Hogwarts students all arrived back yesterday, which had been a Thursday night that had depended on how the dates had fallen this year, meaning the first day of classes had been a Friday and the Slytherin common room would be full of party goers that night. Ivy had made her way straight back to her dormitory to shower and change into something a lot more party like than her uniform. Upon arrival a small envelope inhabited her desk.

Lifting it to see the Wood family crest stamped on the back a smile found her lips. Carefully tearing the letter open all that had been inside was one little piece of paper which read;

Have fun this year but please keep your ear to the ground like we discussed.
Stay safe Little Sis.
Oli

Sucking in a breath Ivy held the paper to her chest for a brief moment. A smile graced her lips at the thought of playing quidditch during the summer with her brother, she could swear that the scent of the grass had wafted from this very piece of paper. Pulling open the top drawer she placed the letter inside ensuring it stayed with her.

The skirt she'd opted for had been similar to her school skirt, pleated and tight fitting to her waist only this one was dark green and shorter than before. The upper half had been a greet corset like fit with pretty sleeves that would be tied neatly atop of her shoulders in a bow. Ivy hadn't been the type to go through many options when selecting outfit's because as Pansy always said, everything Ivy owned was gorgeous and so it would always look good.

Running her fingers over the silky material of the shorter corset she smiled. Ivy had always attended the Slytherin parties but she'd never been too fussed if she were totally honest however with the Summer she'd had, the worries that constantly plagued her, she needed this. She needed to let her hair down and have fun. She needed a fucking drink.

Three curt knocks of the large wooden door of her dorm pulled her from the thoughts. Pansy stood at the other side in a very fitted black dress with a bottle of who knows what held up in her hand. Ivy didn't question anything before she followed her friend down to the common room which already thumped from the loud music and bodies that filled it. The group she chose to surround herself with sat near the fireplace not that they'd be anywhere else. Every Slytherin knew the fireplace had been where Draco Malfoy sat at despite how pathetic that was, no one ever questioned it.

Draco's eyes devoured her in one look. He'd never hidden the fact he eyed her every time she entered a room, Draco knew that Ivy knew she looked good so what would it matter seeing his eyes on her too.

"Don't you look ravishing" Theodore wrapped an arm around Ivy after she'd sat herself down beside him.

"I do love your compliments Theo" she beamed looking up at the smiling boy, "especially when they come from someone as gorgeous as you" she poked his side while he posed dramatically. She seemed to tense slightly when she felt the couch dip by her other side turning towards the figure.

She'd felt Theodore's hand squeeze her arm and she would place her hand between her thigh and his. Theo would keep her safe if she gave him one nudge to show that she was uncomfortable. She was now between Theodore and some quidditch player in their year that she'd never spoken to, nor did she wish to but here they were.

"You look divine" he spoke after clearing his throat slowly in an attempt to get attention on him, which had worked with every single Slytherin in their group staring at him.

"How kind" she watched —or rather cringed— while he sucked his lip between his teeth biting down before smirking down at her.

"Perhaps you would join me for a drink?" He placed a hand just above her knee.

The contact had made her stiffen with Theodore piping up, "non-consensual touching doesn't usually get a girl going" the sarcastic smile they knew so well graced his lips, "at least in my experience"

"Didn't ask for your experience did I?" The quidditch boy would bite back which would in turn get Ivy's back up.

"I'm busy, I'll pass on the drink"

He pulled his hand back and stood from his spot turning to look down at her before looking away, "your loss sweet-cheeks" the name made her feel like she could vomit there and then, who was this guy — her grandmother? "I never caught your name?" He asked with yet another smirk.

Ivy had noticed Draco's eyes boring into her as opposed to him, watching her every move. Catching the look of how uncomfortable she'd gotten every second this went on. How disgusted she was. How unfortunate this bloke had been, though he had enjoyed that.

Ivy smiled sweetly whilst Theodore laughed at his foolishness, "I didn't throw it" she lifted a hand to shoo the boy away.

He'd looked as if he were about to hurdle toward her before a flat palm smacked his chest, "I wouldn't mate" Blaise Zabini her guardian angel had her back. Everyone needed a man like Blaise though he was already very interested in another.

He seemed to take the hint though only after he made eye contact with Draco. The boy who'd been near seething a moment ago now looked like a cat with its tail between its legs walking away. Ivy looked to Draco who had already turned back to look at her. She hadn't caught his small shake of the head just once which would in turn said this rather tall guy running. Draco would now only smirk ahead at her. God he loved her reaction to him, I didn't throw it, I'm busy, he liked her alone. He liked when she was his to toy with. He liked when she turned her many suitors away.

Theodore's sudden jerk backwards had Ivy turn to look back at him, "what's wrong?"

He opened his mouth to respond but no words followed, Ivy however turned to look behind her trying to locate what he was looking at.

Oh fuck.

Ivy's heart sunk.

Marcus Fenwick. Ravenclaw. The guy actively hooking up with Ivy. Theodore's ex. Her best fucking friend's ex. What the fuck was he doing in the Slytherin common room and why was he lifting a cup to his lips staring ahead at her.

She turned back to the group to immediately clock Draco's smirk.

Fucking smug bastard.

She was sure whatever the reason for Marcus' attendance Draco was relishing in it. Before she could utter a word to Theo about making a run for it she felt a firm grip on her left shoulder, tilting her head backward to meet the Ravenclaw's eyes.

"Hey beautiful—" he smirked knowing what this would do to Theo, "we still on for tonight?"