The forest is deathly silent. From the shadows ahead, Pansy steps into view, wand in hand. Her expression twisted with something between fury and amusement.

She comes closer, her chin tilted in superiority. "You really think I came alone?" she says, voice dripping venom.

The moment the words leave her lips, the forest shifts. Branches snap somewhere to your left, and then again behind. From the shadows, three figures emerge: Crabbe, Goyle and Blaise.

"You've always been so foolishly brave," she says, raising her wand a little. "It will get you into trouble one day."

You don't move. You don't blink. Instead, a slow breath escapes your lips and you let your own grin emerge. "You really think I came alone?"

Your words hang in the air like a curse. Then the wind shifts. Leaves rustle, not from breeze, but from movement.

From the darkness behind you, footsteps echo—measured, confident.

Mattheo steps into the light first. His fingers twitch around his wand, and he doesn't even look at Pansy - his gaze is fixed on Crabbe and Goyle, as if he's already counting how long it will take to take them down.

Tom follows, disappointment in his eyes. The kind that makes your skin crawl.

Then Regulus steps out, silent as a shadow. There’s something feral in the way he moves, like a wolf trying very hard not to bare its teeth.

Theodore appears next. His hand is already resting against his wand.

Coriolanus follows, his presence colder than the forest around him.

Then Draco steps forward, one brow arched, as if he felt the whole confrontation beneath him - but he's here, watching.

Finally, Lorenzo steps out, trailing his fingers along the bark of a nearby tree.

The group settles around you in perfect silence, not needing a single word.

Pansy takes a step back. Her hand falters. "What the—" she begins, but the words stick in her throat.