Harry Potter: An Alternate Universe

5) Poorly Wrapped

Year: Sixth
House: Hufflepuff
Gender: Not Specified
Love Interest: Draco Malfoy

Takes place in the same universe as Draco's Secret. Enjoy!

"You are not allowed to go to that stupid Slug Club party!"

"Don't be jealous you're not as, mmh, elite as I am." Your tone was obviously a joking one, yet Draco still wasn't smiling.

"It's a complete waste of time. Besides, wouldn't you rather spend the evening with me?"

"I already told Blaise I'd go with him. It would be rude to cancel on him now." He scoffed at you.

"Fine! Go, then."

"Draco, it isn't that big of a deal. You can live without me for one night."

"I said you can go!" The echo of his voice bounced off the walls throughout the cluttered room.

"Who said I need your permission?," you spat back at him, though in less of a shout. "Blaise is already suspicious of us, I can tell. If I said no, he'd start spreading rumors to the whole school." Malfoy looked at you with sunken eyes, as weary as he's been since the day he told you about his duties for the Dark Lord. Though judging by his attitude, you lost the urge to comfort and coddle him. "Goodbye, Draco," you said, turning your back to him and exiting the Room of Requirement. He didn't call after you, made no attempt to apologize. But what did you expect, it was him, after all.

An hour or so later, you were changed into your outfit and waiting outside the Slytherin common room. You were lost in your thoughts, thinking mostly about the event that took place not so long ago.

"Good evening-."

"Oh! It's you, Blaise," you said with a startle, having just been lost in a train of thought. He rolled his eyes. He held out his arm that you took, and you headed up the changing staircases. You reached the second set of steps before either of you spoke. "Not to pry, but why did you ask me to the party?"

"Well, you have good marks in your classes, you seem well-mannered...." It was unclear as to whether those were his final thoughts, but it would have to suffice. You knew from your classes with Slytherin that he was unusually quiet. You made it the rest of the way in silence, taking what felt like hours to make it up to where the party was being held. You walk inside, and the place is elegantly decorated, and everyone dressed in what's likely their best clothes. A boy you recognized from  Herbology approached you in a waiters uniform, holding a platter of drinks.

"May I offer you a beverage?" He looked so awkward asking you, a classmate, if you wanted a drink, it made you giggle.

"No thank you, Neville." Looking shocked you knew his name, he smiled meekly before scurrying off to some other guests. Blaise already looked bored, probably wanting to leave.

"Ah, Mr. Zabini! So glad you could come!," Professor Slughorn beamed at him. "And Ms. (l/n), a pleasure to see you as well."

"Thank you, Professor," you smiled politely. He gave a quick nod, and Blaise directed you to another part of the room. Someone from the opposite end waved at him, motioning him over.

"Would you like to join?"

"Oh no thanks that's o...kay." Before you got a chance to finished, Blaise unmatched himself from your grip and floated to where the group had beckoned him over. You were left to your own devices, looking for someone to socialize with. Your searches were interrupted with Filch, ushering a squirming Draco into the room.

"Get your hands off me, you filthy Squib," he whined. Everyone was watching the scene take place, while you put yourself further into a corner.

"Professor Slughorn, sir. I've just discovered this boy, lurking in an upstairs corridor. He claims to have been invited to your party-"

"Okay, okay! I just wanted to deliver a parcel!"

"I'll take that," Snape grumbled, snatching something from Draco's hands. It was poorly wrapped, very poorly, and had a note dangling from its side illegible from where you stood. It had been for you, but Snape shoved it in his pocket, before telling Filch he'd escort him out of the room. He looked at you knowingly before exiting with Malfoy in his grip. He knew it was for you. And because he knew, he must intend to keep you two away for as long as it takes to fix the Vanishing Cabinets.

You and Draco have escaped the eyes of every student at Hogwarts so far. One greasy-haired teacher should be no different. Whatever it meant to find out what the gift could possibly be.

That's another day done. Oof! I've never written so much creative writing consecutively like this. Thank you to all my readers! Wouldn't be doing this without you, right? And Happy Hanukkah!!