Warning: the rating's about to go up to T. There will be swearing and refrences to adult themes in the near future. And maaaaybe some drinking ;)
I found myself to be nervous that night.
No particular reason. Just me and my damned nerves acting up as always.
Facing my reflection, I tried to force my stomach to unclench from it's nervous knot. Maybe it was the outfit; I never wore anything this fancy.
The dress was bright, rich red, my "color" according to Bridget and Kenna. It had spaghetti straps and the neckline hung low enough that it showed off the whole pale expanse of my neck and collarbone, along with a hint of cleavage. It clung to the gentle curve of my waist and hit my knee at the lowest point, though the skirt was slanted in such a way that half of one thigh was bared.
In the makeup area, I got away with just some blush, mascara, lipgloss, and eyeshadow. They tried to force me into some rediculously purple eyeshadow, because it would bring out the green in my eyes, but I told them there was no green left in my eyes.
It wasn't a lie. My eyes used to be more green than gray, but over the years they had seemed to turn a stormy, true gray. I got away with a more natural brown shadow.
I was completely ready. What was keeping me here?
"Getting into your zen party mode?" Bridget's teasing voice came from behind me as her reflection joined mine in the mirror. Her dress was violet purple with some faint traces of pink(she was a huge fan of pink, oddly enough), and clung to her too-thin frame all the way from the straps to where it stopped mid-thigh. The fabric was textured to give the illusion of curves.
"You could say that," I said with a smirk. "Where's Ken?"
"Already partying," my friend replied, raising an eyebrow and tapping a non existent watch on her wrist. "We're late."
"I know, I know," I said, acknowleding the beat of music coming through the walls. "I'm ready."
"Finally," she muttered, then continued more brightly, "Time to shine."
I gave a smile and she linked her arm through mine as we opened the door and descended the steps into the common room. I was very grateful when little to no people turned their heads to watch us. I felt uncomfortable being stared at like that.
"Look at this. It's an absolute madhouse, and Angus isn't even here yet," Bridget mumbled, probably more to herself than to me.
It was true. The music was blasting from some speakers we couldn't locate, a mixture of Muggle and Wizard music. The bassline shook the walls and supplied the beat for the many dancers.
The furniture had been pushed against the walls, and the room seemed bigger, somehow. That's odd.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's find Ben and Adrian and Kens," Bridget said. We threaded our way through the tightly knit mass of people to wear we could make out the tall, broad form of Ben.
"Hey there Benji," Bridget greeted when we reached him.
"Lookin' good," I told him. He was wearing a black t-shirt that had the design of a fancy tuxedo on the front.
He smiled, "Hey guys. Thanks, you are too."
"Where's Adrian and Kenna?" Bridget asked him, searching the crowd, who were now jumping in time to the music.
"Haven't seen Adrian, but Kenna's out there somewhere. Oh, there she is," he said, pointing her out. We quickly made out the winter white of her short, flirty, strapless dress. The color stood out against her dark hair and olive skin. She was dancing as wildly, if not more so, as the rest.
"Well, come on Marcy, let's join Kenna in the party world," Bridget said, tugging my arm.
"You go. I'll catch up. I need a moment to... take it all in," I urged. She shrugged and passed through the rift between the sane sidelines and the dangerous rave.
"Why aren't you out there, Ben?" I asked, leaning against the wall beside him.
"Eh, I'm not much for parties. I'm more of a mellow person I think," He answered.
I smirked to myself. "I couldn't tell," I said, keeping the sarcasm from entering my voice. I continued, "Well, you're in good company. I'm not much of a party animal either."
"Greetings Gryffindors!" A voice boomed, magnified by magic, over the music. Cheers erupted, and the crowd parted in a circle. In the middle stood none other than Angus, looking like a right showbiz announcer in his slacks, white button up, and dusky brown waistcoat, speaking into his wand like a microphone.
"Oh good grief," I muttered.
