Slytherin Party
Hogwarts - Friday, 9:00pm
MEAVER
Outside, the night was dark and cold, icy breezes slipping through the cracks of the ancient castle walls. In the middle of the common room, the fireplace burned steadily, filling the space with the warmth we all needed. Pansy and I sat on the main couch, lazily preparing for the welcoming party. I was curled up, legs folded beneath me, wearing a short off-shoulder satin dress in deep red. A small mirror rested in my palm as I carefully applied the final touch—red lipstick. My long hair, styled into soft waves, cascaded down my shoulders, giving it an effortless volume. Across from me, Pansy sat with the same focused expression, dressed in dark blue, her fingers working methodically to smooth her hair into place.
We had been waiting for this night all week, counting down the days until the first big event of the year.
Ever since the announcement of the Triwizard Tournament, things at Hogwarts had been... chaotic. Older students placed bets on who would be chosen. Younger ones desperately sought ways to bypass the age restriction, only to be thrown back by the enchantment surrounding the Goblet of Fire in increasingly ridiculous ways. Every time someone was hurled across the Great Hall, we found ourselves thoroughly entertained.
But beneath all the excitement, something felt off. That unease had been lingering in my mind ever since my conversation with Harry the day after we arrived at school.
We had met in the Room of Requirement before lunch, the space dimly lit and cluttered with strange, forgotten objects. He looked tense, his brows furrowed as he relayed everything that had happened at the Quidditch World Cup.
It had all started as a normal trip—he had gone with the Weasleys, enjoying the match, celebrating with the crowd. Then, in the dead of night, everything fell apart. Death Eaters attacked, fire spread across the camp, and in the midst of the chaos, Harry's scar burned like never before. The pain was so intense he fainted. When he came to, the Ministry had already arrived, immediately accusing him of conjuring the Dark Mark, the symbol of Voldemort, now shining ominously in the sky. But Harry had seen who really cast the spell—an unknown figure slipping away into the darkness.
That was bad enough. But what disturbed me more was what he told me next.
He had a dream—or maybe a vision. He wasn't himself, but an old man, creeping into a house where voices echoed through the halls. One voice, unmistakable, sent chills down his spine. Voldemort. He was speaking to Wormtail and another man—someone young. But the moment they realized they weren't alone, Voldemort commanded Wormtail to kill the intruder. And then Harry woke up.
I know Harry is connected to him. But I never knew it was this deep. I want to protect him, but I don't know how. And the more I think about it, the worse this feeling in my gut gets.
I sighed and stood up, barefoot, crossing the common room toward the large mirror hanging on the wall. Tilting my head, I adjusted my hair, running my fingers through the waves as I examined my reflection from different angles. A small smirk tugged at my lips as I bit my fingertip in thought.
"You look hot," Pansy said, tossing her mirror aside and rising to join me.
Across the room, Draco and Blaise were sprawled on the couch, already dressed for the party. Both wore black—tailored trousers, button-down shirts, sharp and effortless. Draco's top buttons were undone, the usual. Between them, a bottle of firewhisky sat on the table, half-empty, next to a few shot glasses.
"Do I look hot too?" Blaise teased, smirking at Pansy. She rolled her eyes.
"Is this too much?" I asked, hesitating for a moment. I knew I looked good, but I didn't want to stand out too much.
"Nah, don't worry. You look amazing," she reassured me, standing beside me in the mirror's reflection.
"Thank you, love," I grinned, pulling her into a quick hug.
Draco suddenly stood up, looking slightly tipsy—and irritated.
"It's fucking 10 PM. Can we get going already? You both look amazing and diva and gorgeous and whatever, but Blaise and I are about one minute away from fusing with this couch."
I covered my mouth to stifle a laugh and turned to Pansy, who was already giggling. Blaise dramatically threw an arm around Draco, nodding in agreement.
"You're right," Pansy admitted, still laughing.
"We'll put on our heels then," I said, slipping mine on. Pansy followed suit, fastening hers effortlessly.
