Ace of Spades

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

The Hogsmeade visit was two weeks later and there was going to be a party that night. It wasn't going to be a festival event but rather something just for fun. Just as ever in time, teens liked to have fun and we liked our parties in Slytherin.

Pansy, Daphne, and I dressed warmly as it was still February but we made our way through Hogsmeade even with the snow. We spent most of the day there, venturing through each and every one of the shops before making our way back to the common room.

I let the hot water of the shower consume me. It had been a cold day today and I had to wear more layers than usual. Even as it neared spring, it was still cold everywhere.

I just finished my shower, drying off as I put lotion on. Cherry Blossom was one of my favourite scents and it was subtle. If I needed something stronger, I had a cherry perfume. That one was a little gift from Lupin.

I wrapped myself in a black bathrobe as I walked back into my room, towel drying my hair as I walked.

I paused.

"Hi," Pansy said from the couch, dressed in a bathrobe. As was Daphne who sat on the floor, painting her toe nails.

I rolled my eyes. I was secretly glad they thought they could drop in like this. It meant they themselves saw that we had a friendship. It meant they trusted me to a degree.

"The ritual is in the forest, deep in the forest," Daphne said calmly, finishing her pastel blue nails, matching her toes now. "It's Lupercalia and the first year we're allowed to join in the festivities."

"Wait, festivities?" I paused as I sat down next to them, looking through the colours Daphne brought with her. She even put all of mine out too, needing the variety to choose the exact one. "We get to join in tonight?"

The smile I showed hid the nervousness behind it.

I didn't even know if I was going to join in the festivities.

"I don't know if I'm ready for that kind of stuff," I admitted. "Never really...you know..."

"Oh, that's perfectly fine," Pansy waved a hand, waiting for her hand to be painted by the flying nail polish brushes. They smoothly applied the polish, leaving her nails neat and a nice burgundy. "Neither have I. Nothing to be ashamed about."

"You know," Daphne started, giving us looks. "Lupercalia is one of the best ways to have your first time. I'm in the same situation as you two but my mother did tell me that tonight would be a good night. Your body is focused on sexuality and Magic."

Pansy tilted her head side to side and then nodded.

"No better a night to start," she exhaled slowly through her mouth and nodded again. "No pressure to lose it either. We take the night how it comes."

"We need to dress nice, even if we decide we don't want to participate," Daphne said, tossing me a nail polish. I caught it. "Wear that. It'll match your outfit."

"My outfit?" I asked, examining the shimmering purple liquid.

"Yes, your outfit," she tilted her head with a grin. It was bright and almost concerning with the little hint of excitement. "Did you think we'd let you go in your Muggle underwear and everything? Oh no, honey. You're dressing up properly. The middle one on the bed is yours."

I stood up and went over there.

My bed covers were made neatly, either by myself or a HouseElf if I was lazy. On top of them sat a set of three outfits.