You Only Live Once

Chapter 28

"Who got them drunk?"

"I did."

"Come on, Barty!" Theodore, Regulus, and Evan complained in a practiced, frustrated harmony.

It was late October, and the air inside the Slytherin common room was thick with the scent of spilled firewhisky, expensive perfume, and the sweat of a hundred celebrating students. The house had secured their first victory of the season against Gryffindor, and the celebration was nothing short of decadent. Green and silver banners fluttered near the ceiling, enchanted to roar like lions in mock defeat every time someone set off a wizard cracker.

The four friends stood near the drinks table, but their eyes were locked on the center of the room. Mira and Pandora were currently the main event. They were standing on one of the plush, emerald-green velvet couches, jumping in time to a fast-paced wizarding radio hit. Their hair was a blurred mess of blonde and dark silk, their laughter ringing out even over the loud music.

A thick crowd had gathered around the furniture, clapping and whistling. Theodore and Xenophilius, however, weren't cheering. They were both wearing nearly identical expressions of quiet, simmering fury. It wasn't directed at the girls, who were simply enjoying the high of a win and a few too many drinks; it was directed at the circle of boys who were watching them with predatory, lingering gazes.

"Come on, guys! We always get hammered at these things and they end up having to drag our carcasses back to bed. Let them have their fun for once," Barty said, leaning against the wall with a smirk. He watched the girls with a genuine sense of pride, as if he'd personally choreographed the chaos. "Lovegood will look after Pandora, so that only leaves us with Mira."

He clapped a hand on Evan's shoulder, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

"And by 'us,' I mostly mean Nott. You've got that look in your eye, Theo. Relax. Let's go get properly trashed." Without waiting for an answer, Barty grabbed Evan's hand and pulled him into the thick of the dancing crowd, leaving Regulus and Theodore standing alone in the shadows.

"I've let her have her fun. Now I'm taking her away," Theo muttered. His knuckles were white where he gripped his glass. He was scanning the faces of the sixth and seventh years, mentally noting every person who was looking at Mira for a second too long. In his head, he was already imagining the hexes he'd like to bounce off their skulls.

"You're showing your jealous side, Nott," Regulus commented, his voice cool and dry as he took a slow sip of his drink.

"Can you blame me?" Theo asked. He didn't wait for a response. He set his glass down on a passing tray and began to shove his way through the crowd, his shoulders tense and his expression dark.

"Teddy!" Mira squealed the moment she spotted him. She stumbled slightly on the soft cushions of the couch, her cheeks flushed a deep rose color.

Theo didn't say a word. He reached up, his large hands settling firmly but gently around her waist. He lifted her down from the couch as if she weighed nothing at all. Mira didn't protest; instead, she let out a delighted giggle and slid her arms around his neck, pulling herself flush against his chest.

Before he could lecture her about the crowd or the drinks, she tilted her head back and pulled him down into a passionate, messy kiss. She tasted like sweet berries and sharp alcohol. When she finally pulled back, her fingers immediately found the hair at the nape of his neck, playing with the strands.

"I missed you" she whispered, her eyes bright and unfocused.

Theo raised a skeptical eyebrow. "We've been together all day, Mira. I was only gone for the match."