𝕄𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝔻𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕

The party was fun, Sekhmet supposed. The event being quidditch-related meant that all houses could attend, regardless of any rivalries. The teachers didn’t know about it of course but that was completely beside the point. It was arguably the only time of the year where students could be seen conversing with peers from other houses, so it wasn’t uncommon to see Slytherins talking to Gryffindors or Ravenclaws.

Sekhmet wore a black sweater dress that covered her chest but left her shoulders exposed, the hem falling to just above her knees. Her necklace was gold with a snake wrapped around a small emerald while her matching earrings hung dangling from her ears. She wore her favorite perfume as well, an Arabian jasmine scent that she could only get from her homeland in Cairo.

She loved feeling as confident as she did in her ensemble, but Sekhmet knew that without Dorcas’ encouragement— her friend’s naturally pushy nature—she wouldn’t have gone with the outfit she did. It wasn’t as though she was ashamed of her looks, it was simply that her father would never have tolerated any sort of getup that made Sekhmet look so, as he would call it, shameless. Sekhmet was by no means exposed in her outfit; She covered every bit of skin to a modest degree. It was rather that Set had a problem with his daughter acting like a “عاهرة” in front of men.

Set was still under the impression that women were to be seen, not heard. He believed that women were to know their place and serve their future husbands dutifully, saving every piece of themselves for their wedding night. The Muslim influence on Egypt had also been a major factor in his viewpoint. The religion wasn’t the bad part, no, it was the culture that had skewed his views. It was the way that powerful men, in every situation, didn’t hesitate to use whatever means they could to demean women and make them feel inferior. Set had of course bought into the views of those misogynists, applying them to his daughter at every opportunity.

So, despite feeling confident and beautiful in her dress, Sekhmet couldn’t help but feel a little uncomfortable. She hated that her father’s prejudice had impacted her so thoroughly, especially because she believed that women should be allowed to dress however they pleased. She would certainly never judge Dorcas for wearing something like her, so why should she judge herself? With that thought, Sekhmet inhaled deeply, telling herself that feeling confident and beautiful was okay— regardless of what her father would say— and took a step into the room.

The music was loud at the party and the room smelled distinctly of alcohol and cigarette smoke. Quidditch players wearing their house colors could be seen taking shots of fire whisky and placing bets on who would win the quidditch cup this coming season and why. Couples could be seen kissing in hidden alcoves or even just right out on the dance floor. The first game was next week, and everyone was pouncing at the chance for some friendly house rivalry.

That’s when Regulus saw her and waved her over to sit with him and some others that she couldn’t quite see yet in the corner of the room. As Sekhmet got closer, moving out of the way of drunk partygoers, she could make out each person in the makeshift circle they sat in. There was Marlene McKinnon who was snuggled up next to Dorcas, James and Remus who sat next to Marlene, Evan and Barty who were next to Pandora, and a distinct purposeful gap between Sirius and Regulus who were sending each other uncomfortable looks every time they made eye contact. Sekhmet assumed that she was to sit between the two and did just that, positioning herself in the middle of the estranged siblings.

She couldn’t for the life of her understand why everyone in this group was sitting near one another. Or at least, she couldn’t until she saw Dorcas’ smug grin and Marlene’s hand tracing the former's abdomen with loving fingers. That’s why they were all together then. Dorcas had always been very convincing when it came to getting her friends to follow her lead; Sekhmet supposed that this was no different. If Dorcas wanted to sit with her girlfriend then that’s where they would all sit, even if the reason was only so that the two could be close to each other without drawing suspicion. The only good news for them was that lesbian relationships were easier to hide considering that female affection and close friendships were considered more socially acceptable than their male counterparts.

“So, what is it that we’re doing? Because not to sound like rude, but there is no way in Salazar’s beard that I’m going to sit here awkwardly in silence whilst you all stare at one another” Sekhmet broke the silence with a sarcastic smile, glancing at everyone as she did so.

Remus moved first, making a suggestion with his arm still flung around Sirius’ shoulders. He briefly gave Sekhmet a friendly grin as he spoke.

