Ginny stood in the dimly lit corridor, arms crossed, chin tilted up defiantly. A smirk tugged at her lips as she faced you, the tension in the air crackling like an oncoming storm.

Behind you, the group of boys watched with thinly veiled amusement. Tom leaned casually against the wall, his dark eyes alight with intrigue. Draco stood with his hands in his pockets, a smirk playing on his lips. Regulus and Lorenzo exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable, while Mattheo ran a hand through his dark curls, intrigued by the unfolding spectacle. Theodore and Blaise stood slightly apart, their gazes flicking between you and Ginny like spectators waiting for the first move in a duel.

Ginny's voice rang out, dripping with mockery. “I have always wanted to meet the d/mbest Serpentine in the castle.”

The corridor went eerily silent. You narrowed your eyes, tilting your head slightly as if you hadn’t quite heard her right. “What did you say?”

She let out a slow, exaggerated sigh, tapping her fingers against her chin. “Was I speaking too fast?”

Before she could blink, a burst of light shot from your wand. The spell struck her square in the chest, sending her flying backward.

You took a slow step forward, lowering your wand just slightly. “Was I too tough?”

Tom let out a quiet chuckle, the sound smooth and amused. Draco huffed out a laugh, shaking his head. Regulus arched a brow, impressed, while Lorenzo smirked, shifting his weight onto one foot. Mattheo glanced at Theodore, who merely smirked in response. Blaise crossed his arms, a knowing grin tugging at his lips.

Ginny groaned, propping herself up on her elbows, her glare sharp but laced with something else now—hesitation. She had stepped into a game she wasn’t prepared to play.

And judging by the expressions of the boys around you, they were enjoying every second of it.