At some point during the dances, your eyes spotted a familiar pinkette buried in a very Ravenclaw side of the dungeon.

Reiju was as beautiful and composed as always, but you couldn't help feeling like she was a hostage of her own housemates.

«Oi, P.» you grunted, grabbing your best friend's arm «Let's go say hi to Reiju.»

She blinked at you, then her gaze followed yours.

«Why don't we go say hi when she's not in the middle of a conversation with Diez and Basil?»

Your fingers twitched on her.

«Because Diez is always around, apparently. Isn't it suspicious?»

«Maybe they are dating.»

«Sure, I'll believe it when she tells us herself!» you blurted, releasing her and marching towards the Ravenclaw.

Perona let you go with a sigh.

You cut through the crowd of dancing teens and reached the small table where the group was gathered, then slammed a grin on your face.

«Hey guys. Hi Reiju!»

The three turned to you, immediately halting their conversation.

Drake and Hawkins clearly looked down at your small figure, but you completely ignored them, focusing on your friend instead.

«How are you doing? It's been a while since we hung out.»

Reiju graced you with her small smile.

«Hi Y/n. I've seen you back there, you're as lively as always.»

Surprisingly, Hawkins crossed his arms and nodded.

«True. And yet the dark shadow casted over you never falters.»

An irritated frown settled in your features at his words.

You could count on your fingers the times you ever spoke to Basil Hawkins, and in all those occasions he had implied there was a curse on you or something.

«Of course. You saw some kind of bad omen tonight too, yes?»

His tattooed brows furrowed slightly.

«No.» he replied, his eyes fixing on you «You are the bad omen, L/n.»

«Excuse me?!»

You wanted to punch that guy. Maybe you should have listened to Perona.

«Hawkins, Vinsmoke.»

The smooth voice put on hold your angry outburst and Trafalgar Law walked over with his usual bored expression. He didn't even look at you as he addressed his mates only.

«I need to talk to you for a moment.»

You pouted.

«We were in a middle of a conversation.»

«...which you interrupted.» Drake calmly said, eyeing you.

Your gaze flicked on his.

«I...! That's rude.»

I swear, what's wrong with these ravens?!

Reiju placed her hand on your arm, her smirk never wavering.

«I'll be right back.»

She looked at you and you read the message on her face.

She agreed on keeping an eye on Trafalgar after all, although you wondered if the pact was still on.

You watched the three Ravenclaws walking away, your arms falling along your sides.

Drake was left standing beside you alone, but he didn't seem uncomfortable, simply sipping at his drink.

«Is your House trying to keep Reiju away from us?» you suddenly asked, a bitter expression curling your mouth.

«Are you trying to turn her against her House?» he retorted, not showing any sign of irritation.

You turned to him with a grimace.

«What? Why would I do that?»

He shrugged.

«There are several reasons why a snake would use a raven. I don't really know you but I've seen you sparking disasters since our first year.»

«Exactly, Drake, we entered Hogwarts together.» you hissed «Even if we never hang out, I thought you knew I'm not that kind of snake!»

«One can never be too sure.» he replied «Vinsmoke is our prefect now and our best female candidate for the Triwizard Tournament. Even if your intentions are pure, your actions can cost her.»

Your frown deepened.

«She's my friend.»

Drake's gaze brushed over you before he let out a small sigh.

«Then don't do anything that would estrange her from her House.»

Is that what I was doing? Was our pact that big of a deal?

The music was still blasting in the hall and the stroboscopic light of the now enchanted chandelier was darting on the stone walls.

You pressed your lips together as the wizard shifted to take another glass from the table.

«I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. May I pour you a drink?»

You exhaled and leaned against the wall.

«Nah, I'm good.» you muttered, mind still deep into your thoughts.

The glass almost slipped from Drake's fingers and he jerked his head towards you so fast you dreaded it could fall off. His blue eyes were wide like you had never seen them before.

«You...»

«Hey, Y/n. Everything's fine?»

Killer approached and stood beside you, his concealed gaze scanning over Drake.

«Hum, I guess?» you replied, your baffled expression still on the ginger.

The Ravenclaw was quick in recomposing himself though, clearing his voice before talking.

«Of course, just chatting. I'll be taking my leave though, if you don't mind.»

And after a small nod, he was off.

«That guy is weird.» you murmured.

Killer hummed, then he spotted something else in the crowd and a small groan left his lips.

«What?»

You followed his gaze to the familiar redhead laughing coarsely at a group of Hufflepuff. They were a little younger than you and clearly uncomfortable in front of the huge Slytherin.

«Oh, come on.» you whined, raising your hand to catch his attention «Oi, Kid! Over here!»

