Vincula sanguinis, H. Potter

Eight.

December 5th, 1995. Slytherin common room

The dim light from the Slytherin common room flickered faintly as Aurora, Astoria, and Celeste tiptoed their way the boys' dormitory. It was well past curfew, and though they'd snuck out once or twice before, tonight had a different air-something thrilling, rebellious. The cool draft that always seemed to snake through the dungeons had Astoria clutching her robes tighter, but Aurora only quickened her pace, eager to join her brother and his friends. The adrenaline of sneaking behind her boyfriend's back felt liberating for Aurora. She felt free, a feeling she rarely experienced recently.

"I still don't know how you guys think we're not going to get caught." Astoria muttered, though there was a hint of excitement in her voice.

"We won't." Aurora reassured her, casting a quick glance over her shoulder with a mischievous grin. "Besides, what's the worst that could happen? Detention? We've survived worse."

Celeste, walking beside her, laughed softly. "Come on, Tori, you worry too much. This is going to be fun."

They reached the door to the boys' dormitory, the muffled sounds of laughter and talking filtering through the thick wood. Without hesitation, Aurora knocked twice, signaling their arrival. A second later, the door creaked open to reveal a smirking Blaise Zabini.

"Look who finally showed up" he drawled, leaning casually against the doorframe, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "We were starting to think you'd chickened out."

"Not a chance," Aurora replied with a smug smirk, brushing past him to enter the room. Behind her, Celeste and Astoria followed, though Astoria was a bit more cautious.

The dorm was hazy, the smell of Firewhisky and weed thick in the air. The boys had clearly already started without them. Goyle sat slumped in the corner, his eyes red and glazed over, a dumb but content smile on his face as he stared off into nothing. Crabbe sat beside him, absently shuffling a deck of cards, while Draco lounged on his bed, a bottle in his hand, looking at the ceiling. Theodore sat cross-legged on the floor, a cigarette between his fingers, exhaling slowly as he glanced up at the girls entering.

Aurora's eyes immediately landed on Goyle, and a fond smile spread across her face. "Goyle!" she exclaimed, moving toward him like she was greeting a beloved pet. His dopey expression brightened a little at the sight of her, but it was clear he was completely gone, his gaze unfocused.

"Good evening." he smiled, blinking as if trying to focus on her but failing miserably.

Aurora giggled, crouching down to his level. "Oh, Gregory," she cooed softly, wrapping her arms around him in a hug. His massive form barely moved as she embraced him, the glass in his hand sloshing a little, some of the liquid spilling onto the floor. "You're so high," she laughed, stroking his hair like he was a child.

Goyle grinned lazily, nodding as if her observation was the most profound thing he'd ever heard. "Yeahhh," he muttered, eyes half-closed, "only a bit."

Draco raised an eyebrow at his sister's antics but didn't comment. Aurora had always had a strange soft spot for Goyle-she'd once said he reminded her of a baby, with his simple expressions and his tendency to follow Draco around like a lost duckling.