“I know these gits like to play dare or veritaserum,” Remus mentioned, moving his bottle of booze around and motioning to his friends as he talked to accentuate his point.

That got a few giggles out of the group loosening the tension. As he walked back toward Sirius Sekhmet noticed how Sirius’ hand went around Remus’ waist. Remus’ hand also subtly going to entangle itself in Sirius’ hair as he did so. Sekhmet had a feeling the two were more than friendly with each other— that was if Evan and Barty’s relationship was anything to go by. Despite not labeling themselves Evan and Barty were probably one of the most loving couples Sekhmet had ever had the pleasure of seeing. They helped one another through every issue, and although they fought it never lasted more than a day. The only issue those two had was that the world wasn’t quite ready to accept two people of the same gender as being anything more than friends. Sekhmet assumed that Remus and Sirius were having the same issue considering the not-so-hidden love in their eyes as they looked at one another. Perhaps Regulus had noticed too.

Just as Sekhmet went to speak to him, none other than James Potter sat up and offered, very loudly, that he would go get some veritaserum and fire whiskey for the game. Sekhmet and the group sat as James came back almost immediately with the objects needed. How he found a bottle of veritaserum that quickly, Sekhmet didn’t know. That being said she also wasn’t entirely sure if she wanted to, so she let it alone for now and decided to just have fun.

“Who wants to go first?” James asked looking around at the group with a mischievous smirk on his face.

For a moment it was silent and the only sound that could be heard was the party around them. That’s when Pandora decided to speak up, shimmying toward the bottle and spinning it to see who would ask the first question. The bottle spun around in a circle, its cool glass making a small noise on the floor. The bottle landed on Evan, who sat up with glee at being able to ask questions first. He looked far too happy and smug smirking his face for Sekhmet to assume he was up to any good.

“Dare or Veritaserum?” Evan asked his tone revealing that he was up to something.

Pandora was completely calm as she answered, “Veritaserum.”

“Pans, darling, do you by chance fancy a certain, let’s say…” Evan looked around trying and seemingly succeeding to spot who he was looking for, “blonde at this party?”

Pandora looked Evan dead in the eyes, her joyful demeanor not faltering for a second at Evan’s question. It was obviously meant to harmlessly tease Pandora, but she was not often phased by such things and spoke her mind with pride. She threw back a shot of the veritaserum easily, her face bright when she faced Evan again.

“Yes, yes I do Evan. Now it’s your turn I suspect” Pandora stated more than asked, her eyes glowing brighter at the surprise on Evan’s face from her straightforward answer.

Evan took Pandora's place, his usual cool-headed nature slipping back into place as he moved. He spun the bottle without much thought, the spinning glass the only thing they all focused on as everyone waited with bated breath to see who it’d land on. The bottle pointed undeniably to Sekhmet who had a smile on her face as she made eye contact with Evan. Evan went pale, looking as though he’d seen a ghost.

“Dare or Veritaserum Rosier?” She smirked, her green eyes boring into him with a look that told him no matter what he chose he was in for a treat.

“Try me Arafa. Dare” Evan taunted his eyes narrowing in challenge.

“I dare you to go up on that table and announce to the whole party how madly in love you are with Professor McGonagall,” Sekhmet said, motioning over to one of the tables in the middle of the room with an encouraging ‘go on’ movement.

Evan stood up and walked straight for the table, his steps sure and steady. He stood up on the table, yelling out to get the attention of the whole party. Everyone paused what they were doing to stare at the blonde, intrigued by what he was doing.

“I have an announcement to make! It has been far too long since I have hidden my true feelings, but that will be no longer! I am inexplicably in love with Minerva McGonagall” Evan announced his voice taking an emotional air to it as he spoke.

The whole crowd burst out laughing, some Slytherins even patting him on the back as he walked back to their little circle. Had it been anyone else people may have been phased, but considering that it was Evan Rosier, not many people thought much of his dramatic nature anymore.

