𝚈/𝚗 𝙿𝙾𝚅
𝖶𝖺𝗋𝗇𝗂𝗇𝗀! 𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗂𝗇𝖼𝗅𝗎𝖽𝖾𝗌 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗎𝗌𝖾 𝗈𝖿 𝖺𝗅𝖼𝗈𝗁𝗈𝗅

☞ 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟏𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫, 𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟔

My eyes gazed at myself in the mirror as I watched the stick Hermione used in my hair open up and a perfect curl fall from its heated surface, completing the look. "What it is?" I stared in awe, having already learnt my lesson I refrained from grabbing it.

"A hair straightener! It's what muggles use to style their hair." Hermione smiled, finding my fascination with the object amusing. Here we sat, alone in Hermione's dormitory, slowly perfecting our look down to the simplest of details as we had been invited to the Ravenclaw party! Harry had asked me while Ron asked Hermione, as friends of course. Although, I have a sneaking suspicion that Ron wishes for them to be more than friends.

"Wouldn't magic be much more efficient?" I frowned looking at the object beside me. I was puzzled and confused as to why we went the more hands-on approach to styling hair which took an hour rather than spending a few seconds casting a spell to achieve the same result. Hermione laughed, explaining that although magic would be more practical, spending time meticulously fussing over every strand of hair is part of the fun and relaxation of getting ready.

"You find this relaxing?" I answered, finding myself worrying even more about this odd girl. Although I suppose some of what she said was true, Hermione and I haven't had much time together compared to previous years, these past two hours doing each other's hair have given us ample time to catch up.

"Do you not?" She replied as we both began laughing at ourselves. In admits all the laughter, Hermione walked over to her wardrobe and picked up our dresses. Hermione chose a flowing off-the-shoulder baby blue dress and handed me a satin navy blue dress that fell just above the knees. "I thought I'd keep in theme with the house, it is a Ravenclaw party after all." Hermione smiled, sticking out her hand and holding my dress for me to take.

Eagerly, I grabbed the dress, rushing into the bathroom to try it on. Once the cold, smooth fabric wrapped around my skin, I took a moment to take in my image. I could hardly believe the person looking at me in the mirror, my skin was glowing, my hair styled elegantly sexy to frame my face, and this dress. This gorgeous, delicate, immaculate dress that looked as though it was made for me. My fingers gingerly touched every inch of my body, hoping to Merlin that the mirror was not deceiving me.

Pulling me out of my trance, I heard a knock at the door. "I forgot to mention, it will be a masquerade party!" Hermione spoke from the other side of the door. "Ginny and Luna will be here soon with our masks." She added, before quickly disappearing again as quickly as she came. How interesting, in all my time in Hogwarts I've never heard of someone hosting a masquerade party! I'm not quite sure what that would entail, as I believe it's an event practised by muggles. This could be interesting.

Stepping out of the bathroom, I found myself face to face with Ginny. Hermione must've gone to answer the door, which is why she left so abruptly. Ginny squealed, pulling me into a hug. "You look absolutely stunning!" She yelled out happily, before pulling me over to Luna and Hermione. "Quick, Luna! The mask!" Ginny smiled so wide she looked as though she was about to implode.

"Ah, yes." Luna replied softly, not matching Ginny's puffskein energy at all. However, Luna was very excited for tonight as she could properly show off her house pride, but she showed it in her own way. "Here you go." She smiled, passing me my mask. It was also navy blue, like my dress, however it had been enchanted to look as though the night sky was infused into the fabric. It was perfect.

"Oh, my Merlin! Thank you!" I beamed at the girls, singing their praises. They were completely humble about it and entirely grateful that I liked it. Hermione's mask matched her dress too, with sheer butterfly wings around her eyes that would flutter now and then.

Luna was also wearing a baby blue dress, however, the fabric had a mother-of-pearl sheen and the skirt of her dress was sheer and a faint colour of pink could be seen from under her apron dress. Luna's mask matched the top of her dress, however, the mother-of-pearl sheen would swirl around the fabric, making it look like rainbow water.

Ginny's dress was a muted blue ball gown, with embroidered silver flowers climbing up her dress from the hem of her skirt up to her waist. Her mask had mimicked her skirt, however the silver flowers had white specs of light slowly flowing from their centre.

