7

1. Lesson: Transformation2. Lesson: Quidditch Training3. Lesson: Potions4. Lesson: Potions5. Lesson: Transformation6. Lesson: Defense Against the Dark Arts

That was the sinful timetable of every Friday. By Salazar, I should have skip another day.

It is Friday. The day of the parties. And I have decided I am going today.

Actually, I should have my head somewhere else, but here I am sitting - in the third hour of magic potions with Snape - and somehow try to keep myself awake.

Snape stood in the front and talk monotonously about the potion of the living dead as if it was the most exciting thing in the world.

I have the feeling that my brain is slowly shutting down. The lessons drags on endlessly but I have to go through it. I have already missed two days and if I miss even more I could forget the exams right away.

I let my gaze wander through the room. Pansy sitting next to me and looks like she wants to jump out of a window. What I could only understand.

She rests her head on her hand and makes a paper airplane out of her parchment - probably nothing I wouldn't have done, if I just wouldn't be so tired.

Theo and Enzo sitting together in the back and whisper. Typical. They probably plan some nonsense again. Enzo gives me a quick look and grins. I roll my eyes but have bite back a smile. The two are simply impossible.

Blaise is once again deeply relaxed as if nothing could disturb him. He leans back and seems to listen to Snape, but in his eyes it was clear that he is already thinking about tonight. Typical Blaise.

Draco, on the other hand, actually seems focused. He sits there straight, listening carefully to Snape and takes notes. Probably because he knows he wouldn't have any of that in mind tonight anyway.

And then there was Mattheo. He sits two rows in front of me, leaning back manspreading, arms crossing and the usual bored expression on his face.

But he was there – and that meant that he too had to make up for the material in class. Somehow that calms me down.

He turns around briefly and our eyes met. For a brief moment, he turns away again without showing a motion. I grit my teeth.

Just his looks makes me so angry for no reason.

I stare at my cauldron and sigh softly. The day drags on so long and I can hardly believe it was only morning.

My eyes are still on the cauldron, but my thoughts had long been elsewhere.

Harry.

I know that at some point I have to tell him that I would go to the party tonight.

He certainly wouldn't like it – I can already see his disappointed look in front of me.

But I can't hide it forever. Somehow I have to tell him before he found out in another way.

The party was at 9 p.m., so I still have a little time to prepare a good explanation.

»For once,« I would tell him. »Just to clear your head.«

After all, it was the truth.

After this week it feels almost necessary.

I am tired of all the stress, the hunger, the tangled thoughts – I need a break. A night I can just let go.

But with all the back and forth, I realize that there was no point in constantly worrying about what Harry would think.

At the end of the day, I am one of them.

The Talking Hat had sent me to Slytherin for a reason.

As much as Harry hates it, I belong here.

With my mistakes, my ambitions and my urge to prove that I am more than just the little sister of Harry Potter.

I sigh. Harry would never understand but that wasn't my problem. At least not today.

Nevertheless, it gnaws at me.

I know Harry is always worried when I dive too deep into the Slytherin world.

He hates the idea that I am spending time with them at all and it wouldn't get any better if he found out that I am going to one of their parties.

Especially not with people like Mattheo and Draco around me.

Harry had told me enough times what he thinks of them - and I know he isn't entirely wrong.

But that doesn't change the fact that I want to go tonight.

Maybe it is stupid, but I want to feel like I could dance out of line.

Tonight was mine.

I sigh and pull myself out of my thoughts.

Snape still has not stopped talking, and I force myself to listen again – at least as best I can.

𓆗

Finally, the second hour is over, and I can't listen to Snape's monotonous murmur anymore.

I pack my things and leave the room followed by Mattheo, Enzo, Theo, Pansy, Draco and Blaise.

Our group strolls through the corridors towards the Great Hall, and I can literally feel how the energy around us changes the further we are away from the lesson.

»Omg, guys!« Enzo suddenly turns to us, with a wide grin on his face. »The last two hours are cancelled!«

Immediately jubilation breaks out. Theo and Blaise clap their hands, Draco snorts slightly amused, and even I can't help but smile.

After a week like this, I can really use the free afternoon. Pansy playfully pushes Enzo aside before she pushes us all to run faster to the Great Hall to finally get something to eat.

When we enter the hall, the atmosphere was busy as always. Everywhere students sit at their house tables, there are loud discussion and laughter.

We get our trays and filled them with food before we sit down at our usual place at the Slytherin table.

I can't help but stop for a little moment.

It feels strangely normal to sit here with all of them and laugh like everything was as usual.

Yet it is not. I had a hard week and so much in my head is messed up. But here with them, I can forget about it for a moment. At least for now.

»Finally a free afternoon. Maybe I should go to the potion lessons more often, if something like that comes after,« Blaise shrugs his shoulders, while he leans back relaxed.

»Oh shut up, you're the first one who's going to skip classes again on Monday.« Draco counters dryly and stabs his food. Pansy just grins and pushes another bite of potatoes into her mouth.

