Gypsy

Chapter Seventeen

I wasn't sure what the 'popular' term was for what we had just walked into, but I was pretty sure that 'crazy party' was an apt description. Students from all houses were dancing and drinking throughout the Slytherin common room. As of yet they had yet to notice our entrance, which surprised me because how often do you see two bigoted Slytherins walk into a party accompanied by a Muggleborn...

Malfoy guided me quickly through the crowd that parted like the Red Sea for Riddle. Once people noticed I was with their Slytherin overlords whispers started flowing around.

"Is that..."

"Who does she think she is?"

"Is that Zima with Malfoy and Riddle?"

If not for the music playing around the room there would be silence, all eyes were on us. Malfoy and Riddle didn't seem at all fazed by it. The arm wrapped around my waist tightened and a small smirk was in the corner of Malfoy's mouth. Figures he'd enjoy the attention...

Personally I could do without the attention, the glares I was getting from the girls around the room meant I would be in a lot of pain soon. I doubted even Riddle's threats could stop them from getting revenge, and I couldn't exactly explain my situation to them, they either wouldn't care or wouldn't believe I didn't love the attention I was getting from their idols.

Riddle lead us towards the fireplace, I could see enough to recognize what people were seated in the honoured space. Snape, Goyle and Lestrange were in the armchairs, with Parkinson and Black standing nearby. None of them seemed surprised to see me here, but I was given a typical 'death' glare from the two girls.

Riddle nodded to his posse before taking a seat on the couch, Malfoy gently directed me to the middle seat and sat down next to me.

"Any Hufflepuffs here tonight?" Riddle lazily took in the crowd, like me he hadn't seen any of my Housemates.

Snape shook his head, stringy hair shifting. "No, mainly Ravenclaw's, a few Gryffindor's." He shifted in his seat, "heard Knuckles is in the hospital wing, took a nasty fall down some stairs."

Riddle didn't smile but Malfoy did, "idiot Hufflepuff probably tripped over his own feet."

Everybody here clearly knew what had happened, but the group all laughed. Shifting in my chair, no small part thanks to the skirt Malfoy had picked out for me, I tried to drown out their words by looking around.

A few people were still looking our way but for the most part everybody seemed too drunk to care about the Slytherin princes pet 'Mudblood'. I was looking around trying to find a familiar face when I spotted her, Jenny leaning up against a wall watching us. She looked confused, I couldn't blame her. I had seemingly overnight gone from the tormented to the apparently cherished, if Malfoy's arm was anything to go by. Tilting her head she motioned towards the exit, nodding quickly I stood, forgetting for a second who I had come with, only wanting to see and talk to my friend.

Immediately the group went silent, no doubt eager to see Riddle curse me. I wanted to curse me, how could I forget who I was with.

"I'm going to talk with Jenny." Shaking like a leaf I took a step away from them, refusing to look either Snake in the eyes.

"Of course, don't take too long."

Before Malfoy could gainsay Riddle's permission I was off, shifting through the crowds with speed a cheetah would be envious of. Shoving the door open I stepped into the freezing corridor and was enveloped in a tight hug.

Clinging to me for only a moment Jenny gripped my shoulders and pushed me back, "Are you ok." Her eyes darted over my figure, searching for some sign of torture. "What did those bastards do to you?"