The Maimed Portrait
Caitlyn hesitated outside the Gryffindor common room, the muffled sounds of laughter and music filtering through the heavy wooden door. Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door.
The scene inside was complete and utter chaos.
Jack-o'-lanterns flickered overhead, their carved faces shifting expressions as if amused by the revelry below, though some had toppled over, spilling pumpkin guts. Bats swooped through the air, dodging students who danced wildly to an off-tune enchanted record player. The air smelled like cinnamon, butterbeer, and something suspiciously strong wafting from the corner where Lorris and Gert were playing bartender.
The bluenette barely had time to take it all in before Mylo caught sight of her. He let out a low whistle, then grinned sloppily.
“Damn. Cait, you look hot!”
Caitlyn arched a brow, unimpressed. “Thanks, Mylo. Very eloquent.”
She could help but be proud of her outfit—a Dracula-esque ensemble complete with a high-collared cape, a deep blue bodysuit adorned with gold accents, and transfigured vampire fangs that Mel had insisted on adding. The bodysuit hugged her figure perfectly, accentuating her long legs and showing just enough cleavage to make the look bold without being over the top. Caitlyn felt good in it—confident even.
Mylo’s response was cut off by Jayce stumbling over to the duo.
Jayce was dressed as a rugged steampunk explorer. He wore a fitted brown leather vest over a cream-colored shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and a pair of brass goggles rested casually atop his head, flickering with tiny sparks of light. His khaki pants were rolled at the cuffs, revealing sturdy boots with glowing runes etched into the sides. A brass compass dangled from his belt, hovering just slightly above his waist, spinning erratically before settling on a random direction, almost as though it had a mind of its own. At the other side of his belt, a small flask of glowing liquid swirled inside.
His mouth hanging open as his eyes locked on Mel. The Slytherin girl was wearing a sleek, silver dress that shimmered under the jack-o’-lantern lights, her hair flowing effortlessly, with a pair of pointed elf ears transfigured to perfection.
With a quick, practiced motion, Caitlyn reached up and gently placed one finger under Jayce's jaw, nudging his mouth shut.
"Close it, Jayce," she teased. "You’re starting to look like a fish."
Jayce blinked rapidly as he snapped out of his stupor, flushing slightly. "I- Just - Mel, you look - Wow!"
Mel giggled, a playful sparkle in her eyes as she winked at Jayce. "Thank you darling. Now, care to show us drink options?"
"Right this way, milady." He gave a dramatic bow and extended his arm toward Mel.
The trio make their way to a table full of various bottles and snacks. Jayce quickly ladles some punch into cups, handing them to the ladies.
Jayce turned to Caitlyn, a smirk tugging at his lips as he leaned casually against the table. “Didn’t expect you to show up,” he said, eyes flicking over her outfit before he raised a brow. “ Especially not with this much effort.”
Caitlyn rolled her eyes. “What, because I don’t normally have fun?”
“Not this type of fun. No offence Sprout, but this isn’t your normal scene.”
“Yeah well, Mel insisted.”
“You sure it had nothing to do with a certain Pink-haired host?”
“Of course not!”
Mel quickly cut in. “I don’t know, our dear Caitlyn was more than willing to dress up . I barely had to convince her to show a bit more skin”
“I did not dress up for her!”
“Didn’t dress up for who?” An amused voice sounded from behind her.
Caitlyn froze, her grip tightening slightly around her cup. She turned her head slowly, already knowing exactly who that voice belonged to.
Vi stood there, arms crossed, a teasing smirk playing on her lips. The warm glow of the jack-o’-lanterns cast soft shadows across her face, making the sharp amusement in her eyes stand out even more.
She turned fully to face the Zaunite, her gaze dropping momentarily to the drink in her hands before she straightened her shoulders, willing her face to stay neutral. “No one,” she said, perhaps a little too quickly.
Mel giggled into her drink, clearly enjoying the moment. Caitlyn shot her a glare before looking directly at Vi. “This place looks great. You should be really proud.”
Vi’s eyes snapped up to meet hers, a faint blush dusting her cheeks.
