Joy

Roxi was so ready for this party. People had already started to arrive. She had locked away all the valuables and breakables, she had cleared stuff away, she had managed to stock the kitchen full of snacks, sodas, and alcohol. She had even duped some Ravenclaw boy into cursing a piece of paper that she was having people sign- it was a promise not to wreck the house or tell her parents who happened to be on vacation. If people broke the promise, something bad would happen to their face or something- she really had not listened to the Ravenclaw, she just liked the way his butt looked in his jeans. Then she had sent Fred to go hang out with his friend in the town over, and opened the party up.

The music in the den and living room had turned the place into a dance floor. Everyone was dancing, a drink in hand. The kitchen was full of people eating and screaming over the pounding music to talk to people. Occasionally, she saw a couple disappear upstairs- not that she minded. She hoped to be doing the same.

She had cleaned out the pool and hot tub earlier that day and some people were already enjoying those while others strolled her backyard. She watched other go downstairs where she had hooked up video games and dusted the foosball and pool tables. She worked her way into the den and smiled. It was like those parties in American 80s films- some called them keggers, others called the orgies. She preferred dream come true.

Kendall had snagged a bottle of alcohol and he worked his way towards the dance floor, his hands fluttering to the hips of girls as he slid past them, offering each a sly smile that seemed to say 'I'll get back to you later.' The music was pounding in his ears, his body was already moving to the tune. Weasleys were nasty, sure, but Roxi was cool. She was a partier and he and she knew it would be inevitable that they'd eventually hook up.

Speak of the sexy devil. He glanced over at her and raised his alcohol in the air, saying, "Great party, Roxi love!" He could hear a muffled response but a little blonde thing had just pushed by, giving him a backwards glance. "Hello," he purred. He reached out but she was swept away by another guy. Ah well, she wasn't that special.

He needed a partner though.

Avril was sitting on a chair near the dancefloor, since she didn't like dancing like most people. "I wonder if I'll ever meet my true love.." Avril said as she sw a boy grabbing alcohol. She decided to grab some soda to drink and tried to walk back over to her chair without spilling it, although a bit got on the dancefloor.

Once Avril got back to her chair she drank some of her soda, and waited for someone to talk to her, but she doubt someone would go and talk to her. Avril tried to decide if she would want to be on the dancefloor.

"I wonder if I'll ever meet my true love..."

"Probably not," Keith said, sitting next to a girl he vaguely recognized as Avril from Slytherin. "True loves aren't exactly walking around Hogwarts, if you know what I'm saying." He grinned and popped open a soda, leaning back and taking a long sip. "I'm Keith. Don't think we've met before."

Keith was actually fairly excited. With a bit of fast talk, and some help from an older student who still owed him a favor, he had managed to get himself into the party with little to no difficulty. He wasn't planning on touching the excess of alcohol, (unless someone dared him) but it gave him a little thrill to see it sitting there, well within his reach. Besides, Keith's Korner had been stagnating, and this was the perfect place to pick up some juicy new rumors.

Yumi stood behind a group of people, leaning against the wall. She wasn't really in the mood to dance or anything, especially since there was no one to dance with. Her outfit seemed like she was at a funeral or something. She was wearing a black shirt and black pants. Seemed like her to come in all black. But she had actually been planning to come in more colorful clothes. She had had an 'accident' and her other clothes had gotten ruined. Now she doubted most people would notice her because of all the black. Maybe it would be a good thing, maybe not. She didn't really care anyways.

She looked at the opened soda in her hand and shook it a little before taking a sip of it. She looked around after taking the soda away from her mouth, and saw someone had noticed her. It was just someone she probably wouldn't like. He came closer to her and she looked away, as if to tell him to go away. But he kept coing closer to her. He was younger than her by what she could tell. Maybe a year or two? Didn't matter, she wasn't interested in him.

He reached out to put his hand on her shoulder, and she caught his arm, "Don't even think about it." she hissed, before releasing his arm and moving away.

Pricilla was impossible; it was a wonder Athena still spoke to her. If it hadn’t been for the fact that she was about to make her family a lot of money then Athena would have clawed the girl’s eyes out by now. But then, she would have ruined the nails that Pricilla had so kindly painted for her. Unfortunately for Athena though, Pricilla had done more than just paint her nails. In fact, she’d gone as far as to ruin the near-perfect skin that Athena had spent months making sure that it was perfect. Now though, a silver belly bar was pierced into her skin, a charm hanging from the bar itself. The use of potions had made the piercing look months old and Athena could admit that the potions had made it more comfortable. That didn’t make Athena any more impressed by it. In fact, she hated it more. She could only imagine her father’s face when she walked in tomorrow morning.

