A/N: New chapter! I really encourage you guys to leave reviews as I am a new writer and this is my second story. I'm still exploring my style of writing and this is a lot different from my other story. So I'd appreciate it if you tell me your thoughts.
:)
Love. Fiction. 2022: Thank you so much! I'm glad you think it's nice.
It's been almost a week, which means that I will have to attend the Slug Club meeting later tonight without a date. I preferred it that way. I wouldn't have to make an effort to talk. However, the universe decided that it doesn't like that.
A tall and lanky boy with brown hair and hazel eyes approached me while I was enjoying my alone time in the library. Now, you would think I'd be preparing my speech to drive him away. Sorry to disappoint but a part of me actually admired the boy. He was quiet, reserved, and very smart. He's also a snake so what I said before applies and this snake was more alluring than Avery. He's better than me when it comes to not showing emotions. Perhaps that is why I admire him. He's better at the 'act' than I am. I think he's even reached the point in which he doesn't need to act. Which made him stronger in my eyes.
"How are you, Theodore? "
"Alright… I simply hoped to escort you to the common room… then perhaps to the Slug Club? "He said with an unmoving expression while offering me his hand.
I looked him in the eye. As if daring him to say more or do anything else. Nothing.
"Of course, the pleasure is all mine" I replied as I put my hand in his.
I made a move to carry the books I had with me but Nott had beat me to it. I gave him a thankful nod which he only replied with leading me out of the library. Once we were in a more secluded area I started to talk.
"It feels very weird when I'm with you. Most of the time I'm the one who gives everyone the silent treatment. When it comes to you, I'm not even a worthy opponent"
He replied by raising the corners of his lips. If I wasn't focused on him, I would have missed that smile.
That was the only interaction that happened between the two of us on our way to the dungeons.
I asked for my books once we reached the stairs to the girls' dormitories. Before I could say anything else, Nott took my hand and gently pulled me towards him.
I raised my eyebrows at the action.
At first, he made no move. But then, he raised my hand to his lips and placed a gentle kiss.
"I'll see you in the common room later"
I was frozen for a moment. Until I managed a quick nod and immediately made my way to my dorm.
Not long after I closed the door of the room, someone slammed it open. I saw Adeline her mouth hanging open and her eyes wide. I didn't notice her a while back.
"YOU!" She squealed before taking both my hands in hers, making me drop my books. She then proceeded to spin the both of us around until I lost my balance and stumbled. I fell on the carpet in front of my bed.
"Have you gone mad?" I said calmly to hide my annoyance.
"YOU SAID YES TO NOTT! I knew I wasn't imagining it. You fancy him!"
"I do not"
"Yes! You do! Of course, How did I not get it? He's just as good at this whole act as you are-"
"It isn't an act and he's probably better if you ask me-"
"Which is why you fancy him!"
I sighed.
"He is a pureblood heir from a respectable family. He's always been the perfect gentleman. My parents would go mad if I don't at least give him a chance" I stated with a bored tone.
"Are you telling me, that not even the smallest part of you fancies him? "
I thought for a moment. Though I would never admit it out loud, I knew I liked the boy. I was aware of that fact. But I also know that I only liked him because of his ability to beat me at my game. That and he was smart. That's it. I don't know anything about him. We weren't friends. The only reason I accepted his invitation was because of that small admiration and how it would look on my part if I didn't.
"I admire some things about him… " I looked at Adeline. Her expression was slowly changing into a smug one.
"… and that's it"
I stood up, grabbed my books, and arranged them on the tiny shelf beside my bed. I heard Adeline sigh.
"Whatever you say Fin…I'll still tell Narcissa you said yes" She nodded to herself. Aware of the fact that I was ignoring her.
"See you later!" She smiled again before leaving our dorm.
I went back to arranging the books I borrowed. A tiny black envelope fell out when I raised the last book on my pile. It was closed with a pearl-colored seal that had an S with snakes and vines decorating it. I carefully opened the envelope to save the beautiful seal. There was a note.
I knew you'd borrow this book again. I noticed that you always kept coming back to read it so I thought this would be an appropriate gift.
It wasn't signed. I looked back into the envelope and saw something at the bottom. I dropped the object on my palm and found a miniature present. It was small enough to fit between my thumb and forefinger. I furrowed my eyebrows and played around with it for a little bit until I realized what it was. I muttered an enlarging charm and sure enough, it turned into a quite large present. After enlarging it only did I notice the intricate designs on the gray cover. The black bow was beautifully tied as well. I slowly opened the present careful not to destroy everything. I almost gasped at the sight of the 3 books. I really wanted copies of my own, yet I never had the time to look for them. For a few moments, I allowed myself to smile.
I wore a trumpet-sleeved dark grey dress that had silver accents. It had an off-shoulder design with a keyhole neckline. The dress was tight at my waist with an A-line skirt that ended below my knees. I paired it off with black platform heels. I wore a necklace with a small emerald that matched the color of my eyes. My dark brown hair was in a bun, bangs fell in front of my ears, and I finished it off with light mascara and lip gloss. I'm not girly but I always wanted to appear clean and elegant. It was 10 minutes before the party. I grabbed my wand and made my way down the stairs.
I was already in the common room when I heard my name,
"Fin, you're looking radiant as usual" I met the smiling face of Regulus Black.
He himself looked dashing wearing a black suit.
"Not so bad yourself" I replied.
Regulus was about to say something but his attention was caught by something behind me. I turned around and saw Theodore Nott. The boy was looking at me with his hands behind his back.
