A few minutes before.

Despite being a Slytherin, Eustass Kid was not one of those wizards who bothered to remember whether someone was a "mudblood" or something else. He wouldn't have been able to point at his classmates and tell the half-blood apart from the muggle-born, with the exception of his close friends. Hell, he could even get confused on the pure-blood, and they always made a huge deal about their status.

Eustass was a pure-blood name, but Kid himself wasn't regarded as such, since his mother was definitely not a witch. With no other relative left of his once great family, he grew up in a muggle orphanage after the death of his parents. There he met Killer, whom he considered his family ever since.

So when Niji leaned on the table of snacks beside him with a smirk and said something like "you know, it's good that you decided to settle for a total mudblood in the end" he was just confused. At first, at least.

Niji's eyes were covered by his shades, but his cruel smirk unmistakably drifted onto Carina and the girl's grip on Kid's arm tensed for a second before she flaunted a careless smile.

«Piss off, Vinsmoke.» Kid grunted, not really moving his attention from the tater tots he recently claimed as his.

«I assure you, Niji, nobody is settling for anything here~» Carina chimed, peering at him from behind Kid.

The bluette chuckled, folding his arms over his chest.

«All I'm saying is you're just more... suitable for him.»

Carina's cheerful expression clouded.

«'More' than what?»

Niji grinned and tilted his head to hint at the adjacent wall of the dungeon, where you and Killer were talking to his brother.

Kid wasn't following the conversation, continuing to shove food into his mouth, but Carina's eyes sharpened in two thin slit of hatred.

«Why is this even your concern, Niji?» she hissed.

«You're right, in a way. She's still just a mudblood after all.»

Something in that sentence finally caught Kid's attention.

He turned his head to his housemate, chewing loudly before swallowing.

«Who?»

«...but some mudblood are more worthy than others.» Niji continued, ignoring him «I don't know why she sticks to that muggle name, but her mother's heritage is nothing to sneeze at. Plus, she's a D. This makes up for her origins.»

Kid frowned, his bloodshot eyes flicking on you before fixing on Niji.

«The fuck are you talking about, Vinsmoke?»

«Isn't it clear?»

«People's names are none of your fucking business.»

«Oh, but hers is.» the bluette licked his lips «She's going to make a fine bride for Ichiji or me. Well, with a few adjustments, of course. Can't have her as wild as she is now, can we?»

Carina jumped away from Kid just in time.

The redhead didn't even reply. He just grabbed the bowl of tater tots and hurled it right in Niji's face with all his strength.

Now.

«How many people in Slytherin have you hooked up with?»

The question caused your eyes to nearly fall off from your skull, you certainly didn't need to drink for this one.

«None! What the heck, Nami?!»

«Eeeeh, none?» she looked disappointed «Are you a virgin, Y/n?»

You felt your face heating up at first and brought the glass closer to your lips, but then you changed your mind. What the hell, you didn't need to feel ashamed for something like that!

«I've never been with anyone.» you grumbled, keeping your gaze fixed on hers «I've other things on my mind when I'm at Hogwarts, and during summer I never see people my age.»

«Little Y/n, you're so pure!» Sanji swooned joining his hands together and looking at you with hearts in his eyes.

Sabo chuckled.

«Y/n is too busy with adventure for romance. I respect it.»

«My turn!» Koala declared, pointing at Nojiko «Who's your crush?»

The girl blinked in surprise.

«Who says I have a crush?»

«You suddenly started wearing make-up, but only when you can meet people outside your class. Like tonight, or at the Duelling tournament.»

Nami turned to her sister.

«What? Really?»

«So it must be someone younger.»

Nojiko let out a small sigh.

«You're very observant, Koala.»

«Ehe. So, are you going to tell us?»

But the witch only smirked before taking a long sip from her glass.

«Aww, bummer.»

«Guess it's me then.» Sabo smiled, pointing at Sanji «You always swoon after all the girls, but have you ever actually gotten one?»

Most of the people laughed and Sanji growled at him, but eventually he just drank, which elicited even more laughter.

The game continued and alcoholic degree rose. Eventually, everybody started avoiding the question, which became more and more embarrassing.

Bartolomeo got teased for his crush on Professor Nico Robin, while somehow Nami mentioned an episode from your fourth year that you had tried to forget, when the male Quidditch lodge was attacked by gnomes while the men were in the shower and they all ran out naked. Of course you were right there, about to enter the female rooms, and saw everything. Well, except Katakuri, who stayed inside to get rid of the gnomes.

