Cerulean - Fred Weasley

Chapter 7 - Two parties

"Ready?" hollered Ruth.

"Almost!" Simone called back. She took a final look at her reflection. She was wearing a tight gingham skirt and a black ribbed tank top. She had tackled her hair with copious amounts of Sleekeazy potion and Ruth had helped her apply eyeliner. muggle fashion had hit Hogwarts big around five years ago, with even the most pretentious of purebloods scrambling to stay on the latest trends. She hesitated then coated her lips in a holographic lip gloss. 

roger was leaning against the couch with his arms crossed when the three girls arrived. "Nice of you to finally show up. Come on, everyone has already left." 

"You can't rush perfection, Roger," Sophie said, grinning. They began their long and silent trudge towards the Hufflepuff common room. luckily, they didn't run into a single teacher. A bored-looking fourth year was sitting by the entrance.

"Here for the party?" The group nodded. "Alright. Follow me." He tapped a strange rhythm and the wall slid back. "Wow," Simone murmured. The last time she had been in the Hufflepuff common room was last year after their quidditch victory over Gryffindor. All of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw and even a few Slytherins had come to celebrate Gryffindor finally losing. It had been fairly lowkey, with some butterbeer and exploding snap. This time, the Hufflepuff's went all out. Yellow and black streamers coated all surfaces. Glitter was raining from the ceiling and Dr. Filibuster fireworks were exploding in the corners. They even had a buffet and punch bowl.

"You'll have to excuse me," said Roger, spotting Cho Chang. Ruth and Sophie went off to talk with some Hufflepuffs. Sighing, Simone poured herself a large cup of punch. Her friends always ditched her at parties. She watched Cedric sitting in the center of the room, a posse of admirers swarming him. He stood up and walked towards her. 

"Hey," he said, smiling awkwardly.

"Congratulations!" Exclaimed Simone. "I'm so happy you're champion!" 

He smirked. "Not the only one apparently. I wonder how Harry pulled that off."

"He's the boy who lived. He always finds a way."

"Potter." He muttered. "I've never seen my house angrier before."

A blonde girl came up to Cedric, pulling on his arm. "Come dance with me!" She pleaded.

Cedric smiled apologetically. "Sorry, I've got to go. See you later."

Simone was alone once more. She pulled out her flask of fire whiskey and took a hearty swig. The burning sensation calmed her down a little. 

"This party blows" Roger muttered into her ear. she nodded in agreement. "Wanna get out of here? The Gryffindors always know how to celebrate."

"Definitely. What about the other two?" Simone spotted ruth and Sophie dancing with some Hufflepuff's.

"They seem happy." The two of them left, sneaking up several flights of stairs to Gryffindor tower. The fat lady swung open without asking for a password. She was staggering around in her portrait. Could paintings get drunk?

The Gryffindors went all out. Giant banners broadcasting Harry's face hung the walls, people were dancing on the tables, broken glass was everywhere. Potter even had a Gryffindor flag tied around his shoulders. Simone rolled her eyes.

"Hermione!" she called. The girl was sitting in a back corner, looking thoroughly uncomfortable. 

"It's so loud, and I have so much work to do." 

"Come on Hermione, have a butterbeer! Maybe something stronger... "

The younger girl glared at her. "I'm going to bed."

"Shacklebolt!" roared Fred Weasley. His face was redder than his hair. "Wanna do some shots? I'll get the fire whiskey."

"I've got my own supply," Simone said coyly. She pulled her flask out of her pocket.

"sick!" He said, admiring the ornate silver casing.

"It's the one thing my grandfather left to me when he died."

"Sounds like an awesome guy." He took a hearty swig and handed it back to Simone. She did the same. 

"So," He brought his face closer to hers. Why arent you off with pretty boy Diggory?"

"He ditched me for some blonde," she replied, letting the alcohol loosen her tongue.

"Bastard!" Fred yelled.

"Who's a bastard?" George asked, swinging an arm around his twin.

"You are. Someone else too... who was I talking about Simone?"

"Who knows." She grinned. "I love this song! let's dance!" She grabbed each twin's wrist and pulled them into the middle of the room. They waved their arms extravagantly to the beat of David Bowie. 

"Hey, it's the man of the hour!" Simone howled, spotting Harry. "Speech! Speech! Speech!" She chanted, the rest of the Gryffindors joining in.

Harry looked quite flustered. "You all seem to be fairly drunk. I think I'll head to bed."

"Some people just aren't made for public speaking," Fred said, shaking his head solemnly. 

"Anyone need to be topped off?" Lee Jordan asked, brandishing a bottle of fire whiskey like a baseball bat. He poured it directly into her mouth. She had become numb to the burning. 

"where's your other brother?" Simone staggered towards Fred. "The tight ass, nerd one."

Fred howled with laughter. "That was the best description of Percy I've ever heard. He graduated last year, thank merlin."

"Sirius Black scared him off, eh?" 

"Something like that." He suddenly perked up. "I wonder if the Frenchies are hosting a party."

"We might as well check it out," replied George.

"All awesome people come this way!" Bellowed Fred. Most of the sixth year Gryffindors followed Fred and Simone out the portrait hole and outside. 

"God, I love your house!"

"Shhhh," said Katie.

Simone lowered her voice slightly. "These shenanigans would never go down in Ravenclaw. Even the Hufflepuff's were hosting a lame party. They didn't even have alcohol."

"Merlin's saggy pants!" Muttered Fred, looking scandalized. They left the school through the main gates. Angelina and Simone turned cartwheels down the field, blissfully unaware of their shirts flying over their heads. 

"Son of a bitch," said Lee Jordan. The Durmstang boat and Beauxbaton carriage were completely silent. 

"We can still have fun!" Fred said cheerfully. "Have a cupcake, Katie." Katie bit into the cupcake and was instantly transformed into a bright yellow canary.

"Hey! where'd that bird come from?" asked Simone. 

"It's Katie!" Fred collapsed into laughter, leaning on Simone for support. He was so close that she could smell the fire whiskey on his breath. They both fell to the ground.