The party wasn't as raucous as it may have been had they won, but it was still loud. The common room seemed filled, as nearly every member of the House had taken the night off to both commiserate and celebrate with their Quidditch players. While Potter had beaten Malfoy to the Snitch again, he and the Weasley brothers, more formidable Beaters than any member of Slytherin would admit - had received a lifetime ban from the game. The mood was most definitely gleeful.

Yet, the party was still divided in a sense. The males had congregated in one corner of the room and the girls in the other.

The boys had first gathered around Ed, plying him with drinks to try and coax him into good spirits but the loss weighed heavily upon him, the bans only raising his spirits slightly. So, they had left him alone to grumble and nurse a large glass of neat whiskey. A brave sixth year girl had tried to cuddle up to him, obviously enamored with the tall Captain but his snarls had quickly sent her running back to her friends in tears. They would have mocked him if they hadn't feared for their lives.

So the rest of the team and Julian had found themselves sitting in a group upon a circle of plush couches, toasting Malfoy's nearly valiant effort of the afternoon. After his third shot of whiskey, Chris leaned back against the couch and looked around - realization dawning on his face. "So guys - we're all men - why is this a sausage party? Half of you are attached, go and bring some of the girls over here."

Adrian shook his head. "Not me. I forgot to mention that I liked Jasmine's new shoes and now she won't speak to me. For the love of Merlin - they're EXACTLY the same as all the rest of her shoes. But when I pointed that out she just got even angrier, so now..." he looked terribly pathetic for a moment as he digested that he would most likely end the night alone in his own bed, before taking another drink of his butter beer.

"It's alright, mate," Draco slapped him on the back in a familiar way Adrian wasn't sure he appreciated. "I didn't notice that Pansy wore special Slytherin coloured eyeshadow today so I'm out on my arse too." They stared at each other for a moment, both looking a bit stricken.

"Why do we do this to ourselves? Why did we have to get involved with the Parkinson sisters?" They shared a lecherous grin before moving away from the rest to talk and drink in private companionship - sharing each others' pain no doubt.

"Oi, Sheraton, what's with the distance between you and Julian? You two are usually as attached to each other as I am to air," Aemelia joshed as she leaned back into the couch.

"We're allowed a little personal time - and I can breathe perfectly fine without him thank you very much," Sheraton huffed, crossing her arms across her chest and pointedly not looking across the room. "We can exist without one another you know - we are two separate people if you recall."

"But would you want to exist without him?" Aemelia asked, swirling her drink around her glass. "I'd personally find you a tad boring..." She ducked as the throw pillow whizzed over her head, directed by Sheraton's suddenly drawn wand.

"Shut it Flint," she hissed.

Jasmine and Pansy shared a conspiratorial smile, where they were curled up in the opposite sofa - a rare picture of sisterly closeness.

"And what you were saying about being two separate people," Aemelia leaned towards Sheraton - a dangerous grin on her face. "I personal think that you definitely enjoy when you two separate people come together and..."

"Does anyone want another drink? I know I do!" Sheraton stood abruptly, and spun on her heel to make her way towards the ice bucket that was filled with bottles of butter beer - the whiskey being kept separate to not fall into the hands of any especially young students.

"So you won't believe what I saw this morning," Pansy smiled in a way that Aemelia could only describe as evil and frightening. She made a mental note to never cross Pansy Parkinson.

"What?" Jasmine was staring at her sister expectantly.

Pansy's grin grew wider, "Julian in Sheraton's bed." She paused for the expected exclamations and with a smug grin, continued. "I went to talk to her this morning but they were both unconcious so I let them be."

Jasmine let out a whoop which attracted the attention of the entire common room.

"That's it 'Lia! Pay up! I was right!" She smiled triumphantly and extended an elegant palm to her friend.

"Nope, the bet hinges upon an actual, public, declaration by both parties that they are a couple." Chris had wandered over after Jas's display.

"You're just jealous because your wager time expired last month," she harrumphed, leaning back into the couch. Pansy prodded her in the shoulder playfully.