“Oh—uh, thanks,” she said, rubbing the back of her neck. “Wasn’t just me though. Those jack-o’-lanterns there, Powder managed to get them to float with a modified levitation charm. Claggor helped with the expressions—he thought they were too friendly at first.” She chuckled, nodding toward the swooping bats. “Those? Mylo’s idea. Said the place needed ‘controlled chaos.’ Not sure how much control there actually is, though.”
As Vi continued pointing out different decorations, Caitlyn found her attention drifting. The dim, flickering light of the lanterns cast a warm glow on Vi’s face, softening the sharp angles of her features. Her costume was noticeably altered from earlier that day. The wide-brimmed hat had been replaced with Vander’s black bandana. The metal hook was now clipped to her belt. Best of all, the embroidered coat was gone, leaving only the bindings wrapped around her chest.
Caitlyn’s gaze flickered lower, and her breath hitched. The grime smudged across Vi’s skin seemed almost too deliberate, emphasizing every sharp contour of her abs. The flickering lantern light only made it worse, casting shifting shadows over the defined ridges, the dust and dirt making them look rugged, like she’d just walked off the deck of a real pirate ship. It was ridiculous. Infuriatingly so. No one should look that good covered in fake filth.
Vi, oblivious to Caitlyn’s struggle, gestured toward a string of enchanted lanterns hanging from the ceiling. “And these? Powder rigged them to flicker like candlelight, but they’re actually cold to the touch. Pretty sick, right?”
Caitlyn blinked, forcing her focus back to the conversation. She cleared her throat, willing her voice to sound normal. “Mm-hmm. Very impressive.”
“You alright? You look a little red. I get this isn’t your typical thing... do you need a breather?”
“Oh, I’m fine,” she gestured awkwardly to her face. “Its, uh, the alcohol, makes me flush.”
"Ah, gotcha. Though, it’s kind of ruining your whole undead vampire vibe."
“Oh? So you don’t like it?” Caitlyn teased, leaning a little closer.
“I didn’t say that.” Vi raised an eyebrow, her gaze lingering on Caitlyn’s outfit as she took a step closer. “Didn’t expect this from you.”
“Well, Mel looked like I’d killed her cat when I suggested showing up in jeans and a sweater.”
Vi chuckled. “Still, didn’t think you owned something like this.”
“Again, blame Mel. She insisted I get it on our last shopping trip.”
“Imagine if your mum saw you in this.”
Caitlyn winced. “She’d probably have a heart attack.”
Vi’s voice dropped slightly. “I think I had a mini heart attack when you turned around. That cape’s deceiving from the back.”
Caitlyn’s lips curled into a sly smile. “What can I say? I like being unpredictable.”
Vi hesitated, her smirk faltering as she leaned back slightly, her posture shifting. The playful spark in her eyes dimmed, a guarded expression taking over.
Just as Caitlyn opened her mouth to ask if she was okay, a loud crash rang out from across the room, followed by someone’s shriek of laughter.
“I should check on that.”
Without waiting for a response, Vi turned and melted into the crowd, leaving Caitlyn standing there, a confusing mix of emotions swirling in her chest.
Across the room, Viktor, Mel, and Jayce stood near a table, absorbed in their own little bubble.
Viktor offered a small smile. “Are you both doing alright? I imagine it must be a little disappointing, putting your names in the Goblet and not being chosen.”
Jayce let out a breath, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, I won’t lie, I’m pretty disappointed. I really wanted the chance to prove myself.”
“You don’t need a dangerous tournament to prove yourself, Jayce. Everyone already knows what you’re capable of.”
“Yeah, maybe. But it would’ve been nice to have something solid to back it up, you know? Something undeniable.”
Viktor patted his shoulder affectionately. “You don’t need the Goblet’s approval for that. You’ll get your chance to show the world what you can do—just in a less life-threatening way, hopefully.”
“I guess you’re right. What about you Mel?”
Mel swirled the liquid in her glass, watching the way the dim lighting caught the deep red of her drink. “To be honest, I didn’t exactly have much of a choice.”
Viktor tilted his head. “Oh?”
