the start of something new

                                    

                                          
The warm hues of the setting sun cast a golden glow over my dorm room, signaling the end of the first day back at Hogwarts. I stood in front of the mirror, carefully brushing my hair, trying to calm the fluttering in my stomach. Tonight was the Slytherin common room party, a much-anticipated event that marked the beginning of the school year annually. As a Ravenclaw, it wasn't that typical for me to attend a Slytherin gathering, but Avery had convinced me to go.
"Cat, what do you think? This one or the green one?" Avery's voice broke my reverie. She held up two dresses, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Avery was my best friend, my confidante, and my partner in crime.
I turned to her, considering the options. "The black one. It makes your eyes stand out."She grinned, tossing the green dress onto her bed. "Black it is. What about you? Have you decided yet?"
I sighed, glancing at the array of clothes scattered across my bed. "I still don't know. Maybe I should just wear my usual blouse."
Avery shook her head vehemently. "No way. This is a party, Catalina! You need to dress up. Here, try this." She handed me a deep blue dress with delicate silver embroidery. "It'll look perfect on you."
I took the dress, running my fingers over the soft fabric. "Alright, I'll give it a try." I stepped behind the changing screen and slipped into the dress. It fit perfectly, hugging my curves in all the right places. When I emerged, Avery's eyes widened in approval.
"You look amazing," she said, clapping her hands together. "Now, let's do something about your hair."
As Avery worked on styling my hair, we chatted about our summers. Hers had been filled with family trips and quidditch practice, while mine had been quieter, spent mostly with my nose in a book. It was comforting to be back at hogwarts, surrounded by the familiar hustle of students.
"Are you nervous about the party?" Avery asked, her voice softer now.
"A little," I admitted. "I mean, it's not really our scene, is it? But I'm curious. I've heard so much about the Slytherin common room parties."
Avery nodded, her expression serious. "Yeah, they're legendary. But also... a bit dangerous. Remember what happened to Emma last year?"
I shivered at the memory. Emma, a sweet hufflepuff girl, had been the center of a scandal that shook the school to its core. She had been drawn in by Theodore Nott, one of the most charming and manipulative slytherins. At first, it seemed like a fairy tale: Emma, the shy hufflepuff, catching the eye of the enigmatic Theodore. But it quickly turned into a nightmare - for her.
Theodore had used her, playing with her emotions and making her believe she was special to him for a amount of time. He took advantage of her trust, and once he had gotten what he wanted, he discarded her without a second thought. The details were murky, but the fallout was clear. Emma had been left humiliated and heartbroken, her reputation in tatters. She had become the subject of cruel whispers and mocking glances. The worst part was that no one cared or dared to stand up against Theodore and the slytherins involved. They were too powerful, too untouchable.
"I remember," I said quietly, my heart still slightly aching for Emma. "It's terrible what happened to her."
Avery sighed, putting down the hairbrush and turning to face me. "That's why we need to be careful. These boys... they can be dangerous. But I promise you, we'll stick together. Nothing like that could happen to us."
I nodded, appreciating her reassurance. Despite my reservations, I had promised Avery I would finally give in and attend one of these infamous parties. She had been persistent all summer, insisting that we needed to experience it at least once before we graduated.
"Okay," I said, taking a deep breath. "We'll go, but we'll stay on the low. No unnecessary risks."Avery grinned, her earlier seriousness dissipating. "Exactly. We'll have fun, but we'll be smart about it."
As I finished getting ready, I couldn't shake the feeling of apprehension. The memory of Emma's downfall was a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked behind the glamour of the slytherin parties. I knew I had to be cautious, but part of me was also curious about the allure of it all. The mystery, the excitement. It was basically like an unknown world.
"Alright," Avery said, standing up and smoothing down her dress. "Let's go make some memories."
With a final glance in the mirror, I followed her out of our dorm, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and fear. Tonight, I would step into the territory of the slytherin boys, not only to prove that I was a good friend to Avery but also to show myself that nothing bad would happen anyway. Overcoming my prejudices. After all, there would be so many people there, what could possibly go wrong?