"I'll keep spying for ya, sis. I'll keep you informed,"

Jasmine grinned at her youngest sibling. "You'd better. Otherwise, I may just inform our parents of the position I found you and Malfoy in last week."

Pansy rolled her eyes. "At least they approve of Malfoy, unlike you and Adrian."

Both girls sat forward in their to regard their boyfriends huddled together, Draco's face both awe-filled as intent as Adrian related some kind of tale to him. Jasmine shuddered to think of just what he might be relating.

Chris pulled Aemelia with him across the room to join Sheraton and Miles by the drinks, presumably to pump Sheraton for any kind of information she may be keeping to herself.

Once they were out of earshot, Pansy glanced at her sister nervously.

"Jas," her voice was soft and as hesitant as Parkinson could sounds.

"Yes?" Jasmine watched curiously as her sister tinged a slight pink and stole a quick glance around the room, her eyes lingering again on the spot where their boyfriends were ensconced in chummy conversation.

"I think I'm ready," it was a clear statement for which Jasmine needed no further clarification.

"You do?" her eyes widened as she glanced between her little sister and Draco Malfoy. "With the ferret? You can't be serious Pans!" her voice was barely above a whisper.

"I don't need you mocking me right now, Jas." the set of Pansy's jaw and her tone told Jasmine what she was most dreading - her little sister was dead serious.

"I'm not sure that's such a good idea Pans - I mean, you're only 15." Jasmine forced herself not to panic and to show no outward signs of nervousness.

"You're one to talk. You were in fifth year when you lost your virginity. What's this - do as I say, not as I do? I thought you'd help and support me in this Jas." Pansy's face was now red, but her voice remained soft.

"Help you..." Jasmine took in a deep breath and tried to regain a hold upon her emotions. "I will help you, Pans, because I can tell you've got your mind made up about it. But I will not support you. Yes, I was your age when I lost mine - but now, I think of it as being taken from me. I was naive and it was a mistake. I don't want you to make the same one - I want to keep you safe. When no one could keep me safe. Jamie didn't know he had to, he's a male after all. They don't understand. Just promise me you'll wait - " Pansy began to protest but Jasmine cut her off with a hand. "Just wait until after Christmas when we've gone to the Healer to get you some preventative potion. We don't want any mini-ferrets running around before their time, now do we?"

Pansy sighed, obviously bowing to Jasmine's will. "Fine."

Jasmine grabbed her hand, forcing her to look at her. "I just don't want you to get hurt."

The younger girl snorted. "That's why you're so discreet about shagging Pucey all over the bloody castle."

"Pansy, don't curse. And what are you talking about?" Jasmine frowned at her sister as she chastised. It wouldn't do to have Pansy sounding like pirate.

"You're such a hypocrite Jasmine. You say you want to protect me, keep me safe when your own bloody actions - " Pansy stopped and exhaled, shaking her head. "Never mind. It's not worth it. Getting into a fight'll just ruin my buzz."

Jasmine furrowed her brow as her sister stood, then impulsively reached out to grab her sleeve. "Pans - if something's going on, come and talk to me - all right?"

Pansy gave her elder sister a long look, "Yeah, sure." then swept off towards the drink bucket, picking up another butter beer before going and depositing herself in Draco's lap. Adrian took this as a cue to leave and made his own way towards Jasmine.

He slid into the corner of the love seat and tugged her against him.

Her eyes were focused on the carpet in front of her. "You and Ferret-boy seemed to be having quite the heart to heart."

"Yeah, well," his breath brushed against her skin as he nuzzled her neck. "I was just telling him a few things, giving him some advice on handling women - and how to get them to handle you." He chuckled harshly as his hands skimmed up her side to pull her more tightly against his front. Jasmine shut her eyes tightly before turning to kiss him, drinking in the taste of the whiskey upon his tongue as she tried to ignore the nagging doubts in the pit of her stomach.

