5 points

The dorm was empty when Narcissa came out of the bathroom after a long and well-deserved shower. The day has been long and tiring. For some reason, Alice has been staring more frequently at her since Saturday. She knew her little tantrum had to be one of the reasons. But still, it was stressing her out to feel a pair of eyes on her at every moment. Even if Alice was watching Narcissa non-stop, she, at least, didn’t talk to her or try to belittle her as always. This week has been a real blast for Narcissa. Alice was quiet, she didn’t seek out any confrontation. Except for the eyes burning her neck, she could finally enjoy classes. No need to compete against Alice. It was pretty awesome at first, but then Narcissa caught herself missing this dynamic. She couldn’t believe it. 4 years spent dreading going to class and having to confront Alice in every single one of them except divination, and now she was missing it? Bullshit. 

Her dress is spread on her bed, ready to be worn. It was a short dress in a dark green hue. It felt like a classy enough dress for this kind of party but still with a few modern details. Her mothers ensured Andromeda and her, were packing a nice dress for this particular occasion. Although Narcissa loved her dress, she knew Andy was not liking her at all and was wondering if she would wear it tonight. 

Andromeda had received an invitation too and from what Narcissa knew, was planning on coming with Ted. Again. So much for keeping it a secret… In her opinion, it was a bad idea. But apparently, Andy thought otherwise and decided to make their family love him. Good luck with that.

Going to the party with Lucius is a good idea. It's the best idea Narcissa ever had. It was all beneficial for her. Regulus was now the seeker of the Slytherin team, she was the captain. And best of all, when her parents will hear about it, they would finally stop trying to introduce her to any other wizard from pure-blood families. Lucius will be the perfect excuse.

Since as young as she could remember, Druella, her mother, always told her that when she'll grow up she will marry Rabastan Lestrange. Which was the worst nightmare Narcissa could think of. She knew Rabastan for ages now but he was not husband material and will never be. Malfoy wasn't too bad. It's not like they were going to get married but if she had to choose between Rabastan and Lucius, she'll go toward Lucius 100%.

She finally slipped into her dress after doing her hair and makeup when she heard a knock on the door. It couldn't be Rita. Because first: It was her dorm so she doesn't really have to knock. And second, because that girl never learned manners and slamming doors open without knocking was her favourite thing. She told Narcissa it was because when you open a door unannounced, then you have more chance to find something interesting behind it. This was true, but Narcissa wondered how much time it will take for someone to be upset enough at Rita's nosiness to curse her or just punch her in good old fashion.

“Who's this ?” she asked watching herself in the mirror to fix her makeup one last time.

“Lucius” she heard from behind the door. “Are you ready ?”, he asked, “I need your help with the tie” he then added sheepishly.

“You're not going to tell me you can't tie your own tie,” she said walking towards the door. “Is this for real ?” she added while opening the massive wood door.

“Never learned how to do it” he explained. “Mother always ties Father's and mine” he gave as if this was a good reason for not knowing how to tie your own tie at 16.

Lucius was 2 years older than Narcissa. Or more like 1 year and a half since Narcissa is going to be 15 in 2 months. He is in 6th year, so, as every 6th and 7th year, he is considered as powerful and influential. Narcissa couldn't wait for the moment she will be a 6th year and earn the respect of every other student. But for the moment she would just use Lucius' status as her own.

She knew that by tomorrow morning, everyone here would know that she and Lucius attended the party together. And even if they are just “friends”, more like acquaintances really, she knew people would speculate on their relationship. She didn't mind, it was just one asset more up her sleeve.

She took the tie from Lucius and tied it around his neck. Lucius didt not look once. He didn't even try to understand how to tie it himself and it exasperated Narcissa. He was such a mama's boy, she wanted to strangle him with his tie.

* * *

When she went down the stair to the common room, Alice could see Lily seated on one of the sofas, waiting. She must be so stressed, thought Alice. She was so young and the only 2nd year invited to the party. Alice was stressed and she was a 4th year, make it make sense.

“There you are,” said Alice when she reached the Sofa. “Are you ready to go ?”.

When Alice knew about Lily's invitation, she directly proposed that they go together. So she could be less stressed. Lily immediately said yes but then asked if she could take someone else with her so she wouldn't be the only 2nd year. Alice understood the need and explained that every invitation came with a +1 and she could invite anyone she wanted to. It was not an obligation but it was a possibility. A possibility, Alice herself, forgot about until her discussion with Narcissa. At first, she didn't plan to take a +1 and was just happy to go with Lily. But when Lily told her she would bring a +1, and when she learned that Narcissa was coming with Lucius, she had to find someone to come with her. She definitly doesn't want to be the only one without a +1.