"We look extravagant." Luna smiled, looking between us fondly. We all agreed, looking at the women we've become compared to the young girls we met each other as. We had grown together both mentally and physically, this was my family, and they were my home. I couldn't be prouder of her beautiful they've become, I feel like a mother.

"We should get going." I comment, breaking up the sappy moment we shared. "Otherwise all the good food will be water by Crabbe and Goyle." I laughed as Ginny's face dropped in horror. She wasted no time pushing us all out of the dorm and practically running to the Ravenclaw common room.

After walking up an endlessly long spiral staircase we finally found ourselves at the top of the Ravenclaw tower. "To enter one must complete my riddle. Glittering points that downward thrust, sparkling spears that never rust. What are they?" The door ominously spoke, sending chills down my spine. Ginny and I looked to Luna for the answer, however the dazed girl only shrugged in response.

"The riddles change all the time, I can never keep up." She smiles going back to twisting in her spot with her hands behind her back, patiently waiting for... something. As much as I love Moon, no one can't deny that she isn't wonderfully strange.

"Icicles!" Hermione gasps, snapping her fingers as though she discovered the counter curse to the killing curse. Slowly, the door creaked open, allowing an onslaught of loud bass to flood out and attack our unprepared ears.

Ginny didn't hesitate and ran into the crowd, leaving us behind. "Well done, Hermione!" I beamed, following after Ginny. Hermione blushed slightly, thanking me but pointing out that she didn't deserve my praise for something so minor. "Nonsense!" I shook my head, "You are too humble sometimes, we'd never get in without your brains."

"Is that so?" A deep voice spoke from behind, Hermione, Luna and I turned to find Theo standing tall with a powder blue suit and mask. His eyes gazed deeply at Hermione. Hermione crossed her arms, looking angrily at the boy, preparing to yell profanities at the boy.

Realising I've yet to tell them Theo and the rest of the boys and I had finally made amends and that I am sharing a dormitory with them. "Mione." I muttered in her ear, placing a soft hand on her shoulder. "We are friends again, it's a long story, but we've all made up." I spoke. Hermione's eyes widened in shock, turning to me with utter disbelief. I nodded, silently confirming that I was not joking. I couldn't help not notice the small smile that played on her lips realising that Hermione could once again freely talk to Theo.

"Very well then." Hermione coughed, comparing herself in a moment. "How have you been, Nott?" She asked, trying to remain calm despite how nervous she felt within. Theo smiled, commenting about her unnecessary formalities which made the girl blush.

"I'm doing rather well, thank you." He smirked, before quickly greeting Luna and me. He couldn't be any more obvious, could he? "Are you ladies here alone?" He asked, looking around for any sign if we had company.

"I'm here with Neville." Luna smiled, not paying that much attention to the conversation at hand. Not because she's being rude, simply because she's too busy soaking in the atmosphere.

"I'm here with Ron." Hermione answered, rather begrudgingly. Theo's smile slipped for a moment, only for him to shake it off and smile again as he waited for me to answer. Hermione looked rather sad at his lack of reaction.

"I'm here with Harry." I hesitated with my answer, knowing that my choice of company wouldn't go down well with the group. I can feel the onslaught of mockery that I'll have to sit through tonight, mocking me for accepting Harry as my date and mockery of Harry as a person.

"Potter?" Theo's eyes furrowed, taken back by my answer. He slowly began to laugh, making Hermione and I awkwardly exchange glances with each other. "I know one boy who won't be happy about that." He smirked, shaking his head as though he was picturing something amusing.

"Who-" I began, only to be interrupted by Ginny who was carrying about a dozen or so muffins, cocktail sausages and pumpkin pasties. She yelled at us to follow her to a table so they could eat before Crabbe and Goyle realised she had stolen their food. Hermione and I were now in hysterics as we grabbed Luna and chased after the Weasley.

After stuffing our faces with the food and taking shot after shot, we found ourselves once again on the dance floor drunkenly dancing with our dates. At some point, not that I can exactly remember, Harry, Ron, Neville and Ginny's date Seamus had found us. To anyone watching, it was clear we were all ridiculously drunk and shouldn't have anymore.