It had been Pricilla’s idea to attend the Blood-Traitor’s party and Athena had only grudgingly agreed. She was forced to toddle up after her friend, with the Flint brat masquerading as her date. He was tall, dark and admittedly handsome but he was brash and had a taste for Mudbloods. Athena had grown up with him just like she had Pricilla and her betrothed – the Rosier boy. She’d found out about Darius’ love for Mudbloods when she’d walked in on him bedding a Ravenclaw. He’d sworn her to secrecy – Unbreakable Vow and all. He was determined not to let anyone find out and so it was their little secret – one that Athena ribbed him for constantly.

Darius was kind though and opened the door for Athena, making her feel less like a prostitute and more like a lady. She thanked him and sent a smile his way before turning her eyes onto the party where people were already embarking on sexual exploits. Athena’s eyes bugged and she took a step back, right into Darius’ chest. She gasped and turned, her face flushing pink, and brought her hand to her face. Darius smirked a little and looked at Athena curiously.

“You’ve never been to a party like this before have you?” He asked her with a laugh. Athena pursed her lips and hit his chest, hurting herself more than she did him. “Thought so,” he smirked, catching her hand in his far larger one. “Beaters are ripped. Why are you hitting me?” Darius asked, bringing her hand to his lips. Athena sighed angrily and he chuckled lowly. “You’ll come to see me play won’t you?” He asked.

Darius had been signed by the Tutshill Tornados and he was due to play throughout the summer as their new Beater. He was a little bit young but the Tornados were willing to put him on the pitch and the bookies loved him so Athena couldn’t begrudge him of his success. Pricilla had already promised to go to all of his games and she was dragging Tobias with her whether he liked it or not. Athena was expected to go and as much as she liked Darius (which wasn’t a lot but enough as far as he was concerned) she hated Quidditch more. He liked to prove her wrong by getting her to quote the fixtures but Athena insisted she despised the sport; claiming that it was her father’s influence that made her aware of the table.

“No,” Athena replied breezily, making Darius’ face widen into a boyish grin. Athena allowed a smirk to tug at her lips and she quickly added, “Why on earth would I want to see the worst Beater to ever grace the Slytherin team anyway? The Tornados will go right down to the bottom of the table...just you watch.”

Darius smiled and wrapped his arm around Athena’s waist. He reached down and both hands came to rest on her butt cheeks. Athena’s knee instinctively rose but Darius crossed one leg over the other. He smirked at Athena and she huffed, settling on placing her hands on his upper arms.

“So you’ll come then?” he questioned, lowering his face towards hers. “You’ll scream my name every time I hit the Chasers with a Bludger?” Athena snorted and Darius chuckled. “I bet I could make you...” He whispered, his hand travelling north and slipping underneath her shirt.

“No by hitting a Chaser with a Bludger you couldn’t,” Athena scoffed. She watched him idly, a smirk on her lips, as his hand travelled up and down in a certain spot where usually, the back of her bra would have sat. Darius’ eyebrows shot to his dark hairline and Athena’s smirk deepened.

“Well, well...Ms. Goyle....has Pricilla finally gotten to you?” He questioned, ducking his head towards hers. “Don’t tell me you haven’t got any knickers on too?”

Athena laughed a little. “Well, Mr. Flint...you’re just going to have to find out aren’t you?”

The challenge was set and Darius took his chance. He leaned down and captured Athena’s lips with his own. He pulled her to him, moaning at the feeling of her breasts against his chest, and continued his assault of her mouth. Athena was a job and a half to keep happy but Darius knew from experience – as did Tobias and the Yaxley brothers – that she was God’s gift to man in the sack; or at least, that was Darius’ opinion. To be able to bed Athena again would be a bloody dream for him. He figured himself lucky because he got in there first before either one – or both – of the Yaxley brothers got to her.

Kendall had found himself a little Ravenclaw- as was his current preference in mates- and they were currently dancing rather closely. He held his drink curled to his shoulder, smirking as his other hand rested on the revolving hips of the black haired girl he was currently occupied with. Her name was Jeanine.. Something. Halfblood, yes, but close enough.

