How to Prevent a War

A Killer Party

Harry nursed his empty bottle of firewiskey, keeping a wary eye on his fellow Housemates as they all celebrated the start of a new year at Hogwarts and the appointment of him and Rosier in their Quidditch team. Several of his new teammates and classmates had already congratulated him of course, but Harry wasn't paying attention to any of them.

All his attention was on one person at the other side of the common room. Tom Riddle. The other teen was talking in hushed tones with the Lestrange brothers. The bloody Lestrange brothers! If that wasn't suspicious, than Harry didn't know what else was. Everyone knew the Lestrange family was the most loyal of all Voldemort's followers....at least they did in his time.

"Congrats on the position, Potter," Avery spoke up cheerfully, suddenly appearing next to Harry.

The green eyed wizard jumped in surprise at the heavy hand suddenly resting on his shoulder and glared at his grinning classmate. The blonde had a new glass of firewiskey in his other hand, which he offered to Harry. The raven accepted uncertainly, keeping a suspicious eye on his classmate as he took a gulp of the pleasantly burning liquid. Avery either didn't notice his distrust, or simply didn't care as he started a one sided conversation with the time-traveller.

"What are you doing all on your own in a corner anyway? This is a party mate, get out there a little! Flirt with some girls, or something. You haven't lived until you got slapped in the face by Megan, or if Walburga hasn't yelled at you," the blonde told him.
"That woman has a set of lungs on her, you wouldn't believe, but I guess you'll learn all about that particular banshee soon enough now you're on the team, eh? You're supposed to be enjoying this all, so stop being a bloody wallflower and enjoy it! If half of what Rosier told us is true, you deserve this party for more than just some fancy flying tricks."

"It was nothing, anyone would have done the same thing," Harry muttered distractedly.

Avery frowned, appraising Harry as the other continued staring at Tom with a thoughtful expression. The blonde huffed at the obvious way he was being dismissed, not liking being ignored at all. He waved a hand in front of Harry's face to force the dark haired teen's attention back to himself as he continued talking.

"I honestly don't know any Slytherin who would stand up to a big guy like Rowle for just anyone. Some Huffelpuffs maybe, or the odd Gryffindor with an annoyingly righteous hero complex, but no self-respecting Slytherin would even think of starting a fight he can't win."

"Who says I couldn't win?" Harry asked dangerously.

Avery didn't seem to notice the cold voice Harry spoke in and just laughed.

"Rowle is a 7th year! Of course he would have fried you if Riddle hadn't walked in!" he snickered.

Harry rolled his eyes and shot his classmate the stink eye before turning back to watch Riddle. Both Lestrange brothers were already gone from sight, and Tom was now talking with Rosier and Alphard, both of whom kept glancing their way.

Harry frowned, noticing the slightly worried looks of the young Black. What were they up to? Nothing good he bet... He looked around the room, searching out the Lestranges as a bad feeling set in his belly. Where did they disappear of to? Those two were not the kind to leave a party early.

A strange lethargy started falling over Harry, and the room seemed to spin just slightly. Frowning, Harry focused on his drink, trying to remember how many he'd had at this point. It was only his second, and still more than half full to boot. He might have a low tolerance, but this was just ridiculous.

Harry swayed as he stood, glaring at his glass as he made to get a glass of water to clear his head again. He took a few steps, but stumbled and almost fell. Strong hands caught Harry before he slammed into the ground.