Theo leans over to me and whispers, »What do you think, Potter? Will this be your day or are you going to secretly studying in the library later?«

I snort. »Funny, Nott. Just because I missed the last few days doesn't mean I'm missing the fun.«

»Oh, she's in party mode today, so crazy, just watch out.« Mattheo grumbles sarcastically with a crooked grin as he looks at me from the side.

I roll my eyes.

»Funny. No one is laughing, sweetheart.«I hiss back just as sarcastically. Enzo laughs loudly as he pats Mattheo on the shoulder.

»Man, she's your female version. That's exactly your type of women.«

»Oh, please. Sarah wouldn't even touch Mattheo with a ten foot pole Mattheo, even if he was the last person on earth.« Draco grins.

»You understand me, Malfoy.« I grin as I hold up my hand so that he can give me a high-five, which he does quickly.

Enzo only laughed louder, and Theo joined in. Pansy struggled with her hair, which fell into her face all the time, until Blaise helped her and tied her hair. Mattheo rolled his eyes as he reluctantly pushed the fork into his mouth.

»Mhm. Potter, I do,« Draco grins.

»Do you have an outfit yet, Pans?« I ask her. I use my strategy, the fork rose but lowers without touching my mouth when I poke around in the food. I don't want to risk throwing up today.

»Yes, why-« Before I can answer her question, a huge smile forms on her lips. She drops her fork into the food and claps happily.

»You need an outfit! Oh my God, I can finally style you for a party!«

The boys devote themselves awkwardly again to their own conversations, so they always behave when we have any girly talk.

I will never forget where Enzo and Theo stormed out of the common room because I asked Pansy if she had a pad.

𓆗

I am lying stretched out on my bed, my legs slightly bent, and let my hands rest behind my head.

Already 5 o'clock...

Only four hours left.

Pansy has been rummaging in her wardrobe for thirty minutes and has already thrown various outfits on the floor.

Her gaze is focused, as if she is thinking of finding the perfect dress for the evening and I know she wouldn't let loose until she has it.

»So, what about the drawing you just mentioned? Did someone draw you?« She asks suddenly, without pulling her head out of the closet.

I turn slightly to the side and took a deep breath. »Yes, it... kind of upset me. I mean whoever drew that portrayed me so innocently. You know I'm not. Plus Mattheo saw the picture and-«

Pansy laughs softly before she interrupts me with a smack of her tongue. »Fuck Mattheo. Insecure and innocent? You're a little bit. But honestly you're way too hard on yourself. You just worry too much.«

I sigh and let my head sink into the pillows. »Maybe. But it's strange, isn't it? Someone is watching me, making the effort to draw me in such detail... and I don't even know who it was.«

Pansy pausing, turning to me and looks at me for a moment with a thoughtful expression. »Okay, I understand that. But tonight... you shouldn't worry about that. Today it will be about you, Sarah. You need this night. A little distraction, a little fun.«

»Maybe,« I murmur as I look at the ceiling. But inside I still feel insecure. The party sounds good but something holds me back.

Plus, I have to let Harry know still.

Pansy pulls her head out of the wardrobe and takes a few steps towards me until she staggers over me. »Show me the drawing.«

I sigh as I sat up and begin to rummage through my bedside table. I pull out the slightly wrinkled drawing, and hold it to Pansy.

She unfolds it slowly, her gaze unreadable as she raises her eyebrows. She also read through what was below.

»Wow...that mysterious someone...drew you perfectly.« she mutters before a smile forms on her lips. »Whatever kind of dirty comment Mattheo made, whoever drew it is so drunk in love with you, babe.«

I smile slightly, and shrug my shoulders when she returns the drawing to me. I bring it back to my bedside drawer.

Pansy runs back to the closet, where her head disappears not even a second later.

Pansy continues to rummage through the closet and just when I thought she was going to give up, she suddenly stops.

A shrill whistle following, which immediately catches my attention. »Oh. My. God.«

I sit up abruptly. »What is it?«

With a wide grin, she turns to me and holds a black dress up.

It is breathtaking but... definitely not what I expected.

It is backless, has narrow straps around the neck, and snuggles up to the waist as if it has been made for me.

But it wasn't. – it is short. Way too short.

»This one–,« Pansy says triumphantly as she waves the dress in the air »– is your ticket for an unforgettable evening.«

My gaze wanders from the dress to her and back again. »Pansy... there is no way. That's way too short. And much too... revealing.«

She raises an eyebrow and is not impressed by it.

»Short? Revealing? That's exactly why you have to wear it. Look at that!«

She holds the dress to me and pulls lightly on the fabric as if she wants to show me how perfectly it would fit.

»I'll never wear that,« I say decisively, shaking my head. »That's... just not me.«

»Sarah, stop. You need this today. You've had a shitty week and it's time you let go. Besides, you'll look hot. The boys won't be able to take their eyes off you! Including... Draco.« she whistles with a devilish grin.

