8

Pansy was almost done with my hair while I am sitting nervously in the chair and she looks at me critically from all sides.

It is already 8:30 p.m. and she has persuaded me to put myself completely in her hands.

Her hair is already perfectly styled, her makeup on point, and she is wearing a tight black dress that emphasizes her figure.

She looks so wonderful.

»Almost done,« she says contentedly, letting a strand of hair fall loosely over my shoulder. »You look like a damn goddess.«

I am not so sure.

Sure, Pansy knows what she was doing, but that just isn't my thing.

The dress is still hanging unworn on the outside of my closet and I can feel the discomfort in my stomach as I just look at it.

Tight.

Backless.

Way too short.

It is definitely not something I would have ever voluntarily chosen.

»done!« Pansy exclaims proudly as she fixes the last curl with her wand.

She takes a step back to admire her work before she suddenly grabs my hands and pulls me up to my feet.

»And now you are going try on the dress,« she says as she pushes the hanger with the dress into my hand and pushes me towards the bathroom.

I take one last desperate look at Pansy, but she just grins and crosses her arms. »No turning back, Sarah. Tonight you will look really hot. Believe me, the boys will fall over.«

A quiet annoyed groan escapes me when I take the dress off the hook and reluctantly go to the bathroom.

As I change, I can't help but think how uncomfortable it all was.

So tight.

So much skin showing.

I have always felt comfortable in my usual school uniforms or loose clothes and now... I feel like I am someone else.

Why do I do that?

I think to myself as I pull the dress over my head.

Oh yes, because I decided that I want to get drunk and just forget about the evening.

I look in the mirror and had to admit that Pansy had done a lot of good work.

My long hair falling in soft curls over my shoulders the makeup was subtle but still emphasizes enough to make me... well, look attractive.

But the dress? That is a completely different story.

It is tight at my waist, backless and much shorter than I ever thought possible. The straps placing around my neck.

What the hell were I thinking? I ask myself and take a deep breath.

I won't even be able to walk in that thing normally.

Just as I were about to open the door, I hear voices from the other room.

Blaise, Draco and Theo have arrived, and I can hear their deep voices as they talk to Pansy and already compliment her.

A chill runs down my spine. Great. All the boys are already here. I lean against the bathroom door and listen briefly.

»Where are Mattheo and Enzo?« Pansy asks. »They're already at the party, Mattheo wanted to go for a smoke.« I hear Blaise's voice.

God....

I take a few deep breaths to calm down.

It's just a dress, I remember.

Just a fucking dress. You can do it.

With trembling hands, I open the door and step into the room. Immediately the conversations stop.

All three boys turn to me and I can literally feel their eyes on my skin. For a moment, time seems to stand still and I want to sink into the ground.

Blaise and Theo exchange brief glances before they both walk towards me with a grin.

»Damn. Potter.« says Blaise and whistles softly. »You look really good. I didn't know you had clothes like that.«

Theo nods in agreement. »The dress looks really good on you, Potter. I didn't think so.«

I can feel the blush shoot in my face.

"It's Pans' dress anyway—"

Even before I can answer anything, I hear Draco, who was standing behind the two, clap.

»Damn Potter,« he says with a mischievous grin, letting his gaze wander over me. »Who would have thought you could look so hot?«

I snort and roll my eyes, even though I was still nervous inside. But slowly...I like the whole thing here.

It's just Draco, I remember. He doesn't even mean it seriously.

Pansy steps next to me and grins widely as she looks at the boys. »What did I tell you? She looks stunning, doesn't she?«

»Well,« I say, pulling the hem of the dress down nervously. »I'm not so sure. But thank you, guys. I really appreciate it.«

Pansy just laughs and puts an arm around me. »Believe me, Sarah. Tonight you're going to turn everyone's head.«

I smile at her, God, how much I love Pansy.

Theo grins widely as he lets himself fall on the couch that stands in our room and leans back casually. »Hopefully not,« he says with a plays annoyed moan. »Not too pleasant to punch every guy in the face that hits on you ladies..«

Blaise laughs softly and shakes his head. »You pretend you don't enjoy it, Theo. We all know you're just looking for an excuse to beat anyone up, dude.«

Theo shrugs his shoulders with a grin. »Maybe, but it's still exhausting. Last time I almost broke my hand on some Ravenclaw bastard.«

Pansy rolled her eyes as she stops at my side. »You're all such drama queens. Just treat yourself to a relaxing evening without looking for confrontation.«

Draco, who is still staring in my direction, just grinning. »With Sarah in this outfit? Good luck. The guys will stand in line.«

I can't suppress the nervous fluttering in my stomach as I feel eyes look at me from all sides.

