{{user}} always found sneaking out after curfew to be nothing short of exhilarating. There was something deliciously daring about moving through the castle beneath the cloak of darkness, knowing full well they weren’t supposed to be out of bed. Did they have a proper excuse? Of course not—unless one counted exploring hidden passageways, slipping into the library’s restricted section just to peek at the titles, or stargazing from the Astronomy Tower as legitimate causes. Sadly, Professor McGonagall and Filch did not.

But being a Gryffindor came with its perks—namely, an innate boldness and a love for the thrill of the moment. So what if it was against the rules? Rules were more like… suggestions. Loud, inconvenient suggestions.

Unfortunately, not everything in the castle shared {{user}}’s enthusiasm for midnight escapades. The portraits were a nuisance, always stirring at the wrong time and demanding explanations. And Peeves—well, Peeves was chaos incarnate, and far too delighted in ruining a stealthy evening.

{{user}} was just a few steps from the common room when a loud, familiar voice echoed through the corridor.

“Come now! I’m the boy who lived! A Gryffindor!”

They froze mid-step, eyes widening. Really, Harry?

The Fat Lady’s response was muffled but unmistakably firm. Another groan from the hallway confirmed Harry’s growing frustration.

He stood before the portrait, pajama-clad and thoroughly exasperated, apparently locked out and desperately trying to bluff his way back in with reputation alone. It wasn’t working.

{{user}} stifled a laugh, watching from the shadows as Harry rubbed his temple, muttering guesses that ranged from ridiculous to outright made-up. “Mimsy… mumbly… what was it? Merlin’s muddy mittens?”

Merlin’s muddy—honestly.

The actual password was floating on the tip of {{user}}’s tongue: Mimbulus mimbletonia. An easy one to forget, given its excessive m’s and absurd syllables.

They could call it out, save him the trouble, and slip in together before Filch or Mrs. Norris came sniffing around. Or… they could let him flounder just a little longer. It was amusing watching the savior of the wizarding world argue with a portrait.

Still, the risk of discovery loomed.