Hogwarts Adventures

Chapter 3: The Slytherin Party

The night buzzed with excitement as Jenna and Jack made their way to the Slytherin common room. Music and laughter echoed down the hallways, growing louder as they approached the entrance, guarded by two Slytherin students. Jenna felt her nerves build up with each step. She'd heard so many stories about the infamous Slytherin parties – wild, loud, and full of energy – but she had no real idea what to expect. She was just happy to be there with Jack, and the evening promised to be fun.

When they entered the room, Jenna quickly scanned the scene. The common room was packed with students. Groups of people stood around laughing, chatting, and holding drinks in their hands. Some older students were dancing near the fireplace, while others watched from the sidelines. The energy was electric. But then, through the crowd, Jenna spotted someone she knew well.

Nick.

Her best friend from Slytherin was standing across the room, chatting with a few others. When he noticed her, his face lit up, and without a second thought, Jenna ran toward him, a wide smile on her face.

"Nick!" she called out cheerfully.

Nick turned around at the sound of her voice, his face lighting up as he caught sight of her. In the blink of an eye, he had her in his arms, lifted her off the ground, and spun her around. Jenna laughed as she floated in his embrace, and for a moment, everything else faded away. It felt so good to see him again.

"I've missed you so much, Albright!" he said, placing a kiss on her forehead. Jenna could feel her heart swell with joy. Nick had always been her closest friend, and seeing him again after the summer felt like a relief.

"I've missed you too, Nicky," she grinned back. "How were your holidays?"

Nick scoffed and rolled his eyes. "You know how it is – mostly boring family stuff. But now I'm back at Hogwarts, and everything's better." He playfully nudged her shoulder. "Come on, let's get you a drink!"

Jenna smiled and followed him as he led her to the table with the drinks. The Slytherins had set up a long table covered in all kinds of beverages, some of which looked more intriguing than others. Nick grabbed a red cup and handed it to her.

"Here, try this!" he said with a mischievous grin. Jenna took a sip and immediately felt the sweet, tangy flavor fill her mouth. It was delicious – sweet and a little fizzy, perfect for the lively atmosphere around them.

As Jenna and Nick chatted, time seemed to fly by. They laughed and exchanged stories about their holidays, while the noise around them grew louder. But then, something shifted in the air. Jenna couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she sensed a change in the mood.

Jack had arrived.

He stood there, an almost smug look on his face as he scanned the room. Then, with a faint, almost mocking tone, he walked over to them. "Well, well, well. Look who we have here. Nick Scratch. Long time no see. Nice to see you here."

Nick turned to face him, his expression calm and composed, but Jenna could feel the tension mounting between the two. "Walker," Nick replied coolly, his voice steady. "I wish I could say the same about your presence."

Jenna could see Jack's expression harden slightly. The air around them was thick with unspoken hostility, and Jenna felt the sudden, undeniable tension between the two. She was about to say something to break the ice when Jack suddenly grabbed her by the arm and pulled her away from Nick.

"Come on, let's go," Jack said sharply, not waiting for her to respond. Jenna glanced back at Nick for a moment as Jack led her away, but Nick remained calm, his eyes locked on them as they moved through the crowd. The tension between Jack and Nick hung in the air like a heavy cloud.

"What was that about?" Jenna asked, following Jack. "Why did we need to leave so suddenly?"

Jack shot a look over his shoulder, his eyes narrowed. "Just forget about it. We don't need to deal with him," he said, his voice cold as they moved further from the party. His tone made it clear that he didn't want to discuss it, but Jenna could feel the frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

Jack kept pulling her through the crowd, his hand still gripping her arm tightly. The music blared around them, but the awkwardness and the strange tension between Jack and Nick lingered in Jenna's mind. Jack had been much more irritable lately, and she hadn't seen him like this before.

Finally, after they had walked a little distance from the party and the noise began to fade, Jenna stopped and turned to Jack, her voice firm but concerned. "Jack, this is too much. You're hurting me," she said, her eyes meeting his. "Nick is my best friend. If you're going to be with me, you need to be able to get along with him without ripping each other apart."

Jack stopped suddenly and looked at her, his face hard and unreadable. For a moment, he seemed to be searching for the right words. Then, his voice was low and tense. "I get that, but Nick isn't... easy. He's not someone you should be associating with. I don't want him dragging you into any trouble. He's a Slytherin, Jenna. That means something."

Jenna sighed, frustration growing inside her. "He's not dragging me into anything. Nick is my friend, and I don't have a problem with him being here. You just need to deal with it," she said, her voice firm. "I expect you to accept that."

Jack stared at her silently for a moment, his features hard, and then he let out a deep breath, loosening his grip on her arm. "I just think he wants more from you than friendship," he said, his voice tense. "The way he looks at you... I don't like it. Jenna, you need to choose – him or me!"

Jenna shook her head, her face showing clear disappointment. "What? I have to choose?!"