He brought his beer back to his lips and drank, smacking his lips. Jeanine had her own beer but he had not seen her take a drink for awhile. He leaned forward and curled his arms around her, resting his lips against her ear, his chin tickling her neck. "Honey.. You're going to need to drink that beer up soon." She giggle and lifted the drink. He grinned and revolved on the spot, his fingers fumbling with her waistband. He looked up.

And that's when he saw Athena, snogging Flint. Eff. Flint was supposed to be one of Kendall's mates and here was, snogging Athena. Not that Flint would find anything wrong with it, naturally, since Kendall had never specially spoke of her.. and while he had hinted at it, he knew too well Athena would neuter him if he bragged about the night she found his collection in his drawer.

Still, for some reason, it made Kendall's blood boil. Jeanine was no longer appealing. He numbly danced with her, thinking to himself. He was conflicted- how would it look to simply walk over and try and cut in while they were snogging? But what else could work..

"C'mon Jeanine, I need another beer," Kendall growled. "But you haven't finished yours," she replied. He rolled his eyes and downed the rest of it. "There." She blinked, "Well, then, here. Have mine-" He snatched the bottle from her and stuck it, neck down, into a nearby potted plant. "C'mon, doll," he said, grabbing her wrist and dragging her towards Athena.

With some careful maneuvering, he pulled Jeanine towards the kitchen, placing Athena right in the way. As he attempted to pull her past the snogging couple, Jeanine bumped into Athena. "Oh, I'm-" she began but Kendall jumped in. "Jeanine, you need to be more careful babe. Oh.. Darius. And Athena!" He grinned, pulling out all the charm. "What a surprise. This is a little out of character," he sad, his eyes dancing onto Athena, almost accusingly.

Playing with the Gods was dangerous but playing with one of their favourites was even more dangerous. Darius was either a fool or a genius. Athena was notoriously picky about her partners and so it was deemed to be a privilege of sorts. If she pursued you then you were a lucky bloke – that was the bottom line. Darius had decided to play with fire and thankfully he wasn’t being burned; in fact, the fire was keeping him suitably warm.

Athena’s fingers snaked into Darius’ hair and elicited another moan from him. She smirked into the kiss and pushed herself closer to him. Darius’ hands were red hot on her back and as his hands skirted across her lower back, Athena arched into his touch. Her head fell back and the kiss broke, giving both of them time to breath. His lips attached themselves to her neck and he nipped the skin with his teeth as his hands continued to roam around her back. It was incredibly rare for Athena to hand herself over to someone the way she was doing with Darius but she seemed to figure that if she was going to get drunk and wake up in the morning with anyone then it was going to be Darius.

Athena’s haze of lust was intruded on though when she felt someone knock shoulders with her. Athena jerked and whirled around, prompting Darius to lift his head from her neck. Athena glared at the girl – the Ravenclaw – as she attempted to stutter out an apology. She was cut off though and Athena’s eyes flicked up to the girl’s companion at the sound of the familiar voice. Her eyes immediately narrowed when she found Kendall and her wand hand twitched, desperate to hex him. His accusation was ridiculous and Athena burned with irritation. Before she had a chance to open her mouth though, Pricilla swept in with Tobias in tow – to do damage control no doubt. Thankfully she was good for something.

“Evening friends!” She chirped, her face flushed red with thinly veiled anxiety. She looked between Kendall and Athena and sighed when she found they were locked in a staring contest – neither one willing to back down. “How is everyone? Oh, Jeanine! Hi! I’m Pricilla – we share Arithmancy. Uhmm...” Pricilla swapped her weight from one foot to the other and continued to look between Kendall and Athena. Somehow she had to diffuse the situation but she didn’t know how exactly. Pricilla bit her lip and slipped her hand into Tobias’, for the first time in her life finding herself lost for words.

“Out of character, Kendall?” Darius repeated, a slow smirk forming on his lips...as if he knew something they didn’t. “I would hardly call it that. Any man would be mad to let Athena out of their sights.” His hands fell to her hips to prove his point and Athena straightened a little. “Pure blood...every litre...to settle for anything less,” he glanced at Jeanine, “would be almost criminal. To want to...well...I wouldn’t say it would make you less of a man just...one without proper taste. Thea is the crème de la crème of Pureblood women – no offense there, Pricilla, sweetheart. But every inch....it’s perfection.”

