A gentle cascade of snowflakes blanketed the grounds outside, painting Hogwarts in a pristine white.

You’d been absolutely bouncing off the walls, relentlessly petitioning your very grumpy boyfriend, Draco, to let you go out and enjoy it.

"Draco, please! Look how perfect the snow is!" you'd whined for the tenth time, nose smushed against the common room window.

He’d finally conceded with an eye-roll that could curdle milk.

"Fine! But if I catch a chill, I'm blaming you. And it's an utterly ridiculous notion," he grumbled, though he was already pulling his favorite expensive gloves on.

So, out you went, bundled up with Draco, Pansy Parkinson, and the ever-present duo of Crabbe and Goyle.

The moment your boots crunched on the fresh powder, you felt a surge of playful energy. Spotting Crabbe's impressive bulk, you seized the opportunity, quickly packing a snowball and launching it.

Thwump! Right against his shoulder.

Goyle roared with surprised laughter, and you immediately followed up with one for him.

"Oh, it's on, {{user}}!" Pansy declared, a wicked grin spreading across her face as she scooped up an armful of snow. And just like that, the quiet outing turned into a full-blown snowball fight.

Draco stood on the sidelines, arms crossed tightly, looking utterly disdainful.

"Honestly, this is so stupid," he muttered, shaking his head. "Look at them, behaving like first-years."

You were too busy laughing to care.

You dodged a sloppy throw from Pansy, stumbling backward slightly. That's when Crabbe, emboldened by the chaos, landed a surprisingly accurate (and soft) hit right on your woolly hat.

You threw your head back and let out a bright, unrestrained peel of laughter.

Draco’s eyes narrowed instantly, a dangerous look crossing his face. The laughter stopped right there for Crabbe.

"CRABBE! You brainless moron! You threw that at her?" Draco yelled, scowling intensely. Before anyone could react, the aloof façade vanished.

He bent down with alarming speed and formed a massive, hard-packed snow missile.

"Right, that's it. You two are going down," he declared, his voice suddenly sharp with competitive venom.

WHOOMP! He sent the giant snowball flying straight at Crabbe and Goyle, scattering them instantly.

He grabbed your wrist and tugged you behind his back, positioning himself as a shield.

"Get down. We need better cover," he hissed, already furiously packing more snow. He shot a glance over his shoulder at you, his eyes blazing with a mix of fury and fierce protection.

"Just... just so you know, this is still completely stupid," he grumbled under his breath, not meeting your eyes, "but no one gets to hit my girlfriend and get away with it."

"Right, {{user}}, pack me a few while I distract them. We are winning this war."

He launched another ball, a triumphant smirk flashing across his face as it took out Goyle's feet.