»It's okay, guys,« I mutter, trying to change the subject. »It's just a dress, no big deal.«

Theo raises an eyebrow. »Maybe not the dress, but you'll definitely be the big deal. You know you never style yourself like that, so of course people will look. Hopefully it will be just a few drunken compliments.«

I know the attention of this party would be on me, not because I am arrogant or self-absorbed. But because it's just a fact that everyone at the party always knows each other. And me? Seeing me at a party with such a dress is definitely new.

They have all already gotten used to Pansy's slutty outfits, plus they all know that she is already reserved for Nott.

Pansy laughs and hooked her arm in mine. »Don't worry Sarah. You'll have fun tonight. And if someone is stressing, our bodyguards here will take care of it."

I snort as I gave Blaise and Theo, not to mention Draco, a jokingly skewed look. »Oh great, that calms me down completely.«

Draco glances quickly at the clock and frowns. »Guys, it's already after 9 p.m. If we don't leave now, we're missing the start of the party.«

Pansy claps her hands and grins widely. »Well, let's go!«

She pulls me towards the door while Blaise, Theo and Draco walk behind us.

When we finally reach the common room, we hear the loud music and the murmur of many voices from afar.

The room is overcrowded, everywhere stood students from all houses talking, laughing and drinking.

Slytherin's parties are notorious, and tonight didn't seem like an exception. Everyone knows you can't miss a Slytherin party.

When I walk into the room together with the others, I feel how the eyes of almost everyone turn to us.

Especially Mattheo and Enzo, who just bent over the foosball table, almost leave their mouths open when they look at us.

Enzo almost chokes on his drink and Mattheo needs a moment to catch himself before he narrows his eyes as if he is looking at me and couldn't believe what he saw.

»Holy shit, Sarah,«Enzo finally muttered as he rubbed a hand on his neck and walked up to me with a grin. »You look... wow.«

He takes my hand and turns me slightly, like a princess. I can't help but laugh.

Mattheo gives him a short side glance, but nothing changes, his eyes resting on me for a moment longer than necessary.

His gaze has this strange mixture of amazement and challenge as if he can't decide whether to be impressed or annoyed.

I know he didn't expect this, and I love it. My bag briefly falls out of my hand, I bent down to pick it up.

And hell.

This short dress doesn't cover anything. I suddenly feel someone hit my ass hard.

AND HELL IT HURT.

I jumpe up and cried out as I look Enzo in the eyes.

»Shit, that hurt. You bastard!« I mutter before hitting him on the back of the head, holding back a laugh. Pansy is dying of laughter, Theo and Blaise are running red as they tried to hold back their laughter.

»Holy shit, what's wrong in your head, bro?" Draco laughs his ass off.

»The voices in my head won. I'm sorry.« Enzo grins.

Our friendship group had the strangest dynamics. 100%.

Don't get me wrong once again, Enzo is not a pervert or something. He is just weird as fuck.

»You're all bastards,« I laugh. Enzo smiles. »But no, honestly, you look great.«

I lift my chin slightly and smile. »Well, you see, I can also surprise you guys,« I say softly and push  myself past them when Pansy pats me on the back encouragingly.

Theo crosses his arms in front of his chest and grins widely. »Oh? Can you do that? But we also need actions, not just a daring dress. I suggest: drinking competition. Me against you.«

I laugh out loud, surprised by his challenge and just when I want to say something back, Pansy pulls out her camera. »I have to hold that!« She calls out with a grin and holds up the camera to us.

Enzo grins widely and shouted across the room: »Oh the good Potter against Nott! Drinking competition! You can't fucking miss that!«

Immediately a curious crowd gathers around us all excited about how it would end.

Even Mattheo, who usually always put on this annoyed facade, has a slight grin on his lips.

He leans casually against the wall with his arms crossed as he watches us.

Pansy stands in front of us with the camera ready to capture everything. »On three, people," she called out. »One... two... three!«

Without hesitation, I grab the glass and put it on my lips.

The alcohol burns in my throat but I didn't let myself be swayed.

Next to me Theo chugs as well, the crowd around us began to cheer loudly and cheer us on.

I drink faster, don't want to let up.

The room became louder and louder the calls of the others more and more booming. »Yo, Sarah!« I hear Enzo call while Pansy continues to film and grin. Theo keeps up well but I am determined not to admit defeat.

The crowd rages as I finally emptied my glass and put it on the table with a triumphant bang.

I breathe heavily felt the heat of the alcohol pulsating in my veins but I give Theo a wide smile.

I take a deep breath, felt the alcohol burn in my veins and my head slowly became lighter.

Around me, the crowd rages, everyone laughing and shouting, whilst Theo slams his glass on the table just a second later with a grim smile.

»Not bad, Potter,« he murmurs, his eyes sparkling defiantly. »But I still have some place in my stomach. You?«

I haven't felt this good in a long time.