I stood up in direction to Draco, got infront of him and turned, looking at him.
"How do I look?" I said flirty winkling my eyes at him.
I noticed how he slightly blushed but locked his gray eyes on mine, like analyzing myself, then smirked. With his hands in his pockets.
"You look good. Not that I'm surprised"
He replied, cocky. I mischievously liked grabbing his attention, having his eyes on me, feeling that I mesmerized him. Although, it wasn't right, this turn in our relationship was something that neither of us would allow, but enjoy.
"Okay, I'm ready to go"
Said Pansy, heading to us with a little purse on her hands. One that we've prepared earlier, with some lipstick, perfume and a couple cigarettes.
"Let's go now"
Replied Blaise, with the bottle of Firewhiskey in hand he hugged Draco and me pushing us to the door. Pansy followed. Our destination? The astronomy tower.
We were walking, making our way to it in between laughs. But at the same time we remained stealthy, in order to don't wake up any professor or prefect. The path to the Astronomy Tower was brighten by the moon light that came from the tall windows.
"You haven't drink any of the bottle, love"
Draco said, with that tipsy voice that started to stood out even more. I glanced at him, his eyes trapping mine, as always.
"Yea, maybe I should" I said and smiled.
"All yours" He said and passed me the bottle.
In my hands, I turned the cap and took a sip from it. Felling how it burned my throat. It was good.
Before we all could notice we had made our way to the party. As all magic parties, you couldn't hear anything standing outside, but as soon as you put a feet inside the loud music invaded yourself.
"I'll make the honors" Said Blaise, standing beside the door and opening it for us.
As soon as we all got in, the loud music was through all place. Low purple lights were flashing some places and in the middle of the room was located a table, where lots of unknown bottles were placed, some opened and some closed. There were some cups too, for you to serve yourself.
"I've missed this so much" Pansy said, standing by my side, taking a look to the roof that was made of glass, letting all us see the dark night sky.
"Me too" I said, truly meaning it.
I sighed, capturing the moment when Blaise's voice caught my attention.
"A little gift for you two," he said, handing us each a red cup filled to the top.
Pansy looked at the drink suspiciously. Draco already had one and was sipping calmly, his gaze focused somewhere across the room.
"And this is?" she asked, frowning.
"Just give it a try," Blaise answered, taking another sip from his own cup.
I shrugged and took a sip, the rough alcohol burning its way down my throat. I made a face, but it wasn't bad. Pansy and I both turned to Draco, who still hadn't said a word.
"Who are you eyeing now?" Pansy teased, finally drawing his attention.
"What are you talking about?" he replied with a hint of annoyance.
"He's staring at my man," Blaise added dramatically.
"Who?" I asked.
"Cedric Diggory," Draco replied flatly, finally turning to look at us.
"He put his name in the Goblet yesterday. Everyone's saying he's our only hope of winning the tournament," he finished, sounding less than thrilled by the idea.
"Yes, we all believe in him," Blaise said, raising his cup like a toast.
Pansy and I chuckled.
"You do. I don't think he'll make it," Draco responded quickly.
Blaise turned to us, looking for backup.
"Oh, don't look at me. I don't even know who he is," I said.
"Same," Pansy added dryly.
"Maybe it's time for you to meet him then," Blaise said in his tipsy tone.
Draco pulled a disgusted face. "I'm going to check on Nott—I have something to tell him," he said and walked off.
I took another sip and turned just in time to see Blaise waving enthusiastically at someone across the room. Following his gaze, I saw him—Cedric Diggory. Tall, dark hair, a warm smile on his face as he leaned against a wall with a cup in hand, surrounded by a small group. From the colors, I recognized them as Hufflepuffs.
Finally, Cedric noticed Blaise's waving and pushed off the wall, leaving his friends as he started making his way toward us, weaving through the crowd.
"Hey, my man," Blaise greeted him, making Cedric chuckle. They clapped hands and pulled into a quick half-hug.
