''𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨, 𝙈𝙖𝙡𝙛𝙤𝙮.''
''𝗜𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄.'' Blaise spoke.
We arrived in New York, our faces close to the windows as we gazed at the tall buildings and the cars passing by, with people walking back and forth.
''Have you fulfilled your wish now, Zucchini?'' Theo asked, with a smirk and a raised brow in Blaise's direction.
''Very much so.'' He spoke, it looked like he was out of it at the moment.
I moved away from the window, moving towards the door that separated the driver's area from the lounge. Opening the door, I slipped in the area and closed the door again, sitting in the passenger's seat.
''How far from the hotel?'' I asked Stan, seeing him look up at a skyscraper.
''Reckon it's just down the road.'' He gestured towards a huge hotel that towered over some of the smaller buildings. ''Do you know what you're doing?'' Stan asked, glancing at me before looking back at the road.
''Of course I do.'' I waved him off, not completely lying.
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We arrived at the hotel, parking the bus in a hidden alleyway as we lugged our bags into the Lobby area of the bottom floor. Stan also came with us, he's going to get his own room upstairs.
''Alright, I want all of you to stick together. Don't wander.'' I demanded, pointing my index finger at them all. Only three people shook their heads while the others were sight seeing from inside the Lobby. Stan was keeping watch on them.
I walked up the front desk, feeling the lady my name as she looked at the computer. Luckily for us, a certain pureblood family was very generous to let us borrow some money from the trip, so we were able to buy the best of the best in this her hotel.
We had a penthouse with the greatest view of the city, best seen at sunrise, sunset and at night. The lady looked on her computer a little longer, I was starting to wonder what was taking so long. Looking behind me, I saw that everyone was still there, surprisingly. They usually never listen unless it's something to do with food.
I turned back to the lady when she smiled and gave me the key to our penthouse that we rented for the next few days. With a smile and nod back at the girl, I turned around to tell the rest of the group to follow. Only, they weren't there anymore.
''Bloody hell. . .'' I muttered, seeing that some of their bags were dumped on the floor while others were taken with them.
''You really don't have them under control, do you?'' I jumped at the voice behind me, about to throw some hands before the person caught my wrist and shoved himself.
''Seriously, out of everybody, you were the only one that stayed?'' I asked with a raised brow and slightly annoyed expression. Malfoy just smirked at me before dropping my wrist.
''Well, we better find them then. This is the Muggle World and they know nothing about it.''
''You talk about it like you've been here before, Malfoy.'' I replied, before dropping my bag in his arms. ''I want you to take these bags up to the room.'' The key is now being held in Malfoy's mouth as he held bags in his arms. ''I'll be up with the rest of the group after I find them.'' I waved him off, walking without another glance.
I couldn't really blame any of them, this place has almost everything anyone could ever dream of. Though, I sti don't want anything happening to any of them. Besides Parkinson, she'll be fine if she drowns or something, don't want to give my hopes up though.
Walking down a hallway, I glanced to my right, only to double back looking and poke my head around the corner. The room I was currently looking in was a Spa room, which Stan and Daphne just happened to be in. Facepalming, I walked inside and stood in-front of the two.
''Granger! Finally joined us, I see?'' Stan shouted, throwing his hands up before bending them behind his head.
''I got us a room, I'm trying to get everyone up there before we all split.'' I informed the two. Daphne shrugged and sighed before getting up and grabbing her bag from beside her chair.
''What room did you get?'' She asked.
''You'll see.''
Stan had followed behind us, carrying his own bag.
''Any idea where the others had gone to?'' I asked the two.
''Who all have you found?'' Daphne replied, answering my question with a question.
''Only you two and Malfoy, though Malfoy hadn't left the Lobby area I told you all to wait in.'' I looked around the corner, looking left and right down the hall before choosing to go left.
''Pretty sure the black bobbed girl said something about guys.'' Stan pulled from behind us, making me immediately stop walking.
''Anything specific?'' I asked with a raised brow. Stan squinted his eyes at nothing, chewing his bottom lip, trying to recall anything from a few moments ago.