“I'm ready !” Lily said. “Just waiting for Sirius” she explained.

“Sirius? As in Sirius Black ?” Alice asked surprised.

Out of all the people she could have invited she invited Sirius. Alice felt her heart pinch a little. It was no secret for the Gryffindor student, James Potter had the biggest crush on Lily. But she chooses to go to the party with his best friend. Hard.

“Yeah, he proposed to go with me” she replied. “He's used to this kind of party. All dressed up and playing the adult.” She explained. “James proposed to go with me as well” she added with her cheeks going pink. “But I had only one +1 and they will be 2 cousins of Sirius so it made more sense to take him with me rather than James”

It made so much sense, thought Alice. And it was really cute to see they were such good friends.

“It's my first serious party with only wizards” she added. “I think he's the most equipped to help me if anything goes wrong” she then said eyeing the floor.

It broke Alice's heart to see her like that. Alice never really thinks about blood status. It must be a privilege thing, she thoughts. Of course, being the only witch with muggle parents at the party is something she is worried about. But Alice knew that with She and Sirius at Lily's side, nothing could go bad.

“And you ?” She asked.

“What me ?” Replied Alice.

“Who are you bringing with you ?” She demanded.

Alice froze. Shit. “Oh. Hum... Frank” she said not really sure of what she was saying. “I'm bringing Frank” she finaly outed. “I'm going to see if he's ready,” she said leaving toward the boy's dorm. “Might need some help to tie his tie” she explained with the fakest smile she could do.

Alice had completely forgotten about the +1. She was supposed to ask Frank because he was a good friend of hers. But then, with class and study sessions, she forgot. And she was now, on her way to Frank's dorm, wishing on her lucky star to find him.

She knocked on his door, but when no one was coming or responding, she knocked again with more strength.

“Alright, Alright, I'm coming,” said a voice behind the door. 20 seconds later, the door opened and a very sleepy Frank was standing in front of Alice.

“You were sleeping ?” she asked perplexed.

“Yeah, I WAS sleeping” he replied with emphasis on the verb.

“It's 6 P.M” she stated.

“And ?”

Alice was baffled. She never saw someone sleep as much as Frank. They knew each other since they were little, thanks to their mother who were friends. And for as long as she could remember, Frank always slept so much. When they were 6 and their mother put them to rest for a nap after lunch, Alice was filled with so much energy she couldn't stay still. She needed to play, run, and climb on everything in the room they were in. On the other hand, as soon as Frank touched a pillow he fell asleep. It made for a pretty good number of pranks. Alice couldn't recall how many times Frank woke up with drawings on his face. The older they got the worst the drawing were.

“Not the point,” said Alice, after realizing her time was short. “I need you to dress up and come with me to the Slughorn's party” she explained.

“Whaaat” Frank exclaimed. “Why didn't you ask earlier.” he replied.

“I'm sorry” she sputtered. “I forgot! At first, I had decided to go alone, but Then Lily said she would have a +1, and Narcissa too and I don't want to be the only one alone. And I was meaning to ask you, but I forgot. Between the class and the study session, It was out of my mind. I'm sorry but please, please come with me” Explained Alice, catching her breath only when she finished talking.

“So what you are telling me is that you had no intention of inviting me until you found yourself alone ?” he asked. At that moment, all the colours drained from Alice's face. She was so into her own head she forgot how all of this was very selfish of her.

“I'm so sorry,” she said mortified, staring at the floor wishing she could just flee and act like this never happened.

“I'm joking with you right now” he bantered. “Of course, I will be delighted to go with you. Even as your last-minute option” he added while giving her a light punch in her shoulder.

Saying Alice didn't understand what was going on was a euphemism. She was completely and utterly lost at Frank's reaction. Was he playing a trick on her?

“What ?” she finally uttered after coming back to her senses.

“I don't care that I'm your last-minute invitation Al'” he replied. “That's what friends are here for, No ?” he comforted.

“Yeah I guess” answered Alice still baffled by Frank's response but relieve.

They stared at each other for a minute before Frank told her he was going to dress up and meet her in the common room in 5 minutes. Alice had not enough time to say thank you that the door was shut and she was alone in the hallway. She was happy to count Frank as her friend. He was an easy guy. Easy to go along with, everyone loved him, students and professors. She was lucky to have him, especially in times like that. Always there to save the day.

As he mentioned, 5 minutes later he was ready and coming down to the common room. He gently took Alice's arms and let her guide him through the corridor of the school to Slughorn's party. Lily and Sirus were walking with them and occasionally made some discussions. All the stress that built up until this night vanished and Alice felt like she could finaly breathe. She was going to enjoy her evening with her friends and that was all that counted at this moment.