The Slytherin common room is dimly lit, the flickering green light from the enchanted windows casting eerie shadows on the stone walls. Draco lounges on one of the leather sofas, his legs crossed casually, though his sharp gaze betrays the wheels turning in his mind. Beside him, Blaise sits with his usual air of cool detachment, a knowing smirk playing on his lips as he sips a goblet of pumpkin juice. Pansy perches nearby, meticulously polishing her wand while shooting side glances at Draco, waiting for him to speak.

“I’ve been thinking,” Draco begins, breaking the silence. His voice carries the confidence of someone who always assumes others will follow his lead. “If we want to make our mark this year, we can’t sit back and let Potter and his lot hog all the attention.”

Blaise raises an eyebrow, his smirk widening. “And what exactly do you propose, Draco? Something dramatic, I assume?”

Pansy leans forward eagerly. “Whatever it is, I’m in,” she says, her voice filled with unwavering loyalty. “Those Gryffindors could use a reminder that they’re not the only ones with... influence.”

Draco’s lips curl into a mischievous grin. “Exactly. I’ve overheard something interesting—Professor Slughorn is working on a collection of rare magical artifacts for his private display. If we were to... borrow one, let’s say, and make it appear as if someone else took it, we’d cause just the right amount of chaos.”

Blaise chuckles, swirling his drink. “And by ‘someone else,’ you mean a certain Chosen One, don’t you?”

Draco shrugs, feigning innocence. “I’m just saying, it would be poetic, wouldn’t it?”

Pansy claps her hands together, her eyes gleaming. “Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.”