Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Party Time
"Keep it together, people!" I yelled to anyone listening as Percy came close to having a third meltdown. Today was the date of the highly anticipated and over-hyped Gryffindor vs. Slytherin quidditch match. It was a lovely April day. The weather had started to warm. The grass was green. Flowers were budding. Just about everyone you came across had contracted spring fever. And what was Percy and I doing? We were stuck inside; trying to throw together a party in the school's trophy room with limited help.
Our shortage of club members couldn't be avoided. Considering nine of our members were obligated to be at the pitch; either playing or acting as the commentator. And then there were the ones who decided watching the game was more important than making this party a success. Ron. The members we were left with… let's just say that some of them were more interested in goofing off than working.
YUP had been working on this event since March. We had to find staff willing to chaperone. McGonagall needed convincing to allow us to hold the event (Teacher/staff appreciation day might have played a role in buttering her up). Once we had her permission, and only then, she told us we could have our party in the trophy room. Which wasn't ideal given its size. But since the location was out of the way of most of Hogwarts' major areas of foot traffic, we felt comfortable planning on the party spilling over into the attached armory.
Supplies for making decorations had to be owl ordered. Diggory took charge of our menu consisting of a variety of snack food. And since he lived close to the kitchens, we made him responsible for placing the order and handling its delivery. But even with that off our plate, there was still plenty to do. Tables had to be either found or transfigured. Chairs too. However, given the size of the space we had to work with and the nature of the event, Percy decided only a handful of chairs was needed. We wanted people on their feet; moving and mingling. A gramophone had to be located. And then the right spell had to be researched and cast to make sure it was loud enough to be heard both in the trophy room and the armory. Finding music had been a challenge too; needing to be something students would stick around to listen to, but also something that wouldn't get us shut down.
Records, as we quickly found out, weren't cheap. The library had a limited amount on hand and even fewer available for check out. Sadly, they consisted of weird instrumental music that even our grandparents didn't listen to, and great speeches throughout history. So, YUP was forced to purchase our own. Being from a knut-pinching family, it hurt to watch our funds quickly dwindle down. Percy too, if his sudden insistence that listening to the great speeches record would be "an excellent addition to the party". My brother may be a nerd, but not to that extent.
It took Flint stepping in to get Percy and me to agree to buy as many records as we did. "My father will replenish the funds at the start of next school year. It's April. We might as well spend what we have and make an impression". It wasn't a thought Percy and I were well versed in. But I like to think we grew from the experience. Now, YUP was the proud owner of; two Weird Sisters albums, a record of Stubby and Hobgoblins' greatest hits, and a Spellbound record (the clean edition). At least, if the club decided to throw any more parties, the music was already sorted.
As Percy worked to keep things organized and everyone on task, I walked around the trophy room and up and down the armory; waving and flicking my wand as I went to see to little jobs no one had seen to yet. Cobwebs were vanished. A feather duster was charmed to levitate and free the display cases holding the trophies. I know this is a big castle, but honestly. What was Filch doing with his time? A questionable stain on a tapestry started to scrub itself. I was casting spells without much pre-thought. All there was, was a job that needed to be done, and bam! Magic. It wouldn't be until I slowed down that I'd realize I was doing this without pronouncing incantations or running through wand movements in my head.
"Girls", I announced myself as I approached Ginny and her friends idly talking in front of a suit of armor. "What are you doing? You're supposed to be decorating. The math should be ending any minute and we're-" It was Ginny's horrified face that made me pause and hear myself. Suddenly feeling scared, I pressed one of my hands against my right cheek. "Merlin, I sound like Mum". It was a realization I wasn't ready for. I mean, I've never called anybody 'girls' before. Like I was so much older. Sure, Fred, George, and I had our birthday a few weeks ago. But being sixteen shouldn't be any different than being fifteen.
Hestia, Flora, and Luna watched my sudden existential crisis with detached interest. As if I was a lab specimen. While Ginny's expression morphed into one of pity and embarrassment. Though I was struggling to decide if her embarrassment was for me or for her. "Uh…" I stammered as I scrambled to regain myself. It had to be the lack of sleep. That was the only explanation that made sense. All the nightmares and lost hours spent studying for the OWLs were finally catching up to me. "Just don't tell anyone", I ordered Ginny and her friends before stalking off; my ears burning.
Lee was the first to arrive. Running at full speed, Sprout and Flitwick let him in what I'd unofficially dubbed 'the party zone'. I tried to make it official, but no one else liked it. Lee skidded to a halt in front of Percy. Huffing and puffing, his chest laboriously rose and fell as he stood hunched over with his hands resting on his knees. "Who won?" Percy asked as the rest of us stood on the sidelines with bated breath. "Jordan, which team?"
Still breathless, Lee managed to force out, "Gryffindor".
The second-year girls pouted in defeat while Creevey cheered. Percy's eyes immediately swung in my direction. "Holly!" He barked.
But I was already on it. "Colovaria", I said; waving my wand above my head. A few of the banners we had hung changed from white to red. But I left the yellow, green, and blue banners alone. There was no need to be heavy-handed with Gryffindor pride when we were trying to attract all sorts.