''There was a paper on the front desk, a folded paper that had writing on it and pictures of the building.'' Stan started to recall. ''One if them said that they wanted to go for a swim, the tall boy with black hair and deformed look. The girl decided to follow after seeing some other guys just come from the gym.'' He shrugged.
''Stan you are brilliant!'' I praised the man, making him smile. ''Did they say anything else? About where Theo and Blaise have gone off too?''
''Nope, nothing.'' Daphne had a defeated look as she shook her head. I tried to think back to anything that could help find Blaise and Theo, only for my mind to come to a complete blank.
''Alright, well, let's head to the pool. Then we can go find Theo and Blaise.'' The other two nodded, following after me. The halls were pretty deserted, only a few people walking past every now and then. This place was very nice too, the penthouse shouldn't be half bad either.
As we continued walking, we passed by a billboard on the wall, which had lines and dots on it. It was a map of the Hotel, showing where everything was and how to get there. The locations were color coded, so that they were easier to determine for other people.
''Hold up, guys.'' I stopped Daphne and Stan, making them turn to me. ''Stan, you said that you had found a folded piece of paper in the front desk, right?''
''Yeah, that's what I said.'' He nodded as he chewed on his bottom lip.
''Did Marcus take that folded paper?'' I asked, yet again, another question.
''I believe he did.'' Stan nodded.
''Y/n, where are you going with this?'' Daphne asked.
''Knowing Marcus, he wouldn't take the folded paper. He'd give it to someone who was begging for it, because that's who he is. And who was the most eager to get here? Blaise was. That means, Blaise must have the folded piece of paper and visiting the places they put in it.'' I explained.
''Okay, that's one thing solved.'' Stan nodded.
''But how are we going to know where to go if Blaise had the folded paper?'' Daphne asked with a hand on her hip. I looked around for anything to help, until I had spotted the exact thing I was looking for on the floor.
''You two use this.'' I handed them another folded paper, exactly like the one at the front desk. ''Go to those places and see if you can find Blaise and Theo. If they aren't together then Blaise should know where Theo is.''
''Detective Granger is in the case.'' Stan joked, taking the paper and taking a few steps down the hall with it.
''Meet back at the Lobby, alright?'' I told the two.
''Yep!''
''See you!''
With a small chuckle, I continued my walk towards the pool where I was supposed to be able to find Marcus and Parkinson. Let's just hope Marcus is trying to kill Parkinson, that would be the highlight of my day.
I made it to the outside pool, where beach chairs and towels were set all around the pool. A smoothie hut was placed over at the side of the pool, where Parkinson sat on one of the stools while talking to a boy beside herself. Twirling a strand of hair around her finger.
As I looked around for Marcus, I almost got splashed by some of the water that had been thrown from the pool. I backed away just in time for it to hit the concrete in-front of me. When I looked up I saw Marcus floating in the pool as he laughed at me with a pointed finger.
''Very funny, har har.'' I mused, rolling my eyes. ''Come on, let's get to the room.'' Marcus was still laughing when he stepped out of the pool and grabbed his towel off his bag, draping it around his shoulders.
''Parkinson, come on!'' Marcus yelled to the girl, who turned around to glare at us with her usual scowl.
''Why should I listen to you?''
''Because we have to get the room.'' I retorted, standing with my arms crossed.
''I'm not taking orders from you, Granger.'' She turned back around to continue talking to the guy that she sat next to. He seemed uncomfortable anyway with talking to her, so we did him a favor.
''Marcus, if you will.'' I did a little bow in Parkinson's direction.
''My pleasure.'' He reciprocated my actions before walking up to Parkinson and throwing her over his shoulder.
''Put me down!'' She shouted, hitting Marcus' back.
''Once we get to the room he will. Follow me.'' I led the way back to the main lobby area, where Stan, Daphne, Blaise and Theo were supposed to be waiting. If Stan and Daphne even found Blaise and Theo. Let's just hope I wasn't wrong about the brochure thing.