Cedric turned to look at Pansy and me, smiling, clearly waiting for an introduction, his hands in his pockets.
"I wanted to introduce you to some friends," Blaise said, still smiling.
"I'm Pansy," she said softly, with a polite smile. I could tell she felt just as weird about this situation as I did. "Parkinson," she added.
"Yeah, that's Pans," Blaise said, clearly fading into distraction. "And this is Meave—"
"Meaver," I corrected with a smile.
"Great to meet you," Cedric said, nodding.
Suddenly, Blaise turned abruptly. "For Merlin's sake, is that Daphne Greengrass?" he blurted out and dashed off.
"Not again," Pansy said with an annoyed sigh.
Last year, Blaise and Daphne made out at the end-of-year party. By morning, everyone knew. They were inseparable for weeks—it got old quickly.
"I'll be back," she muttered, hurrying after him to keep him from repeating history.
I stood frozen for a second, then took another sip of my drink before lifting my gaze to Cedric, who was still standing there with me.
"So you're Cedric Diggory?" I asked, breaking the silence—even though I already knew.
He nodded. "And you're Meaver Potter," he said, his hands still casually tucked into his pockets.
"You know me?" I raised a brow.
"Who doesn't, actually?" he said with a small smirk.
He wasn't wrong. Being the Boy Who Lived's sister gave you a certain... reputation.
I wasn't sure if I should take that as a compliment or a subtle warning, so I just smirked back. "My reputation follows me, I guess."
"You're not wrong," he said.
"Yours too," I replied. "You're getting very popular these days."
"Oh, the tournament," he realized, smiling. "Yeah, people are going mad about it."
"Especially Blaise," I said, glancing over at him dancing wildly with some guys from the Quidditch team, while Pansy stood by with her arms crossed.
Cedric laughed, a warm, charming sound. He really was good-looking, I had to admit.
"He's always like that anyway," I added, chuckling.
"He says you're our only hope," I said, watching his expression.
"Only if I get selected," he replied, his voice dipping slightly with concern.
"You will," I said confidently.
"Really?" he asked, smiling softly.
"I'll make sure of it," I nodded, completely joking but maintaining a serious tone.
"You will?" he asked, clearly confused.
"Of course, Diggory," I said, resting a hand on his arm and looking directly into his eyes.
He rolled his eyes, but a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Alright, but seriously—I've got a good feeling about it," I said more genuinely.
"I hope so," he replied.
"If it's for you, it's for you."
He nodded, like he was letting the thought settle in his mind.
"Thank you," he said.
I just smiled, our eyes meeting again in a quiet moment.
"I should go check on Blaise," I said, not breaking eye contact.
"Yeah, and my friends are waiting for me too," he replied, though he didn't move either.
"See you around, then," I said, smiling as I turned to leave.
"Of course," he replied, heading back toward his group.
I headed over to check on Pansy, who was lying on the couch. I sat beside her, following her gaze—only to find an obscene scene of Blaise and Daphne practically eating each other alive.
"I didn't make it," she said, defeated.
"He's going to regret it tomorrow," I replied, genuinely shocked.
"At least he's enjoying himself now," Pansy said, trying to look on the bright side.
"Yeah..."
I sighed, feeling the alcohol settling in my brain, and just as I turned, I noticed Draco standing beside us.
I lifted my gaze to him.
"Hey," I said, smiling with that obvious tipsy tone.
"I saw you enjoying Diggory," he said bluntly.
I frowned. "You're drunk."
"So are you," he replied, rolling his eyes.
"Yes, I am," I said, nodding and laughing.
And that was it. After that moment, time flew by. I remember lying back on the couch, talking with the Quidditch team, crossing glances with Cedric now and then. The night blurred into conversations, laughter, and music.
By 4 a.m., we finally made our way back to the common room—laughing, joking, stumbling a little. We knew we'd be dead tired later, and it meant sacrificing our visit to Hogsmeade, but none of us cared.
Last night had been worth it.