The Songbird and The Viper

Crime & Punishment

Johanna knew the party was a bad idea from the start.

To begin with, Pansy was the one who decided to organize it. Johanna was sat at the Slytherin table as they ate, Draco grumpily pushing his food on his plate while Johanna stared down at her copy of the Daily Prophet.

Pansy tapped her fingernails against the table impatiently, causing Johanna to look up at her with narrowed eyes. Pansy merely gave her a smile, happy to have caught her attention.

"So, we're planning a party," She said smoothly, looking between Blaise and Goyle.

"Why?" Johanna asked with a flat tone, putting her attention back on her paper. Draco hadn't bothered to look up.

"Last match of the year. I get that you're new, but you could TRY to get involved with our traditions here," The snarkiness of her words made Johanna boil.

Johanna blew air out her nose, "Where are you going to have it?"

Pansy grinned, "Our common room of course. The dungeons are the perfect spot since it's virtually soundproof."

"Oh please," Johanna laughed.

Pansy's smile wavered for a second but returned immediately, "Everyone is invited. Even your blood traitor friends at Gryffindor if you want to invite them. They did win the match after all, no thanks to Potter," She snorted.

Johanna rolled her eyes, looking over to Draco to see if he had a reaction. She placed her hand in the one sat in his lap. He weakly squeezed hers.

"C'mon, Hanna, it'll be fun," Goyle chimed in, nudging Pansy and causing her to scowl.

Crabbe nodded, "Everyone's gonna be there. We throw killer bashes!"

Draco looked up finally, "Can't hurt to go," He whispered to her.

She smiled slightly, "Alright if you say so."

"Perfect!" Pansy pushed herself up and stared at the two of them but keeping her eyes on Draco for the longest amount of time, "Dress code is something hot. Don't disappoint me."

That should have been Johanna's first red flag.

When the night of the party came, she couldn't believe the transformation the common room achieved in the short amount of time it was planned. From her previous trips, she had no idea how such a traditional old money room became something akin to a modern club. The fireplace glowed and ebbed with green light, cascading around the room. Several free-floating lanterns shifted the colors that matched with the music she could hear emanating from the walls, no radio or sound system in sight.

Johanna shook her head, in awe at the environment. Draco sulked beside in all black, holding her close to him as they navigated through the crowd. It was full to the brim with students and Johanna couldn't believe how many people were fitting in there to begin with.

She recognized faces as she passed, smiling and waving to those who acknowledged her while Draco kept his head down. A few students whistled and shouted as they passed. The two had opted to go in black together. He couldn't help but smile at how lucky he felt to be seen with her.

Eventually, they were flagged down by a group of Slytherin's passing around cups of Butterbeer and shouting to the songs by a table set up with various pastries, snacks, and bowls of beverages. Draco leaned in close to her ear as they approached, "Want anything?"

She shook her head, "No thanks. But you go ahead, looks like they've been waiting on you," She laughed as she pointed at the boys. They had their arms slung around each other and were mouthing the words to the song that was playing as they pointed directly at Draco.