My stomach is spinning slightly but I am way too stubborn to show it. »I'm far from finished, Nott,« I reply with a grin, even though I know inwardly that I might regret this decision later.

Or not might, I will regret it 100%.

The crowd around us becomes even louder when they hear that the game was probably not over yet.

Don't ask why our teachers allow it, because they don't. I can't tell what the students here did, but they somehow made sure the teachers don't notice.

Pansy chuckles as she continues filming. »This is going to be a long night,« she murmurs and gives me a look which said: Are you sure?

I feel Mattheo's gaze on me, hot and heavy, as if he was just waiting for me to embarrass myself.

His eyes rests on me when he says with a grin, »Potter, I didn't think you'd do such a show. But still too boring, sweetie.«

His words tingle on my skin, as if they are a challenge that I absolutely have to accept.

I swallow, felt how the alcohol was slowly taking over my system, but I am way too good to give in now. »Just wait, Riddle,« I reply sharply, holding his gaze.

Apart from that, the alcohol doesn't kick yet.

Next to me, Theo snorts. I lean over the edge of the table to grab the bottle to fill the glasses.

I hear a few boys muttering behind me and a few seconds later I feel two hands on the fabric of my dress. Draco pulls my dress down a little. He whispers briefly, »Careful, Potter.«

»Then go, Potter,« Theo says suddenly as he pushes another glass to me. »Let's see if you're really that steadfast.«

My fingers enclose the glass and although my stomach is shraking a little, I take it without hesitation.

Fuck it.

I have such a shitty week behind me if I don't even relax today, when then?

The calls around me, the laughter, the heat - everything mixes into a rush. I drink, laughed, and feel lighter with every moment as if everything that had been on my shoulders the last few days was finally going to fall off me.

But at the same time I know that it was dangerous here.

Letting go of that kind of control – exactly what Mattheo expects, right?

Nah, I don't care.

When I slam my glass back on the table, I see Pansy waving radiantly into the camera.  »Holy shit, Sarah!« she yells and laughs

Mattheo now had a darker grin on his lips as he leans a little further into the room and didn't let me go.

Somehow it seems like he was waiting for how long I would last before I collapse.

But I wouldn't fall. Not today.

Without thinking about it, I blow Mattheo a provocative kiss. To which he just rolls his eyes.

»I'm impressed,« Blaise finally says from the corner, raising his eyebrows appreciatively. »Maybe you're not as good of a girl as everyone thought.«

My gaze wanders from him to Mattheo, who is still watching like a predator waiting for his prey to take the wrong step.

The glass in his hand fills with alcohol. But I don't notice anything, even if I already feel inside how the alcohol took its toll.

»Well,« I reply, my voice maybe a little too loud. »Maybe there's more Slytherin in me than you bastards thought.« I grin.

The party continues to rage while I push the empty glass away and although my head becomes slightly dizzy I feel free for a moment.

So fucking free.

🐍

The music rumbles through the room, while the hustle and bustle of the drinking competition slowly subsides.

I lean back and feel the vibrations of the bass in my bones.

The party is in full swing, people are laughing, dancing and talking loudly.

Slytherins and students from other houses mingled as if the usual tensions has been forgotten for an evening.

I wipe a strand of hair off my face and slowly get up from the table.

My dress has ridden up a little, but I don't care.

The heat of the room and the stuffy air makes it hard for me to think clearly, but I need a short break.

Away from Theo who challenge me again and again, away from Mattheo's constant looks that pierce me as if he had just been waiting for me to make a mistake.

Just take a short breath I thought and began to push myself through the crowd.

Next to me, a group was ranging around Blaise and Draco who are just in a wild game of King's Cup.

Draco laughs a rare, almost honest laugh as he watches Blaise's expression after he has drawn one of the cards. »Drink Zabini, you deserve it!« He calls and toasts with him while the people around cheer.

I stop for a moment and watch as Pansy and Theo moved tightly on the dance floor.

Their bodies swiggle to the rhythm of the music while Pansy smiles at him as if no one else exists in the room.

Theo whispers something in her ear and she playfully punches him in the shoulder.

It was one of those moments where you can tell it was really serious between the two.

My gaze wanders further and finally falls back on Mattheo.

He is pressing a girl against up to the wall, kissing her. Or rather making out with her. His hands all over her.

That poor thing.

His eyes fell on me – once again.

A short smile twitches over his lips when he saw me, but it isn't friendly.

Rather... challenging. As if he knows exactly that I am trying to escape him.

I roll my eyes but my heart pounds faster in my chest. Why does he have such an effect on me? I turn away from him, I don't want to give him any satisfaction that I have noticed his gaze.

