Chapter 15

The Hogsmeade visit was two weeks later and there was going to be a party that night. It wasn't going to be a festival event but rather something just for fun. Just as ever in time, teens liked to have fun and we liked our parties in Slytherin.

Pansy, Daphne, and I dressed warmly as it was still February but we made our way through Hogsmeade even with the snow. We spent most of the day there, venturing through each and every one of the shops before making our way back to the common room.

I let the hot water of the shower consume me. It had been a cold day today and I had to wear more layers than usual. Even as it neared spring, it was still cold everywhere.

I just finished my shower, drying off as I put lotion on. Cherry Blossom was one of my favourite scents and it was subtle. If I needed something stronger, I had a cherry perfume. That one was a little gift from Lupin.

I wrapped myself in a black bathrobe as I walked back into my room, towel drying my hair as I walked.

I paused.

"Hi," Pansy said from the couch, dressed in a bathrobe. As was Daphne who sat on the floor, painting her toe nails.

I rolled my eyes. I was secretly glad they thought they could drop in like this. It meant they themselves saw that we had a friendship. It meant they trusted me to a degree.

"The ritual is in the forest, deep in the forest," Daphne said calmly, finishing her pastel blue nails, matching her toes now. "It's Lupercalia and the first year we're allowed to join in the festivities."

"Wait, festivities?" I paused as I sat down next to them, looking through the colours Daphne brought with her. She even put all of mine out too, needing the variety to choose the exact one. "We get to join in tonight?"

The smile I showed hid the nervousness behind it.

I didn't even know if I was going to join in the festivities.

"I don't know if I'm ready for that kind of stuff," I admitted. "Never really…you know…"

"Oh, that's perfectly fine," Pansy waved a hand, waiting for her hand to be painted by the flying nail polish brushes. They smoothly applied the polish, leaving her nails neat and a nice burgundy. "Neither have I. Nothing to be ashamed about."

"You know," Daphne started, giving us looks. "Lupercalia is one of the best ways to have your first time. I'm in the same situation as you two but my mother did tell me that tonight would be a good night. Your body is focused on sexuality and Magic."

Pansy tilted her head side to side and then nodded.

"No better a night to start," she exhaled slowly through her mouth and nodded again. "No pressure to lose it either. We take the night how it comes."

"We need to dress nice, even if we decide we don't want to participate," Daphne said, tossing me a nail polish. I caught it. "Wear that. It'll match your outfit."

"My outfit?" I asked, examining the shimmering purple liquid.

"Yes, your outfit," she tilted her head with a grin. It was bright and almost concerning with the little hint of excitement. "Did you think we'd let you go in your Muggle underwear and everything? Oh no, honey. You're dressing up properly. The middle one on the bed is yours."

I stood up and went over there.

My bed covers were made neatly, either by myself or a HouseElf if I was lazy. On top of them sat a set of three outfits.

All three were satin black dresses with lacy black lingerie sets next to them, tailored to each style of dress. A pair of heels were on the ground below each one. Each one had ruby soles and were slightly different styles.

"You do not have to wear it if you do not wish," Silver said to me, looking over my shoulder at girls. "They are nervous themselves."

I looked over at them. Even with their I'm better than you attitude, I could see the creases of nervousness in their body language. Pansy scrunched up her nose a lot more when she was cautious about something and Daphne hunched her shoulders a little more than normal.

"Yeah," I nodded to myself, giving Silver quick look to signify my acceptance. "That will do."

"Good!" Pansy jumped up from her place, going around the sofa towards me. She ushered me back, sitting me down as the coffee table was suddenly full of all of our makeup. Even some more expensive brands with my colouring appeared.

We began our makeup as we sipped on warming teas and juices. Tonight wasn't a night for alcohol. We wanted to be clear minded and alert to everything happening. We stayed in my room for over an hour and a half, getting ready for the party with alluring makeup and hair pinned out of our way.

Before all this, I didn't think it was worth spending an hour every day getting ready but I realised how therapeutic it was. Having the time to myself, letting me clean my Magic of any bad energy near me, giving me some peace before the day started, was more than worth getting up a little earlier. I didn't spend a full hour putting makeup on or doing my hair, but that was part of a process I had perfected in the last few weeks.