Evan motioned for Sekhmet to sit in the middle and take her turn. She gave a little giggle as she did and high-fived Evan as he sat down. She spun the bottle with little hesitation, her nerves rising as she waited to see who it would land on. The bottle spun for what seemed like ages but eventually landed on James Potter who looked as though he’d just been told of a new prank idea. Sekhmet felt her heart drop, her heart pounding as she debated whether doing a dare or taking veritaserum would be a better choice. She eventually figured that she was screwed either way and settled on picking dare. When asked by James, she replied with exactly that, her mind made up.

“I dare you little lioness to flirt with someone in this group and serenade them on the dance floor” James responded, his arms crossed as he waited for her to choose who she was going to do this with.

Sekhmet scanned the group. She couldn’t go with Barty or Evan, they were basically her brothers not to mention a couple. She obviously couldn’t take Dorcas or Marlene for similar reasons and there was no way she was getting between whatever thing Remus and Sirius had going on. That left James and Regulus, the former of which she was pretty sure now dating his crush of the last seven years. She ultimately chose Regulus and pulled him up to the dance floor as she tried to calm the butterflies in her stomach.

Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy by Queen started playing and Sekhmet grabbed Regulus’ hands as she swung them around to the music. She mouthed the lyrics as they went, knowing it all regardless of its status as a muggle song. She and Regulus along with the others had snuck some records during their time at Hogwarts courtesy of Dorcas. This led to Sekhmet and Regulus bonding over their love and admiration of Queen very quickly. Sekhmet pulled him ever closer to her, their bodies having barely any space between them. Sekhmet was around a whole head shorter than Regulus meaning that she had to crane her head to look up at him. He smiled down at her adoringly, mouthing the lyrics with her. Her grin was big and she swayed her shoulders to the beat of the song, jokingly pulling Regulus down by his neck to get their faces closer together. Regulus sucked in a breath at her action, his smile turning a little more serious as he looked at her. His mouth was open and his eyes flashed down to her lips, then back up to her eyes. Sekhmet’s breath caught and her heart stopped beating. Merlin this was really happening. They were so close she could feel his breath mingling with hers. She would only have to close the distance a smidge to kiss him.

They both were staring into one another’s eyes, and the tension between them grew to become an almost living thing. The song died down, changing to some tune that Sekhmet couldn’t recognize and was quite frankly not paying attention to. James cheered and that’s when the two realized where they were. What they were doing. Sekhmet’s eyes widened as she pulled away from Regulus who had a very similar reaction, quickly adjusting his shirt collar as if it required his utmost attention. Sekhmet did the same with her sleeves pulling them down as they each made their way back to the group.

Sirius looked at her with a raised eyebrow, raising his drink to her as he spoke.

“Didn’t know you two had it in you” He said slyly, a smirk on his lips as he drank.

Dorcas and Pandora were whispering to each other, but Sekhmet distinctly made out the words “had it in her” and “I bloody knew it” coming from both of them excitedly. Pandora turned to her and gave her a smile while Dorcas gave her a suggestive eyebrow wiggle.

What in Merlin was wrong with her? Why was she so flustered? Regulus and her were friends. People who were friends danced together all the time, so why was she so frazzled? Because people who are friends don’t think about kissing each other, replied a voice in her head. Sekhmet knew she was blushing but she couldn’t do anything to help it. Though, looking over beside her it didn’t seem like Regulus was doing much better. He kept sneaking glances at her, looking away to adjust his rings whenever she made eye contact. Was he flustered too? Did his breathing always hitch whenever he danced with someone? Had he not given you a look that was a little more than friendly? Merlin had you both not had similar experiences throughout the year? Ones where you were both left flustered and confused, barely able to look at one another without turning red as a tomato?

Sekhmet sighed, shaking the thought from her head. That was ridiculous, Regulus obviously held no romantic feelings for her. She was probably just reading too hard into things, letting hope toy with her emotions. Though this certainly isn’t the first time it happened, a voice told her.

“You um— that was a nice dance,” Regulus whispered to her, voice low and the tips of his ears going red as he refused to make direct eye contact. He fidgeted with his hands, acting as though he was adjusting his already pristine sleeves. Sekhmet was not doing any better, completely red in the face and playing with her necklace.

This was going to be a long night.