"What if I just miss one class? I'm sure it wouldn't affect my grades that badly," Y/N moaned as she trudged along the corridors.
Hermione clutched a book tightly to her chest, while Harry and Ron played rock-paper-scissors to decide who would get dibs on the sweets Hagrid had given Y/N and Harry for successfully riding Buckbeak. Y/N handed her share to Harry since she wasn't a fan of sweets.
"You are not skipping classes, Y/N," Hermione insisted with an eye roll as the group reached the History of Magic classroom.
"Mm..." Y/N hesitated, taking a step back, but Hermione promptly yanked her arm.
"Oi, stop the lovers' quarrel, we're here," Ron said as he pushed the classroom door open, revealing the students already inside.
As Y/N entered the classroom, all eyes turned toward her, seemingly expecting her arrival. She scanned the room awkwardly before her gaze settled on the teacher's desk in the corner.
"Y/N, you're late," Caspian's voice resounded as he leaned over his desk.
"Really?" Y/N retorted with a heavy dose of sarcasm. "I couldn't have guessed. Thanks for the heads-up!" She added a mock expression of surprise, complete with a hand on her forehead.
"Y/N!" Hermione's whispered admonishment barely registered as a nudge in Y/N's side.
Caspian's patience wore thin. "Take your seat," he instructed firmly, growing weary of his daughter's attitude.
Y/N continued to fixate on him as she walked past fellow students who observed the tense standoff between father and daughter. Her unwavering gaze stayed on Caspian until she settled next to Harry, with Hermione in front of her.
"As I was saying, take out your copies of A History of Magic, please," Caspian's voice continued the lesson.
"Merlin, this is boring," Y/N muttered under her breath, sneaking a glance at Harry, who stifled a chuckle.
Leaning closer to Harry, Y/N whispered, "I'd trade this class for a session with Buckbeak's talons any day."
Harry nodded in agreement as they both shared their disdain for the class. Y/N's gaze scanned the room for a distraction and landed on Hermione, who was busy taking out her book.
Unable to resist a mischievous impulse, Y/N leaned in closer to Harry and whispered, "Watch this." She reached out and playfully tugged on Hermione's hair. Hermione's head whipped around, her eyes widening in surprise. Y/N quickly adopted an innocent expression, pretending to be lost in deep thought, leaving Hermione puzzled.
Hermione frowned but turned back to her book, clearly suspecting Y/N but unable to prove anything. Y/N couldn't help but smirk triumphantly, feeling a small sense of victory in breaking the monotony of the class.
Caspian couldn't help but notice Y/N and Harry's snickering, and he decided to grab their attention by slamming his chalk against the blackboard. He wore a strained smile as he addressed them.
"Would you care to share what you find so amusing, Mr. Potter, Miss Crimson?" Caspian's voice carried a hint of irritation, and Y/N's smirk only seemed to fuel it. She leaned confidently over her desk.
"I'd be delighted to enlighten you, professor. But it appears your attention span might not be up to the task since you can't seem to keep a woman without eyeing another man's wife. Oh, wait, my mistake. Handling two things at once must be your specialty, isn't it?" Y/N retorted, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Caspian's face reddened slightly, his nostrils twitching as he tried to maintain composure. He let out a deep sigh. "Very amusing, Miss Crimson," he muttered through gritted teeth, aware that the whole class was watching the tense exchange between them, their red eyes locked in a silent battle.
"Is it ever morally defensible to end a life? If so, under what circumstances and for what reasons?" Caspian's voice resonated through the classroom, redirecting the discussion to the lesson's core theme.
Hermione eagerly raised her hand, and Caspian acknowledged her with a nod. She rose from her seat, prepared to contribute to the conversation.
"Miss Granger, your thoughts?" Caspian prompted.
"It is morally justified in cases of self-defense," Hermione replied firmly. "When one's life is threatened, and there is no alternative, it becomes a matter of survival and protection."
"Excellent," Caspian commended her. "Now, consider this: would the persecution of witches and wizards during the 15th century by Muggles be morally sound, given their fear and perceived provocation?"
Hermione's expression shifted to one of incredulity. "Absolutely not, Professor. Witch-hunting during that era was a grave injustice, driven by baseless fear and ignorance. It is indefensible."
"But as you mentioned earlier, they believed they were acting in self-defense," Caspian countered, raising an eyebrow at Hermione.
