So, in writing this I actually discovered that 13 really must be an unlucky number. Although this is a 'filler chapter,' it really was hell to write, more-so than the usual 'filler chapter' actually.
I hope you like it though, because it took me almost literally forever to write and my beta did some more kickass work on it to make it better. It's not as 'action packed' or whatever my other chapters are, but I PROMISE that the next one I'm planning on writing will be sooo much better! Oh, and she picked half of the chapter title.
The 'party' was actually much better than everyone expected. At first, the students kept to socializing with their own House, or group of friends in Luna's case, but Blaise's arrival also meant the arrival of more-than-modest amounts of Fire whiskey, which eliminated most of the tension in a way only 80 proof liquor could do. Even Hermione ignored the rule about the prohibited substance. Jokes and laughter filled the air which would normally be home to taunts and insults. By the end of the night, an outside observer would have thought these twenty or so students had always been friends.
The clock chiming broke Draco from the fun when he realized it only sounded once. "Shit! You guys are going to have to leave, it's already one!" The laughter stopped abruptly and several of the younger students looked terrified at the prospect of being caught out after hours drunk. "Hermione, do you have any idea how we can get them out without getting them caught? I mean… we could walk them, but that would look suspicious since there are so many…"
Instead of looking at him, Hermione was looking expectantly at Harry, who was pulling a piece of parchment from him pocket. "Yes, Hermione, I brought it." She, Ginny, Neville, and Luna let out sighs of relief.
The Slytherins, and rest of the Gryffindors, looked as if they had been Confunded. Blaise, who was the least drunk even though he brought the Fire whiskey, decided to inquire on behalf of those confused. "And how the hell is a piece of parchment supposed to help us?"
Luna giggled and Hermione shushed her. "Just wait and watch."
Harry pulled out his wand and touched it to the parchment. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." As if being drawn by an invisible person, a map appeared on the parchment. "It looks like Filch is right outside. He was probably tipped off about the party. Hermione, you'll have to distract him so everyone can get away. I'll send Malfoy to get you when it's all clear."
Hermione, being the more sober of the Heads, stood and exited through the portrait hole. They could hear her exchange with Filch through the wall. "Oh, you startled me! I was just getting ready to do a round of patrols. Is that what you're doing?" He mumbled something incoherent. "Oh really? Well I heard that something was going on in the Astronomy Tower tonight… Why don't you join me and we can check it out together?"
Draco looked over Harry's shoulder and saw the two dots move towards the other end of the castle. Harry stood and glanced around the room. "Alright, I'll take you Slytherins back now, you too Luna, and then come back for everyone else. It seems that Filch is the only one out tonight and I think Hermione will be able to keep him busy until everyone gets back." Harry left, leading the Slytherins towards the dungeons. This left Draco alone in a room full of Gryffindors, something that did not make him feel comfortable at all.
In less than ten minutes Harry was back and ready to take the Gryffindors back to their Common Room. Draco joined them so he would know when to get Hermione and where to find her. The corridors were dark and cold and the group stayed close together, hoping to avoid being caught. Much to the relief of the youngest student, a fourth year, they reached their safety without incident. Harry stayed with Draco, swaying in his drunken stupor, while everyone else filled into the portrait hole. "I'm not happy that you're with Hermione…"
"I figured, but-"
"No, let me finish." Harry ran his hand through his messier-than-usual hair. "I'm not happy, but I trust her judgment, most of the time. If she says you've changed, then I'll believe her. But – and that's a big 'but' – if you so much as look at another girl, or do anything to hurt her, I will personally torture and kill you. And I will enjoy it, immensely. I may even take photographs."
"And, as I've already told you Potter, I won't do anything to harm her in any way. If I was going to, don't you think I would have done so already? And… your protective speeches are really getting on my nerves; I really don't appreciate being told every five seconds that you don't think I'm good enough for her. And, frankly, I've heard worse threats from First Years. So just tell me where she is and get into your Common Room." I know he's her best friend, but he really needs to stop threatening me before I hex his face off.
It took Harry longer than Draco would have thought necessary to find his friend, probably because it seemed like the dear Boy-Who-Lived couldn't focus his eyes on the page, which spoke of much needed sleep or little previous consumption of spirits. "She's near the library and Filch is still with her. And I will be keeping an eye on you just to make sure you don't hurt her."
"Yeah, yeah you've said that already, Potter, and I'm sick of hearing it. Just go." He didn't even wait to see if Harry went inside before he trotted off to find Hermione. It didn't take long before he saw the glow of her wand. "Ah, Hermione, there you are. How are your patrols coming?"
She smiled at him. "Very well. I think I might call it a night now actually. Oh, and it seems like the rumors about the Astronomy Tower were just that."
"I'm done as well, so we can just walk back to the Common Room together. Goodnight sir."
Filch harrumphed at them before stalking off in the opposite direction.
Yeah, I'll just say that I warned you, so... yeah. Leave a review and tell me what you liked(since I'm sure there was more that you didn't like than there was that you did like). And don't be afraid to request something that you'd like to see in the future- I'll take all suggestions under consideration!
And I'm still taking costume ideas for the Halloween Party! -Although, now I need more than just Hermione and Draco costume ideas- Now I need Ron, Harry, and Ginny ideas! -Probably others too, like Pansy, Blaise, Luna, Neville, etc. but the other three are needed more(especially Ron, although I WILL NOT say why). I'm having a hard time thinking of ideas that aren't the typical 'Muggle' costumes, so any ideas are welcomed.