"Looking elegant as always Fin"
"Thank you… " I replied before adding,
"For asking to go with me as well. Professor Slughorn is keen on making sure I had a date. Let's just say he can't bother me this time"
"Are you all ready? Oh-!" Narcissa froze as she entered the common room.
Her eyes were moving back and forth from Regulus and Theodore, finally settling on me.
I didn't make a move. I simply chose to wait for Narcissa to get over it. I adore the girl but sometimes her insistence on getting me to show interest in a guy really gets on my nerve.
Regulus cleared his throat, which thankfully snapped Narcissa out of it.
"Nott? you're Fin's date? Huh, I never knew the day would come" She smiled politely at the boy. Then she turned to me,
"You finally said yes to a date and didn't tell me?" The blonde girl almost looked offended but I knew better.
Adeline already told her everything and she was waiting for this moment to ask me.
"I guess there's a first for everything" I replied before making my way towards Nott.
"Shall we? The sooner we go the sooner we can leave" He replied with a simple nod.
"Ah! There you are!" Professor Slughorn happily approached our group.
The 7 of us stood beside the snack table taking a few sips of our drinks now and then to keep us sane. Dinner has just passed and Salazar knows most of us were only tolerating being here. In my case, I had only a few reasons for attending. One, respect for our head of house. Two, my image. Three, the exquisite food.
"Enjoying the party I hope?" He looked at us.
Professor Slughorn is probably the kindest Slytherin I know but it did not do anything to hide the fact that he favors us amongst the rest of the students. It was quite the opposite.
"Of course, Professor" It was Regulus who spoke for us.
"This is simply delightful, sir" Added Adeline.
The jolly man looked us over until he saw me. More specifically, my hand on Nott's arm.
"Mr. Nott, I see you've been given the honor of escorting the lovely Miss Rosier. Are you two, perhaps, an item?" The glint in his eyes said it all.
I stopped myself from releasing a frustrated sigh at his words. Instead, with the same stare I always use, I replied politely.
"No sir, Theodore was just kind enough to offer me his company"
I couldn't quite place his expression. He looked weird, to say the least. It wasn't really a disappointed look. He looked like a part of him was, but then he smiled as if he knew something I didn't. Whatever it was I didn't have the time to contemplate it as another group of students caught his attention.
Lily Evans, James Potter, Sirius Black, and a girl, I do not know nor care who she is, made their way to the snack table. They froze once they saw who was in front of them. It was easy to sense the tension. Not only were they lions, but there was also the whole family drama. Narcissa and Regulus were staring at the other Black that was in the room.
"Mrs. Evans, I see you and Mr. Potter have finally resolved your…conflict" Professor Slughorn said with a bit of a teasing tone at the end.
Potter was grinning while the auburn-haired girl replied with an "I guess you can say that, sir…"
Evan and Lucius simultaneously released a cough. We immediately knew what they were doing. They were trying to hide a laugh. After all, it was tradition to mock muggleborns. It was quite a waste in their eyes. A long line of pure-blooded wizard family…only for four-eyed Potter to end up with Evans.
Professor Slughorn's attention was caught once more by another student whose parents must be one of his star pupils due to the way his eyes shone with delight.
He quickly excused himself and made his way to the girl calling her by her last name.
Which left me standing in the middle of a very intense staredown. Salazar, Help me.
I'm not as aggressive as most Slytherins are towards muggleborns. Yes, I regard purebloods as the higher sort since we were educated about the ways of magic society from birth and our families have plenty of history that we are very much aware of. However, I don't think that we should continue this tradition of hating muggles. Merlin was a muggleborn for crying out loud. They may be ignorant at times, but killing them off and treating them like they're something less of a human being. It just seemed dumb and wasteful. House rivalry on the other hand is understandable, but the way most people are doing it. Let's just say it reminds me of the annoying fact that we are emotional teenagers.
The tense silence stretched for a little while until I got sick of all the glaring.
"So how long are we going to do this?" I asked politely.
"I don't know about you but it's getting late…" No one but Narcissa and Evans seem to be budging.
Ugh. Testosterone.
"Professor Slughorn has thrown a wonderful party. It would be a shame if people would cause a scene. Besides, most of you are almost seventeen. If one doesn't want to be treated like a child, one shouldn't act like one either" That slapped the sense back into them. Thank Merlin.
"Ever the mature one, aren't you sister?" Evan scoffed when he turned to me.
I didn't reply. I simply looked at Narcissa and she immediately got what I meant.
From her place beside Lucius, she cleared her throat,
"I believe we've been here long enough. We did come early after all. Shall we call it a night?"
"We shall" Regulus replied calmly. The glare was still on his face.
The seven of us, Lucius, Narcissa, Evan, Adeline, Regulus, Theodore, and I started to make our way to the doors when I heard someone call out to me.
"You truly have a way with words, don't you Fin?" I turned to see Sirius smile at me.
The action made Potter look at him in shock. I wouldn't be surprised. For some reason, I freak out Gryffindors a lot.
"I was just telling the truth, Sirius"
"You haven't changed a bit"
I nodded before replying,
"It seems you have though…" He looked confused for a moment before smiling once more.
I turned to continue my leave.
I never explain the things I say. I often talk in riddles so I can protect my thoughts. Not to mention, my blank face doesn't really help others to understand what I mean. To some people, it may seem like I was talking about his betrayal of leaving home. To others, I was saying he looked happier. It was all up to perspective. If I'm going to be honest, I meant both.