Never-Lasting •~H.Potter AU~• (ON HOLD)

7 |let us leave|

ALIANA PRESSED DOWN ON HER SKIRT TIGHTLY, trying to remove any unwanted wrinkles present in it from its travel in her luggage. That night Aliana was to attend Slughorn's dinner and although she had no intention of going, she really had nothing better to do.

Making her way downstairs, her blond hair tied up in a loose ponytail swung as she entered the common room. There, she found Hermione and the girl that she saw Harry Potter staring at during Quidditch tryouts. Their backs were facing Aliana as they walked out of the common room, to where Aliana presumed to be to the dinner party as well. 

Aliana walked behind them, not bothering to mask her footsteps. The two girls turned around to spot Aliana. 

"Hello, Granger." 

"Hi," Hermione said as she stopped, finding it a bit rude to not wait for Aliana after she acknowledged her. Aliana quickened her steps to reach the pair.

"Hello. I'm Aliana Snape." Aliana turned to the other girl, extending her hand. The girl stood there caught off guard before reaching to shake Aliana's hand back.

"I'm Ginny Weasley." A glimmer could be seen in Aliana's eyes but Ginny chose to ignore it. After that awkward interaction, the three girls walked silently to the dinner. Once they made it, it didn't talk long for Professor Slughorn to perk up.

"Ah, Ms. Granger, Ms. Weasley, and Ms. Snape. A pleasure to have you arrive. Dare I say you are the most expected guests for the night." 

The three girls smiled superficially at the comment before making their way to the table. Aliana seemed to pause for a moment, as if thinking, before making her way next to Hermione. 

"I thought it would be nice to sit next to someone I knew. Who knows how...awkward...things will get." Aliana gave a small smile to Hermione. Hermione, although it felt strange for Aliana to talk like that, couldn't help but give a genuine laugh.

"I agree."

As the last of the guest come in, the silence seemed to become worse. No one talked as Slughorn sat there with his suit buttons struggling to keep everything in. Finally, Slughorn stood up, bringing a glass to the air.

"A toast to the wonderful Slug Club." Students reluctantly brought up their glasses of water, cheering the dinner.

The dinner went as fast as Mr. Binns History of Magic class. Professor Slughorn tried to make conversation with multiple students, but none of them stuck.

When Slughorn spoke to Aliana, whispers could be heard around the room, but that was the loudest the room got. Finally, dessert came around. Aliana looked around before turning to Hermione.

"I told you this would become gloom." Hermione nodded, looking down at her ice cream before looking up at Aliana, who had a face Hermione never saw before.

"Tell you what, we could have more fun in the empty corridors."

"What do you mean?" A mischievous look appeared on Aliana's face. 

"Let us leave. Tell Weasley as well. I'll make an excuse." Hermione never was one to disobey the rules, even if was to stay at a boring dinner party. But, the boring party was enough to convince her that she wanted to leave. As Hermione tapped on Ginny's shoulder, Aliana spoke.

"Professor Slughorn? I don't mean to interrupt the dinner but Hermione, Ginny, and I have to be awake early to help Professor Snape with some material organization. Could we be excused to bed earlier?"

"Why of course. Just make sure to be alert for the next dinner party." Aliana smiled as he neatly placed her napkin on the table before standing up along with Hermione and Ginny. The three quietly made their way out the door, before Aliana laughed.

"It feels nice to be out of there am I right?" Aliana took Hermione and Ginny's hand, running through the corridor. The girls laughed as they made their way outside the castle to run around the open field. Just doing that was better than sitting down at the dinner table. It was only for a moment, but it was a good moment.

As Aliana dipped her hands in the Black Lake, Hermione noticed the Aliana seemed different, but it was a difference she didn't mind.