𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐒 | mattheo riddle

sixteen 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐃𝐔𝐌𝐁

・・・❦・・・

VANESSA stood front of the mirror, her fingers applying the final touches of makeup to her face. her lips painted a deep red matched the lace shirt she had chosen for the night. she stepped back, admiring her reflection. dark hair, straightened to perfection, and the tiny black skirt she wore hugged her hips in all the right places. she sprayed her favorite vanilla perfume, the familiar scent enveloping her like a comforting embrace.

as she surveyed herself, a smile tugged at her lips. for a brief moment. she felt like the vanessa from last year, the girl who didn't give a fuck about anything, who was carefree and wild, who lived for the thrill of the night and the attention it brought.

she remembered the parties, the boys, the reckless decisions with which she had thrown herself into every situation. and now, as she prepared for another night of madness, she felt a flicker of that old self returning.

a mojito sat on her desk, half-empty. she picked it up, taking a long sip, the alcohol warming her insides. tipsiness was already creeping in, blurring the sharp lines of her earlier pain. it was exactly what she needed: the harsh reality she wanted so desperately to escape.

just as she was about to finish her drink, there was a knock at the door. vanessa quickly set the glass down, smoothing her skirt as she walked over. when she opened it, adrian stood there, a low smile playing on his lips. he looked really good in his all-black outfit, the darkness of his clothes contrasting sharply with the paleness of his skin. his black hair, slightly messy, fell into his eyes.

"wow, you look amazing," adrian said, his eyes raking over her appearance.

vanessa couldn't help but smile at the compliment. "thanks. you don't look so bad yourself."

he leaned against the doorframe, his gaze never leaving hers. "are you ready?"

"as ready as i'll ever be," she replied, grabbing her small bag and slipping it over her shoulder.

together, they left the dorm, their footsteps echoing in the quiet halls as they made their way to the gryffindor common room. as they walked, they made small talk, adrian asked her what she had been up to all day, and vanessa responded with vague answers. he complimented her again, telling her she smelled good.

when they finally reached the common room, the scene that greeted them was chaotic. exactly what vanessa had been expecting, and hoping for. the room was packed with students, the air thick with the scents of weed, alcohol, and cigarettes. the music blared so loudly that she could feel it vibrating through the floor, the bass thumping in time with her heartbeat. it was everything she had wanted: a distraction.

adrian turned to her, his voice barely audible over the noise. "i'll get us some drinks."

vanessa nodded, watching as he disappeared into the crowd. for a moment, she stood there, taking it all in. the pulsing lights, the sea of bodies moving in time with the music. it was exactly like the parties from last year, the ones she had sworn off in her chest to become someone better. but tonight, all those promises felt far away, like they belonged to another person entirely.

she pushed her way through the crowd, searching for familiar faces. it didn't take long for her to spot theodore who was visibly high and grinning like a madman. when he saw her, his face lit up, and he stumbled forward to wrap her in a tight hug.

"vanessa! you made it!" he exclaimed, his voice slurred but cheerful. "here, have a drink."

before she could protest, he pressed a plastic cup into her hand. vanessa raised it to her nose, sniffing cautiously. the sharp smell of vodka hit her immediately, making her wrinkle her nose.