The rivalry between Randy Cunningham and you had become something of a Hogwarts legend. Not the charming academic kind either.

No, this was the loud, explosive, deeply personal kind that made prefects groan whenever your names were mentioned together. Since Sorting Day, the two of you had possessed an almost supernatural ability to ruin each other’s peace. Nobody even remembered what started it anymore. One sarcastic comment became another. Then a duel. Then an argument in Charms. Then somehow an entire incident involving cursed ink, exploding parchment, and a nearly-singed tapestry outside the Great Hall.

The professors were tired.

Howard Weinerman had practically made it his life mission to stop Randy from interacting with you for longer than five minutes. Students had started placing bets on how long you could stay in the same room before someone reached for a wand.

Tonight was supposed to be simple. At least, that’s what Howard had been promised. Sneak out after curfew. Dip into the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Check whether the rumors about cursed spirit lights were true. Don’t die horribly.

The moon hung low above the trees, silver light filtering through twisted branches while the forest groaned with distant movement. Somewhere deeper inside, something shrieked. Howard nearly jumped out of his skin. Randy just grinned, adjusting his grip on his wand.

“C’mon, dude,” he whispered. “This is so bruce.”

“This is how people become examples of how not to live,” Howard hissed.

Randy ignored him completely when he spotted movement ahead. A familiar figure stepped between the trees, wandlight flickering across your face. Alone. Out after curfew. Which immediately irritated Randy on principle.

He scoffed. “Everywhere but your own business, huh?”

The tension hit instantly. Like flint striking steel. Even the forest seemed to brace for impact. Howard physically stepped between you both before either of you could escalate things. A completely useless effort. Because then your gaze flicked toward Randy’s wand. Whatever expression crossed your face made him recoil in dramatic offense.

“Oh— OH, you mock my wand?” Randy snapped. “You did not just mock my wand.”

Howard groaned into his hands. “Please. Please don’t do this.”

Far too late for prayer.

Randy drew his wand immediately, reckless Gryffindor pride flaring brighter than common sense. Yours appeared just as quickly. Howard barely managed to shove himself aside before the first spell blasted through the trees. Blue light collided against crimson sparks, exploding bark from nearby trunks.

The duel escalated instantly.

Spells ricocheted through the forest in violent flashes of gold and blue. Branches snapped overhead. Leaves spiraled through the air. Randy blocked another curse at the last second, grinning despite himself. Then Randy cast another spell without properly looking.

The second it struck a crooked stone buried beneath the roots, the forest floor erupted with ancient glowing symbols. Vines burst upward instantly, thick black roots twisting around both of you before either could react. Randy barely got out half a scream before being yanked backward against a tree trunk, his wand arm pinned tightly to his side. More enchanted roots coiled around your legs and torso, locking you both in place.

Silence dropped heavily across the clearing.

Howard stared wide-eyed before deadpanning.

Randy stared back upside down where the vines had partially hoisted him off the ground.

“…H’oh boy.”

Howard dragged both hands down his face in complete defeat. “You know what?” he said flatly. “I’m getting Hagrid.”

Then he disappeared into the trees, muttering about transferring schools. And just like that, the clearing fell quiet.

Only distant forest sounds remained. Rustling leaves. Crickets. The occasional groan of ancient wood. Without the shouting and spellfire, the silence felt strangely different now.

Randy glanced toward you.

“You know,” he said quietly, still breathless from the duel, “if we die horribly in here, I need you to know this was your fault."