None of the guys seemed too fazed that you saw them naked (maybe Killer was a little embarrassed), but you got teased for it for months. At least until Prof. Eneru started to try and murder you, then there was a new topic to go on about.

You had hoped nobody remembered such a thing, but Nami and the other girls relentlessly asked about sizes and shapes, so you shut your eyes and gobbled down shot after shot. Soon enough, you were out of commission.

«Hum, Y/n, have you ever drunk before?» Sabo asked with his eyebrow raised once you started rolling on the freezing grass.

The question sounded hilarious for some reason, and you burst in a fit of giggles.

«Weeeell, I, hic!... My uncle sometimes lets me taste his spirits...»

A dumb grin spread on your lips and you lay in the lawn, blurred gaze attracted to the black sky.

The sight of the stars filled your guts with mystery and gave you that strange feeling of stillness and excitement.

«Little Y/n, you'll freeze this way!» Sanji gasped, hurrying by your side to adjust his jacket over you.

«Nooo, I'm not cold.» you grumbled, fiddling to wiggle away from it.

«She's out.» Zoro commented, chunking down another shot.

«She's not at all used to alcohol, is she?» Nami snickered «Slytherins sure put on lots of airs, but they don't even sneak in booze, apparently.»

«That... was dumb of me.» Sabo sighed, burying his face in his hand.

Koala turned to him.

«What do you mean?»

«Whiiiiiiiii!» you chimed, rolling over in the damp, much for Sanji's dismay. Your clothes were already wet and stained with mud.

«Isn't she the new prefect of Slytherin?» Nojiko chuckled.

«Ugh.» Sabo grimaced «This is not good, guys. We have to bring her back to her dorm before she feels sick. Or catches a cold.»

Bartolomeo frowned.

«How? It's not like we can access her dorm-dabe.»

«Yeah, that's the problem. We have to ask someone from Slytherin.»

«Shit.»

«I can think of more than one person who would skin us alive if they see her like this.» Nami commented, but despite her words she was smirking.

«Exactly.» Sabo pouted «Nothing we can do about it though.»

«I'll go.» Nojiko offered, standing up «It's better if it comes from a Ravenclaw after all, and I'm senior to most of her friends.»

«Waaah, leemme goo-ah!»

The group's attention was stolen by your sudden whine and Sanji's growl as he glared at his housemate.

«Oi, Marimo, why do you get to hold her?!»

«You're clearly too gentle for it!» Zoro grunted, his arms firmly wrapped around you after he somehow tethered the black jacket over your torso, restraining your movements. You were still squirming and grumbling but none of your efforts seemed to affect the Gryffindor, who just huffed in response.

«Can you stay still for a second?»

«No-oh! Zoro, I sw-hear, Imma enchant yourr dick...! Lemme go!»

Nami and Bartolomeo burst in laughter while Zoro scoffed, a faint blush spreading on his cheeks at your threat.

«Whatever you guys are going to do, do it fast! I don't want to be expelled for grabbing a drunk girl against her consent!»

«YES! AGAINST MY CONCERN!»

«Oh shit.» Sabo gasped, glancing around to see a number of students peering at the commotion «We better move.»

«I'm on it.» Nojiko said, heading towards the entrance.

«Wait!» Nami stopped her «Try to get Perona and Heat. You know, the quiet guy with long blue hair? They're the most likely to understand without making a fuss. If you need help, you can ask Reiju, as far as I know, she's good friend with Y/n. Whatever you do, do not let Eustass hear about this!»

Nojiko nodded and left the backyard.

Reiju slid her wand back into her lather shorts after renewing the charm that kept the colourful lights darting across the dungeons.

It was at least peculiar for Trafalgar to ask her and Hawkins for this favour. And with such a perfect timing.

After politely rejecting Gin's invite to dance, she slid through the crowd of agitating bodies and passed by a Slytherin brawl, her eyes scanning the walls until they finally landed on her two housemates, currently engaged in what seemed a very stern conversation. With a small frown curling her features, she quietly approached.

«...even if you were right about this, it doesn't mean anything.» Drake hissed, lowering his head.

«I'm afraid you're not being objective, Drake-ya.»

«I'm afraid you aren't, Trafalgar. Your accusations are pretty serious and you can't–»

He was abruptly interrupted when Law leaned to the side, his golden irises fixing on Reiju as his hand rose to halt him.

