Cedric’s Birthday
A few weeks had passed and it was now September 30th, Cedric’s birthday. Although it was a Thursday that did not stop the hufflepuffs from holding a big party for him, to celebrate turning 16.
The party started at 11, an hour after curfew giving me plenty of time to be “asleep” for common room checks, and still make it on time.
It was around 10:30 now, and normally around this time Snape would make his second appearance to make sure no one had snuck out of bed, before returning to his own living quarters for the night.
I drew on some nice neat eyeliner, completing my look with a little glitter, before coating my lips with a dark mauve, and walking over to my bed. On my bed was my outfit of the night, a black mini skirt, and a striped button up, accompanied by my Mary Janes resting next to the bed post.
I got dressed slipping on some ruffled socks before my shoes and making my way to my jewelry stand. A necklace or two, and a few rings later and I was ready. My hair cascaded down my back in its regular straight, heat pressed locks. And my reflection gleamed back at me, with a look of excitement.
I grabbed a small black purse, enchanted to fit my wand, Ced’s gift, and some liquor, a gift from my dads fully stocked cabinet, that he was always too busy, or too drunk to notice I had stolen from.
The man hardly left his study these days, but when he did, He was nothing if not an abusive asshole.
My smile turned to a frown reflecting on my father, but just as quickly as he killed my mood, I switched my thoughts, redirecting my brain elsewhere, the only way I could stop the downward spirals I seemed to have more frequently the older I got.
My roommates were asleep, or maybe they weren’t even in bed, I hadn’t noticed either way. As I slipped out into the hall, casting a disillusionment charm over myself incase Snape was lurking, I made my way quietly across the hall tapping my manicured nail lightly against the door 3 times.
Adrian was the one to creak open the door, moving immediately to let my almost invisible figure slip through. I let the charm fall as soon as the door had closed behind me.
“You guys ready?” I asked looking at Adrian, Miles, and Cassius. They were all dressed in simple casual clothes that if no one had know they were filthy rich wouldn’t have raised a brow. But they wore designer from head to toe, including their socks.
I wasn’t one to shy away from a flashy expensive outfit, but I cared more about the look in general than the price.
They nodded grabbing their wands and we all made our way down to the party, under the guise of the disillusionment charm of course.
A short walk through the dungeons and we arrived outside the Hufflepuff common room. I knew the way in, thanks to Diana, so I let us all in, not wasting a second, in fear of being caught.
The first thing that hit me was the strong smell of weed and alcohol that presented itself to us. Students were dancing, and music flooded my ears.
The wall closed behind us, making the music silent to the rest of the world, presumably a strong silencing charm.
“Andy!!” Diana squealed throwing her arm around me and dragging me away from the boys. In her other hand was a suspiciously normal looking red solo cup, but whatever resided in it had Diana already on her way to a night of throwing up, but that didn’t stop the giddy smile and hiccups the girl seemed to giggle at.
She guided me through the crowd not sparing a glance at the boys and girls that ogled her in her simple yellow dress, and made a direct beeline for Cedric.
“Look who I found ceddy,” she giggled, moving her arm that had formally been around me to twist her long black hair in circles, a nervous habit she seemed to exhibit even drunk.
“Happy Birthday Ced!” I said smiling giving him a quick hug, “I brought something for you,” I said reaching into my small bag.
After a moment of digging I pulled out the bottle of liquor and a long, thin, black box tied with a golden ribbon.
“This is for you,” I said handing him the box, “And this is for your party” I wiggled my brows and the bottle of fire whiskey at him.
He smiled, “Thanks Andy!” He said removing the ribbon from the box. He opened the box, revealing two things, a quill, and a ring both shimmering with a slight glow to suggest they may be enchanted.
I had really struggled with my gift for Cedric this year, so I decided on basic everyday items enhanced by magic, “The quill is enchanted to fix any grammatical errors.” I said sheepishly. It seemed cheap, especially considering the wealth that came with my last name.
“And the ring just has some silly time charm on it so you don’t have to wear a bulky watch, it will let you know when you’re late and shite. I’m sorry it’s kinda lame.” I said playing with my earring, a nervous habit I picked up over the years.
Cedric beamed, “No, it’s not lame, it’s perfect thanks Andy!” He smiled pulling me back into a hug.
Diana giggled, from next to me, a little reminder she was already tipsy, and threw her arm back around me, “Let’s get you a drink Andy, you need to be way less sober within the hour” she said in between little giggles.
“Ok, bye Ced” I called over my shoulder letting D drag me away and through the crowd. It was sort of a general consensus that 4th years and above were of party going age, so the common room was packed with 4th through 7th years of all houses.
As we pushed through the bodies, heading towards the drinks, and the Ravenclaw who seemed to be stationed there for the night. I took a look around the room.
The normally bright sunny common room, was coated in a thin fog of smoke, and lights flashed dimly creating the perfect party atmosphere.
“Ladies, What can I get for you today” the Ravenclaw boy said smiling at us.
“Something sweet, and preferably very alcoholic.” I said before nodding to D, “She’ll have the same.”
“Two sweet and very alcoholic drinks coming right up” he said grabbing bottles and mixing some concoction in front of us.
I set my donation to the party goers on the table with the other bottles, before taking the solo cups presented to us and peering inside. The liquid was a bright pink, that smelled fruity, and tasted dangerously like normal punch. Before I could leave the table a body sidled up next to me and D, announcing his presence with a simple word. “Firewhiskey” the voice said.
“Yes, Sir” the boy said eying Fred who had apparently made an appearance. I groaned internally, but said nothing. An attempt to be nice if you will, and led D into the crowd of bodies to dance, shouting a quick, “Thanks” over my shoulder at the Ravenclaw boy, still ogling Fred.