Pricilla smacked her forehead with her hand and Athena felt her breath catch in her throat as Darius’ fingers danced down her side and across her stomach. She squared her shoulders a little and forced a challenging smirk onto her lips. She quirked her eyebrow at him and heard Tobias swear under his breath. Pricilla sounded like she was reciting some sort of prayer – no doubt so someone survived the fight Darius was clearly gagging for. Flints never knew how to quit. Pricilla didn’t think Darius was going to stop acting like one on this occasion either.

Kendall watched Flint. The two had gotten on well enough, as all the Slytherin boys had fairly the same interests- as in Slytherin girls and then their playthings from the other Houses. They had all bragged- and in some cases exaggerated- their conquests and on the occasion potential conquest were shared, they had aways managed to strike a deal diplomatically. Something was different here, though. They were dipping into their own pool.. and there might be more to it too.

Flint was pushing a fight. Flint was stronger and bigger, and Kendall was actually quite slight. But he was quick, he was much more clever, and he was more determined. Flint wanted fun and Kendall.. Well he did not know what he wanted and why he wanted it so badly, but he was sure it was more important than whatever Flint had planned.

But Kendall, was smart. He smiled politely and said, "I wasn't referring to you, my friend. I thought it was out of character for Athena." He turned to Pricilla and asked, as though honestly looking for the answer, "Doesn't Athena usually prefer men with brains?" He screwed his face up in thought. "I thought so. She usually likes the ones with personalities too, not just the slabs of meat."

And again, they went off on the Halfblood thing. They really didn't realize how few Purebloods there were, did they? They probably were the sole purebloods here, save for all the Weasleys, who were definitely off limits- wouldn't stop him from checking them out, though. He sighed and waved over Jeanine, who looked ready to leave. "Sometimes, there are things worth bending the rules for. Jeanine, stick out your tongue." "What?" "Just do it, love."

She did, revealing the tongue ring that had sparked Kendall's interest. He held out his hands as though this were all the explanation he needed. "It seems like you're asking me to fight me for Athena." He smirked, his eyes coming to Athena. "For the right prize, it's tempting. Have you bothered to think Athena might not want you to win? That maybe she's not something to be fought over, but someone to be pleaded with to join? Of course not."

He looked back at Pricilla and nodded knowingly. "See.. That's why I thought she like guys with brains." He glanced over at Athena, a knowing look, one that might have been mingled with regret and maybe the tiniest bit of something else.. "Guess not." He sighed. "Ask her for herself though, Darius. If it's a fight she wants, I wouldn't mind tossing you around." God, he hoped it wouldn't come to that.. His hair...

There was some sort of quiet agreement between all of the Slytherins that what they wouldn’t touch was some of their own – or something. Athena didn’t get it and though Tobias had tried to explain it to her once, it had blown over the top of her head. It was like designation or something but Athena didn’t see them sitting up at all hours dolling out who could have who and coming up with a rotation; but then again, she wouldn’t put it past them. It was definitely something Darius would do. Tobias would merely observe and disapprove, knowing that no one was worth losing his balls over. Pricilla definitely wore the trousers in that relationship. He had hinted he’d dabbled in their area and had bet on one or two trysts. Athena didn’t want to know what Pricilla had said to him but it couldn’t have been nice by the time she found out.

If Darius was pushing for a fight – which he appeared to be – then Athena wanted to be well away when he did actually draw his wand on Kendall. It was a precarious situation and Athena wasn’t sure where she was actually stood. She was a little unnerved by it all in honesty. What was Kendall getting at; and better yet, what did Darius know that she didn’t? Kendall had his own conquest for the evening. Athena was just enjoying some of Darius’ finer skills – was that such a bad thing? Apparently Kendall had a problem with it, especially if he was making such a big deal about her preferences. And what did he know anyway? She was incredibly picky but she liked it as much as the next girl when someone went after her. Darius might not have possessed every trait needed to ensure Athena didn’t kill him but she liked him well enough.

“Regardless,” Athena began, bringing her hand to her chest. She nibbled on her bottom lip and looked at Kendall with wide, innocent eyes. “Darius does this wonderful thing with his tongue...Merlin it’s...” Athena shivered a little and closed her eyes for a moment, pretending to relive it, before shivering again and reopening her eyes. “Ecstasy,” She purred.

Darius couldn’t keep that self-satisfied smirk off of his face. He wrapped his arm around Athena’s waist and kept his eyes on Kendall.