She exhaled through her nose, a wry smile on her lips. “My mother was... insistent. Said it was my duty to represent our family, to prove my worth. She’d already decided I’d be the champion before I even wrote my name down.”
Jayce frowned. “That’s messed up.”
Mel shrugged, though there was a flicker of something—relief, maybe, or resignation—in her expression. “It is what it is. I wasn’t about to argue. But I think the Goblet knew.” She glanced toward the enchanted cup, now sitting dormant at the front of the room. “It saw through me. I wanted to want it, but deep down, I didn’t.”
Viktor hummed, considering her words. “Perhaps it sensed that and chose accordingly.”
She let out a quiet chuckle. “Maybe. Either way, I won’t pretend I’m not relieved. A little disappointed, sure, but… I’d rather be standing here, watching the chaos, than being thrown into it.”
Jayce nudged her playfully. “And yet, if your name had been called, you would’ve handled it like a queen.”
Mel smirked, swirling her drink once more before setting it down with a decisive clink. “Alright, enough sulking. This is still a party, isn’t it?”
Jayce exhaled, then grinned. “You know what? You’re right. No point moping around when there’s a party going on.”
Mel smirked. “Now you’re getting it.”
He straightened up, rolling his shoulders like he was shaking off the disappointment. “Alright, let’s make this a night to remember.”
Viktor sighed, already sensing where this was going. “I have a feeling I’m about to regret this.”
Jayce looped an arm around his shoulders. “Oh, you definitely are.”
With that, Mel led the charge toward the center of the party.
A little while later, the party had fully descended into chaos. The music was louder, the drinks had been flowing, and somewhere along the way, things had taken a turn for the ridiculous.
In the center of the room, a small crowd had gathered around Vi, Jayce, and Mylo—who were, for reasons unknown, now deep in a very serious abs competition.
Jayce, shirt half undone and grinning like a fool, flexed with the confidence of a man who had never lost a challenge in his life. “I mean, come on. It’s not even a question.” He ran a hand down his stomach. “Feel that. Like a damn washboard.”
Vi, equally wasted but stubborn as ever, scoffed and jumped up on a couch next to him. “Yeah, yeah, you wish. I could crack a walnut on these.” She turned to the crowd. “Who wants to test it?”
Meanwhile, Mylo, who had somehow been dragged into this mess, was standing off to the side, sulking. “This is rigged. I wasn’t prepared for this!” He pulled up his own shirt, only to be met with unimpressed silence.
Jayce winced dramatically. “Oof. Tough break, buddy.”
Vi patted Mylo’s shoulder, trying (and failing) to look sympathetic. “Maybe if you actually did more than two sit-ups in your life.”
“Hey, I do plenty of sit-ups,” Mylo protested.
Jayce smirked. “Yeah? Prove it.”
And just like that, Mylo, still very much drunk, dropped to the floor and began attempting sit-ups. On the third one, he got stuck halfway up, groaned, and collapsed back down.
Vi and Jayce immediately burst into laughter, high-fiving over Mylo’s tragic defeat while the gathered students cheered.
From across the room, Caitlyn, Viktor, and Mel watched with varying degrees of amusement and secondhand embarrassment.
“Should we… stop them?” Viktor asked, eyeing Jayce in particular with a mix of fondness and exasperation.
Mel sipped her drink, entirely unbothered. “Absolutely not. This is the best entertainment I’ve had all night.”
Jayce, now shirtless, threw an arm around Vi’s shoulders. “Alright, alright, new game. We’re gonna see who can chug a whole butterbeer first after being spun in circles. ”
A mix of excited cheers and horrified gasps followed.
“This is a terrible idea,” Viktor muttered from the sidelines.
“I love this idea,” Mylo slurred, already preparing himself.
Caitlyn pinched the bridge of her nose. “They’re going to throw up.”
Claggor, entirely unbothered, leaned against a table with a smirk. “Which is exactly why we watch instead of participate.”
Despite all warnings, the trio were already in motion. Ekko—who had somehow been roped into facilitating this disaster—stood in front of them, sighing dramatically. “Alright, listen up, you absolute morons. Here’s how it works: We’re gonna spin you around ten times, then you chug the butterbeer. First one to finish without falling over wins.”