He tilted his head to look in your direction, the evil grin still plastered on his face. His red hair bounced lightly at the movement, shining in the strobe light.

You had to admit he was quite impressive.

Kid's smile widened as he stopped tormenting the Hufflepuffs and headed your way.

«Yo, Killer, Y/n.»

He barely glanced at you, going straight to pour himself a drink.

«Where have you been?» you asked curiously.

«Around. Did I miss anything?»

«Not really.» you murmured, watching him gobbling down a glass of whatever the hell that blue thing was.

«Well, except that Y/n dragged the whole school in a dance competition.» Killer plainly added.

«Did she.» Kid's voice was suddenly low. He stared at his drink for a second before refilling his glass generously «Fuck, I'm starving! Where the hell's the food?»

He turned around a couple of times before spotting another table with snacks.

«Kid, wait.» you interjected, grasping his arm and pulling him back «Your eyes look weird.»

«Get off, Y/n!» he braked, shrugging you away a little too violently.

You weren't expecting such a reaction and stumbled back, but Killer immediately grabbed your shoulders and steadied you on your feet.

Kid stopped and glanced at you for a moment before snorting.

«Mind your own business!» he blurted, stomping away.

He wasn't even halfway to the table that you saw Carina waltzing around him and happily wrapping her arms around his own. He didn't shrug her off.

A very uneasy feeling dropped in your stomach.

«Is he high?» you asked Killer, your frown still glued to his back.

«Possibly.»

«Did he get high with her?»

«I guess.» Killer released your shoulders «Does it bother you?»

You scoffed, turning around to face him and moving your focus from the pair.

«She's a freaking robber! Did you forget she spent her first three years picking everybody's pockets? And I'm pretty sure she's still on it, if the occasion arises.»

«I don't think she picked his pocket.» Killer mumbled, massaging his chin.

«That's not what I meant, but she's no good, she's–»

«A little dirtblood.»

You both turned at the voice stepping in.

Ichiji was leaning against the table, his elegant black shirt unbuttoned over his chest and his eyes concealed by the usual shades.

You quirked an eyebrow.

«Excuse me?»

«I agree with you, Y/n, she's no good.» he continued «Slytherin began to fall the moment we accepted people like her in our ranks.»

Feeling Killer tensing up by your side – he was a full muggleborn and you all knew it – you clicked your tongue with a grimace.

«I can't believe you're still caught up with this racial shit, Ichiji. Get up to date, for hell's sake!»

This only caused the redhead to smirk, a predatory smile directed precisely at you.

«Relax, I'm not a purist. I'm willing to compromise.»

«Compromise?» you repeated, now confused «I have no idea what you're talking about and, frankly, I don't even wanna know.»

A loud crash echoed from the tables nearby, catching your attention.

Kid had tossed a bowl of tater tots in Niji's face and the two seemed now ready to jump at each other, while Carina and the rest of the crowd quickly backed down.

«Shit!» Killer cursed, immediately abandoning his glass on the table «I better stop that idiot.»

His hidden gaze darted from the Vinsmoke to you.

«You coming, Y/n?»

You shook your head.

«Nope, Kid made it abundantly clear that I should mind my own business. I need a bit of fresh air anyway.»

«Okay.»

After a last glance, the blonde hotfooted towards his messy best friend.

You forced yourself to peel your eyes off the scene and turned back to Ichiji.

«Aren't you going to back your brother up?»

He crossed his arms, giving you another amused smirk.

«Why would I?»

Right. Sometimes I forget that the twins are devoid of every emotion.

You pinched the bridge of your nose.

«Bye, Ichiji.»

The adrenalin rush from earlier had worn off and now the tiredness was re-claiming your body. It didn't help that, after the dance, every single conversation you had felt exhausting.

I really need some fresh air.

Heading outside the loud dungeon, you climbed up the stairs cluttered with chilling students, and reached the hallway that emerged directly in the clear night. The small backdoor was already opened, and groups of teens were hanging out here and there in the grass of the backyard.

You braced yourself, rubbing your naked arms as the cold hit you.

There was no moon but countless stars and the lanterns of the castle illuminated the night.

You swallowed deep sips of cool air, trying to tame the frustrating feeling that was curling your guts.

I should have stayed in bed.

The thought made you recall the reason you stuck around, bringing Katakuri and his warning to your mind.

Great, I didn't even think about checking on my housemates. Well, except leaving Killer alone in dealing with high Kid. Such a great prefect, Y/n!

You threw your head back and let out a long sigh, a little cloud of steam leaving your mouth and disappearing in the darkness a second after.

«Y/n?»

A tired frown etched into your features and you slowly turned to the call.

