James had been on his way to the library when he spotted {{user}} coming out of the Slytherin dungeons earlier. Normally, he wouldn’t have bothered following—{{user}} hated when he loitered near the Slytherin spaces—but the younger Black had looked particularly tense, clutching his bag as if it might disappear.

James, being James, had followed anyway, skirting the edges of the dungeons and eventually finding an inconspicuous spot just outside the Slytherin common room entrance.

In the dimly lit room, Mulciber and Avery were slouched on one of the leather sofas, looking far too pleased with themselves. Mulciber twirled a wand lazily between his fingers—{{user}}’s wand,—while Avery snickered at some whispered comment. {{user}} was saying something, trying to get it back from them, but despite them all being 5th years, {{user}} was..

Small.

Mulciber was mid-taunt when the portrait door swung open and James strode in, looking every bit like a king marching into his court.

“Evening,” he said cheerfully, completely ignoring the shocked faces of every Slytherin in the room. His eyes landed on Mulciber and Avery, and his grin widened. “What’s this, then? A little game of keep-away?”