Vi pointed at Jayce. “Hope you’re ready to lose. ”
Jayce scoffed. “Vi, I was born for this.”
“I was born stupider than both of you,” Mylo announced, as if that were an advantage.
Lorris grabbed Jayce’s shoulders and spun him hard , while Gert did the same for Vi and Ekko for Mylo. They were spun until they were barely standing, then given their butterbeers. The second Ekko yelled, “GO!” they attempted to chug.
It was an absolute disaster.
Vi got three gulps in before she hiccupped and nearly spat it all out, doubling over in laughter.
Jayce, for all his confidence, took one sip, swayed dangerously, and collapsed straight onto the floor, pouring the rest on himself.
And Mylo? Mylo didn’t even try to drink. He took one look at his spinning world and just gave up, flopping onto his back with a defeated groan.
The crowd erupted into cheers and laughter.
Vi, still buzzing with adrenaline (and way too much punch), suddenly perked up. “Alright, new plan—we take this party outside .”
Mylo, still lying on the floor, groaned. “Vi… I can’t even see straight.”
“Not my problem, Eyebrows,” Vi cackled, grabbing him by the arm and easily lifting him up. “Come on, let’s go explore.”
Jayce, immediately perked up. “ Yes. This is the energy I need.”
Ekko, who had somehow become the only responsible one left, frowned. “Outside where ?”
Vi threw her arms out. “Anywhere! Everywhere!”
And just like that, the drunken horde stumbled their way out of the common room.
The Fat Lady’s portrait let out an indignant shriek as Jayce practically fell through the exit. “Honestly! Have you no shame? You lot are menaces —”
Vi, still in just her chest wraps and pants, turned back and grinned. “Love you too, babe.”
The Fat Lady gasped. “I—WELL—I NEVER—”
But they were already gone, barreling down the hall with no clear destination.
Caitlyn, Mel, and Viktor had only turned their backs for one second.
One.
But when they looked back, the drunken disaster crew were gone.
Vanished.
Caitlyn’s eyes widened. “Where did they go?”
Mel scanned the now much emptier room, unimpressed. “How did they disappear that fast?”
The girls didn’t even hesitate. They bolted out the door.
Viktor sighed, shaking his head. “Well, there they go.”
Lorris, who had been watching the madness unfold while enjoying his drink, smirked. “Five galleons says they don’t find them before something catches on fire.”
Viktor took a long sip of his drink. “Not taking that bet.”
"Vi, no."
"Vi, yes."
The group had somehow ended up near the Quidditch storeroom. With the kind of drunken logic only Gryffindors possessed, they decided flying was the obvious next step in their night of questionable decision-making.
Jayce wobbled as he tried to mount a broom. "Guys… I don’t think I remember how to fly."
"That’s the best part!" Mylo cheered. "We’re all equally terrible right now."
Ekko, absolutely done with this nonsense, groaned. "I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I miss the abs competition. At least that was contained."
Vi cackled as she kicked off from the ground—only to immediately veer sideways and almost take Mylo's head off.
"WOAH—!" Mylo yelped, ducking just in time as Vi's broom whizzed by his ear.
"I AM A GOD!" Vi screamed, completely losing control and hurtling off in the opposite direction, spiraling into a nearby wall before somehow managing to right herself, hovering unsteadily a few feet off the ground.
"Not a god, just a menace," Mylo muttered.
Then, from behind the corner, a small voice squealed, "NO WAY!" Powder rounded the corner at full speed, eyes wide with excitement.
"Are you trying to get us all killed?!" She shouted with a laugh, her voice full of disbelief and amusement.
Vi, still spinning in midair, let out a delighted cackle. "Grab a broom sis!”
Without hesitation, she grabbed a broom and kicked off from the ground, zooming around in tight, dizzying circles, clearly having the time of her life. "You guys are amateurs! Watch me!"
Ekko, watching in disbelief, groaned. "This is a disaster waiting to happen."
"Come on, Ekko! " Powder yelled as she whipped past him, grabbing his arm and practically pulling him onto his broom.
