A star so bright Part 5
Link to Part 4: https://www.tumblr.com/cassiewolfstar/706700393897508864/a-star-so-bright-part-4?source=share
The party was in full swing. People were already getting drunk and dancing to the loud music blasting from the invisible speakers. A small group were sitting on the couches which were pushed further towards the wall to make room for the dance floor, playing truth or truth with Veritaserum.
Fred was standing next to the drinks table with a perfect view of the entrance. Although he knew she probably would not arrive in the next few minutes as she liked to be “fashionably late” as she called it, he could not help but wait only for her. And he knew she would come. She always did. She lived for those evenings and parties. The overbearing music so loud you could not hear your own thoughts. The deep bass vibrating through your body. The Alcohol making you loose control over your body and disconnect from reality. Ara once told him how much she enjoyed just dancing and forgetting. Closing ones eyes and only feeling the rumble of the music, no thought loud enough to overtone the music. That was the first time that she actually said something she meant. Before she always seemed bored and almost robotic when she talked. In that moment Fred did not just see the Slytherin Princess he fancied. He saw her as who she really was. With an identity and some part of her personality to call her own.
So he waited for Ara. Even if it meant missing most of the party standing in the corner like a wanker.
It took about another 40 Minutes of standing and staring at the door that Ara Black arrived with her Syltherin friends and her younger cousin Malfoy.
Fred knew firsthand that Avery and Nott were merely her friends but still when Nott leaned down to whisper in her ear and held her waist while doing so, Fred could not help himself. His feet had a will of their own, carrying him towards the Group of Slytherins.
As if she sensed his arrival Ara swiveled around to look at Freds approaching Form with creased eyebrows. Sighing loudly and crossing her arms she raised her head and avoided his eyes when he finally arrived in front of them.
“Hey, Love. What about a drink? I got your favorite, Golden Gin.” Grinning widely Fred stepped into Aras personal space making Notts Hand fall of her waist and searched her Face for some sign of recognition that she is somewhat interested.
Looking sideways at a group of dancing Hufflepuff girls seemingly no older than fourth year, Ara avoided his honey eyes that always seem to melt away her cold exterior.
“Weasley. I am sure i can find the drinks myself. Thanks.” Words seemingly nonchalant but the harsh undertone of her voice made Freds smile falter and his hands fall back to his sides from where he slowly made a move to pull the girl in.
Of course he wasn’t new to this behaviour, as Ara always seemed distant and cold after spending close to three months at her Familys home with absolutely no contact to Fred or her non Slytherin friends. It was always a hard time for Fred to get her real self to come out and show itself. And although he is used to having to work in getting her shell to crack once more for him, he feels as if something is different this timme around. Something has changed. Nott and Avery are more on guard, Malfoy seems quieter and not as annoying, even Parkinson seems to have been hushed in her usual aggravating personality.
“Ara Love, can we talk? Alone?” Fred added the as an afterthought to his request while eyeing the other Slytherin students standing around Ara as if to shield her from any oncoming harm.
Several seconds passed by before Ara caught his eyes and nodded to her friends that it was fine. One last worried glance from Nott and Avery and Ara was standing alone with Fred Weasley in the middle of the lions den.
“Tell me, Love. What happened.” Fred started his questioning without pause the second they were out of earshot.
“Nothing, Weasley. I am just not in the mood for talking.” Aras answer seemed rehearsed and bland to Fred. Not the usual answer he would get from her after three torturous months of only her dreaded family as company. Usually she would be exhausted and drained and loved Freds soft and love filled approach to her sunken in self. Now she seems annoyed and not amused by his trying to help her.
Confusion clear on his face and worry etched into his eyes, Fred searched her eyes for any hint that she wanted him to help, to make her feel better. While Ara simply rolled her eyes and sidestepped him in attempt to rejoin her friends.
Getting absoluetly plastered seemed like a good idea in that moment to the Black heiress so before joining her friends at the couches Ara grabbed two bottles of Golden Gin and made her way over to them. Golden Gin, as it is produced with magic had a certain kick to it that Ara had always enjoyed and needed especially now. Freds Honey eyes looking in hers with that kicked puppy dog look just made her want to rip her eyes out and cut her throat so she would never have to say anything causing that look ever again.
Plumping onto the velvet red couch between Nott and Avery Ara sighed and took a long swig straight out of the bottle. Nott only eyed her worriedly but didn't comment whatsoever on her behavior as did no one else out of their group. They all experienced firsthand what this summer did to all of them. Deciding their futures and ruining any chance at independence all five of them were in desperate need to forget and party this night. Avery was the one to take the second bottle out of her hands while Ara was still chugging the first bottle, now almost a quarter done. Nott finally pried the bottle from her lips gently only to take a small controlled sip and then passing it on to Malfoy. It was quiet between the group except for Parkinson whispering into Dracos ear to which he only hummed disinterestedly.
Around them the room was buzzing with conversation, dancing, laughing while playing stupid games and most of all flirting. Avery seemed to notice this first and decidedly clapped his now free hands together to get the groups attention.
“Well, I don't know about you old sour hogs, but I will not be all glum and sad this night. Lets play a game to drink even quicker and get even drunker. Hows that sound?”
It was rather unusual for Avery to be the one everyone listens to and motivate and activate them into doing what he wants. But just this once everyone agreed and did what he suggested. Play drinking games to get pissed off their asses and forget all their troubles.
















