https://pin.it/4qKuClYW4 Daphne dress
https://pin.it/7lwGo77W9 Lyra dress
(Please feel free to choose one you like if you don't like either of these)
•1.9k Words•
Lyra's POV
Actual lessons began the Monday after everyone got into the flow of classes. Fifth year was supposed to be one of the most difficult years, as it's the first year of O.W.L.S. Once the teaching actually started, classes went quicker, and we all waited anxiously for Wednesday.
Wednesday was usually a study hall day, for leisure and studying. So that was Hogsmeade trip day. There was a morning class, and after lunch we were allowed to leave. I went to Daphne's room to get ready, and we all left promptly at 1:30.
Unfortunately, shopping had to wait about an hour, because we were called to the Manor. Being called was rather unpleasant, because the Mark by bed like fire as it raised on your skin and seemed to crawl. We went to the edge of town and apparated. All six of us.
The meeting was routine, and Theo was asked to give an update on how things were getting on at school. After that we were free to leave, and we did as soon as that was said.
Once we were back in Hogsmeade Daphne and I went dress shopping, while the boys went off to get drinks and whatever else we could sneak in for the party. This gave Daphne and I plenty of time to talk about the boys, and practically everything else. I enjoyed shopping, but I always had to have help from Daphne. Her style seemed better than mine.
At the store, she chose a wine colored velvet dress, that complemented her permanent blush complexion. For myself, we chose a navy mini dress. Unlike Daphne's, which had spaghetti straps, mine was strapless with a sinch just below my left hip. We then picked out a necklace and matching earrings. We already had shoes, and all that was left was hair and makeup.
We met with the boys for dinner at the Hog's Head, and headed back to the castle to finish up any homework we had left.
Two more days.
Thursday was more work, building off what we learned Tuesday and our homework. Word started getting out about our party, and hallways were actually buzzing with the news. It was going to be one of our biggest ones yet.
One more day.
Friday. The morning classes dragged on slowly, and we were assigned an essay for Transfiguration. Hardly any of our group even bothered to eat the evening feast.
Two hours left.
Daphne and I holed up to get ready. We started with hair. I plaited two small front pieces of Daphne's hair, then pulled them back and tied them with a hair elastic. Then Daphne curled my hair. We then did makeup, with mine being a little lighter in color, and Daphne's being very bold.
We both put on our heels and jewelry, then went to the common to help with putting out the finishing touches. This was mostly just setting drinks out and getting lights hung along the walls and ceiling. We left a fire in the fireplace, and put an enchantment around the hearth, so the light could only be seen once you stood on the area rug before it.
When the boys finally arrived with everything, I noticed they were all wearing essentially the same thing. Each one kept their trousers and white button downs, but that is where the similarities ended. Some of them kept their ties, just looser now, and others had taken them off. Some had their shirts buttoned to the top, while others had the top few unbuttoned. Mattheo had lost his tie and the top three buttons were unfastened.
"Took you ladies long enough to get ready," Daphne said smiling. She then shot me a look that said damnnn. I had seen her eyes immediately find Enzo when they walked in. I just nodded at her, making a mental note to talk with her about it later.
I was tasked with sitting out the cups and drinks. We decided to use different color cups for different relationship statuses, something Enzo had seen at an American party while on a task.
Purple was 'taken,' green was 'single,' and orange was 'it's complicated.' Daphne insisted we add one for people looking for a hook up, but I didn't exactly agree with that idea.
Just as I finished, Theo came over to the table and stood beside me. I could tell he wanted to say something, because his brow was furrowed just slightly and he kept shifting his feet.
"So," more shuffling. "What's your go to drink at one of these?"
"I actually like Firewhiskey and Butterbeer," I said, turning to him. His face scrunched in disgust, making me laugh. "I know, I know. I consider it an acquired taste. But I think the sweetness and the burn balance perfectly."
"So it's not for taste, it's so it goes down smoother? Coward." I just shook my head and he smirked in response. We both stood silently for a moment.
"You look good with your shirt like that. Really feeds into your whole bad boy vibe." Theo laughed.
"Thanks I guess. You look nice too. I think that blue might be your color." He poured himself a drink, and paid no attention to the 'seriously?' look I was giving him, or the slight blush I had. Finally he smiled and began to say something else, until he was as interrupted by Nott saying the people were arriving. Theo walked away, and that's when I noticed he had grabbed a purple cup.