''What does our room look like?'' Marcus questioned halfway there.
''You'll see when we get there.'' I replied, now entering the lobby.
''Just wait, she'll be here soon.'' I heard Daphne from around the corner.
''I miss Y/n.'' Theo could be heard pouting. When I turned the corner, I saw that he was leaning against Blaise as he looked depressed.
''Aw, Theo.'' Putting a hand on my chest with my bottom lip stuck out, Theo immediately jumped up and came to hug me.
''Alright, I'm better now.'' He smiled. Blaise also smiled before copying Theo's actions, just not as quickly as he did.
''Where did you to run off to?'' I asked, looking at both of them before over at Daphne.
''Theo was playing with the elevators, continuously pressing the buttons up and down floors.'' She facepalmed as Stan laughed.
''I was trying to keep up with him by the stairs.'' Blaise hugged before resting his left arm on-top of my head and leaning some of his body weight against me.
''Well, we have everyone here now. I think we do.'' I turned around a couple of times, counting them out. There was seven of us at the moment, including myself. ''Yeah, that's everyone. Alright, come on.''
''Wait.'' Parkinson stopped us, still on Marcus' shoulder. ''Where's Dracy?'' She questioned in her usual 'in love with Dracy' voice. I rolled my eyes.
''He is up in the room, chill out, Parkinson. If he dies then I'll just send you to clean it up.'' I waved off her scoff and usual scowling face, before walking into an elevator with the other six.
''Is there enough room for us all to fit in one hotel room?'' Stan asked, holding his bag along with mine.
''More then enough room, I can promise that.''
''How much further till we are able to see it?'' Marcus asked.
''This is our floor.'' I looked at the button oad and say that we were at the top floor. When the elevator door had opened, it was a hallway with one door at the end.
''Is this a joke?'' Blaise asked.
''No, I can assure you. It's not a joke.'' I patted his shoulder before walking towards the door.
''I want to see!'' Parkinson shouted.
''You can see facing backwards, quit your shouting.'' Stan retorted, rubbing his ears in annoyance. It made almost everyone laugh besides Parkinson.
When we stepped up the door it had the room number 1002 on a gold plate that was screwed to the front of it. The door itself was a dark hardwood with a golden handle, which had felt cold when I tried to turn the handle. The door didn't open when I turned the handle, so I resulted to knocking.
''Did you get us locked out of the room, Granger?'' Parkinson asked.
''Malfoy! Open the door, dammit.'' I knocked a little louder, hearing footsteps on the other side afterwards. ''Finally''
''Merlin, Granger. No need to be so abusive towards the door.'' Malfoy quipped when the door had opened. I gave him a deadpanned look before walking inside, some of the bags left by the front door.
Once the door was shut, Marcus had dropped Parkinson on the ground with a 'thud', making her groan and snarl at the boy. Marcus hadn't seen it because he was too busy looking around the room in awe, along with everyone else of the group.
''This is our room. The penthouse.'' I gestured dramatically to the large room, everyone slowly spread out to look among the large area.
''How did you afford this, Y/n?'' Daphne asked, as Stan made himself comfortable on the couch.
''Generous donation.'' I simply answered with a shrug. Daphne seemed satisfied with the answer and continued to explore.
I also went exploring, since I've only really seen the front door of our penthouse. I found myself being in the lounge, where the windows touched the ceiling and had showed the best view of the whole place. If one were to look close enough they could see the fine details on the buildings, while the cars and people below looked like ants.
A sudden presence stood next to me, but I hadn't minded it. The view was about the only thing I was focused on at the moment. It felt amazing to be somewhere that wasn't home for once, though I felt a little sad about not being home, at least Dudley wasn't here. I chuckled a little at what I had just thought.
''I moved your bags to a room upstairs.'' Malfoy spoke with his hands in his pockets as he looked out the same window I was currently looking through. He was stood tall with his chin held high, along with slow and steady breaths. A few strands of hair falling over his eyes.
''Thanks, Malfoy.'' I nodded with a small side-smile. ''That's something I never thought I'd say.'' Chuckling, I rubbed my forehead.