I didn't rush putting the silver glitter on my smokey-eye makeup, slowing adding it on top. Everything took time to perfect and I wanted to be more than perfect.

I wanted to look lethal and hellish, as ever a good Dark Witch would.

I put the lacy lingerie on in the bathroom, looking at myself in the mirror. Then the black dress went over it. Strapless with a structured corset waist to cinch it in, with a flowy mini skirt. It was charmed to stay down and no one would be able to see my lacy underwear. I was glad for it.

My hair tumbled down my shoulders, curling loosely as a single pin tucked some of my hair out of my face. I smiled, my glossy red-nude lipstick was the perfection addition to my clear skin and green eyes.

I looked closer. They were piercing with the way I did my makeup, silver eye shadow over a black smokey base. A band of pure darkness was around the very edge of my irises, while the middle had a ring of speckling gold at the very centre. Unless I was in the sun, it couldn't be seen.

I looked good and so did Pansy and Daphne, both in their own black ensembles of lingerie and short dress. Daphne's was the same as mine but with a pencil skirt and Pansy had small straps instead of none. Daphne had gold glitter while Pansy had bronze.

A knock at the door hurried us up.

"If you don't leave in the next five minutes," Theo's voice came through the door. "You're all going to be late. I know all three of you are in there."

"Oh shush," I shouted as I slid my feet into the platform heels, keeping the thick heel level as I wrapped the ribbon around my ankle and tied it in a little bow. "We're just grabbing our coats. Come in."

Instead of just Theo coming in, it was all three.

First, Theo came in with his brown waves over his eyes, pushing them away as he wore a blue-black button shirt with slacks. Silver was dusted over his eyes. He smiled as he came in, fixing his cuffs.

"Look at the beautiful ladies here," he gently guided Pansy's hand to his lips, making the action of kissing without doing so. Pansy smiled coyly at that, flattered by the gesture.

"We going to leave soon or are we going to be late?" Blaise amused, standing next to Theo. He looked at our outfits, barely glancing over Pansy and Daphne before landing on me. He smiled. "Bellissima."

That was Italian, and something close to the word beautiful.

I didn't dare blush. Even under my makeup, I could feel the flush of my cheeks but it was enough that it didn't show.

Draco grumbled as he followed in, fixing up his black collar and his tie. His hair was slicked back and blue eyes lined in black and silver, just as were the other two. His looked lethal, enticing me into the deep of water.

"We're already late,"

Pansy rolled her eyes, "Can't rush beauty, Malfoy."

"Seems like you need more time, Parkinson," He snickered at her gasp and shove. He laughed it off and then turned serious. "I understand being fashionably late, but this getting ridiculous."

I slid on my leather jacket, already hiding a pack of cigarettes and lighter in the pockets.

"I'm ready if you are," I said to the girls. They quickly donned their own jackets and flicked their hair out from the collars. I remembered too.

"Come on," Daphne nodded. "I'm done."

"Same,"

The boys left the room first with us following behind. I watched as Silver stood in the middle of my room. He was still, only watching as I left. Then he nodded.

I was doing well.

)(-)(

It was never just Slytherin at any Sabbat ritual I went to. There were always more than just the snake pit when we celebrated Magic. We ventured deeper into the forest, our heels never wavering in our steps as glowing blue flowers lined the paths to the middle. It was always a long walk, getting deep enough into the Forbidden Forest to the very centre.

Instead of the firepit, a large pole sat in the middle, high as three stories and as thick as a young tree. It was wrapped with ribbons of various colours, curling at the very end. No one dared pass the stone circle yet. The ritual hadn't started.

Four teachers monitored the very outside, standing guard at North, East, South and West. I couldn't see their faces with their hoods pulled on tight, backs turned on us.

We found a large space left for us as Molly Whitehorn stood with her arms crossed near the circle, acting as the leader of tonight.

"You're almost late," she told us all, then turned to the three male Aces. "You were supposed to bring them earlier. We're about to start."

"They were busy finishing up getting ready," Blaise defended.

