Why did everyone have to be fighting? He didn't want to bother Luna and Neville, but he had no one else to talk to. His gaze turned to the edges of the ballroom to find all of the teachers huddled in a corner, grumping about like the old people they were at the choice of music. It brought him a little joy to spot mama having less fun than he was having, hunched over her cup with a scowl, but she also looked too annoyed to bother. Ron gave a big, heaving sigh beside him as Hermione popped back into view, twirling about like a princess and grinning, happy.
"Can we at least try to enjoy ourselves, Ron? Everyone else is going to have fun regardless. And as your date, I'm feeling very left out." Harry complained. "It's not Hermione or Viktor's fault that you're jealous of… whoever it is you're jealous of, I'm not sure."
"You don't get it!" Ron grumbled.
"No, I really don't! Do you want to dance or what?" Everyone else would rather sit around being lonely, grumpy losers, but Harry was bored, and he had been forced to attend this stupid dance. Was it too much to ask that he at least try to have fun?
Harry was starting to feel restless, so he waded into the crowd, uncaring if Ron was following him or not. Ron shuffled after him with a huff. The two boys entered the center of the dance floor. The requirements for this sort of dancing were much less strict, and they bobbed and waved their arms about next to Luna and Neville. Harry's self-consciousness faded away as he felt a pleasant buzz fill his mind. He wondered absently if the punch had been spiked after all. It would explain its unpleasant taste, although it had lacked the burn. Perhaps it was some mix that the twins had snuck in. With all the tournament officials and professors watching as chaperones, it was a very risky move to have pulled.
Harry was hardly going to snitch, it all sounded incredibly funny, and perhaps being drunk was what it would take to ignore everyone else's drama and enjoy a night of peace and fun. The urge to move struck him, and Harry and Luna spun around in circles until he nearly vomited from the intense light-headed feeling that had provoked.
Ugh. Maybe he was more than tipsy.
"Harry, you alright?" Neville asked. He patted Harry's back as the boy leaned over to settle his upset stomach and head. Nausea burned at his throat, creeping up his chest and settling a heavy weight over him. But still, his mind reeled, restless and needing. This happened sometimes, when he was bored or had been seated too long. Some time on his broom worked wonders to settle his brain, but it was odd that it was happening now. He felt a bit sick, now was not the time to go outside for a jog.
But the urge to run lingered.
"Harry?"
"You didn't notice something in the punch, did you?" Harry complained mildly. He'd only had… not a lot, he was pretty sure, although his memory was getting fuzzy. It had taken a lot of alcohol for him to lose his wits the last time he'd partied hard.
"Eh? No. Did the twins manage to smuggle some whiskey in after all? They said McGonagall searched their dorm after they got caught supplying the last party. They didn't share any with me, those twats." Ron said.
Hermione and Viktor joined their group, a small oasis surrounded by what was quickly turning into a wild moshpit of energetic dancing. Someone elbowed Neville hard in the gut as they flailed to the heavy beat of the music. It was a testament to Ron's concern that he didn't make a fuss at their arrival, not that Harry noticed this. Harry was focused on how the lights were spinning and he was getting really, really dizzy.
"There you are!" Hermione beamed at them all. Her face fell at the sight of Harry. "Are you alright, Harry? You look ill."
"The twins gave him a pick-me-up and forgot to share. He must be completely smashed."
"McGonagall will give you detentions for the rest of the year if she catches you drinking again," Hermione tutted.
"I've only had some punch," Harry defended, although his voice came out weak and breathy. "… I feel off."
"Maybe you should sit down?" Luna said, her hand clamping across his forehead and she noticed the layer of hot sweat across his brow.
Harry shook his head, biting down at the wave of nausea that ensued. Sitting down wasn't right, that sounded awful. His legs were shaking with excess energy, and he doubted they would cooperate with him if he tried. He wanted to go outside, into the forest. Yes, that's what he needed. He -
Harry gagged.
"Do you guys mind if we take a breather outside?" He asked. Maybe it was the lights that were bothering him?
The group headed for the courtyard which had been swathed in roses and fairy lights. The sharp blast of cold air soothed his body and he collapsed into a bench. His mind and body were still and calm.
"Viktor, you know Harry, obviously, but these are our other friends," Hermione introduced everyone very awkwardly. Ron tried and failed to keep the adoration and/or hatred out of his eyes at his muttered hello. He and Hermione did not look at each other.
"It was very exciting to watch you in the first task, but it was unfortunate that some of the eggs got crushed and you lost points," Luna stated. "Although at least your dragon was fine."
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