«Vinsmoke-ya.»

Drake stiffened and turned to her.

Reiju's lips tightened for a second before her usual smirk relaxed them. That Trafalgar was pretty hard to catch off guard.

«I came to tell you that I will retire for the night. Hawkins took the charm over.»

Law hummed.

«I see. Thank you for your help.»

«Are you boys alright? You look a little tense.»

«We're fine.» Drake stated, crossing his arms.

«Good.»

Reiju walked away with a last nod but before she could leave the dungeons, she caught sight of another pinkette waving her way.

«Hi Perona.» she greeted when the girl reached her.

«Hey, Reiju. Have you seen Y/n around?»

«Not since before. Why, is she in some kind of trouble?»

«I don't know.» Perona sighed «She said she was coming to you, then she disappeared.»

Reiju's eyes flicked to the ground.

«We didn't have the chance to talk, actually. I'm sorry about that, my housemates are getting wary about some people.»

«Some people? What's that supposed to mean?»

«They're probably convinced Y/n is going to be a champion for the Triwizard Tournament.»

«But she said she's not going to put her name in the Goblet!»

«Yes, that's what I told them but...»

Her words faded into a sigh and Perona grumbled in frustration.

«Hum, Gekko, Vinsmoke?»

The girls turned to see Heat approaching from the crowd with Nojiko by his side. It was hard to tell with him, but he look rather nervous, one hand never stopping to mess with his locks and his eyes continuously darting to the Ravenclaw.

«We've got a little problem.»

Meanwhile, Wire was having a hard time wrestling Kid to keep him away from an already unconscious Niji.

«He fucking started it!» Kid barked.

«Holy shit, this guy is reeeeally down.» Ace laughed, crouching to take a look at Niji's bleeding nose.

Ichiji scoffed and shrugged Cavendish's arm off before wiping away the blood from his lip.

«Let me go! I'm fine!»

Killer growled a warning, massaging his bruised knuckles.

«You guys are barbarians.» Cavendish stated, glancing at the mess «What was that for? The last tater tot?»

Ichiji's mouth twisted in a creepy smile and his tongue sneaked out to collect some droplets of blood.

«You could say that, yes.»

Killer gritted his teeth and pointed a menacing finger to his chest.

«Stay. Away.»

«For now.»

Cavendish rolled his eyes and walked away with a frown.

«All for a freaking potato! Idiots.»

«Fine, FINE!» Kid shouted, swatting Wire's grip away and leaning against the table, arms crossed.

Carina immediately appeared by his side and touched his shoulder.

«Oh my god, Kid! Are you okay?»

«What?» the redhead's eyes flicked down to her «Yeah, yeah.»

But his features were still cemented in an angry scowl and his fingers were nervously tapping against his bicep.

Wire sighed and turned to the blond approaching.

«You good?»

«Yeah, but that Vinsmoke knows how to hit.»

«Those bastards.» Kid hissed.

A moment of silence descended on the small group as they all contemplated the disaster of snacks and drinks on the floor.

Killer let out a quiet hum and was about to suggest heading to the dorm when some nearby murmurs caught his ear.

«...I'm telling you, she's just outside, barely conscious, rolling all over Gryffindors guys.»

Normally he wouldn't pay attention to such party rumours, but his stomach churned unpleasantly at that. Maybe it was the word "outside" and the fact you were supposed to be there.

As a confirmation he was not alone in this, Killer saw Kid glancing to the source.

Just a few feet away, Pudding was leaning close to her sister Smoothie to continue her dramatic whispering.

«And she even has very little clothes on herself!»

«That girl.» Smoothie clicked her tongue in disgust «She's a shame for the House. I'll never understand how they made her prefect.»

Prefect?

Killer cursed and was almost startled by the hand that immediately grabbed his wrist.

«Did they fucking say "barely conscious"?!»

«Ye–»

But Kid didn't even wait for his reply, turning to his feet and rushing towards the stairs.

«Come on!» Killer called, running behind him with Wire.

Carina watched them all storming out of the dungeon. Then she let out a long breath and sat over the battered table.

A lonely tater tot was half-splattered on the wood by her thigh. She picked it up and held it in front of her face, an eyebrow slowly rising.

«I'll never get all this fuss over a tater tot.»

«Okay, you take her if you find it that funny!»

