn't allow myself to feel special..

"Shut the fuck up Belle, don't speak about something you don't understand" His voice was raised, he almost looked hurt. "Why me then? Why, out of all of the girls at that party, did you choose to ask me?" His annoyance made no sense, he was making a mountain out of a mole hill

"What's so special about me Isabelle?" he spat "I watched you brush off every guy that approached you tonight, yet all I had to do was put my arm around your waist and you were mine" his face was scrunched up, was he purposely trying to make me feel stupid

"You don't know me, you knew hardly anything about me until I came out here with you. And everything I have told you could have been a lie. But I know your standards are unbelievably high, because I've already been told. So answer me this Draco.. why me?" I folded my arms across my chest, ready to get up and leave at any given moment

"I've never fucking touched another girl Belle, I've never kissed another girl because I've been waiting my whole fucking life for you. What else do you want me to tell you?" His anger festered in him, I couldn't stop myself from flinching as his voice elevated into a shout. Nothing he were saying made sense, I'd put it down to all of the drugs he must've taken.. his pupils so swollen you could barely tell his eyes were blue

I gulped, unsure where to go from here. He wasn't making any sense.. my jaw chattered as a gush of wind hit my body like a tonne of bricks. "Can we go inside?" I choked, his face softened then, his crimson cheeks fading to a light shade of pink. "Yes, come to my room?" It was more of a demand than a question

"I'm not having s-" I initiated a speech about my chastity, ready to defend my own honour. "Who said I wanted to? We'll have our own after party" his words provided me with great relief, we headed back to the school. Hands placed firmly at their respective sides now, I wanted to hold his, but I was sure he'd bat it away if I tried