“Intelligence is something I possess, Rookwood, and personality is not something I am lacking in. You’re not suggesting she’d prefer someone....someone like you are you?”

Athena watched feigning-interest as Kendall instructed the little Ravenclaw to open her mouth. Athena almost laughed when she caught sight of the metal pierced through her tongue. She settled instead for a smirk. Clearly Kendall was with her for only one thing because everyone knew what was said about the Mudbloods and the little Halfies with their tongues pierced...

“Kinky,” Athena commented. “I hope you enjoy that.”

Darius’ fingers were idly caressing the smooth skin of Athena’s stomach and oddly, she allowed it to happen. She would have murdered him by now but the drinks that Pricilla had given her before she’d pierced her so barbarically had really taken the edge off.

Darius knew Athena a little too well though and he wasn’t finished with Kendall yet. It wasn’t a case of whether Athena wanted him to fight for her...it was a case of whether he could get Kendall to fight for her. Darius only wanted Athena in the same sense she wanted him. There was nothing else there. He had a pretty little Mudblood waiting for him when he got back to Hogwarts. Now Kendall on the other hand....there was something going on there and Darius could see it swimming in Kendall’s eyes just as vividly as he could in Athena’s – and she was in as much denial as he was.

“Fight for me?” Athena spluttered indignantly. “You’ve got another thing coming if you think you’re going to-”

“-Thea’s a smart girl,” Darius cut Athena off, ignoring the death glares she sent him. “I’m no idiot, Rookwood. It’s no contest between us. What? You want Athena in your bed do you? You want her all to yourself? Is that what you want? Aww....poor baby. Welcome to the real world sweetheart. You’ve got to fight for what you want and to be honest...you’re no opponent. You’d be out as soon as I touched your hair and it would be my name she’d be screaming throughout the night. And besides...I have so much more to offer her. There’s so much more of me to offer her. Why would she want a boy who can only please Hufflepuffs when she could have a man like me that is capable of taking on a real woman like herself? Of course she’d want me to fight for her but as I said...it’s no contest between us. There is, even as we stand here, one clear winner.”

Pricilla wanted to curl up and die, as did Tobias. She didn’t dare open her mouth to reply to Kendall’s question, for fear of meeting the end of Athena’s wand. Darius wasn’t as awful as Kendall painted him. He wasn’t the brightest of the bunch but he was worldly wise. He spent time watching people...watching their mannerisms. He was so valuable to them and would be incredibly valuable to the Death Eaters when the time came to it. He was a prober though. When it came to people he liked to push – just like he was pushing Kendall now. He wanted to see how far he could go before the poor sod snapped. He wanted to see Kendall retaliate. For the love of Merlin, Pricilla didn’t know why Kendall would ever consider fighting Darius for Athena unless....

“Athena Marianne Goyle!” She exclaimed breathily before bringing her hands to her mouth and dissolving into giggles. “Oh you’re terrible! You’re the worst!” She curled into Tobias’ chest but that did little to stifle her laughter.

Darius’ smirk widened into an impossibly large, triumphant grin and he watched as Pricilla sprang from Tobias to Kendall. She grasped his face in her hands and kissed both of his cheeks before giggling and patting his face with her hand. Her giggles continued and Tobias took her back into his arms and looked at her imploringly, trying to work out what she was laughing about...and what it had to do with Kendall. Darius was already there though and Athena looked like she wanted Voldemort himself to pop out of nowhere and murder her.

“So I am right.” He commented slowly. “Well then that changes things doesn’t it?”

Athena elbowed him in the side and silenced Pricilla’s giggling with yet another death glare. She remained silent though, not quite trusting her own words or her own voice...fearing that one or both would betray her. She looked at Kendall curiously. Her abuse did nothing to stop Darius though because by comparison, Athena was tiny. Darius was Beater and she was prissy little Pureblood who could by no means protect herself without her wand.

“Kendall...the question is why did you come to that conclusion? Why would you want to fight me of all people – though I commend your Gryffindor-ness – for our darling Athena? I see why many would want to but not you...not when you could have anyone. This lady is the apple of Slytherin’s eye. It’s not about whether she wants it or not...it’s whether you’ve got the balls to do it or not. I’m thinking not. You don’t think that much of her do you? She’s just another one of your whores...like this pretty little thing here.” He gestured to the Ravenclaw. “Disposable.” He spat venomously. “Maybe you deserve a beating for it anyway?”