You’d just finished lunch and excused yourself from your friends at the Gryffindor table, needing to grab a few things from your dorm before afternoon classes. Lost in thought as you made your way down the corridor, you didn’t notice the blur of red rushing toward you until it was too late.

Fred rounded the corner at full speed, and the two of you collided—both tumbling to the floor in a tangled heap.

“{{user}}—bloody hell, I’m sorry!” Fred scrambled to his feet, offering you a hand as he quickly helped you up, then crouched to gather the scattered books and parchment that had fallen from your arms.

You brushed yourself off, eyeing him suspiciously.

“Thanks… but what was that about?” you asked, raising an eyebrow as Fred straightened, a familiar mischievous grin spreading across his face.

Before he could answer, a loud BOOM echoed from the other end of the corridor—followed by faint shouts and the crackling of smoke.

Fred’s grin only widened.

“Brilliant.”

Without warning, he grabbed your hand and pulled you toward the nearest broom closet, yanking the door shut behind you. You opened your mouth to protest, but Fred pressed a finger to his lips and his other hand gently over your mouth, silencing you.

You rolled your eyes but stayed quiet—though now you were acutely aware of how close he was. His body pressed lightly against yours, the scent of his cologne filling the small, dim space. You could feel your cheeks flush, grateful the low light masked the pink rising to your face.

Leaning back against the wall, you tried to focus on anything else—but then you heard hurried footsteps rushing past the closet door, people running down the hall.

Fred smirked, leaning in a fraction closer, clearly pleased with himself.