In The Shadow of Our Choices

Chapter 117: A Pleasant Holiday

Previously:
Ominis' Vow was broken and so was his engagement! Without the wedding to attend, Elizabeth elected to stay at Hogwarts for the break. She met briefly with Silas Larson, who was interested in her knowledge on typical Rookwood gang camp defenses. Then, Elizabeth was voluntold she would participate in another girl's night with Aria.

Elizabeth

The moment Elizabeth stepped out of the floo she was met with the scent of burning candles. She wasn't sure what she'd expected from Aria's flat, but it wasn't the sitting area being sparsely furnished with mismatched pieces and mud-spattered boots piled by the door. However, several overflowing bookshelves told her she was in the right place. A large window overlooked the lantern lit Hogsmeade street outside, but Elizabeth's eyes caught on a painting opposite the fireplace that depicted a very dramatic-looking witch lounging on a chaise, her robes slipping scandalously off one shoulder.

"Elizabeth! Welcome! Come in, come in."

Elizabeth turned to see Aria appearing from a doorway, the kitchen behind her. She was barefoot, dressed in a burgundy dressing gown that might have been silk. Her hair was piled messily atop her head, and she held two glasses in one hand and a bottle of something Elizabeth suspected was far stronger than wine in the other.

"Make yourself at home, darling," Aria said, sweeping a hand at the sofa below the painting with a theatrical flourish. "Shoes off, drink in hand, and all thoughts of men banished from your mind - especially that one."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes but smiled as she set down her bag and toed off her shoes, placing them neatly beside Aria's disorganized pile.

"I did say I didn't want to talk about him, remember?"

Aria handed her a glass and tapped the rim of her own against it.

"And I didn't." She gave her a knowing look before collapsing onto a velvet armchair. "Now, let's get started. Drinks, biscuits, and gossip, my dear. A proper sleepover. Perhaps we can read some scandalous literature or read tea leaves if we're feeling particularly reckless."

Elizabeth laughed, taking a sip of her drink and nearly choking. It was gin, definitely gin.

"Ah, sorry," Aria said, conjuring a bottle of tonic water with a wave of her wand, as well as some limes and a few other bottles. "Here, if you want them."

Elizabeth accepted the additions with a nod of things and set to fixing up her drink. Aria, meanwhile, curled up in her armchair, legs tucked beneath her and a mischievous glint in her eyes as she took a leisurely sip from her own glass.

"Better?" Aria asked, watching with an amused tilt of her head as Elizabeth tried the drink again.

"Much," Elizabeth said, settling onto the sofa.

"Excellent." Aria leaned forward conspiratorially. "Now, have you seen those overly dramatic poems in the back of the Sunday Prophet? I just so happen to know that one of the professors is responsible for them. You'd never guess who."

Elizabeth snorted.

"That's how we're starting the night?"

"Of course," Aria said, grinning.

Elizabeth shook her head, but couldn't resist.

"Who then?" Elizabeth asked.

"Well I can't just tell you," Aria said, rolling her eyes jokingly. "You have to guess."

"You're incorrigible."

By the time they'd gone through half a tin of chocolates, Elizabeth found herself genuinely enjoying the evening, letting the atmosphere and Aria's antics distract her. But as it neared midnight and the drinks settled into her system, the warmth of the fire made everything hazy and Elizabeth felt her mood begin to shift. She swirled the gin in her glass, her gaze growing unfocused as her thoughts drifted. Aria, perceptive as ever, narrowed her eyes.