Zoro literally threw you against Bartolomeo, who was laughing his ass off in front of his struggles to keep you still and covered. His laughter turned into a guttural yelp when you fell over him, sending you both lying in the grass with you bumping your forehead on his chest.

«Ouch! Ugh. Everything spiiiiiins!»

«Oi, oi, don't you be sick on top of me-dabe!»

«Careful, she's tossing the jacket again.» Zoro warned.

Bartolomeo sat up and straightened you on his lap before blocking your arms along your sides.

«What are you doing, you rooste-her, I'm gunna feed you to the squid!»

«She's strong! Why is she so strong? She's tiny!» Bartolomeo huffed while trying to restrain you.

«Okay, keep her, I'm going to put the jacket back on.» Sanji instructed, kneeling beside him «Oi, stupid marimo, just hold her arm for a sec.»

Zoro scoffed but eventually complied, and soon you found yourself wrestling the three of them together in a chorale of grunts and curses.

«Yeah, this looks pretty wrong.» Koala observed sitting beside Nami and Sabo, who hid his face in his hands.

The few people who came out for smoking or taking some fresh air were all peering your way now, and murmurs were already crawling around.

«Having some problems here?»

Sabo raised his head and frowned when he saw Bellamy licking his lips. Nevertheless, he gave him his careless grin and shrugged.

«All good, thanks.»

«You know, I could take her off your hands.» Bellamy smiled, hinting at you «Just leave her with me and I'll see that she reaches her dorm safely.»

Ice entered Nami's features and she stood up.

«Excuse me?»

«Bellamy.» Sabo rose as well, stepping beside the ginger with a smile.

Nami glanced at him confused when he placed a friendly hand over his shoulder, but Bellamy's expression suddenly twitched in pain as Sabo's fingers dug a little too deep.

«You're surely out of your mind if you think we'll let her alone with you for even one second.» he said cheerfully «And if I ever see you around any drunk girl, I'll kill you.»

The Hufflepuff shivered and took a step back.

«F-Fucking Gryffindor...»

«I'll see you around.»

Bellamy gritted his teeth but took the hint, quickly making his way back into the castle.

«They say Hogwarts is supposed to be the safest place for us...» Koala sighed, watching him disappearing inside.

«We'll always have to watch our back.» Nami murmured, palming her arm «Come on, let's help the guys, looks like they need it.»

«SHE BIT ME! SHE JUST BIT ME! HOLY SHIT!» Bartolomeo squeaked, retracting his arm.

This gave you a little opening and you clumsily threw yourself in the grass. You would have landed face first if Sanji hadn't grabbed you mid-air.

«Woha, careful there!»

«Like that, hold her!»

Zoro basically tackled you, straddling you against Sanji (who cursed) and trying to shove you back into the jacket.

«Noooooo! I'm hot! Dun wanna! HELP!»

«SSHHH!» Bartolomeo gasped, pressing his hand against your mouth «Please dontlickmedontbitemepleasepleaseplease! ZORO, HURRY UP!»

«I'M TRYING!»

Sabo grimaced.

«Guys, please, keep it do–»

«WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON THERE?!»

The sudden roar startled them all and they frantically turned to see Eustass Kid charging at them like a fighting bull, Killer and Wire right behind him. They all had their wands in hand.

«Shit!» Sabo hissed, immediately reaching for his.

His shifting allowed Kid to get a better view of the scene in front. Which consisted in three guys pressing you against the ground, keeping you shut with their grip on the jacket halfway down your arms.

Nami could swear she saw Eustass' pupils disappear at that point and his gaze being replaced with nothing but fire. She could just grab Koala's arm and jump out of his range.

«GET YOUR FUCKING HANDS OFF HER NOW!»

Sabo casted the barrier just in time. Kid's blazing spell crushed against the invisible wall so violently it shattered, and the recoil made the blonde stumble back.

«Eustass, stop! It's not what it seems!»

«I'M GOING TO FUCKING MURDER YOU!»

The guys around you swiftly let you go to grasp their wands and you finally managed to shrug them off and gain a few feet in the grass, although your balance was too impaired to even attempt to sit at that point.

«Kiiiiiiiid!» you chimed, a grin spreading to your face as you stretched your arms towards him «You came!»

It was Zoro who fended against Kid's second spell now. Killer was about to attack too but Sabo jumped in front of him with raised hands and spoke as fast as he could.

«Kamazo, please! We were trying to put clothes ON her, not the other way around! She got drunk and she's hard to handle!»