Hermione fell silent, seemingly caught off guard.
"Ten points for Gryffindor, and a deduction of ten points from Ravenclaw," Caspian declared as he adjusted his books.
"What on earth?" Y/N exclaimed, her hand shooting up.
"Yes, Miss Crimson?" Caspian inquired without turning to face her.
"Why were points awarded and deducted?" Y/N demanded, her frustration evident.
"For Miss Granger's fantastic answer. And for your disruptive behavior," Caspian responded with a blank expression, his crimson eyes meeting Y/N's with no hint of amusement.
Y/N muttered under her breath, and Caspian continued, "Form groups of three. We will hold a debate on this topic tomorrow. Class dismissed," he announced, gathering his belongings.
✴✴✴✴✴
Y/N trudged down the corridors, her face flushed and her ears turning red, a telltale sign of her irritation. Her complexion was mottled with patches of red that contrasted sharply with the rest of her skin, almost matching the fiery hue of her eyes.
Sophie couldn't help but snort with an amused smirk. "You look like you're about to explode," she observed.
"That man is insufferable," Y/N groaned, running her hand through her hair in frustration.
"He wasn't that terrible," Hermione chimed in.
"Oh, come on! He could hardly teach!" Y/N retorted sharply. "He clung desperately to those moral questions, and the class didn't even last five minutes before he dismissed us," she complained.
"Isn't that a good thing?" Aurora asked, tilting her head in curiosity.
Before Y/N could respond, she was abruptly interrupted by Blaise Zabini's voice calling out to her.
He slung his arm around her shoulder, and Y/N let out a slight grunt in response. "Oi, Crimson. You're invited to my party! First one of the year, wouldn't want to miss out on it since everyone's going!"
"Where's the party?" Y/N asked, her hand rubbing the back of her neck.
Blaise handed her a ticket. "It's all set. I've already written your name on it so the professors won't be able to barge in. We've taken over some random classroom I found in the East Tower," he explained in a hushed tone.
He then turned his attention to Aurora. "You're invited too, pretty-face," he said with a mischievous grin.
Aurora accepted the ticket with a raised eyebrow. "Tickets? Is this some sort of festival?" she chuckled.
Blaise smirked. "No festival, but my dorm can turn into a party if it's just you and me," he said with a wink and a playful tongue poke before walking away, giving Y/N's shoulder a pat as he left.
"Why didn't he invite us?" Ron's voice cracked as he looked around the group, confused and tilting his head.
"Because they're only interested in the popular crowd," Sophie explained, and Y/N carefully stashed her ticket in her pocket.
"But Harry's popular!" Ron argued.
"Yeah, but he's also an outsider. They're after the 'cool' kids," Seraphina said, her shoulders lifting in a casual shrug.
"I'm cool!" Ron protested.
Hermione couldn't help but snort. "Only to your scruffy pet rat," she remarked with an eye roll. "Y/N, you're not going, right? We have to prepare for the debate tomorrow, and I have a feeling that party won't be alcohol-free. You'd end up with a nasty hangover."
"She's in our group for the debate," Harry interjected.
Hermione furrowed her brow. "So, who should I partner up with?"
Y/N looked somewhat regretful. "I'm sorry, 'Mione. I can't—I would—but I can't. Lost a bet with these two sneaky cunts earlier today," she admitted with a guilty expression.
Hermione sighed. "Alright, I guess I'll team up with the Patil twins," she muttered to herself.
Aurora chimed in, her curiosity piqued. "You're still planning to go, right?"
Y/N nodded firmly. "Absolutely. Zabini told me they've swiped a statue and plan to give it a colorful makeover. Can't miss out on that," she said with a small chuckle.
Hermione, sounding concerned, interjected, "But you won't be drinking, will you?"
Y/N hesitated for a moment, then replied somewhat reluctantly, "Uh, no, I don't plan to."
"What's with the hesitation?" Hermione inquired, tilting her head.
"Whadd'ya mean? No hesitation here whatsoever!" Y/N feigned innocence with a nervous chuckle. Hermione scrutinized her before she sighed in defeat.
✴✴✴✴✴
Y/N donned a pair of loose-fitting pants, a tank top hidden beneath her Ravenclaw Quidditch jacket, strategically chosen to avoid any reprimands from Snape and the other teachers about her attire. As she strolled down the corridors, her hands slipped comfortably into her jacket pockets.