By the fire, Julian wandered towards where Ed sat upon the back of the couch, conversing with Crabbe about a few missed plays during the game. As he approached, Ed shooed the younger boy away to raise a glass to the Prefect. Julian settled next to Ed and the two watched the common room for a period of time. Crabbe now looked somewhat lost, wandering around - he didn't seem to be quite sure where Goyle was. Sheraton was speaking animatedly to Miles and Aemelia and as she laid a hand on Miles' arm, Julian's grip tightened around his glass. Ed hid a smile as he took his own drink. He had wagered for the two to come clean about their relationship in January - he could only pray they would keep on playing these games with one another until then. Finally, the two turned their gaze to Draco and Pansy in the corner.

"Adrian and he spoke for a period of time earlier," Julian said quietly, swirling the amber liquid around in his glass.

"I noticed," Edward replied, just as nonchalantly.

"That's trouble just waiting to happen."

"No - really Ian? I had no idea," Ed shot his friend a scathing look.

Julian rolled his eyes. "He was instructing Draco on the ways of the female sex, or his opinions upon the subject matter."

"An informed talk then," was the sarcastic reply.

"Too true - he was encouraging Draco to 'lay claim' to Pansy as soon as possible, was how he put it."

Ed glowered, "He keeps that kind of talk up and we may feel that it is within the bounds of morals to notify her eldest brother. Bad enough that he's playing around with Jasmine, when - " he cut himself off.

Julian gave his friend a sidelong look. "What?"

Edward shook his head, smiling slightly. "It's nothing."

Julian nodded slowly, and decided to drop the subject. "So - you'll watch Malfoy for the rest of the night then?"

"Not on your life. I made sure he was in bed by ten last night and I have to police him during practices and games. He is yours tonight and with my compliments. It's not like you have Sheraton to distract you - you love birds haven't spoken two words to one another all day. Did you have a row?"

"Not exactly."

"Well, I didn't really want to know anyways. Watch Malfoy, and don't let Pucey poison his mind anymore. He looked more likely to jump Jasmine than Pansy while he was still having 'story time'."

"He'll go to bed with his hand if he knows what's good for him."

"And you can hold off on laying your claim to Sheraton for a few extra hours. I have some sixth years I have to cajole back into good humour. Have fun." Ed nodded curtly and made his way over to the aforementioned cluster of girls, grabbing another glass of whiskey on the way. Sheraton was still talking to Miles at the drink bucket, while Aemelia had moved on to play strip poker with Chris and another sixth year girl and boy.

Neil and Cordelia were suspiciously absent from the party.

Miles had also noticed that the seventh year couple were missing. He smiled internally, remembering Baddock's comments earlier in the week, and the way he and Whitby had been all over one another the previous night. Maybe, just maybe, the little cock tease would finally put the poor bloke out of his virginal misery. Miles realized he'd had enough butter beer when he couldn't stop himself from snickering out loud at his thoughts.

"Whom do you deem worthy of your mirth tonight, Miles?" Sheraton's eyes glinted with a drink induced - though still malevolent - humour.

"Not that it's any of your business, Sher, but our dear 'Lia over there has unfortunately just lost the right to wear her shirt."

Sheraton pivoted to peer at the game, then shrugged. "Like it takes a poker game to get her to lose her shirt. She's nearly as bad as Jas sometimes, they're far to similar - especially in regards to whose attention they try to capture."

Miles coughed slightly. When Sheraton drank she had a tendency to let slip small details that didn't seem like much, but were significant indeed. Not that Aemelia's affection for Adrian was unknown to him, it was just good to have it verified.

He reached out and plucked the drink from her hand. "I think you've had enough for tonight, my dear."

She shrugged, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Whatever, I wasn't planning on drinking myself into stupor anyways."

Miles hid a grin as he noticed her action had prompted a quick, longing glance from Higgs by the fire. The poor bloke was himself an open book when it came to the Potion Master's niece. He wanted her something fierce. Julian could even very well be in love with her. And Sheraton knew it. Miles flicked his eyes away as the two prefects avoided one another's eye. Gods, they were even worse than Neil and Cordelia.

His attention was drawn away from where Jasmine, who had freed herself from Adrian's grasp, to drunkenly tease Blaise Zabini, who she had caught snogging Goyle - when Sheraton's eyes suddenly focused and narrowed.