"Now, let's make this a real party!" He exclaimed, resulting in whoops of agreement.
Angus half grinned. "Boys," He started, snapping his fingers, "Bring it in!"
Three of his friends whose names I didn't know ran inside, holding three huge crates over their heads like trophies.
The Gryffindors went almost dead silent as they set the crates down and pried one open. Angus reached into one and pulled something out.
"Firewhiskey!" He bellowed, hoisting a large glass bottle over his head. The students cheered raucausly.
"Oh," I murmured, "It's that kind of party."
What have I gotten myself into now?
"I'll be set up in the corner over there," Angus said, pointing to the far right corner of the room. "Come see me if you need a little kick in the arse... or if you want some firewhiskey."
He left to set up his bar in the corner of the room. I turned to Ben, gesturing at Angus, "Did you know there was going to be... alcohol here?"
His amber brown eyes gleamed impishly and a chuckle bubbled deep in his chest, "Maybe a little."
I groaned with exasperation. "Why didn't you tell me?"
He chuckled again, "You didn't ask."
I sighed at him, resting my head against the wall and surveying the room. Bridget and Kenna were already in line. Adrian was nowhere in sight.
Until now.
He walked in as if he walked into crazy drunken raves every night. He probably did. He wore dark pants, a white shirt with the top two buttons open, and a black suit jacket over it. Carelessly handsome.
The second thing I noticed was the girl beside him.
The girl holding onto his arm.
I vaguely remembered her name to be Maya. She had long, dark, wavy hair and round blue eyes. She was the kind of girl that was so petite that she made almost every girl feel brutish, even if you were as short as I was.
I don't know if I felt jealous. I fancied Remus. I didn't fancy Adrian.
Right?
"Love's a bitch, ain't it, man?" Ben asked from beside me. I looked up at him and noticed I'd been staring at Adrian.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I mumbled, blushing that I'd been caught.
With that, I made my way over to Angus to ask him what the hell? The line had disappeared.
"Why hello, Marcy. You're looking smashing. I didn't peg you as the firewhiskey type," he greeted.
"Maybe that's because I'm not. You brought alchohol?"
He laughed and smirked at me. "It's a Gryffindor party, love. Of course I brought alcohol."
I rolled my eyes at him.
"So I assume you won't be having any?" He asked.
I caught myself staring again at Adrian and Maya. They were on the dancefloor now, moving with the beat, so close together, so freaking suggestively...
Ugh. Why should I care who he dances with? Or who he dates, for that matter? I don't like him. Do I?
I just need to lose myself for a while. I need an escape.
I glanced now at the firewhiskey. The label read Ogden's Old.
It's not a crime. I just need to get out of my own thoughts for a while. Get out of my mind.
"Actually," I said, tearing my gaze away from the couple, "Pour me a glass."
Angus smirked. "Smart girl. I knew you'd come around," he commented, raising the bottle expertly up and down as he filled a cup to the brim. His smile grew wider as he handed to me.
"Enjoy."
I picked it up and stared into it for a moment; the liquid was fiery orange.
I didn't give myself a chance to change my mind.
Without a single second more of hesitation, I tilted my head back and tipped the cup upside down, tossing it all back. It burned rather uncomfortably as it slid down my throat, but once it was down I felt light headed. Pleasantly so.
Like I could do anything and everything.
"Atta girl!" Angus said, his eyebrows shooting into his hairline. "I didn't know you had it in you."
I giggled. It sounded weird, I wasn't a giggly kind of girl.
But nope. I needed more. I wasn't far enough gone yet.
I wanted to disappear.
"Keep 'em coming," I insisted. My voice sounded far away.
Angus refilled my cup and pushed it towards me.
I didn't feel guilty at all, like I'd expected. It was kind of liberating actually. And it took my mind off things.
I desperately needed that.
Within seconds, the next cup was gone.
And the next.
And the rest was history.