Her heart skipped a beat when she heard her name called. "Going somewhere?"
Turning on her heel, Y/N found Caspian approaching her. She regarded him with a blank expression. "I believe that's none of your concern," she retorted, inhaling sharply.
"Professor," she added, her tone dripping with condescension.
Caspian, undeterred, countered, "I disagree." He stood tall, hands folded, casting a commanding shadow over her.
Tension hung in the air as they locked eyes, Y/N eventually folding her arms defensively. She averted her gaze, feeling small under the weight of his imposing presence, like a timid cub in the presence of a dominant lion.
"I may be your professor, but—" Caspian began, but Y/N anticipated his words.
"—I am also your father," Y/N finished the sentence with a sneer. "Since when? When, in the last six years, have you been to my house and visited me? Because I know for damn sure that after you divorced Mom, you were gone without a trace."
Caspian's response faltered. "Look, Y/N..." he stammered, attempting to explain. "Your mom, she took you from me and I couldn't come to see you because of legal matters. I really wanted to, believe me, but—"
"I have somewhere to be," Y/N interjected, walking past him without a farewell. The encounter left a bitter taste in her mouth, and she had no intention of dwelling on it further.
She hurried along the tower's walls, the ticket inside her pocket crumpling under her clenched fists. Her body temperature rose as she began to feel uncomfortably warm, although no sweat trickled down her forehead.
A notification sounded from her phone. 'The party's starting, where are you?' Aurora messaged.
Y/N's fumbling fingers typed out a response. 'Almost there. Some random teacher spotted me.'
Y/N quickened her pace, navigating the dimly lit corridors with practiced ease. She knew she had to reach the party before it got too crowded, or her absence might be noticed.
As she approached the designated classroom, she could hear muffled music and laughter seeping through the door. The excitement in the air was palpable. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves.
Upon reaching the door, she flashed her ticket to the student guarding the entrance. The girl at the door nodded and let her in without a word. Y/N stepped inside and was immediately engulfed by the lively atmosphere.
The room was dimly lit, with colorful fairy lights hanging from the ceiling, casting a warm and inviting glow. There was a makeshift dance floor where students were already dancing to the music. The loud beats thumped in her chest, and she couldn't help but tap her foot to the rhythm.
She spotted Blaise Zabini across the room, standing by a table filled with various drinks and snacks. He waved her over, a mischievous grin on his face. Y/N weaved her way through the crowd, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
"Glad you could make it, Crimson," Blaise said as she approached. "Grab a drink, let's enjoy the night."
"Is this alcoholic?" Y/N inquired, her head slightly tilted as she accepted the red plastic cup from Pansy. The drink inside appeared to be a shimmering blend of purples and yellows, with sparkling glitters dancing within.
"Is it alcoholic?" Pansy echoed with a chuckle, her cheeks already flushed with the effects of the party, playfully circling her arm around Y/N's shoulder. "We're at a party, dear. Of course!"
"You might want to start with that; the shots here are seriously potent," Millicent Bulstrode chimed in, her voice carrying through the room. Y/N scanned the surroundings and noticed that the majority of the attendees were Slytherins, with only a smattering of Ravenclaws. Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs were notably absent.
"Hey, Y/N," a hand landed on her shoulder, causing her to turn towards the source.
"Aurora, I've been looking for you," Y/N greeted her, feeling somewhat relieved to see a familiar face in the midst of this new experience. It was, after all, her first official teenage party.
Aurora wrinkled her nose as she glanced at Y/N's cup. "Ferzle Juice? Seriously? It's alcoholic, like an alcoholic version of Butterbeer, but way worse. And the taste lingers like vomit after you've had it. I've even heard rumors they put something extra in it."
"You drink?" Y/N asked, raising an eyebrow as she contemplated taking a sip from her cup.
"Nah, not my thing," Aurora replied with a shake of her head. "I've been getting invited to these parties since second year, but I stick to my values. But I'm sure you'll be just fine," she yelled over the music, though Y/N's hesitancy didn't go unnoticed, prompting cheers from the crowd.
"Hey, everyone! Crimson's trying her first drink!" a Slytherin exclaimed, drawing even more attention to Y/N and her cup.
"Drink! Drink! Drink!" the crowd chanted, their voices rising in excitement.
