Whispers in the Shadows || Slytherin Boys

the descent

Avery and I made our way through the dimly lit corridors of hogwarts, the echoes of our footsteps swallowed by the thick stone walls. The castle was eerily quiet in the evening, with most students either in their common rooms or already in the library. The air was cool, carrying with it the scent of ancient stone and flickering torch flames.

"So," Avery whispered, her voice a conspiratorial hush, "what do you think it'll be like? The party, I mean."

I shrugged, glancing around to make sure we were alone with no teachers nearby. "I don't know. Probably loud and crowded. I've heard they really go all out with the decorations."

Avery nodded, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "And the music. I heard they've got this enchanted music box that plays the best music all night long. It's supposed to be amazing."

We turned a corner, our pace quickening as we neared the dungeons. I could feel the anticipation building with each step, mixing with a nervous energy that made my stomach flutter. The dungeons had always held an air of mystery and danger, and tonight it seemed even more pronounced. Probably just because we were about to enter the common room of a different house.

"Just remember," I said, keeping my voice low, "we're here to have fun, but we need to stay together. No wandering off alone, we promised."

Avery grinned, nudging me playfully. "Don't worry, Cat. I won't let you out of my sight."

We descended a narrow staircase, the air growing cooler and more humid as we approached the entrance to the slytherin common room. The sound of laughter and music grew louder, spilling out into the corridor. I could feel the thrum of the party even from outside, a pulse of energy that was a tiny bit intimidating.

As we reached the bottom of the staircase, we saw a group of other students ahead, laughing and chatting as they made their way to the party. Recognizing an opportunity, Avery and I fell in step behind them, blending into the crowd. The group seemed relaxed and confident, their voices echoing off the stone walls, guiding us toward our destination.

"Do you know the password?" I whispered to Avery, suddenly realizing we might need it to get inside. I have no idea how it usually works with common rooms and parties, but I guess we would need it.

Avery shook her head, her eyes wide with a mix of excitement and concern. "No, but if we stick close to them, we should be able to slip in together."

We followed the group through a series of twisting corridors, the air growing thicker with the sounds and scents of the party. The laughter and music were louder now, reverberating through the stone passageways. As we rounded the final corner, the entrance to the common room came into view.

One of the students, a slytherin, stepped forward, whispering the password to the hidden entrance. The stone wall slid open with a soft, grinding noise, revealing the warm, flickering light of the common room beyond. Heart pounding, I exchanged a glance with Avery. This was it.

We followed closely behind the group, slipping through the entrance just as the wall began to close. The room beyond was a whirl of color and sound, filled with students laughing, dancing, and chatting in every corner. The ceiling was bewitched to reflect a stormy night sky, complete with occasional flashes of lightning that illuminated the room in stark, dramatic bursts.

Avery grabbed my hand, pulling me further into the masses of students. "We made it!" she shouted over the music, her eyes alight with excitement.

I smiled, trying to shake off my nervousness. "Yeah, we did. Let's stick together, okay?"

"Absolutely," she agreed, her grip on my hand tightening as we navigated through the crowd.

As we moved deeper into the common room, I couldn't help but marvel at the transformation. The cold space had been turned into a vibrant, almost magical place. Tables were laden with foods and drinks, they even had opened up some kind of bar to order drinks from. The enchanted music box Avery had mentioned filled the room with a pulse-pounding rhythm.

Determined to be a good friend and loosen up for Avery's sake, I decided to get us something to drink. "Come on," I said, pulling her by the arm towards one of the drink stations. "Let's get something to help us have fun."

We reached a table full with an assortment of bottles and cups. I picked up two cups and filled them with a dark, amber-colored liquid from one of the bottles. I didn't recognize the drink, but it looked strong enough to do the job.

"Cheers," I said, handing Avery a cup.

She grinned, clinking her cup against mine. "Cheers to a great night!"

I took a generous sip, the liquid burning slightly as it went down. It was strong, but not unpleasant. I could feel a warmth spreading through me, already helping to ease my nerves. Avery and I shared a look, and I knew she was feeling the same.

"Alright," I said, feeling a bit bolder. "Let's have some fun then."