Just as I make my way towards the exit, I hear Enzo's loud voice resounding through the room. »Not so fast, hun'! Where do you think you are going? The party has just begun!«

He appears from the crowd, sweaty and with a wide grin on his face. »Come on, Potter, you can't run away.«

I take a step back before laughing.

»Leave my ass alone this time.« I say playfully. He grins wider and rolls his eyes.

»I'm not going," I add quickly, even though that's exactly what I was going to do. »I just need fresh air.«

Enzo put his arm around my shoulder and pulls me to his side. »It's okay. You can have fresh air later! Let's do something ... first.«

»What do you have in mind?« I ask, raising an eyebrow skeptically.

»Come with me,« he grins conspiratorily and led me to a corner of the room where a group of people gathered around a large, steaming cauldron.

»Punch Bowl,« he explains, filling a cup with a steaming, purple liquid.

I look into the cup as if it was a challenge. »What is this?«

Enzo shrugs his shoulders. »No one knows for sure. But I can tell you that it kicks.«

»Oh Merlin...« I mutter before I can see, Enzo has pressed the cup into my hand.

»To the brave Potter!« He calls and raises his own glass in the air.

The people around us turns to me and cheers.

There was no more going back.

With a determined look, I take a big sip.

The taste is sweet and sharp at the same time and the warmth spread immediately in my body. It is different from the alcohol before – more intense.

»Well?« Enzo asks as I lower the glass.

I scrunch my nose up. »It's... strong.«

Before I can say anything, he pulls me back to the middle of the room, where Blaise was now standing at an improvised DJ desk and turning the music louder with his magic wand.

How the fuck-DJ desk. In Hogwarts. What the fuck am I in? A dream?

The lights in the room flicker as the crowd rages and I feel the magic vibrate in the air.

»Dance with me.« Enzo grins and a smile spread on my lips.

Slowly, very slowly, the alcohol began to kick.

»Just like that, baby.« Enzo grins as he took my hand and turns me around a few times.

The alcohol slowly began to develop its full effect. The warmth spread in my body and I feel a little foggy as I move to the music.

Enzo has just gone over to Blaise to help him with the music selection and in that short time a Ravenclaw boy has sneaked up to me.

I know him vaguely from one of the other subjects but his name is forgotten to me.

»You look really great tonight,« he says, giving me a wry smile. His blonde hair falling slightly into his forehead as he approaches. »Would you mind dancing together?«

I hesitate briefly but then shrug my shoulders. »Sure, why not?« I smile.

Fuck it, I think.

And hell, the alcohol leaves me in an amazing brave mood.

A harmless dance can't hurt.

The music buzzes through the room and he carefully places his hands on my hips.

At first we only dance loosely but after a few minutes he moves closer his fingers began to wander up my back and suddenly I feel his breath on my neck.

Okay... that's a bit too much.

I am just about to say something when he leans even closer, his lips just a touch away from my face.

My heart skips a beat and a faint feeling spread in my stomach.

The alcohol makes it hard to think clearly but I know I don't want that.

I quickly withdraw and mutter, »Ah... I'm sorry but... no, that won't work.«

The Ravenclaw boy looks up in surprise. »Oh, I thought—«

Before he can finish the sentence, I hear Enzo's loud voice over the noise. »Okay, who wants to play 7 Minutes in heaven?«

A few begin to cheer and gather around a round table, in the middle of which lay an empty bottle.

The Ravenclaw boy looks relieved and quickly moves to another corner of the room.

I breathe a sire of breath and also step to the table where the others have already found themselves.

Enzo wave at me with a grin as I sat between Pansy and Draco.

»Merlin...« I murmur. »Calm down, besides, you really need to get laid anyway.« Draco grins, he is allowed to make such jokes, because I realize that he never means it seriously.

Blaise already turns the bottle, but I am way too focused on Draco, I ruffle his hair and laugh. Before everyone next to us becomes quiet and I hear them all hold their breath in shock.

Including Pansy and Draco.

»Oh...don't freak out,« Draco mutters with a grin.

My heart stop beating when I finally see what everyone else had already noticed

– the bottle pointed at me with an end. I felt my throat dry and hesitantly followed the line of the bottle.

The other end...

»Oh, by Salazar...,« I mutter inwardly as my eyes fell on Mattheo Riddle.

He is sitting at the table leaning back with his typical annoyed expression but now he seems completely silent. His jaw tightens as he recognizes the scenery.

»Ain't. No. Fucking. Way.« Mattheo's voice sounds cold and irritated. It isn't even a question or an offer – it is a clear refusal.

The laughter in the room grows louder, and suddenly a random Slytherin says from the side, »Oh, is the infamous Riddle afraid?«

They all cheer and laugh.