A small group of people were sitting in the grass forming a vague circle, with some bottles lying around. Most of them were from Gryffindor, but not all.

Sabo was the one who called your name. He was leaning with his back against the wall of the castle, his posture completely relaxed. Beside him there was a girl, you weren't sure about her name, but you had seen her among the Hufflepuff. Then a bunch of Gryffindors from your grade: Bartolomeo, Sanji, Nami and Zoro. Finally, Nami's older sister, whom you were fairly sure belonged to Ravenclaw.

«Hey guys.» you muttered, hands still rubbing your arms as goosebumps broke down your skin.

«Came out to catch a break?» Sabo asked.

«Something like that.»

«How on earth you don't have a sweater?!» Nami frowned, gesturing for you to come over «Here, you can have Sanji's.»

«Of course~!»

The blonde in question was already stripping off his black jacket.

Normally you wouldn't accept, but truth was you were freezing.

«Thanks.» you breathed, walking over and kneeling among the group. The grass was humid beneath your stockings.

You allowed Sanji to gently drape the jacket over your shoulders before grabbing and closing it over your chest.

«You sure you won't get cold?»

He took the lit cigarette away from his lips and patted his chest with a smile.

«Don't worry about it, little Y/n. My burning love will keep me warm.»

Surprisingly, a small chuckle made its way past your lips.

«If you say so.»

Hard to believe he's a Vinsmoke too.

Zoro rolled his eyes.

«Cut it out, you cheap Casanova.»

«What did you just call me, damn marimo?!»

«I wasn't expecting for you to stay this long.» Sabo said with a smirk, ignoring the bickering in the background.

«Katakuri told me I was supposed to, since now I'm a prefect and everything.» you sighed «Not that I did anything prefectly, down there.»

«If he wanted police duty, he could have come himself.» Nami shrugged before emptying her glass.

«Shouldn't you be careful with that?» Nojiko mused, although she didn't seem concerned in the slightest.

«Nah, you know I can take my booze.»

«Booze?»

You knew Ace and Sabo had a way to sneak some alcohol in the castle since your fourth year (you suspected Prof. Akagami had a role in the matter), but the stuff they served at their parties was always barely spiked with it, since there wasn't nearly enough to accommodate everybody. It was very rare for someone to get drunk.

«Of course.» Zoro smiled, bringing a bottle to his lips «This is the good stuff.»

«Here, troublemaker, give it a go-dabe!»

Bartolomeo leaned over and passed you a bottle.

You sniffed the content and the intense smell of alcohol sprang through your nose.

«Ugh! This seems strong.»

Sabo raised his glass with a small laugh, mirrored by the Hufflepuff girl by his side.

«What's the matter? Too much for you, Slytherin?» Nami teased.

You shot her a glare then quickly gulped down a few sips. They all cheered.

The booze burned your throat and soon you had to pull the bottle aside and cough your lungs off among general laughter.

«Don't worry.» Nojiko said, taking the bottle away from you and getting her round «It's normal if you're not used to it.»

«Not so tough tonight, huh, troublemaker?» Bartolomeo chimed, leaning with his stomach on the lawn.

«Shut up.» you grumbled.

«Where's your usual gang? Should we expect company soon?» Zoro asked.

Your mind quickly scanned through your Slytherin friends: Perona had probably found some man to flirt with by now, Reiju said she was going to be "right back" before disappearing, Kid was busy hanging out with Carina and starting fights, Killer was busy cleaning out his mess.

«I'm probably gonna be your only Slytherin here.» you smirked.

«Welcome to the club.» the Hufflepuff girl smiled «We're alone in a sea of Gryffindor, aren't we? I'm Koala by the way, I don't think we were ever officially introduced.»

«I'm Y/n.»

She giggled.

«I know.»

«Who doesn't know the little troublemaker?» Sabo chuckled.

You pouted.

«Not anymore. I intend to keep a low profile this year and soon people will forget about me.»

«Sure. Oh, I heard you met Catarina Devon tonight?»

Everybody gasped and you deadpanned at Sabo, who winked at you in return.

«What were you guys doing here?» you asked in a non-so-subtle attempt to change the subject.

Sanji inhaled from his cigarette.

«Mostly chilling,» he said «taking a break from the loud music and stuff.»

«But we can spice things up now!» Nami chimed, clapping her hands.

Nojiko glanced at her.

«What do you have in mind?»

«A simple drinking game.» the ginger happily continued «We'll take turns to ask one question to whomever we want. They get to choose whether answering or drinking.»

«What a great idea, mistress Nami-dabe!»

«Fine, but no yes-or-no questions.» you said «It would be like cheating.»

She puckered her lips but nodded.

«Deal. Ladies and gentlemen, fill up your glasses!»