''What? Thanking me?''
''Exactly. You know, seeing as you usually hate the people I spend my time with.'' Shrugging, I turned to look at him, while his gaze was still set outside the window.
''You don't exactly make it easy to do so, either. Not saying that I want to be acquainted with any of them, whatsoever. You've just always accused me for everything.'' He replied, barely turning his head to side-eye me with his brows raised.
My face went pale from his reply, remembering that we have been doing that a lot lately. Rubbing the back of me neck, I sheepishly looked down towards the ground with a nervous chuckle.
''Yeah, well, they always thought. You know, since day one you've been out to get Harry. It's not exactly a mystery, and they just-'' I stopped myself before I started to rant even more, letting out a puff of air. He laughed a little at my attempt to clear our history.
''Whatever you say, Granger.'' He shook his head before turning and walking away.
Letting out a small sigh, I out my hands over my face, only to feel that it was warm. Was it warm the whole time? Did Malfoy see it? Great, now it's going to take forever to get rid of the red hue in my face. I looked back out the window, peeking between my fingers.
''Huh, looks like a storm is coming.'' I spoke out loud, catching everyone's attention.
''What? Not even our first day here and it's already storming?'' Blaise asked, coming to the window with a saddened expression. I felt bad for the boy, he'd been looking forward to this for a long while.
''How about we do something inside for the rest of the day and tomorrow we can go out and explore the hotel.'' I suggested, putting a hand on Blaise's shoulder. He smiled at me enthusiasticlly before nodding.
We all went to go sit on the couch, everyone sitting around us, including Parkinson for once. Everyone had an idea to pitch to the rest of us, some of us agreed while others didn't much fancy the idea.
Everyone stopped and some of us jumped when thunder could be heard outside the window, a sudden flash of lightening following close behind it. Theo had gripped onto my left arm while Blaise sat on my right side, staring out the window while looking a little sad.
''How about we do some Truth or Dare?'' Daphne smirked mischievously at us all.
''I'm down for that.'' I shrugged looking at everyone else.
''Doesn't sound half bad.''
''Alright, I'm in.''
''All bets that this kid will chicken out in the first dare.'' Stan placed down some money in the coffee table as he gestured towards Marcus.
''Bets that he'll chicken out in his first dare.'' Marcus now placed his money on the table, causing us to laugh.
''Well, uh, while you all are doing that. I'm going to find the kitchens and ask them for some sort of food.'' Malfoy suddenly spoke up near the front door, scratching the back of his head with his other hand by his side.
''But we have a kitchen here?'' I questioned a little silently, as Malfoy quickly opened the door and closed it. Everyone was ultimately confused, but ignored it after Daphne clapped and decided to get started on the game.
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Turns out, Stan had won the small bet and got some money from Marcus. My guess was that being the conductor of the Knight Bus, he didn't really have much to loose. Marcus sulked for a couple minutes afterwords though, he cheered up when Parkinson was given her dare.
''-kiss Malfoy when he gets back.'' Theo smugly dared the girl, crossing his arms like he just said the best thing ever. Parkinson's eyes went wide, before a small smirk appeared at the corner of her mouth.
''Alright, bet.'' She retorted.
''I bet that he'll not even notice you.'' Marcus slammed some money down on the table.
''Nope, he'll kiss back.'' Daphne slid her money in the table, a little more then Marcus had betted.
''Losers. He'll look at her weird and find an excuse to leave the situation.'' It was now my turn, as I also slammed my money in the table with my all knowing look.
''We will see.'' Daphen responded.
''In the meantime, since Malfoy still hasn't been back. Parkinson, your go.'' Blaise put out, putting his head behind his head as he leaned against the arm rest with his legs stretched out and against my thigh. Theo's head was in my lap as I ran my fingers through his hair.
''Alright, Granger.''
''That's my surname.''
''Truth or Dare.'' She asked the question that has been floating around the room for the past twenty minutes, I started to think.
''Dare.''
