Consuming Shadows

Chapter 28

"No."

"But Hadrian," William whined, tugging playfully on his arm. "it will be hilarious." When Hadrian made no further move to acknowledge him, William threw a balled up napkin at his face.

Hadrian slapped it out of the air before it reached him and smirked at the pouting boy. Around them, their friends snickered.

Dinner had past without much fanfare. The food was delicious, naturally, and the student had returned to dancing.

Most of the Beauxbatons students carved out their own little corner just to the side of the dance floor, relaxing and talking and drinking the cool punch provided.

"I'm not doing it." Hadrian told him, shaking his head even when several of their classmates groaned at him. "Not happening."

"Come on, Evans." William pressed, "You've done it before."

"Yes, at Beauxbatons, where that sort of stuff is downright expected. There are minors here, you idiot."

"So what," William shrugged, "it won't be the end of the world for them."

Hadrian shook his head again at the blasé attitude. He took a sip of his drink. "If you want it done so badly, why don't you just go do it yourself?" He suggested.

This time it was Nathaniel that answered. "We already tried, that thing has more wards on it than my manor. Nothing we did worked."

Hadrian raised his eyebrows, "You tried – did anyone see you?"

They shared a few looks, then shrugged again. Hadrian rubbed at his face with a sigh. "Well if no one has come to scold you then I guess they already knew someone would try something and are confident it wouldn't work."

"All the more reason for you to give it a go," William said, draping an arm around his shoulders. "after all, you are the best of us. Come on, Champion. Take one for the team."

"I'm already 'taking one for the team' by being champion," Hadrian told him dryly. "I've filled my quota for the next few years."

"You," Nathaniel said seriously, even as a grin pulled at his lips, "are a disgrace. Look at us, Hadrian. We're dying. This ball is so sterile. Sure, the band was nice and all, but we need a little more here. We're so bored."

"I am not spiking the punch." Hadrian said firmly, though the laughter tinging his voice lessened the effect.

They all groaned at him, disappointed. Even Claire and Raina – who he expected better of – looked annoyed at his resistance. Despite himself, their upset expressions made him crack.

"And even if I was going to, I wouldn't aim for the punch."

They all perked up, smiles spreading at the mischievous glint in his eyes.

"How would you do it then?" Nathaniel asked, leaning forward eagerly. Hadrian swirled the drink in his hand pointedly.

"The punch bowl is warded against tampering – so go for the cups." He tossed back the rest of his drink, then pulled his wand free. He tapped the side of his cup, murmured the enchantment, then tossed it to William.

"You are my favourite." The other boy declared, holding the cup reverently. "Now we just need to get to the other cups."

"Yeah, have fun with that." Hadrian said, leaning back as he lazily waved his hand around. "This entire place is being monitored by Death Eaters. You would need a distraction."

"You could take your shirt off and dance on a table." Claire suggested slyly, a few of the others catcalling in agreement.

Hadrian snorted. "No thank you, though you are not entirely off the mark." He stood, smoothing a hand down his front, then holding it out for Raina. "What do you say we steal the floor for a bit?"