Forbidden Request

Chapter Twenty-One: Party Of A Lifetime

As we made our way through the winding dungeons, the air grew cooler, and a different kind of excitement hummed between us. Eleanor led the way, clutching a bottle of firewhisky under her arm like it was some sort of treasure. Her steps were confident, her heels clicking against the stone floor, while Poppy and I exchanged glances, both equally curious about what lay ahead.

The entrance to the Slytherin common room came into view, a sleek, stone wall that, when the password was whispered, slid away to reveal the space beyond. The moment we stepped inside, I felt like I had entered a completely different world.

The Slytherin common room was dark and elegant, bathed in shades of green and silver that seemed to shimmer in the low light from the enchanted lanterns lining the walls. The high, arched windows overlooked the depths of the Black Lake, casting an eerie, aquatic glow that made the whole room feel submerged. The heavy, leather sofas were arranged in clusters around the room, some already occupied by groups of Slytherins and a few other students who had somehow gotten invites to the party.

They sat sprawled out, drinks in hand, leaning into each other and talking in low, hushed tones. It felt both dangerous and intoxicating.

The sound of laughter and chatter filled the air, mingling with the faint echo of music coming from an enchanted phonograph in the corner. A group of Slytherin Quidditch players, already a few drinks in, were huddled together near the fireplace, their shirts slightly disheveled, and their cheeks flushed from both the firewhisky and the high of their earlier win. Tobias Green, the captain, had his arm slung around Finn Abernathy, laughing loudly at something Finn had said. Aiden and Daisy, from the Hufflepuff team, stood not too far from them, clearly trying to hold their own in the midst of the competitive Slytherin crowd, drinks in hand and grins on their faces.

As we stepped deeper into the room, I caught sight of Sebastian leaning casually against one of the far walls, talking to Ominis. His deep brown eyes flickered over to us, and I swore I saw his lips curve slightly into a smirk when he saw me. The dim light of the room highlighted his sharp features—the strong jawline, the way his freckles stood out against his fair skin. His hair, slightly tousled from the game earlier, gave him that usual boyish charm that made my heart skip a beat.

Eleanor, ever bold, strutted forward with a grin. "Alright, ladies, let's get this party started," she said, popping the cork on the firewhisky bottle with a flourish. She poured generous amounts into three cups and handed them to Poppy and me before taking a sip from her own.

Poppy hesitated for a moment, staring down at the amber liquid in her cup before glancing at me with wide eyes. "Are we sure about this?" she whispered, her cheeks already turning pink with anticipation—or maybe nerves.

I laughed, taking a small sip from my cup, the liquid burning its way down my throat in a way that made me cough slightly. "We've made it this far, haven't we?"

Eleanor snorted, overhearing us. "Come on, Poppy. Loosen up! It's just one drink. Plus, the night's only just beginning."

Around us, the party had already started to pick up. More students arrived, a few Gryffindors and Ravenclaws now mixing in with the Slytherins, and the energy in the room became more electric. The Quidditch players were in full celebratory mode, boasting about their win to anyone who would listen, their voices rising over the music. Tobias raised a glass in the air, his words slurring slightly as he gave a half-drunken speech about the match, much to the delight of his team. His eyes lingered on Eleanor for a moment, something mischievous in his expression, and she returned the glance with a knowing smirk.

I took another sip of my drink, the warmth of the firewhisky spreading through me as the room seemed to pulse with life.

As we pushed even further into the common room, I could feel eyes on me—curious, lingering glances as students noticed the emerald-green silk dress I had chosen. It clung to my body in all the right ways, the small slit in the skirt teasing the length of my thigh. The silver heels wrapped elegantly around my calves, and my red curls, now free from the braids, tumbled down my back in soft waves. I was used to being a little overlooked, but tonight, there was no avoiding the attention.