Field Rave
The Quidditch field had been transformed into an extravagant rave scene for Juliet Van Der Hart's party, complete with dazzling lights and an immersive sound system that muggle raves would never be able to compete with. Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini had arrived together, Blaise eagerly looking around for Pansy Parkinson, who could be seen mingling near the drinks table with a cocktail in her hand purely for decoration.
"Alright, I'm off to Pansy," Blaise said, his eyes scanning the crowd. "Try to enjoy yourself, Draco." He gave Draco a nudge before heading off into the crowd.
Draco grunted in response, making his way into the heart of the rave. He hadn't wanted to go at all, but Blaise had spent too much effort trying to convince him to come for Draco to let it go to waste. As he maneuvered through the crowd, he noticed Juliet dancing wildly, her movements exaggerated and unsteady due to her inebriation. Her laughter cut through the music, and she seemed to be having the time of her life, completely oblivious to the world around her.
Draco's irritation was palpable. He had come here reluctantly, and Juliet's drunken antics only made him more interested to leave sooner. But just as he was about to turn and leave, Juliet spotted him through the haze of colourful flickering lights.
"Malfoy!" Juliet shouted, her voice slurred but cheerful as she stumbled over to him. "You made it! Come on, dance with me!"
Draco, already on edge, shook his head. "No thanks, Van Der Hart. I'm not here to dance."
Juliet pouted, her eyes half-closed with intoxication. "Oh, come on! It'll be fun!"
Draco's frustration boiled over. "I'm not interested. You're drunk, and this whole scene is ridiculous."
Juliet's smile faltered slightly, but she persisted. "You're just being grumpy. Lighten up a bit."
The combination of her drunkenness and the chaotic atmosphere was too much for Draco. Hearing Juliet say that same phrase of 'lighten up' over and over again only drove him over the edge with his temper. He took a deep breath, his patience wearing thin. "I can't deal with this."
Without another word, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the field, the pounding music fading behind him as he made his way back to the Slytherin common room. He collapsed into an armchair, finally finding some semblance of peace in the quiet common room, with all the Slytherins out at the party.
He appreciated peace and quiet, especially more now that he spends nine months out of the year stuck in the same dormitory with three other people. The tranquil atmosphere relaxed him. As tired as the quiet had made him, he insisted on staying awake and reading a book he'd been trying to finish for a year — Dangerous Liaisons, an originally French book that detailed the conquests of Valmont in bedding seemingly untouchable women as a wager to finally sleep with his very own step-sister.
It wasn't a book for everyone, but Draco enjoyed in fantasy the art within eroticas, especially those dated from centuries back. It didn't turn him on, it sparks curiosity and interest in him how people skillfully use the art of seduction into getting anything they want — anything. His mind drifted back to Juliet, wondering if she was applying any of these skills for her own benefit.
He immediately scratched the thought from his head. Juliet wouldn't have the slightest clue what the art of seduction even meant, let alone using them. Perhaps, subconsciously. But it was too far-fetched to be believable. All Juliet was is an empty-shell of a trainwreck.
Suddenly, as Draco sat alone, the door to the common room creaked open. Daphne Greengrass' petite frame stumbled in, supporting an even more inebriated Juliet who was barely able to walk. Daphne looked disheveled and nauseous, clearly having reached her limit. He'd noticed that everyone around Juliet tend to have that problem.
"I'm done," Daphne muttered, her voice a mix of frustration and exhaustion. "Take her, Malfoy. I'm heading to the bathroom before I lose my own dinner."
With that, Daphne unceremoniously let go of Juliet, who collapsed onto the floor in a heap of drunken giggles and incoherence. Daphne hurried off to the bathroom, leaving Draco to deal with the situation.
Draco stared at Juliet, who was now sprawled on the ground, her laughter now more of a muffled giggle. Was he supposed to be in charge of babysitting Juliet now? He could've sworn he'd just taken Pansy's shift this morning? His eyes wandered back and forth between Juliet and Daphne's disappearance, wondering if she'd been serious in making him handle the Juliet situation. He sighed heavily and knelt beside her, trying to wake her up. "Van Der Hart, get up. You're a mess."
Juliet looked up at him with bleary eyes, a lazy smile on her face. "Malfoy... you're still here?"
"Yes, unfortunately," Draco replied, trying to keep his irritation in check. "We need to get you to a more comfortable spot."
With some effort, Draco helped Juliet to her feet and guided her to one of the sofas. She flopped down with a sigh of relief, her head resting against the cushions.
"Stay here," Draco instructed, trying to sound firm but softening as he looked at her. "I'll get you some water."
As Draco made his way to the kitchen to fetch water, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for Juliet. Despite his frustration with her privilege and attitude, seeing her so vulnerable made him reconsider his harshness. By the time he returned with a glass of water, Juliet had managed to sit up, her gaze more lucid. He had to admit, her recovery time was unbeatable.
"Here," Draco said, handing her the glass. "Drink this."
Juliet took the water with a grateful nod. "Thanks, Malfoy. I guess I really messed up tonight."
Draco took a seat across from her, his usual scowl softening. "Why would you say that?" he asked, with a hint of sarcasm and judgement that cowered Juliet from speaking any further.
She gazed at his grey eyes and offered a small smile. "Nothing," she said as she shook her head lightly.