I look at Mattheo's face wringing with suppressed anger and for a moment I thought he was going to ram his fist in this boy's face.

But instead, he only snorts contemptuously, stands up and muttered threateningly: »Get up, Potter.«

Oh God. No.

I feel all eyes on me and although my instinct tells me to refuse, I force myself to get up.

The tension in the room is almost palpable as I slowly get up, while my heart was beating like crazy.

Shit. I'm drunk. Or tipsy.

No plan.

Anyway, I stumble slightly.

»Tch... Merlin..." I mutter as I slowly start to move.

Mattheo is already one step ahead – obviously reluctant – but too proud to get out of the situation.

»Good luck...« someone called teasingly. I already see some grins when Mattheo opens the door and waits until I walk in.

I walk into this tight closet, where there is enough space for both of us, but still too close to each other.

I lean against the wall when he comes in and the door closes. I hear the door click when someone locks it.

7 minutes.

We have to last 7 minutes.

The room is small and stuffy only dimly lit by a single flickering magic light.

I try to take a deep breath but the alcohol and the whole situation makes my head buzz.

Mattheo stands leaning loosely against the wall, his arms crossed, as if the whole thing is no more than an annoying game for him.

His look is cold and distant and it only makes me angrier.

It is as if nothing, absolutely nothing, he cares about this situation.

I feel the pressure in my chest and can't hold back anymore.

The alcohol in my blood gives me the wrong kind of courage.

He always wants to pretend that I'm just as broken as he is.

Let him prove it.

»Why don't you do anything?« My voice is sharper than I want as I look at him directly.

Shut up, Sarah. You're drunk. Stop. Stop. Don't talk to him.

Oh and how I talk to him.

»I'm supposedly just as broken inside as you, aren't I? You said you'd like to ruin me. The Innocence. So do it now!«

Mattheo raises an eyebrow, but remained calm.

He leans against the wall across from me as if he doesn't care at all. His lips curling into an unimpressed, almost amused smile.

»You're drunk, sunshine,« he says.

His voice is calm, but firm. »I know I'm a bastard, but I wouldn't fuck you when you're drunk.«

His words hit me harder than they should.

It is as if he is almost proud that he is rising above me, that he didn't even want to give me the satisfaction to show that he is exactly the monster I thought he is.

That only makes me even more angry.

It is as if I want to force him to prove that he is who he was acting to be - cruel, merciless, cold.

»Stop acting like you're better than me, Riddle!« I take a step towards him and feel the anger and alcohol drive me further forward.

»Just do it! Show me that you are exactly the heartless bastard I think you are!«

He did not move, remains calm, almost provocatively calm.

It was like he is just ignoring my every attempt to tease him. »Sarah, you know you don't want that,« he suddenly growls.

His indifference almost drives me crazy. I take another step towards him, grab his shirt and pulled him to me. That fucking bastard.

»Stop pitying me! Fuck me drunk! Make me regret it even more afterwards! Show me that you are the heartless bastard I think you are! Destroy me, damn it!"

In a single, quick movement, he turns the tables. He grabs me by the shoulders, turns me around at lightning speed and pushes me against the cold stone wall.

The air is squeezed out of my lungs and my heart racing. His breath is warm and close to my ear as he spoke quietly but threateningly. »Fuck! You don't want that, Sarah! You're not even thinking straight, are you?«

My heart racing and the anger, the confusion, the feeling of being alone, all this mixing into a poisonous knot in my chest.

Sarah, stop talking. Please.

»You think I don't want that, but... maybe that's exactly what I want,« I say almost tonelessly as if I was trying to convince myself.

It is just so much easier to give yourself up to him than to fight.

»Do you really want me to fuck you here now? In a closet? Show you that's all you're? Make you regret everything later tomorrow morning when you wake up in pain? Tell me,« he growls.

His grip becomes tighter.

I look into his eyes. I am done.

I needed another drink.

»No...« I said soundlessly.

»Good girl. Do you understand now? And apart from that—« he leans closer, his breath to my ear. "—should I ever fuck you, I'd make sure you remember it." he grins.

Mattheo finally lets go of me and takes a step back, but his gaze remains fixed on me.

»Your handsome face is so wasted on your wasted personality...«I mutter.

WHAT AM I SAYING?

He raise his eyebrows and his grin only becomes more amused.

The door flows open and Pansy stood with wide eyes in the frame.

Her eyes immediately fell on me - my hair is slightly disheveled, my cheeks glowing with alcohol and tension.

I can literally see it in her face how the thoughts are shooting through her head.

Her eyes wander from me to Mattheo, who casually leans against the wall with a slight grin on his lips.

And of course - typical Mattheo - he just shrugs his shoulders as if nothing important had happened.

As if he wants to make people talk.