Killer let out a terrifying growl but hesitated, his eyes darting on your figure covered in mud.

Even if they were Gryffindors, he had been in the same class with those guys for five years and he would have never expected them to take advantage of a girl like that. Plus, now that he was taking a better look at you, you were all giggles and smiles.

«Kid, wait!» he called grabbing his friend's arm.

«What the fuck, Killer?!»

«Stop! I think they were really trying to help!»

Kid's face jerked towards him with an incredulous look.

«What?»

«Kiiiiiiiid!»

His attention was averted to you and you clumsily waved at him from the ground, finally throwing away that damn jacket.

«I cannt... shtand. Hic!» you pouted «Why 'rryou pointing your wand?»

«Y/n, are you okay?» Killer asked, still not lowering his weapon.

A big smile opened up on your face and you relaxed your cheek on the lawn, lifting your thumb.

«I'm drunk!»

«Yes, I can see that.»

«You want her, you take her-dabe!» Bartolomeo barked, finally raising from the ground and keeping his wand pointed at Kid «She's a freaking bar of soap! Which bites!»

«I swear, we were only trying to keep her from freezing. She wasn't cooperative and just wanted to roll in the mud.» Sabo explained «I suggest we all put our wands down now.»

«We were playing a drinking game. We didn't know she couldn't handle any alcohol.» Nami added, finally mastering the courage to walk a little closer.

Kid's amber eyes darted from one Gryffindor to another before he shoved the wand in his pocket and advanced, violently bumping his shoulder against Zoro.

«Out of my way.» he hissed.

Zoro gritted his teeth, but Nami's grip closed on his sleeve.

The redhead's huge shadow finally hovered on you and you moved on your back. Your head was now spinning so much you had to squint to distinguish his features in the darkness. Still, you smiled and held your arms up for him.

«Pick me up?»

He grimaced.

«How much booze did you fucking give her?»

«Not that much, really.»

Kid snorted and crouched down, grabbing your arms and lifting you up against his side.

He was a bit too brusque with his movements and your stomach curled in an unpleasant way, while your head almost rolled away from your neck.

«Ugh!»

You shut your eyes and pressed your hand against your mouth.

Thankfully, after a horrible second, the moment passed and your guts seemed to calm down. At least for the time being.

Kid's arm wrapped firmly around your small figure and you shivered.

You were so sure you were really hot, but all of a sudden you realized how cold it was just outside his warmth. You instinctively nuzzled against his chest and your body shivered violently.

«Coooold.» you grumbled.

Kid stiffened, his lip twitching as he turned his face away from you, the pale skin of his neck already heating up.

«Of course you are, you idiot! You're wearing nothing!»

You pouted.

«Why are you ahngry? Why are you aaaaalways angry?»

«Because you...!» his words went on into an incoherent growl and he eventually resorted in peeling off his red sweater and shoving it over your head «Here! Stupid girl.»

The world turned upside down and you swayed, but he quickly secured his hold back on you and pulled the sweater down with a curt tug.

It was gigantic for you and you weren't sure where to put your hands, but it was warm and smelled like him, so you closed your eyes and leaned onto his black T-shirt.

«Oh, now she's complying!» Bartolomeo scoffed.

«Guys!»

The moment Perona and the others stepped outside, they immediately noticed Kid and his gang.

«Shit.» Nojiko hissed, picking up her pace.

The group reached them just while Killer was facing Sabo.

«We'll pretend this never happened. This time.» the blonde spoke slowly «From now on, stay away from our comrades, Monkey.»

Sabo sighed.

«It was all a misunderstanding and I'm sure she'll tell you herself as soon as she's lucid again.»

«That better be the case.» Kid growled, turning to him «Or you're a dead man.»

«We were called by them to bring her back to Slytherin's quarters!» Perona stepped in, trying to cool down the spirits.

«It's true, Kid.» Heat said, approaching his friend «They asked me to come.»

Kid scoffed, but Killer's posture relaxed at that.

«Hum, Kid?» you muttered, fingers twisting his T-shirt «I... I think I'm gonna be sick.»

«Ugh, okay. Can you hold it for a while, sprite?»

«Y-Yeah, but...»

The sense of nausea was growing more intense by the second and your consciousness was slipping away.

«I don't... feel so good.»

«Let's go!» Perona urged, tugging at Kid's shirt.

You barely registered him picking you up in his arms before abandoning your cheek on his chest.