"Everyone, be ready", Percy ordered; reminding us of our marching orders. "Diggory will man the food tables until it's time for Macmillan's shift. Do not let Jordan or the triplets add anything to the tables or slip something in the punch".
… I resent that.
"Finch-Fletchley will handle the music first and then it's Longbottom's turn". The mentioned Hufflepuff third-year was already standing behind the gramophone, picking out which record to play first. "Professor Sprout and Professor Flitwick will manage the entrance and Professor Black and Professor Lupin will be here as soon as they make it back from the pitch". In acknowledgment, Sprout and Flitwick waved at us from their posts. They made for an interesting sight. In honor of the occasion, Sprout had a plush snake toy draped over her shoulders like a scarf while Flitwick had found an old red and gold tie for the occasion. Lord Flint better appreciate the length our teachers were willing to go to breathe life into his new movement. "Ginny, the Carrows, and Lovegood; you're responsible for the games we have set up for the younger years". Percy kept going. Only pausing when he needed to take in air. "If there are any problems wave down myself, Holly, Zabini, Padma, or Flint and Montague once they've arrived". Percy pivoted on his heels to check our progress. From the entrance, we heard shoes hitting stone and a muffled cacophony of approaching conversations.
As our assisting club members moved to where they needed to be, Percy left Lee and hastened to my side. "Why did I allow you to talk me into this?" He asked. However; when he said you, he didn't mean just me. But YUP as a whole. Stress was leaking out of Percy's pores as he nervously dried his hands of sweat on his jumper, but with some mindfulness. He wouldn't want to risk his head boy badge becoming crooked after. Which he still insisted on wearing, despite being in casual dress. "I still think a study group would've been just as effective".
"Yes", I said in faux seriousness as the harmonized sounds of Spellbound started bouncing off the walls of the trophy room. "Because kids love to make friends over textbooks and academic debate".
As on edge as he was, Percy only heard my words and not my tone. "Next year", he promised with a nod of his head. Even though YUP wouldn't be his problem for much longer.
The party was in full swing by the time the quidditch players started to show. Freshly showered and free of any locker room scents, the Gryffindor team arrived first. They were greeted by a chorus of whooping cheers that managed to drown out the blaring music. The girls and Harry blushed at all the attention. Though Angelina and Alicia seemed to enjoy it more than he and Katie. Fred and George walked in like they owned the place; bowing to and thanking anyone they come across as they walked further and further into the room. Wood looked like he was in his own little world as he glanced around the room at all the people and decorations with mist collecting in the corner of his eyes.
Somehow, I found myself hanging out with a group of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff sixth-years that I had never talked to before. And one token Slytherin thrown in for good measure. "Not bad for a school-sanctioned party", the Hufflepuff said before taking a drink from her cup of punch.
The Ravenclaw nodded in agreement. "We weren't going to come at first. A party the teachers want us to go to doesn't make it sound fun". I bobbed my head left to right, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. "But this isn't bad. The food is good. Almost as good as a Ravenclaw house party".
"Ravenclaw house has parties?" The token Slytherin asked. His poised raised eyebrow was enough to irritate.
"Yes, we have parties. Just like everyone else", The Ravenclaw bristled.
"Reading parties or normal parties?" The token Slytherin asked; causing the Hufflepuff to snort into her drink.
And that's where Fred and George found me after they'd finished collecting their praises. "Jolly Holly", Fred said; interjecting into the group before the Ravenclaw could really let the token Slytherin have it. "You've really outdone yourself".
Turning my back to the group, I hugged Fred first and then George. "Congratulations. And this party was all Percy", I said; lying only a little. "My main job was making sure Perce didn't go mental and accidentally kill someone".
George nodded. "We understand. If Slytherin won, Fred and I would be trying to talk Wood off a ledge right now". Speaking of the quidditch captain, Wood was standing in the middle of the room still looking like he was lost on cloud nine as different groups danced all around him.
"The seventh-years are an interesting breed, aren't they?" Fred asked as we studied Wood. "Speaking of seventh-years, let's go find Percy", he said to George. "See what we can do to really get this party going". Oh, Percy would love that.
George nodded in agreement. "You're going to stay here, right?" He asked me.
"Why would I leave a party I helped plan?"
"Even if Pucey begs you?" Fred tacked on to George's question; understanding what our brother was talking about.
Scoffing, I tried to be heard over the music that had just switched over to one of the Weird Sisters albums. "One, I doubt Adrian has ever begged in his life. Two, even if I did leave, which I'm not, Lockhart's not somewhere in the castle".
"Okay", George relented. But before he and Fred could disappear into the crowd, he pointed a finger at me. "But you said you won't leave the party". As if I'd forget.
Shaking my head at their retreating backs, I tuned into the conversation happening behind me just in time to hear the Ravenclaw loudly demand to know, "What's wrong with being in Ravenclaw?!"
"Hey", I spun around; interrupting the Slytherin before he could answer. "Have you heard of a game called beer pong?"
The Hufflepuff lit up. "My big sister has talked about it. She's played it with her university friends".