Pansy's mouth twitches suspiciously and her eyebrows rise slightly as she looks at the scene in front of her.

»Oh...?« She deliberately leaves the word hanging in the air as if she wants to build up the tension a little more. »What did I interrupt?« She asks, her voice full of played innocence as she pierces me.

My heart racing and I immediately shake my head as if that could explain the situation in any way. »No, it's not what you think!« I hastily bring out, the words stumble over my lips. »Nothing happened!«

Mattheo still stands there completely unmoved, his grin only spreading further. »Whatever you say, Potter.« He shakes his head slightly, as if he is having fun of the whole situation.

He is intentionally feeding the rumors, that bastard.

I stomp past Pansy and leave Mattheo behind. My movements were already sloppy and I don't care if my dress slipped up a bit. Even though I would flash my ass.

All the people at the table grin wide.

Pigs, I don't want to know what they think I and Mattheo would have done. I take a bottle, and sit down on the couch, let the music calm me down and take a few sips.

𓆗

The music is so loud that I can feel it in my bones. Pansy and I turn in circles, our voices sound in time with the lyrics as we shout the song.

My head feels light, the alcohol rushing warm through my body and I can't help but laugh.

I haven't had so much fun in a long time.

No worries, no conflicts, just us and the music.

»This is the best night in a long time...«I scream over the loud music so that she could hear me and bumped into Pansy who dances exuberantly.

I don't know how much I drank today.

But it is getting hotter and hotter.

The room suddenly feels stuffy, my skin sticks to the tight-fitting dress and in my drunken head it seems like a brilliant idea to let some air into me.

»I'm so hot,« I groan to Pansy, who only nods to me in agreement, even half in her intoxication.

»Take off your clothes!« calles a Gryffindor boy up close.

The calls get louder and before I really realize it, other boys from the crowd began to roar and cheer at me and Pansy and a few other girls.

That was actually quite concerning, but my dumbass self doesn't give a fuck.

Their whistles and calls boom through the air and in my foggy state it all seems so incredibly funny and hilarious.

Pansy always having for a mess, raises her glass and toasts with me laughing. »Yes, Sarah! Show them! Independent, confident witch, baby!«

She almost stumble with laughter as she taps me on the back. »You rock that, babe!«

We are incredibly cringe right now and I bet everyone else would feel secondhand embarrassment right now. But damn, is it all hilarious for us.

I chuckle, grab the hem of my dress and lift it a little higher.

It feels liberating to have all this attention on me. »Come on, Sarah!« I hear Blaise, Theodore hitting him on the back of the head and telling him to shut up.

Only more whistles and cheers resound through the room.

The tingling of alcohol in my veins makes  me go even further.

A part of me knows that this was not the smartest idea, but another, much louder part shouts: What the hell? Just enjoy it!

I pull the hem a little higher, my head is buzzing and then I suddenly feel a firm grip on my hip.

Before I even know what was happening, I am literally torn off my feet and thrown over one shoulder.

I scream in surprise, my world turns for a moment and the cheering voices only got louder when I realize who was holding me.

Mattheo?

»Let me down!« I laugh half frustrated and hammer against his back.

His grip on my hips was firm, almost possessive. He doesn't react immediately, instead I just hear him sigh deeply and annoyed. »Potter, you're a real disaster,« he mutters, rolling his eyes dramatically as he carries me safely through the crowd.

I feel the slight swaying of his steps as he carries me through the crowd.

My head is buzzing with alcohol and the music, the people and the loud laughter around us feels more and more distant as if I am sliding through a fog.

I try to orient myself somehow but everything blurs before my eyes.

At some point I give up, let my arms hang limply on his shoulder and close my eyes briefly.

At the door of the crowded room, Pansy, Enzo, Draco, Blaise and Theo just gathered.

Enzo is the first to speak when he saw us, his lips curl into an amused grin. »Where do you want to go with her, mate?« He asks, tilting his head slightly, his eyes flashing curiously and amused. I blink tiredly.

Mattheo let out an annoyed snort as he looks briefly over his shoulder at me. »I'll take her to my room,« he said briefly and turns to Theodore. »Theo, you're at Pansy's today. Sarah and she are both too drunk to be left alone. I don't give a fuck, but both of them will whine tomorrow.«

Theodore raises an eyebrow and laughs softly. »Oh well, that sounds like a great plan,« he mutters, throwing Pansy an amused look at her half-lidded eyes, leaning against the wall, still swaying slightly. She grins cheekily at him.

»Why can't I sleep in Enzo, Blaise, and Draco's room?« I mutter sleepily as I try to lift my head. The attempt failed and I quickly gave up.

My tongue feels heavy as if the words were too much effort.

Mattheo stop for a moment, snorting disparagingly and slapped the back of my thighs lightly, careful to not touch anything inappropriate.