Ekko sighed, giving in with the kind of resignation only Powder could trigger. "Fine, but if I die tonight, I’m haunting all of you."
Jayce finally managed to climb onto his broom. He pushed off from the ground too fast and wobbled drunkenly, flying straight into a bush with a loud THUD .
"Pow! Look at this" Vi shouted through the chaos, just before she tried to spin around, but she lost her grip on her broom, tumbling headfirst into the dirt with a solid WHAM . "OW! THAT... that was not it."
Powder, still zipping around, barely missed crashing into a wall as she saw Vi eating dirt. "You okay?" she asked, laughing between breaths.
Vi groaned from the ground, face down. "I might need a new face."
Ekko, looking over at the mess they were making, just shook his head. "This is insanity. Complete insanity."
Claggor, watching the whole thing unfold, shrugged and grabbed a broom. "Might as well join the madness."
The sound of approaching footsteps made them freeze. Caitlyn and Mel rounded the corner, eyes wide at the sight of the flying chaos unfolding in front of them.
"Really? You guys are trying to kill each other?" Caitlyn asked, raising an eyebrow, her voice full of disbelief.
Mel, shaking her head with a grin, added, "Honestly, you’re all insane."
From around the corner, a very familiar, very grumpy voice rang out.
“I KNOW YOU’RE OUT THERE, YOU LITTLE MENACES!”
Mylo’s eyes went wide. “Filch.”
A beat of silence. Then—
“RUN.”
And chaos erupted.
Drunken, giggling, and absolutely not stealthy, they tore down the hall in every direction, knocking over suits of armor, bumping into walls, and making way too much noise for anyone trying to get away with rule-breaking.
Somehow, the sisters and Jayce, ended up leading the charge, Claggor followed with Mylo on his back, while Ekko and Caitlyn desperately tried to keep the damage to a minimum.
Mel jogged at a casual pace behind the group. “You know, we could just stop running.”
Jayce, panting, yelled back, “And then what, Mel? Go back to our cells ?”
“That’s literally just the dormitory—”
“ CELLS, MEL! ”
More cackling. More footsteps. More near-collisions.
And then, suddenly—
"PEEVES!" someone shouted as the poltergeist materialized out of nowhere, swirling above them with a maniacal grin.
“Caught you, you ruffians! Let’s see how much trouble you can get into with me around!” With a snap of Peaves’ fingers, the suits of armor that lined the hallways suddenly came to life, creaking and groaning as they jerked into motion.
Without thinking, the group split into different directions, as if it was a well-practiced maneuver. Vi and Powder darted to the left, weaving through the maze of moving suits of armor, their laughter ringing out as they dodged everything in sight.
Jayce went right, but not without tripping over his own feet. His legs tangled, and he went crashing to the ground, flailing wildly. For a moment, it looked like he was done for—but then he twisted into a smooth barrel roll, flipping back onto his feet in one fluid motion. Without missing a beat, he kept sprinting down the hall as though nothing had happened.
Claggor and Mylo disappeared into the shadows of a hallway, only to accidentally knock over a broomstick. It skittered across the floor, sending a CLINK echoing down the hallway. Claggor, eyes wide, turned just in time to see the broomstick launch itself across the floor like it was on its own mission, the clatter adding to the growing noise. Both of them froze in place for a second, wide-eyed, before they both bolted down the hallway like they were being chased by a herd of stampeding centaurs.
Ekko and Caitlyn, who had been trying to minimize the damage, only seemed to make it worse. Dodging a suit of armor, Ekko slipped on some spilled parchment, crashing into Caitlyn. They tumbled into a dusty old bookcase, sending a cascade of books flying. Caitlyn, laughing and trying to regain her balance, elbowed Ekko in the ribs just as he stumbled backward, knocking over a stack of vases with a loud CRASH. She quickly grabbed his arm and pulled him up a nearby staircase, narrowly avoiding the chaos behind them.
Mel, trailing behind at a casual pace, just shook her head as the madness unfolded. “You all are going to kill me one of these days.” But her voice was lost in the chaotic symphony of Filch’s footsteps pounding closer and the crash of more falling objects. She sighed, almost resigned to her fate. "Well, guess I’m running now, too."