The token Slytherin made a hasty exit… Meh, baby steps.
When the Slytherin quidditch team joined the party (Well, just the chasers joined by their keeper, Miles Bletchley), they were surprised to be greeted by rambunctious applause. While Adrian and Flint maintained their composure, Montague preened under the limelight and poor Bletchley kept looking over his shoulder as if checking to see if there was someone famous standing behind him.
Quickly, they integrated themselves into all the festivities. Flint went above and beyond by shocking everyone who saw when he shook Wood's hand and commented, "good game". I think Creevey managed to get a picture of it. We'll have to see who we have to talk to about getting that printed in the next Hogwarts newsletter.
Adrian found me still with the same Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw from before. This time with an additional Ravenclaw. A seventh year, I think. He was needed so we could actually play the game I'd suggested. Unfortunately for me, we paired up to be a team and I quickly learned his hand-eye coordination was rubbish.
"Chug! Chug! Chug!" The opposing team chanted as I knocked back my second cup of butterbeer. For two people who had never played before, they'd caught on suspiciously fast. When I slammed the empty cup down on the table, both the opposing team and my lousy teammate cheered. Even though it wasn't anything impressive. Butterbeer didn't burn your throat or give you a head rush as it went down. Although, the foam did offer a small challenge.
The bouncy balls we had transfigured from bottle caps were rolled back to the opposing team. "What are you doing?" Adrian demanded to know as he appeared at the edge of the table, eyeing the setup as if he had come across something unbecoming. He had traded his quidditch uniform for a pair of nice slacks and a button-down. A little dressed up for this crowd. But I knew these clothes were the ones Adrian was most comfortable with.
Before I could answer him, the Hufflepuff took her shot. A dead ringer; causing droplets of butterbeer to splash out of its cup. "She's losing", the Hufflepuff answered for me.
Sighing in defeat, I brushed some hair out of my face before gingerly plucking the bouncy ball out of the cup and sliding the beverage over to the teammate. "It's your turn", I told him as I turned to face Adrian. "It's called beer pong". At Adrian's blank stare, I felt it wise to provide more detail. "It's a game. When someone on the other team gets a ball into a cup, we have to drink".
"Yes, I was able to piece that together", Adrian responded dryly and loudly; straining his voice to be heard over the overzealous dancers who decided to sing along with the music. He kept staring at the setup like he was waiting for something untoward to happen. "You're going to make yourself sick".
"That's part of the fun", the Ravenclaw from the other team chimed in.
My teammate nudged my arm with one of the bouncy balls. "It's your throw", he told me as I accepted it.
Holding up the bouncy ball for Adrian to see, I shrugged and smiled. "It's my throw".
"If you must", Adrian said with a sigh as he resigned himself to watching me give myself cavities as I was forced to drink cup after cup of sugary butterbeer.
I lined up my shot. I knew where I wanted the ball to bounce and what cup I was aiming for. With my knees slightly bent, my back arched, and my wrist poised, I was ready. "Holly! I said no drinking games".
Groaning out of complaint as the Hufflepuff went to grab the bouncy ball before it could be lost in the crowd, I face Percy. "You made me miss!"
"Relax, Weasley", said my teammate. "It's only butterbeer".
Standing behind Percy was Flint, who seemed content to watch this scene unfold as he conversed with Adrian.
Flustered, Percy adjusted his glasses and puffed out his chest; making sure everyone could see his head boy badge. I didn't miss the way it made Flint's lips twitch in fondness. "This game encourages drinking and this is a school function". Percy jabbed a finger towards the ground as if stating this was a hill he was willing to die on.
Oh, the horror! "Butterbeer pong isn't against the rules", I pointed out; making sure to add butter in front of the word beer. Sometimes it's fun to rile Percy up. But now wasn't the time. As Percy and I continued to talk with Adrian and flint looking on like this was a spectator sport, my teammate moved to take his turn. As a seventh year, Percy's head boy powers probably didn't mean much to him. "The first and second years are playing games", I said; gesturing towards the kiddy corner. Admittedly, I was the only person calling it that.
Stubbornly, Percy glowered at him. "They are playing pin the twigs on the broomstick and gobstones".
"Your point?" I asked tilting my head to the side.
"Pin the twigs on the broomstick; I wonder how that's fairing". Flint stepped in before Percy could blow his top. Judging by Percy's scrunched-up nose and downturned lips, we weren't far off from that happening. And here I really thought Percy had started to loosen up. "We should check", Flint said as he clapped a hand on Percy's shoulder; already stirring him away. "Can't have the first and second years corrupted by this lot". Flint's voice was jovial as he looked over his shoulder at me and winked. Ugh.
But I shook it off, ready to return to the game. It was the other team's turn, based on the fact that the Hufflepuff was holding the bouncy ball. However, instead of bouncing it off the table, she held it still; her eyes flashing between Adrian and me. "How does this work?" she asked curiously, gesturing between us. Adrian glared, not feeling inclined to answer. And I just shrugged. How does any relationship work? If you ask too many questions, things are bound to fall apart.