The blow wasn't hard but it sent a warm tingling through my body which makes me pause for a moment. »You? With three drunk boys in a room?« He says sarcastically and gave Blaise, Draco and Enzo a derogatory but at the same time amused look. »You'd come out limping tomorrow, Potter.«

Blaise bursts into resounding laughter and leans forward slightly as he looks at me. »Oh, that's something..« He laughs amused and winks at me. »But don't worry, I wouldn't ask you to do too much, Sarah.«

Draco smirks widely, his eyes sparkling with amusement. »Limping or not, Potter would certainly be entertaining to watch,« he adds with a grin, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

I roll my eyes even though they were only half open. »You are all such... bastards,« I mutter indistinctly, the alcohol has made my tongue heavy and I don't even know if they understood me at all.

»Well, and you're drunk,« Mattheo replies dryly as he moves again.

I feel him hold me tighter and makes his way to his room. His steps are firm and even as he moves through the corridors of the Slytherin communal accommodation.

The noise of the party gradually fading behind us and the sounds of the others become quieter as we continued.

Enzo calles after him: »Hey Mattheo, take good care of Potter. Her brother would kill me otherwise!«

»Don't worry, she's in good hands,« Mattheo replies with an ironic grin and rolls his eyes whilst holding me tighter.

I grumble softly, my thoughts blur and blur as I snuggle up to his shoulder.

Half awake, half asleep.

He is just so ... warm.

I don't know if the alcohol plays a trick on me or if I really feel his hand slide down my back for a second.

It is so fleeting, so subtle that I am not  sure if it really happened or if the alcohol played tricks on me.

My head feels heavy, my thoughts confused and confused and I can hardly distinguish what is real and what is not.

»Mattheo...?« My voice is quiet almost a whisper as I raise my head a little and try to see more clearly.

Everything feels so blurry as if I am gliding through the world wrapped in cotton wool. I want to ask something, clarify something even though I don't quite understand what I want to know.

He gives a soft »Hm?« Of himself without slowing down his step, and I can't really see him, just feel the dull vibration of his voice on his chest.

»Are you drunk...?«

His step remains even, but I can feel that he holds his breath briefly before he calmly replies , »Nah. Just tipsy.«

I close my eyes for a moment and let the words roll on my tongue before continuing to speak. »Why are you doing this?« I ask quietly, my thoughts heavy and blur. »Do you have any bad intentions? A plan to take advantage of my vulnerability right now?«

I hear him click lightly with his tongue, a mixture of amusement and annoyance. He sighs. »No, princess,« he mutters, his voice softly and almost mockingly, but there was also a touch of amusement in it that I can not quite interpret. »Not today. I want you to remember the next time I win against you.«

I blink dazed, let myself sink again against his shoulder.

His words seem to repeat themselves in my head, but I can't give them a clear meaning.

The alcohol and fatigue pull me into a cloud of fog and the sounds around me gradually fade.

Mattheo continues undeterred. The corridor stretches in front of us, while the steps become quieter.

And while I hold on to him, his words keeps penetrating my consciousness. Did he mean it seriously? Or was it just another game, another way to annoy me, to make me insecure?

When Mattheo finally put me on one of the two beds, I am more than confused.

Why did he help me?

Why did he even do that?

I can hardly think, clearly the alcohol had wrapped my head in a fog, but one thought breaks through this veil: it just didn't suit him.

While I try not to tip over directly, I see Mattheo go to his closet.

Suddenly he takes off his shirt as if it were the most normal thing in the world and changes into shorts.

My eyes widens in shock and I instinctively turn away, muttering: »You can't just change in front of me...«

My voice is weak, little more than a blur whisper, but the words were clear enough.

He stops everything for a moment. It was quiet.

But then... he starts laughing...?

For the first time, a real laugh escapes him. It is not a mocking or menacing laugh, but an honest almost amused one. That is.. strange.

I've never really hear Mattheo Riddle laugh.

I grin a little.

»Hell... did I just make you laugh?«

»Oh, shush, Potter.«

But suddenly I feel my stomach turn.

The alcohol.

On an empty stomach.

A disaster.

Without thinking about it, I jump up from the bed, sway hard and stumble towards the toilet.

I barely manage to keep my balance but somehow I found my way.

Mattheo, who saw this, follows me immediately, but sighs when he saw me over the toilet bowl. »Of course...« he mutters softly, visibly annoyed.

But he does not hesitate.

With a disgusted expression on his face, he kneels next to me and holds my hair out of my face.

I can feel his hands gently supporting the back of my head, although he is obviously not in the mood.

But the tears did not rise in my eyes with grief - it is the typical, involuntary crying that always comes when you have to vomit.

