Moonstruck | A Remus Lupin Love Story

Chapter 10 : The Gryffindor Party

Esmeray had finally been realeased from the hospital wing after Poppy had finished mending her collarbone back together. It was still slightly sore, but she didn't notice it as she skipped towards her dorm. She was too excited for the big victory party, excited to experience a bit of normality. She felt like she was slowly fitting in, and it made her forget for a second about her secrets and her differences that weighed her down.

As she stared into her trunk, she couldn't find anyting suitable to wear. Everything was baggy, and muddy, and faded. All things she was grateful for, but nothing a student wears to a party, she thought. She collapsed on her bed, feeling her excitement drain, as she feared what the others would think of her rags. The squawk of her owl, Midnight, pulled her from her thoughts. She looked to where the bird stood on her window sill, she smiled fondly at the present Hagrid had gifted her many moons ago. A gust of wind blew her emerald curtains across the windowframe, dancing in the setting sunlight. Esmeray's eyes sparkled as an idea grew in her mind. She shot up and ripped the fabric from its home, admiring the soft velvet in her hands. She smiled, and got to work, spelling herself a dress. She draped it across her body in various ways, as her hands moulded the foresty fabric. It settled amongst the curves of her frame, highlighting her bronzed complexion. She spun around, satisfied with her creation, feeling like the forest was hugging every inch of her skin. She quickly ran her fingers through her auburn curls, and dashed downstairs, towards the echoes of teenage laughter, the sickly sweet scent, and the pounding of lively music.

As she ran into the room, all eyes landed on her. There was a moment where no one breathed, oggling in Esmeray's beauty. Esmeray stood thier awkwardly, not really sure how to respond. 'Ray, you made it!' yelled Oliver, making the crowd regain thier senses. 'Yep, all healed up' she chuckled at the boy. 'Let me get you something to drink' he said, as he ran over to a table of empty coloured bottles, all twisting in different ways like branches of a tree. He scooped a golden liquid into a cup and handed it to Esmeray. She stared down at the moltenous liquid, that seemed to spark as it fizzed. 'It's my own recipe,' Oliver smirked. She smiled nervously towards him, and returned to staring at the cup. She had never drunk before, let alone been at party. She was nervous, anxious and slightly intoxicated by the chaoticness of the room. Oliver slapped her back, 'Hey relax, have some fun, you deserve it,' and he continued cheering as he got lost amongst the dancing bodies. He had a point, she thought. She had been training night and day, she had been burdened with a powerful magic, she had been dealt some hard cards in life, and she helped gain this Gryffindor victory. She was allowed a break. An escape. A night of new experiences. A night of fun. With her mind made up, she squeezed her eyes shut, and downed the sour liquid. It burnt her throat all the way down, like a dragon blowing flames into her stomach. It bubbled and fizzled in her stomach, emitting a fuzzy warmth over her body. The feeling was slightly alluring, and she finsihed her cup almost instantly. She found the cauldron of gold, and poured another. Oh, this was going to be fun, she thought.

Esmeray's night began to melt into one huge hazey dream. She danced among her peers, letting the thunder of the music carry her body throught the sea of drunken teenagers. She danced until her feet throbbed, and then danced even more. She had drank a range of concoctions, each a different colour of the rainbow, and each filling her with a different kind of buzz. As the night drew on, she started to feel slightly sick. The cloud of sweat, smoke and sour became thick in the air, making it hard for her to catch her breath. Her stomach had begun making monstrous noises, the gurggles making her stomach flip and swish within her. Her vision had become foggy and misty, like she was swimming in a murky lake. She needed air. She tried to claw her way out of the mass, but kept getting sucked back in. She collapsed to the ground, and crawled amongst the dancing feet and sticky floor. She could feel the cool refreshing breeze of the outside air grow closer. She was almost there. Her hand grabbed the slightly ajair door, until two huge hands clasped her waist, heaving her up. She was met with the grizzly Slytherin boy who had hit her during the match. Her eyes flared, and she went to slap his face. He grabbed her slow and uncalculated throw with his greasy hand, smirking. He then yanked her towards a dark room, menace encompassing his face. Esmeray dug her feet into the wooden floor, attempting to slow his march. She looked around for help, trying to produce an audible noise, but everyone seemed to be lost in thier own drunken dreams. She pulled, and yanked,and tugged at her arms. He looked back at her, evil swimming in his beady eyes. She thought back to the match, as he had gone after Harry, after he had caused him to fall. Anger filled her body, like a volcano at the brink of eruption. The heat fizzled out her pores, steam rising from her clammy skin. She locked her eyes onto the back of his brutish head, and let out a deep breath she had been trying to contain. And like that, she exploded. A huge blast of sparks and flames erupted from the hand that the Slytherin had been grasping, causing the boy to scream in agony as he clutched his singed hand. As he crumbled to the floor, crying, Esmeray clambered along the wall as fast as she could, finally escaping the party.