Molly tutted and turned her attention to the group of fifty-odd students, the only students standing. Anyone in the fifth year and above could join in on the carnal side of it, being that the age of consent was fifteen since adulthood was seventeen. The rest were the Third and Fourth years, sitting down on the assorted logs in the clearing. They wore thick robes and blankets as they watched.

First years weren't allowed to know of the festival, but second years were invited to learn about it but third years were the first to be allowed to join in the first part of the festival.

"Since that is everyone, we may start now," she said to everyone, her voice projecting by a charm. "Welcome to Lupercalia, the night of purification, growth and fertility. As we grow, we learn to weild our Magic. Tonight is to help ground us into ourselves and be fruitful, letting our Magic expand. Tonight is not a night to be taken lightly. You all may take a ribbon but not all will turn red. Your mind and your Magic have to be in sync, before a partner or partners for the night can be chosen.

"For the lucky few who let themselves be selected, remember that you have the right to refuse tonight. There is no pressure for anything tonight. For we're here to enjoy our Magic and the gifts it gives us," Whitehorn turned to the pole and I watched as the ribbons unravelled themselves, winding up before spraying out like dozens of thin threads of a spider web. "The night may begin. Don't mind the wolves you hear. They're here to protect you."

I looked back into the forest, trying to catch the eye of any creature there. Daphne grabbed my hand and pulled, urging me towards the pole. I went with her as everyone ran to the pole, grabbing a random ribbon. I held it tightly in my hand. I knew if I let it go, I would be allowed to leave, to decide for myself if I wanted to do anything.

As soon as everyone had their ribbons, the music started. It was heavy with a drum base, letting us step with each beat. We followed where our Magic was leading us, weaving between each other. It took long minutes, feeling longer and longer with each step I took.

Pansy and Daphne sent me encourging looks and I smiled back at them as we parted and circled around the pole in our ways.

I felt eyes on every step I took. I knew everyone was looking at everyone else, appreciating the way we all looked. I gazed upon them too, seeing how our Magic made us all unique in body and energy. Some people let go of their ribbons, slowly exiting the circle. Others had their ribbons turn white, meaning they had been too hesitant to decide.

As the last beat happened, there were less than twenty people left. I still held my ribbon, watching turn red in the moonlight. I had been focused, mind, body and Magic, and had chosen myself. The ribbon shot out of my hand, shrinking back into the pole just as everyone else's did.

"For those who are left and who wish to still participate," Whitehorn said. "You may chose from the Wixen left. Remember of your choice tonight. Do not make one you will regret. Leave the circle with your partners and grow, or leave alone and thrive ."

A tall Ravenclaw girl with curling brown hair held Pansy's hand, giving it a kiss. Pansy returned it and they left the circle together, as a pair. I saw a lot of people pair up instantly. Daphne went with a pretty Hufflepuff boy in the year above and the Aces stood together, looking like ever the dangerous trio.

Most people chosen were already dating, I could tell by the way they reacted to each other. They had heartfelt exchanges, smiles so warm it could melt the ice of my heart.

Then I realised I was being stalked.

Two boys were standing on the other side of the pole, staring at me intently as they came over. I knew they wanted to chose me but their eyes told me they weren't the who would be kind to me. I felt like an animal trapped as they walked closer and then I remembered the leave alone and thrive.

A hand stopped me a foot from the circle of rocks, a step away from freedom. I looked to the two boys who had been stalking towards me with purpose, and then to the hand. It belonged to Draco Malfoy, glaring at the two boys to back away. They stayed still but didn't retreat.

"If you truly wish to step over the stone and end the ritual, you can, Viktoria," Draco said to me, raising my hand, pressing my family ring to his forehead before it neared his lips. I felt his breath on my hand. "Or you may decide to indulge us with a kiss."

Us?

"Us?" I asked.

"Us," Theo repeated, arms loosely crossed on my other side. "It's the three of us seeking you tonight."

I saw the looks on their faces. There was lust there. I knew the look on myself already, but theirs held a level of warmth and comfort I had never felt. Draco said I could indulge them with a kiss. He never asked for more so it was my choice to give.

I still had the choice in deciding to leave alone.

"I will accept your seeking and indulge you with a kiss," I said, turning to the circle. Draco and Theo placed their hands on my lower back, guiding me over the rock circle as Blaise followed, letting us leave as a group of four.