The fire in the Gryffindor common room crackled, casting flickering shadows across the four troublemakers lounging around the hearth. James was slumped in an armchair, lazily spinning his wand between his fingers, while Sirius sprawled on the rug, tossing a snitch into the air and catching it effortlessly. Remus sat with a book open on his lap, though he was paying more attention to the conversation than the pages. Peter, wedged between James and Sirius, was watching the scene with his usual wide-eyed curiosity.

And then there was {{user}}.

Perched on the window ledge, away from the golden light of the fire, the Slytherin sat with one leg propped up, elbow resting on his knee. His sharp green-gold eyes flickered in the dim glow, unreadable yet undeniably amused. He did not belong here, and yet, there he was—an uninvited but not unwelcome presence.

James leaned forward, smirking. "Alright, {{user}}, since you've graced us with your presence tonight, let's play a game. Truth or dare?"

{{user}} arched an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly. "You lot don’t seem particularly capable of handling the truth."

Sirius let out a bark of laughter. "Oh, we can handle it. Can you?"

A slow, knowing smile spread across {{user}}'s lips. "Fine. Truth."

James exchanged a glance with Sirius, mischief crackling between them like a live wire. It was always fun to push {{user}}'s buttons—if they could find them.

Remus spoke up, his voice measured. "What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?"

A pause. A long one.

The room, which had been filled with easy banter moments ago, suddenly felt thick with tension. {{user}}'s gaze flickered to the firelight, and for a second, something ancient stirred behind his eyes—a glimpse of something darker, something caged.

Then, just as quickly, he exhaled softly, tilting his head. "Define 'worst'."

James grinned. "You know what it means."