~
The common room was completely packed about 30 minutes after the party started. Daphne and I had stayed close together, dancing and checking in the drinks once in a while.
There was an impressive mix of students, years 5-7 from all the houses, though it was mostly Slytherin, and only a few Gryffindor stragglers had made it in. Two of which were the Weasley twins, who I'd done a decent job of avoiding so far. However, I hadn't seen Theo, Enzo, and Nott since we set up. Tom ran into me once on his way upstairs with a red-haired Hufflepuff girl I'd seen only once in the Great Hall.
I wasn't a huge fan of parties. Sure it was fun to dance and drink with your friends, but with so many people around, it got all hot and sweaty, and my social battery drained too quickly. Daphne understood this, and she always made sure to keep an eye on me so I didn't leave before any games started. She said they were what makes parties memorable. I sort of disagreed, but usually I didn't have to deal with them until I'd had plenty to drink.
As I made my way over to grab another drink, I was stopped by Roger Davies. The sixth year Ravenclaw was admittedly very handsome, and I smiled politely when he said hello.
"You look nice," Roger said, clearing his throat.
"Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself Davies." He laughed lightly before turning to grab a cup, making it obvious he chose a green one.
"So how was your holiday?"
"Awfully boring. I did some traveling, but it was mostly for father's work." I tugged at my skirt as he watched me intently. Before Cedric and I were together, I'd had a massive crunch on Roger.
"Oh come on, surely you did something fun! Maybe you need to hear something to jog your memory. For example, I played quidditch with my brothers from lunch until dusk everyday I could. Now, what was something else you did?"
I thought for a moment, and realized Roger and I had gotten several steps closer. "Well, I suppose my mother and I made a garden. She wanted some colorful flowers, so we planted some lilies, daisies, roses, and a few other things just for fun." Roger nodded and took another sip of his drink.
"That's neat. It's a good hobby too. You got to spend lots of time outside, and after all your work you get nice flowers." I cringed slightly at his postcard statement, but reminded myself he was a Ravenclaw.
"Yes, I really enjoyed it. The flowers were so vibrant. Y'know the hard work for nice results could also be applied to quidditch..." That caught his attention even more. "I hear they might be naming you captain soon."
"I hope so! I've been putting in a lot of work of the holidays, and-" I stopped listening as he went on about quidditch. I really didn't care about it, but he had listened to me talk about what I liked, and I wanted to give him a chance. He was a good listener. If only Theo could listen like that.
My attention was brought back when I realized he'd asked a question. "Sorry, what was that? It's a little loud in here."
"I asked if you'd like to come back to my dorm and see my trophies and awards. We can talk about your garden more on the way." I hesitated before answering him.
"I appreciate the invite, Roger. Really, I do. But-"
"She's not going with you," a tense voice stated. I then felt an arm snake around my waist. The familiar scent of cigarettes and fresh rain filled my nostrils, and I watched Roger's face drop. I was slightly annoyed at Mattheo for interrupting, but now seeing Roger like this, I was glad he cut in.
The boy now seemed small and deflated, while Mattheo just stood there. Though I couldn't see his face, I could tell Theo was glaring daggers at him. Finally, Roger walked away, defeated, and he rejoined his friends.
I huffed a small sigh of relief and turned to Theo, meeting his eyes. His face twisted into an angry expression, making me shrink a bit.
"Were you just going to let him try and talk you into going along? Talk, Lyra dammit," he said threateningly, catching the attention of a few people around us.
"Please call down. There's a lot of eyes here," I said quietly, nodding to a couple who were staring at us. Theo just nodded and I pulled him into a smaller sitting area, with far less people. Once I was sure no one was listening, I looked at him once again and tried do think of what I wanted to say.
"I'm sorry for getting angry, but I was worried that asshole would try something. He'd been looking you up and down since he got here, and if I hadn't stepped in, I don't know what would've happened."
"Awww you were worried about me?" Theo rolled his eyes. "I know I should have done something, but I said no, obviously that wasn't going to be enough." The boy just nodded. He knew how I felt about him getting involved in situations that I think I have under control. Roger Davies had about 4 seconds until I walked as far away as I could get from him. But Mattheo apologizing was a huge step for him.
"Well you're obviously fine, but if you need anything, and I mean anything, just come get me," he said in a low voice. I just nodded, and he threw an arm around me. "Now let's go get hammered. Somebody has to get this party going." I just laughed as we walked back into the chaos.