I shake my head and trying not to be tempted. »Pans, I'm serious. That's way too daring. I can't. Especially, why are we talking about Draco? God...«

»Yes, you can.« Pansy is not swayed by my resistance.

She goes to my wardrobe, hangs the dress demonstratively on the handle outside and crosses her arms in front of her chest. »And you will wear it. Whether you like it or not. Trust me, you won't regret it later. Plus, everyone who has eyes in his head can clearly see that Draco has a thing for you.«

I give the dress an annoyed look. »Pansy...«

»Don't you ‚pansy' me,« she interrupts me and sits down on the bed, her arms still crossed.

»You will put this on and today we have the best time of our lives. You will dance, laugh, drink - and at the end of the evening you will thank me. I know you need this, Sarah. Trust me.«

I take one last, skeptical look at the dress.

It seems almost ridiculous that a piece of fabric triggers such fear in me. Pansy grins as if she had already won and somewhere deep inside me I know she might actually have that.

»Okay, but if I feel totally ridiculous, I'll change my clothes.«

Pansy nods in satisfaction and taps my arm. »You won't, but Deal.«

I sigh deeply and swing my legs off the bed, sit up and stretch myself briefly before getting up. »I'm going over to Harry now,« I say casually, glancing at Pansy, who is still grinning at the dress. »I have to tell him I'm going to the party tonight.«

Pansy just nods and waves her hand at me. »Do it. And don't worry, when you come back, we'll set you up perfectly for tonight. I'll make sure you look dazzling."

I can only shake my head and hide a small smile before I set off. The corridors of Hogwarts are busy as always, students ran criss-cross, chatting, laughing, some ran, so as not to be late for their classes, I don't have today. Thank goodness.

However, I go purposefully to the Quidditch field. Harry was mostly there or nearby when he isn't stuck in the library or at Hagrids Place.

When I finally reach the field, I see him standing near the stands. As usual, his eyes are on the Quidditch game that took place on the field.

Enzo, who is obviously preparing for the next game, is just shooting in the air and performing a few impressive maneuvers on his broom.

I stop for a moment to watch Enzo skilfully fly through the air before I turn my gaze back to Harry.

»Sarah!« calls Harry, and I can hear the slight astonishment in his voice. »Everything okay? Have you recovered from yesterday?« He asks in a soft voice.

I nod, took a step closer, and try to hide my nervousness. »Yes, everything is fine. Thank you. Uhm, do you actually know how much I love you..?«

He smiles, raises his eyebrows and only shrugs his shoulders. »Shoot it, what do you want?«

I am silent for a moment and watch as Enzo makes an elegant turn in the air.

The wind swirls his hair and he seems to be completely in his element. I hesitate. I know I have to tell Harry, but it feelskind of weird.

»Um...« I finally begin, looking at the ground while I play with my hands. »I wanted to let you know that I'm going to the party tonight... well...« I mutter with a nervous smile.

Harry looks at me with a slightly surprised look, but not yet suspicious. »A party? What kind of party?«

»Those in the Slytherin common room...« I mutter softly and look up briefly. »This time everyone is invited. So also people from other houses.«

His expression changes immediately. His forehead wrinkles, and I can see him weighing the thought. »In the Slytherin common room?« he asks slowly. »Sarah, are you sure that's a good idea?«

I sigh and roll my eyes slightly. »It's just a party, Harry. Besides... I've missed so much the last few days, I thought it would be a good change. Plus I'm rarely at parties..«

Before he can say anything back, I hear a loud laugh and turn around. Enzo just landed, his broom thrown over his shoulder, sweaty, but as always with a wide grin on his face. He pats a teammate on the shoulder as he starts walking up to us. »Yo, Potters. Family reunion?"

Harry frowns when he sees Enzo and before I can react, he says loudly, "Berkshire!" calling for him.

Enzo raises an eyebrow, his grin giving way to a curious expression as he approaches. »What's up, Potter?«

»Can you keep an eye on Sarah tonight?« Harry ask without further ado, and I immediately roll my eyes.

Of course. My big brother, the superprotector.

»I don't need a bodygua-« before I can speak, Enzo's smug laughter interrupts me.

Enzo laughs softly, pats Harry on the shoulder and looks at me with a wink.

God.

»Man, chill Potter. I'll do that. Don't worry, she certainly won't be alone.«

I shake my head and roll my eyes before turning to Harry. "Seriously now? I don't need a babysitter."

Harry's gaze softens, but he doesn't let go. »I just want to make sure you're in good hands. You know how the Slytherins can be sometimes.«

Enzo just grins and raises his eyebrows. »We're the best, you know that, Potter, don't you?.«

Harry snorts, but can't help but smile. »Sure. But take care of her anyway, okay?«

»Yeah, yeah,« I mutter, turning around, ready to go back. »I'm leaving. See you later, Harry.«

As I walk away, I hear Harry and Enzo exchange a few more words, but I don't pay any more attention.

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- Shishi🤭