Harry and I danced together, swinging each other around, leaning on each other for support and bouncing off each other's energy. Each subtle touch seemed electrifying, my face burned the closer we got. I knew he felt the same way, he was gripping my waist, pulling me closer so I could feel his-

However, our fun was soon over when Harry abruptly stopped. "I-" he began as I frantically asked what was wrong. "I- I'm going to spew!" He cries, before running through the crowd and up the stairs leading to, what I'm assuming are, the Ravenclaw dormitories. A moment later, I noticed Ginny running after him, yelling after him asking if he was alright. Strange.

I shrugged off what happened, too drunk to care. I called out to Hermione who was dancing with Ron beside me, letting them know I was heading up for refills. The pair clumsily passed me their empty pint glasses and yelled out their requests.

At the bar, it was pretty crowded, however, I was lucky enough to fight my way through the group and push myself up against the bar. "Two pints of cider and a... gin and tonic please." I smiled at the upper Ravenclaw student who was our bartender for this evening. He nodded and got to work.

"Well well well, look who's here!" A hand wrapped around my shoulders, pulling me into them. Looking up, I saw Blaise smirking down at me with Theo at his side. "Blaise!" I slurred, smiling brightly at the two men. "You look beautiful!" I gasped, my fingers tracing his mask, which was forest green with golden embroidery depicting.

Blaise chuckled, taking my hand away and putting it down by my side. "Thank you very drunk Snape." Then the bartender returned, passing me my drinks. As I struggled to pick them up, tipping one of the drinks down my chest.

"Woah now!" Theo sighed, taking the drinks away from me. "Don't you think you've had enough?" He asked, his eyebrows furrowed with concern. I frowned, trying to push him away so I could teach the drinks he was now guarding.

"They aren't just for me! It's for 'Mione and Ron!" I whined, kicking him in the shin hoping to make him move, with no success. He pointed out that we all had enough and that Hermione and Ron had disappeared, he even threw in a comment about her Gryffindors can't hold their alcohol. I sloppily turned around and struggled to see through the blurriness of my eyes. Theo was right, they were gone. So was Luna, Dean and Seamus. Strange.

"Fine." I gave in, upset that my friends had left me. I threw myself into Theo's chest, sobbing my heart out. "Why did they leave me!" I cried, feeling his body stiffen. "Is it because I'm Slytherin? Am I evil?" I cried more, ignoring the boys as they tried to comfort me.

"Y/n I think we should-" A high-pitched scream erupted from outside the common room. Cho Chang came running in as the music screeched to a halt. She was pale and shaking to the bone as more screams followed her.

"Death eaters! Here!" She screamed once more, causing the room to explode with panic. A shiver shot down my spine as I felt my body regain control and full consciousness as though a drop of alcohol never touched my lips. I could feel the gears turn in my head as I planned out my next course of action.

I summoned my wand into my hand from the sheath on my thigh and began running towards the door. "Don't." A firm voice spoke from behind as two firm hands held my arms. I looked back and found Blaise and Theo, looking as serious as the Minister did that day...

"I have to! It's Death Eaters! I need to protect people!" I yelled, struggling to escape their grasp as more people yelled. "Where's Mattheo? What if they are here for him?" I yelled even more, finally pulling my wrist from their fingers. "I have to find him!" I yelled, running against the crowd towards danger, ignoring the cries of Blaise and Theo, begging me to stay.

As I finally cleared the chaos, I found myself face to face with silver-masked figures dressed in black and members of the order. I spot Harry struggling against a larger man in a duel. "Petrificus Totalus!" I yelled as my targets instantly stiffened and fell to the floor petrified. I immediately pulled Harry into a hug, checking for major injuries.

"I'm fine, Y/n. Thank you." Harry smiled, hoping to end my obsessive checks. I sighed, taking his word, I quickly glanced around, noticing all my friends and some other students were fighting. I then realised how stupid I had been, there's a possibility they were here for Mattheo, but what was more likely was that they were here for the boy beside me.

"Harry you have to go!" I yelled, pushing him away from the fight. "They are here for you, if they take you, we will lose the whole war!" I yelled before he could protest the idea. "They want to kill you, and without you, we can't kill him. So go! Think of your parents!" I yelled once more as Harry finally gave in and began to run.

I glanced around once more, locking eyes with Blaise and Theo, their eyes filled with tears. My heart shattered as they ran up to me, trying to hold me back. "Don't. I'm sorry but I have no choice. This is my job, this is the role I play, and this is the path I chose in this war. I must protect my family."

I then ran straight into battle, locking eyes with Bellatrix Lestrange.