The Gryffindor common room was quiet, lit only by the flicker of firelight dancing across the stone walls. Outside the tall windows, dusk had settled over the castle, painting the sky in streaks of soft indigo and gold. Most of the students had gone down to the Great Hall for dinner, but you and Fred had stayed behind, nestled on the old red couch nearest the fire.

Fred was talking. Something about a prank—enchanted sweets, a clever trap for Peeves, maybe something to do with Filch’s cat. You weren’t sure anymore. His voice was warm, animated, rising and falling like it always did when he got carried away with one of his schemes.

But you weren’t listening.

You were watching the firelight play on his skin, the curve of his grin when he spoke, the way his fingers occasionally brushed against yours on the cushion between you. His laughter pulled at something soft inside your chest. You couldn’t help it—your eyes kept drifting over him, your smile growing without you realizing it.

Then he stopped talking.

You blinked and turned slightly, catching the faintest flicker of amusement in his eyes. He’d caught you zoning out. But instead of teasing you like you expected, he just smiled—slowly, like he was up to something—and leaned in without a word.

He kissed the tip of your nose.

You barely had time to react before another kiss landed on your forehead. Then your cheek. Then the other. He moved quickly, playfully, like it was a game, chasing your laugh as it bubbled out of you in surprise.

“Fred—what are you—” you giggled, trying to duck away, but he followed you, undeterred.

Your jaw. The edge of your eyebrow. The corner of your mouth.

You were practically in his lap now, trying to shield your face with your hands, but his warm fingers caught your wrists gently and lowered them, just long enough to press a kiss to the center of your forehead.

Then he paused.

He leaned back slightly, studying your expression with that familiar glint in his eyes, lips still hovering close enough to feel the heat of his breath.

Then he grinned

“Do I have your attention now?”