"Where's Neil and Cordy?" she asked shrewdly.

The door to the boys' dorm hit the wall with a bang as Neil pushed it open, not letting his lips leave Cordelia's neck. Once he had closed it and put a DO NOT DISTURB charm upon the door, he propelled her in as straight a line as he could manage towards his bed. After an unfortunate run in with the couch, he had sworn it had come out of nowhere, he had her pressed up against one of the posts of his bed.

Cordelia was sighing softly as Neil pulled his jumper over his head as quickly as he could, kissing her again as he stroked up and down her back with his hands. He was surreptitiously pulling her shirt from the waistband of her skirt when she stopped him.

Her pupils were dilated as she looked at him seriously, her chest heaving in a most distracting manner. "You will marry me - won't you."

He stared at her. "Tonight?!"

"I'm not proposing you dunce!" she smacked him on the chest. "I just want...a guarantee from you that this will end in matrimony."

"Why the hell not!" He quickly realized this was the wrong answer as she straightened. Neil slid his arms around her waist in a cajoling manner. "Yes, of course I'm going to marry you, love." He nibbled at her earlobe and she melted against him.

She looked up at him with hooded eyes. "Well then, do continue dear."

He didn't need any more encouragement. He lifted her onto the bed, she giving a little squeal as he covered her body with hers as he flicked his wand so that the curtains drew closed around them. And the dorm was quiet again.

It was close to three am when Chris gave the charm on the door a dirty look. "Bugger. Of all the nights the bastard has to convince her to spread her legs..."

Ed rubbed a hand through his already mussed hair. "I'm not sleeping in the common room."

Miles nodded morosely, but then his expression brightened as a light dawned. "We don't have to. C'mon men." He led them back down the corridor and turned left, leading them to Julian's door. As they arrived, identical evil smirks crossed the four boys' faces. Miles quietly opened the door and they all slipped in, the door closing again without a sound.

Edward stripped off his jumper and belt, then stretched out on the couch closest to the door - Adrian doing the same, also shucking his pants, across the room pushed two chairs together. Miles and Chris exhanged a conspiratorial look and a leer as they headed for the bed. Each boy climbed in on opposite sides, inching towards where Julian lay, already unconscious, in the middle of the large bed.

As they settled down, Julian snorted and they froze. "Go 'way, Sher," the prefect mumbled. "Too tired..."

Miles and Chris exchanged incredulous looks as they both grinned, and simultaneously smacked his shoulder.

"Wha!?" Julian shot upright in bed. "What in hell are you two doing in my bed?!"

"Will you three shut up - some of us are trying to sleep!" came Ed's voice from the couch.

Julian was still looking around the room with a confused look on his face when Sheraton walked into the room, dressed only in a simple silk nightgown. She crept quietly towards the closer side of the bed.

"Love..." she spoke softly, reaching out a hand and touching a shoulder.

Chris turned to grin at her. "Why, Sheraton - I didn't know you cared."

She shrieked, jumping into the air as she saw the three boys in the bed. She shrieked again as a pillow whizzed by her courtesy of Edward.

"Shut up!"

She looked around wildly. "Just - what- is going on in here?"

"Well, we've missed our cuddle sessions with Ian here since he moved out, so we're paying him a bit of a visit," Miles told her with a grin, sliding a hand across Ian's shoulder.

Julian flailed as he pushed the hand off of him, crawling rather ungracefully out of his own bed.

Sheraton was giving him a wide eyed look. "Is there something you haven't been telling me, Ian?" she was just drunk enough to believe most anything, and to be emotional about it.

At the waver in her voice, he reached out to draw her into a hug. "No! They're just being prats, Sher. Can I sleep on your couch tonight?"

As she nodded, a snort came from Adrian's chair. "Sure, Ian - you'll be sleeping on her couch. Maybe you believe that..."

The previously flung pillow silenced him with a satisfying thud, and as Julian followed Sheraton into her room - the Slytherin dungeons were finally quiet.