My whole body is shaking and the nausea seems endless. I can't stop wondering why he is doing this. Why is he helping me right now?

Between the choking sounds and the uncontrollable trembling, I feel his calmness next to me.

He isn't a caring person, I know that.

But there is this calmness, this cold serenity, as if he had long known what is really wrong with me.

»You should stop ruining yourself,« he finally mutters, his voice barely more than a soft whisper that disappears into the shadows of the bathroom.

His tone makes me pause and for a moment the world seems to stand still. He knows it. Somehow he knows it all.

»I can't,« was the only thing I brought out when I am sitting on the floor. Heavy breathing. Tears in my eyes.

»Potter. I can't stand you, but this bullshit here is pathetic and pitiful, even for you..«

His words hurt me so much.

The alcohol makes it so hard to think rationally.

»Leave me alone. Do you think I want to be here? Do you think I want you to feel responsible here and act like my babysitter?« I grumble angrily.

I can't control myself.

Now the tears are a mix of frustration and the disgusting feeling after vomiting.

I get up slowly, my legs trembling. I wash my face and rinse my mouth.

A breath of anger flickers in Mattheo's eyes.

»Stop being like a spoiled brat, my mouth, you don't want to be here, but in the end of the day, you fucking are,« he says angrily.

I look up at him, his eyes met mine. I am too tired to finish arguing with him. »I don't want this anymore. I just threw up. I don't know what to do and I just almost undressed in front of 30 guys.«

Mattheo looks down on me. There is no way that he hates me less now, he still hates me.

Just like I hate him.

But this one time, he decides to make this one night easier for me.

He sighs. His eyes soften.

»Go to bed, Potter. You're wasted.« he mutters, pinching his nose bridge.

I nod tiredly. I look in the mirror for a moment.

I look down at my dress, this selection was really not advantageous for that night.

Mattheo brings his hands to my shoulders and steers me back to the room, to the bed.

I sit down on the bed.

Mattheo stands there for a moment, his gaze sliding down on me. But I'm not focused enough to see where he was looking.

»Where did you get the two scars on your inner thighs?« He asks suddenly.

I look down. The dress had slipped up, but I can't get myself to be interested.

I don't think clearly, which is why the truth came out of my mouth without hesitation.

»My uncle. When Harry and I still lived there. He was angry, in a bad mood, had cut me off by mistake.« I grumble.

I don't explain to him how the knife got there at all,

I didn't want to either.

Mattheo sits next to me.

His gaze thoughtful.

I don't know what to do.

How should I react?

But one thing was clear.

The thought of me sitting together with the son of the man who killed Mom and Dad hurt so much.

Felt like betrayal.

»Mhm. The scars look really weird and disgusting. Not even you would deserve it, Potter." he mutters. He turns to me.

His hand found its way to my face as his thumb wipes away my smeared lipstick.

»Go to sleep, Potter.«

But I don't want to.

Why did the thought of going to sleep here scare me so much?

I don't know.

I have no idea.

I'm a mess.

He presses me back into the pillows and pulls the sheets over me.

»I don't want to. I want to go to the others. I want to go to Pansy...« I suddenly murmur indistinctly, a hint of panic in my voice.

I want to get out of here.

Every single feeling confused my drunken mind.

»Calm down. What's going on now?« He asks with an annoyed undertone as he looks down at me.

»I don't know... I- I want Pansy. I don't want to sleep here alone. Pansy or Harry or something... somehow...I don't know.« I mutter even more indistinctly.

I wasn't alone, obviously.

But the comfort I just need, drunk, Riddle couldn't give me.

He sighs. He is clearly not too happy with the situation himself.

He is still sitting on the edge of the bed. Before he slowly pulls me closer and leans against the bed headboard, he lifts my head slightly and places it on his lap.

He pulls out a pack of cigarettes from the drawer next to the bed. He takes one out, and lit it comfortably.

I am so shocked that I just keep my mouth shut.  Too tired to say anything.

He opens the small window next to the bed, the cold air mixes with the smoke.

»Sleep.« he says coldly. He smokes his cigarette, slowly.

I close my eyes and indeed I slowly feel myself drifting away. My head snuggled on his lap.

I never cared so less.

I'll hate everything about this situation tomorrow morning, but for now?

I'm going to sleep first.

I need it.

Just before I fell asleep, I felt something on my hair.

Finger.

Slowly combing through it.

But that was only for a millisecond before I fell into a deep sleep.

——————————-Hey guys, if you read till here, please keep going. I'm well aware that this chapter is a little bit cringe, because i actually wrote it months ago, its just the first time im translating it to the english version.

I hope you still enjoy it, and don't be too hard on me please, english is not my first language. And the next chapters are probably way better. Wayyy better.

Thank you.🙏

- Your Shishi🤭