''Speak in a language that isn't English for the rest of the game.'' She leaned forward slightly when she spoke, as I gave her a deadpanned expression.
''Bien.''
''Well, it's your turn now, Granger.'' She smirked with crossed arms and leaned back against the couch.
''Parkinson, action ou vérité.''
''Dare.''
''Suis-moi.'' I stood up from the couch, making Theo's head hit the couch below. He groaned and sat back up with a pouted look, I only chuckled at the boy.
I took Parkinson into the kitchen and opened the freezer, where there was a bag of ice stuffed in the corner of it. Taking out the bag of ice, I set it down on the table and opened it.
''Mettez de la glace dans votre soutien-gorge.'' I smirked when her face paled slightly.
''No way. Nope.'' She waved her hands in-front of her, walking back towards the lounge. I ran ahead of her and yelled to the rest of them.
''Parkinson est un poulet!'' I shouted, causing them all to laugh and start mocking chickens at Parkinson. She huffed before saying a quick 'fine' and walking back into the kitchen.
She took some ice from the bag, and stuffed it down her shirt. I tied the bag back up before putting it back in the freezer.
''Ow. Ow. Ow.'' She murmued as she walked back to her seat on the couch. When I sat down, Theo put his head back in my lap.
Everyone was talking between each other now, the game wasn't over yet, since Parkinson still had to do the dare that Theo had given her. So I avoided speaking with every chance I could. Though, they didn't let me off that easily.
The front door opened, revealing Malfoy with slightly disheveled hair and ruffled clothes. We were all confused at his look, since he usually doesn't look like he does now. Blaise nudged Parkinson with his foot from the opposite side of her, making us all suddenly remember what she had to do.
Parkinson huffed before walking over to Malfoy, who had just now turned around and slightly jumped back when he saw Parkinson standing right there.
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𝑫𝑹𝑨𝑪𝑶 𝑴𝑨𝑳𝑭𝑶𝒀 𝑷𝑶𝑽
Parkinson was standing right there, staring into my eyes.
It was awkward.
She stood in her tip-toes before closing her eyes and leaning closer to me. Inching closer and closer. I gave her a weird look before coming up with a quick excuse.
''I'm tired, it's late.'' I glanced away from her and quickly over towards the others, seeing Granger jump from her seat and shout.
''JE GAGNE!'' I didn't know why she was speaking French, or why she had suddenly shouted and jumped from her seat - which had made Theo mad when his head hit the couch.
''The game is over now, Y/n.'' Marcus informed, seemingly slightly infuriated by something. It seemed Daphne shared the same emotions. Granger went to take the money from the corner of the table, before stuffing it in her pocket.
''Anyway, Malfoy is right. It's late and we should all be getting to bed.'' The thunder and lighting made another come back, making most jump and all of us look over towards the window. The bus driver was already asleep on the couch with his hat over his face, so he didn't do anything.
As they were all cleaning up, I quickly rushed up the stairs and into the second room in the left, which was on the left of Granger's room and the right of Flint's room. It wasn't much, just the usual hardwood floor with the bed in the middle, windows all around the room with some small accessories.
With a sigh, I plopped down on my bed and threw my wand to the other side of the room. The vile that was set in my pocket had fallen out and landed onto the mattress, causing me to pick it up and look inside of it.
It was once filled with a liquid, but now it was empty.
I opened the drawer to the nightstand and shoved the vile in the back, where nobody bothers to look. Even if they did, they wouldn't find anything useful. The curtains were closed and the lights were off, the only light source was the lightening that flashed every now and then.
Laying on my back with my head against the pillow, my left hand over my stomach and my right hand over my left, my legs crossed. I thought back to if this was really the best decision, which I knew was risky but decided to take the risk anyway.
Maybe all of this was for nothing, I mean, it's not like it was enjoyable either. I've waited two years for this moment and when it came, I found how painful, risky and time consuming it was. Maybe I shouldn't have eavesdropped two years ago. Maybe I should've stayed at the mansion and out of other people's business.
All those thoughts were swarming my mind, though out of all of them, one had stood out.
This is all for her.