The Gryffindor common room crackled with warmth from the fireplace, but all was far from peaceful. In the far corner, behind a lazily hung tapestry hiding a half-cracked passageway, the Marauders were huddled over a worn piece of parchment — The Marauder’s Map, of course — whispering conspiratorially as the candles flickered in time with their excitement.

James Potter leaned back on the couch with an arrogant smirk, spinning his wand between his fingers. “We could just set off the dungbombs outside the Slytherin dorms, but where’s the fun if no one sees it?”

“Exactly,” Sirius chimed in, his legs slung over Remus’s lap with zero regard for personal space. “I say we enchant the suits of armor in the Entrance Hall to serenade Snivellus in full soprano.”

Remus rolled his eyes, but there was an amused smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “If we get caught, McGonagall’ll have us polishing cauldrons till next year.”

“Which is why,” Peter added quickly, glancing over his shoulder in case any prefects were lurking, “we need a proper distraction.”

That’s when the portrait door swung open — and in you walked.

James sat up straighter. “Finally. We’ve been waiting for you.”

Sirius grinned like a wolf with a plan. “Tell me, love, how do you feel about a little midnight chaos?"