into the serpent's den

                                    

                                          
As we stood with our drinks in hand, suddenly the full force of the party hit us. The room was a blur of movement and color, the enchanted ceiling casting an incredible dark green glow over everything. The air was thick with the scent of smoke and the rhythmic thump of the bass, making it feel like the very stones of the castle were pulsing with life.
Avery and I made our way through the crowd, the music vibrating through our bodies with every step. Students were everywhere, some dancing wildly, others lounging on sofas, talking and laughing. A haze of smoke hung in the air, adding to the surreal touch of the night. It felt like stepping into another world, one where the usual rules of hogwarts didn't apply.
"Look at this place," Avery shouted over the music, her eyes wide with awe. "It's incredible!"
I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation. It was hard not to be swept up in the energy of the room. The green lights danced across the walls, casting long, shifting shadows that made everything seem a little more dangerous, a little more thrilling.
We passed a group of students huddled together, their laughter loud and uninhibited. The smell of weed hung in the air around them. One of the boys looked up, his eyes glassy but friendly, and offered us a small pipe. Avery took it with a grin, taking a hit before passing it to me. I hesitated for a moment, then shook my head, smiling politely.
"No thanks," I said, holding up my cup. "I'll stick with this."
Avery laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief like they usually do. "More for me, then," she said, taking another hit before handing the pipe back to the boy with her grin slowly growing over her whole face.
We continued to explore, drawn deeper into the heart of the party. Everywhere we looked, there was something to catch our attention: couples dancing way too close, their bodies moving in sync with the music; a group of students playing a game of beer pong; others huddled around a big table, engaged in some sort of drinking game with dark glowy cards.
"This is wild," Avery said, her eyes shining. "I can't believe we're actually here."
"Me neither," I admitted, taking another sip of my drink. The alcohol was starting to work its magic, loosening my inhibitions and making everything seem a little brighter, a little more exciting.
We found a spot near the back of the room where we could watch the scene unfold. It was fascinating, seeing our classmates in this new light, free from the responsibilities of classes. Sure, I've been to other parties already but this was a completely different experience. It was easy to forget about the outside world, to get lost in the music and the lights and the feeling of being part of something extraordinary - just for the night.
𓆩.𓆪 
In this moment the crowd shifted and I saw him. William Carter. A tall gryffindor boy with a shock of dark hair and piercing blue eyes that once made my heart flutter. Now, they only brought a wave of unpleasant memories. He hadn't changed much over the summer, still wearing that smug, arrogant expression that made my skin crawl.
Avery noticed my sudden tension instantly and followed my gaze. "Oh no, is that—?"
"Yes," I interrupted, swallowing hard. "It's him."
William and I had a history I wished I could erase. We had been a thing last year and for a while, it had been perfect - or so I thought. He had been charming and sweet until he discovered I was a half-blood. His demeanor changed overnight, his interest turning into disdain. He told me I wasn't worthy of his bloodline, breaking things off in the cruelest way possible. The scandal had been hushed, but the pain lingered.
"Ignore him," Avery whispered, squeezing my hand. "He's not worth it."
I nodded, trying to steady my breathing. But just as I was about to turn away, William's eyes locked onto mine. A slow, malicious smile spread across his face as he started making his way toward us. Panic surged through me and without thinking, I grabbed Avery's hand tighter.
"Let's go," I whispered urgently, pulling her into the mid of dancing students. We weaved through the masses, the music and bodies becoming a blur around us as I tried to escape his approaching figure.
My thoughts spiraled, circling around William and everything we had shared. The way he had made me feel special, only to discard me when he found out I wasn't a pure-blood. The summer had been long and painful, filled with attempts to forget him, to move on. But seeing him now, I realized that I hadn't healed at all. The hurt was still raw, the betrayal still fresh.
Why had I trusted him? How could I have been so foolish?
My eyes began to fill with tears, the emotions threatening to spill over. I needed to regain control, to shove the memories and pain back where they belonged. Desperation clawed at me, and as we passed a table laden with drinks, I grabbed a pre-filled cup and downed it in one go. The alcohol burned my throat, but I welcomed the sensation, hoping it would dull the sharp edges of my heartache.
"Cat, are you okay?" Avery's voice was filled with concern, but I couldn't bring myself to meet her gaze.
"I will be," I managed to say towards her, my voice shaky but determined. "I just need to forget about him. Let's keep moving, alright?"
We continued to push through the crowd, the party's energy swirling around us, but my mind remained fixated on the one person I desperately wanted to escape. The night, which had seemed so full of promise, now felt tainted by his presence. This whole night was a bad idea. I should've known that he also wouldn't miss out on this party. I took another deep breath and then I refused to let him ruin it completely. I had to find a way to reclaim this night.
"He must have lost us by now," I said after a while, trying to convince myself as much as her. "Let's just dance. Let's just forget."
Avery's face brightened with relief and she nodded eagerly. "Yeah, let's dance."
We found a spot in the middle of the dance floor, the beat of the music pounding in our ears, drowning out everything else. The bass thrummed through my body and I let it take over, pushing away the memories of William and the hurt he had caused.
Slowly, we started to move, our bodies swaying with the music. Avery and I had always loved dancing together, losing ourselves in the rhythm and the connection we built up. Tonight would be no different. I let my hands roam over my body, feeling the fabric of my dress under my fingertips, grounding myself in the present moment. Avery mirrored my movements automatically.
As the beat intensified, so did our dance. We moved together, our bodies a seamless blend of motion and energy. We danced sexy and confident, letting the music guide us, letting the world around us fade into the background. The green lights cast a hazy glow over us, adding to the surreal atmosphere.
We were hot, and we knew it. Our dance surely became a mesmerizing spectacle, but we were too wrapped up in our own world to notice or care. It was just the two of us, finally reclaiming the night, pushing away the shadows of the past. The alcohol buzzed in my veins, the music pounded in my head, and for the first time that evening, I felt a genuine smile forming on my lips.
Avery laughed, her joy infectious and I couldn't help but laugh with her. We twirled and moved, our bodies close, our hands roaming, our movements in perfect sync. It was liberating, exhilarating and for a moment all my worries melted away.
We were free, if only for this one dance and I intended to savor every second of it.