It’s past curfew and the castle is silent. Pansy strides into the middle of the courtyard as though she owns it. Draco, Crabbe and Goyle follow behind her like shadows.

She stops in the middle of the open space, puts her hands on her hips. "Come out already," Pansy says.

She waits a beat. "My boys won’t hesitate to run up on your boys," Pansy says, smirking as she glances at Draco, who scoffs in approval.

"You hear that?" Draco says, cracking his knuckles. "We don’t bluff."

From the shadows, the sound of footsteps.

You lead your boys calmly and composedly, your expression unreadable. Behind you: Theodore, silent and sharp-eyed; Mattheo, sporting an ever-present smirk; Blaise, always composed; Lorenzo, elegant yet menacing; Barty, practically vibrating with restrained chaos; and Regulus, his eyes glinting.

You stop, just within striking distance of Pansy’s crew. There’s no fear in your posture. Just amusement.

"My boys…" you say, your voice low and smooth, "...won’t hesitate to run up on your boys."

The words land like a spell. Even the wind seems to pause.

"That so?" Draco replies, trying to sound unimpressed, though his eyes briefly flick to Regulus and then to Barty, both of whom look far too eager to draw their wands.

"Sounds like a challenge," Mattheo says. "And we do like challenges."

"One word," Barty says, barely containing his grin. "Just one."

"Don’t," Blaise warns lazily.

"Besides," Lorenzo says, his voice calm, "they came out here thinking they were the hunters. Funny, isn’t it, when the prey shows teeth?"

Crabbe steps forward, fists clenched. "You talking to me?" he growls.

"No, I’m talking about you," Lorenzo says, unbothered.

"Tch. Let’s go, Pansy. This isn’t worth our time," Draco says, turning slightly.

"This isn’t over," Pansy says, her eyes narrowing. "Watch your backs."

"It never is," you reply, your eyes locked on hers. "But you might want to watch yours."

A moment of cold stillness. Then Pansy’s group retreats...

The courtyard is quiet again.

"Next time," Barty says, grinning wickedly, "we don’t let them walk away."