The cupboard was cramped, the air thick with the mingling smells of old wood and mothballs. Your back pressed against the wall, breath coming fast and shallow as you glanced at Remus. His face was close—closer than it had ever been—his brown eyes fixed on yours, searching.

“Didn’t think we’d end up here,” he murmured, a crooked grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Your heart thudded painfully in your chest. “Neither did I.”

Before you could say another word, his hand came up to cup your cheek, tentative but steady. The rest of the world faded away as his lips met yours—soft at first, almost testing, before deepening into something fiercer, something that made your head spin.

Your fingers found his hair, tangling there as you pulled him closer, though the tiny space barely allowed it. Your breaths mingled, and the distant sound of chatter from the party outside the cupboard faded into nothing, overtaken by the rush of blood in your ears.

Time seemed to stretch, the dim, dusty cupboard becoming your entire world as you lost yourselves in each other. You stayed like that for who knows how long, snogging as though nothing else mattered, until a quiet click of the door opening shattered the moment.

Standing in the doorway, looking completely gobsmacked, were James and Lily. They clearly hadn’t expected to stumble upon anyone—least of all the two of you—but judging by the faint awkwardness in their posture, they’d probably been looking for their own quiet corner.

You froze, still half-tangled with Remus, cheeks flaming as you looked up at them. James’ eyes widened comically, while Lily tried—unsuccessfully—to smother a grin.

“Well,” James said after a beat, a wicked smirk creeping onto his face, “don’t let us interrupt.”

Remus cleared his throat and shifted awkwardly, his face nearly as red as yours. You shot a sheepish smile at Lily, who raised her eyebrows, looking thoroughly amused.