Y/N shuffled uncomfortably on her feet, arms crossed as if to protect herself. Her friends had dragged her to this party, promising it would be fun.
The idea seemed almost comical now.
She hated how the thick smell of alcohol filled her nostrils, drunken classmates shooting each other flirtatious looks. Hated how close everybody was pressed together, leaving barely enough room to breathe.
"Y/N!"
Speak of the devil.
Y/F/N pushed herself out of the crowd, breaking away a kissing couple in the process. They shot her a glare as she stumbled over to Y/N, a goblet of firewhiskey clutched in one hand. Her lips were stretched into a lopsided smile as she gently nudged Y/N's arm.
"Come on Y/N! Don't be a party pooper!" She giggled, clutching her stomach. Y/N gave her an uncomfortable smile, instantly regretting coming to this party.
"Here, here." Y/F/N lifted the goblet up to Y/N's lips, prompting her to drink. "Come on, don't be a goody two shoes! Drinkkk!" She whined, slurring on the last word.
"No thank you," Y/N said as politely as she could, unsuccessfully attempting to push her friend's arm down.
Y/F/N rolled her eyes, slumping next to her against the wall. She brought the drink up to her lips - when she paused, the rim of the cup inches from her mouth.
"Isn't that Fred?"
Y/N's eyes widened at the name, scanning the room for the ginger boy. She had liked him since fourth year.
She felt a blush creep up to her cheeks as she caught a speck of ginger in the corner of her eye. She stared as he ran a hand through his hair, letting it stick up in small tufts.
Watched as Fred let out a hearty laugh, smiling at the girl in front of him.
A part of her couldn't blame him. She was beautiful. Her sleek, dark hair tied in a effortless ponytail.
But she still felt the ache in her chest as she saw the way his eyes seemed to sparkle as the girl talked.
"Give me that." She finally grunted, snatching the firewhiskey out of the hands of the girl next to her. Y/F/N raised an eyebrow as Y/N quickly downed the drink, a dull burning sensation at the back of her throat.
Yet she loved the way it drowned away all of her thoughts, and she found herself pouring herself another cup.
And another.
And another.
By the time Y/N was on her fifth drink, she was, at the least to say, quite drunk.
She stalked away from the rest of the crowd as she took a long sip of her drink. Truth be told, she still felt uncomfortable. It seemed that even the alcohol couldn't get rid of that.
Her hazy vision told her that she was sitting on a couch, the fireplace crackling peacefully in contrast to the ongoing party. She sighed to herself as she gently swirled the goblet, readying herself to take another painful sip.
"Tell me, how many drinks have you had?"
Y/N jumped, startled. A low chuckle was her response.
Fred Weasley was seated on the chair opposite her, an empty goblet discarded on the table in front of him. He grinned as her gaze met his.
Y/N gulped. "Fifth," she admitted.
His eyebrows rose as he dangled his tall legs over the arm rests. "Fifth? I'm surprised you're not a mess by now."
She shrugged, looking back down at her feet. She wondered if he had been watching her all this time.
She lifted the cup back up to her lips, when it was suddenly wrestled out of her grasp. A loud clink reverberated across the room, but was quickly concealed by the booming music.
"Don't. You'll feel ill tomorrow."
Y/N pursed her lips as Fred slumped onto the couch, casually slinging his arm over her shoulder. Discreet - but enough for her to notice.
She looked up, her Y/E/C eyes dancing as she gave him a warm smile. He gave a shy grin in response.
And she prayed that she would remember that smile forever - the way his brown eyes crinkled at the edges, his cheeks slightly red.
And though she hadn't realised at the time, the way he had looked at her. It was like she was the most important thing in the world。