𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑶𝑵𝑳𝒀 𝑬𝑿𝑪𝑬𝑷𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵 ― t. riddle

𝑻𝑯𝑹𝑬𝑬

A FEW HOURS later, Jane, Eden, and I are finally ready - just in time to leave. I look at Jane and Eden one last time - Jane is wearing a black cocktail dress with thin straps, her long white blond hair pulled back into a bun, and her green eyes vibrant. Eden wears a dark blue wrap dress with a deep plunge. Her hair, which is a dark chocolate color, is put in a loose braid that sits on her shoulders, her blue eyes highlighted by the dress color. I am wearing a short dark green peasant dress that highlights the honey hues in my eyes and hair - which lies in billowing curls on my shoulders. I smile.

"We look good."

Jane, who I've discovered is actually a party animal, laughs.

"Hell yeah we do." she says, and my pity from earlier is replaced with a sense of liking for her. And Eden too, who smiles softly, blushing. I link arms with the both of them, dragging them out of the room and through the common room, where people are too busy wrecking havoc to pay attention to us and our over dressed attire. We slink silently down the halls and to the dungeons, being as quiet as possible until we enter the Slytherin common room. Loud laughter and chatter float violently throughout the room, which is lit by an eerie green glow, most likely a charm. I sigh in relief at the sight of Tom walking towards us, shooing girls away from him as he walks. A feeling of unwarranted jealousy engulfs me, and I have to swallow it down. 

"You look great!" Tom says to me when he reaches me and the girls, and I immediately draw the conclusion that he's drunk. Sober Tom would not compliment anyone, not even me.

"Thanks. I brought my roommates with me, I hope that's fine."

Tom looks Jane up and down, then Eden, a predatory glimmer in his eyes. "Yeah, it's awesome. Have fun, drink, party!" he slurs, and I roll my eyes. Jane doesn't need to be told twice, and she drags Eden of to what I assume is supposed to be the dance floor - all the chairs and tables and couches were moved to the sides, leaving a clearing on the green and white checked floor, where people dance and sway and jump, kicking bottles and cans all over. The green glow and the strobing lights make it hard to actually see the room, a room that I have dreamed about my whole life. It was always so beautiful in my dreams. Now, it kind of looks like hell. Tom smirks at me, holding out his cup to me - a strong alcoholic smell wafts out of it, causing me to cringe.

"You thirsty?"

"...No, thank you though."

"Oh, come on Avery Jr. Live a little. You're the little sister of Slytherin's biggest party animal, are you not?"

"Tommy..."

"You're no fun."

Tom pouts, and I almost give in. I think twice before doing so, though. I like parties, but I hate alcohol. 

"And you're drunk, or else you wouldn't be trying to force alcohol down my throat. You know I hate it."

"Whatever." Tom scoffs, before stalking off. Well, he's not drunk enough to forget about being an ass. I roll my eyes, then search for my brother. When I find him, I am surprised, though I sort of expected it. Jane and my brother are grinding against each other on the dance floor, as if they're all alone on the dance floor, all alone in the room. I cringe, feeling slightly out of place. I look around for Eden, and see her puking in the corner. Oh shit, I think to myself, rushing towards her. As I get closer, I notice she's crying.

"Eden?"

Eden's head whips up and she wipes her mouth on her sleeve guiltily. Concern floods me, which isn't a normal emotion of mine. I don't normally care about my fellow Gryffindors. There's just something about Eden...

"Do you want to leave?"

She looks at me, and nods. I can tell she's trying not to cry as she stumbles towards me. I grab her arm, and take her out of the room. We sneak into the kitchens and I grab her something to eat and some water to get the alcohol out of her system. 

"Eden, what did you drink?"

"I-I don't know... I was just handed a cup. They told me it was regular punch..."

I snarl. I hate liars, and I hate manipulators. 

"Do you know who?"

"It.. it looked like Georgia Nott."

I nod. She will pay for this.