"Let's get out of here"
Slytherin laughed at the joke and smoothly cast another look around for Hufflepuff.
“What about you, Slytherin?” an acquaintance chimed in and Slytherin smirked, knowing their story was going to be the best.
Slytherin and Hufflepuff had been at this party for about an hour and no matter how many looks Slytherin cast about, they just couldn’t find Hufflepuff.
They had been together till Huff had to use the washroom and then they were gone.
Slytherin was getting themselves another drink when they caught sight of Hufflepuff.
“Slytherin, right?” an unfamiliar woman spoke.
Slytherin smiled in acknowledgment and politely excused themselves.
Huff, who always leaned into Slytehrin started and spun around before Sly could spin them around by the shoulders.
When Sly got a good look at Huff, they died a little. Huff’s eyes were puffy and they looked like they were going to burst into tears again.
“Let’s get out of here”. They tucked Hufflepuff under their arm, pressing them close and letting their hair spill across the other side of their face.
They couldn’t talk on the way home because hufflepuff was sobbing in that way they did when they thought they were being ridiculous and berating themselves and Slytherin didn’t trust themselves to speak.
When they got home, Huff tucked themselves in the corner of their couch and Sly headed off to the kitchen to make them tea.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Slytherin asked as they handed Huff the tea they had made them both.
Huff’s cheeks were still stained with thick tracks of tears and Sly couldn’t be angrier with themselves.
They knew strangers and social gatherings were hard for Hufflepuff so why hadn’t they gone to look for them when Huff had disappeared?
“I couldn’t find you” Huff mumbled.
“Did you ask around?”
“No” Huff’s voice was thick and Slytherin barely contained the urge to smack their forehead with their palm.
It had been that bad! They hadn’t been there for Huff!
“Can I hug you?” Sly asked and Huff quickly and quietly tucked themselves against Sly, who rocked them a little and kissed the crown of their head.
They would never, never push Huff to these parties again! It would always be Huff’s decision!