Aurora flashed Y/N an amused smirk, enveloping her in a playful embrace and adding her voice to the cheers. The throng of partygoers pressed in closer around Y/N, her mouth slightly agape as she felt the collective anticipation.
"Come on, show them you're a true party animal. More friends that way," Aurora whispered encouragingly.
Y/N hesitated for a moment, biting her lip nervously. Then, with a determined look, she extended her arms, prompting the crowd to give her some space. She raised her cup to her lips and began to chug, her throat working vigorously as she gulped down the drink.
The crowd erupted in cheers, celebrating Y/N's attempt. However, as she continued to drink, her facial expressions shifted from anticipation to discomfort. The initial fruity taste quickly soured, turning bitter and unpleasant, leaving a lingering aftertaste that resembled vomit.
"That's absolutely vile," Y/N declared dramatically, her face contorted in disgust as she finally lowered the empty cup.
Aurora couldn't help but chuckle. "I did warn you," she remarked, shaking her head in amusement.
✴✴✴✴✴
The night wore on, and Y/N found herself immersed in the lively atmosphere of the party. She danced, chatted, and even tried a few more unconventional drinks, each one more colorful and glittery than the last.
Y/N found herself in the midst of a group of Slytherin girls who were subtly flirting with her. While she was generally shy around people with dominating auras, once she saw an opportunity, she couldn't resist seizing it. Soon, she had the fifth-year girls wrapped around her finger, their flirtatious behavior making her a bit uncomfortable, but she played along nonetheless.
One of the Slytherin girls, a fourth-year whose name Y/N had forgotten, drawled, "So, you can like... make fire?"
Y/N nodded and then demonstrated by conjuring an open flame in her palm, which immediately drew their attention.
"That's really cool," the Slytherin girl commented, her eyes growing darker as she leaned in closer to Y/N, who instinctively took a step back.
Y/N's face flushed, and she wore a breathy expression as she stuttered, "Woah," feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sudden closeness.
"What's up? I don't bite," the Slytherin girl purred, her voice dripping with flirtation, and Y/N responded with a wry smile.
Y/N, feeling a bit uncomfortable, glanced around nervously. Suddenly, she felt someone take her hand and guide it to something, causing her to jump slightly. It was Aurora, Y/N's hand wrapped around her waist.
"Hey," Aurora whispered to Y/N, looking up at her. "Is she bothering you?" Her voice was hushed, meant only for their ears.
Y/N nodded in response, and Aurora gave the Slytherin girl a scrutinizing look. She ran her hand teasingly across Y/N's chest, causing Y/N to turn beet-red. "Can we help you?" Aurora asked with a hint of annoyance.
The Slytherin girl's mouth dropped open in surprise. "You two are dating?" she asked incredulously.
Aurora didn't miss a beat. She leaned in closer to Y/N and planted a soft, lingering kiss on her cheek, her lips grazing against Y/N's skin. It was a well-executed move that left both the Slytherin girl and Y/N wide-eyed.
"Absolutely," Aurora replied confidently, her voice sultry. "We're deeply in love, aren't we, darling?" She turned her attention to Y/N, her eyes dancing mischievously.
Y/N, caught off guard by Aurora's boldness, stammered for a moment before nodding quickly. "Y-Yes, we are," she confirmed, her cheeks still flushed.
The Slytherin girl looked taken aback and stammered an apology before hastily retreating, leaving Y/N and Aurora in a fit of laughter.
"That was quick thinking," Y/N chuckled, grateful for Aurora's intervention.
Aurora grinned. "I couldn't let her make you uncomfortable. Plus, it's always fun to mess with people's heads a bit."
Their moment together was abruptly shattered by a deafening bang that reverberated through the classroom, instantly extinguishing the vibrant lights and drowning out the music. Y/N swiftly released her grip on Aurora's waist, her eyes darting around in search of the source of the disturbance.
It was Snape.
"Run! A professor's here!" someone yelled, panic spreading like wildfire.
"Quiet! No one is allowed to—" Snape's commanding voice thundered, but his words were drowned out as students surged past him, fleeing the room in a chaotic rush, like a stampede of startled animals.
Aurora urgently grasped Y/N's hands. "Let's get out of here," she urged, and together, they joined the fleeing crowd, their hearts racing with a mix of fear and adrenaline.
TO BE CONTINUED...
A/N : guys when i publish the next chapter plz dont kill and hunt me down its all part of the plot 😇😇