The brothers pushed forward through the twisting hallways, their footsteps echoing in the quiet castle. They weaved through corridors, turning sharply at every intersection, trying to stay out of sight. Time seemed to stretch and distort as they ran—how long had they been at it? Their senses were still clouded from the drinks earlier, and their legs ached with the effort of keeping up the pace.
The castle, once bustling with the sounds of their party, now felt strangely empty. A few distant echoes of Filch’s footsteps reached them, but otherwise, the halls were deserted. They pushed on, heartbeats still fast from the adrenaline, each step a blur of motion and effort.
They rounded corners, dodged statues, and leapt over obstacles, only relaxing when the familiar sight of the Fat Lady came into view.
Without thinking, they barreled through the portrait, tumbling into the room, their breaths heavy and ragged. They didn't stop until they were safely inside, the warmth of the fire hitting them all at once, easing the tension in their muscles.
Claggor collapsed into a nearby armchair, letting out a deep breath. Mylo flopped onto the couch, leaning back and closing his eyes for a moment.
“Well, that was... interesting.”
The brothers looked up to see Mel standing there, a nonchalant smirk on her face.
Claggor blinked, his voice halting with confusion. “W-what? How are you—? You were way behind us!”
Mylo rubbed his eyes in disbelief, trying to catch his breath. “Did... did you outrun us? We didn’t even see you…”
The slytherin girl just walked away, throwing a wink over her shoulder.
Ekko and Caitlyn burst into the room, their breaths heavy and uneven.They slammed the door behind them, much to the Fat Lady’s annoyance.
Ekko, grinning from ear to ear, wiped his brow. “That was insane. I honestly thought we’d get caught by Filch for sure.”
Caitlyn, trailing behind him, looked a little shaken. She pulled her hair back from her face, her eyes wide as she glanced around the room. “I… I didn’t even know I could run that fast,” she said quietly, her voice carrying a hint of surprise. Her breath was still coming in shallow gasps, but there was a visible sense of disbelief in her expression, as though the adrenaline was still catching up to her.
Claggor and Mylo exchanged a glance, still trying to process the chaos outside. Mylo raised an eyebrow, his confusion evident. “You two look... breathless. What happened out there?”
Ekko laughed, but Caitlyn’s face was more subdued, a slight frown tugging at her lips as she slowly sank into one of the chairs. “I think we barely made it out. Everything was just... so frantic. I didn’t even realize how close we were to getting caught until we were already halfway back here.”
Claggor gave her a concerned glance, his voice soft. “You alright?”
Just as Caitlyn was about to answer, Jayce ran into the room. His hair was a mess, his goggles hung around his neck, his boots and khakis dripping.
“Well,” he panted, running a hand through his tangled hair, “that was a bloody nightmare. Filch is a lot faster than I gave him credit for.” He collapsed into an armchair with a deep sigh, still trying to catch his breath.
Mylo shot him a teasing look. “What took you so long, captain? Thought you were supposed to be the fastest.”
Jayce shot him a tired glare but couldn’t help the small grin tugging at his lips. “Let’s just say I had a little detour. Someone left a bucket of water in the hallway, and I may or may not have slipped right into it.” He leaned back, clearly exhausted.
For a moment, the silence lingered—then, as the weight of the night began to settle, laughter erupted. It started with Mylo, a short snicker that quickly grew into a full-blown cackle, and soon the entire group was caught in the infectious wave of amusement. Adrenaline had faded, giving way to the sluggish, hazy warmth of the lingering alcohol. Claggor was nearly doubled over, pounding a fist against the arm of his chair, while Ekko wiped at his eyes, gasping for breath between chuckles.
“I gotta say, Jayce,” Mylo wheezed, shaking his head, “that was one hell of a barrel roll. Really stuck the landing.”
Jayce groaned, rubbing his temples. “It was not a barrel roll.”
“Oh, it was,” Claggor cut in, grinning. “A full, graceful, arms-flailing, feet-over-head barrel roll. Wish I’d seen it happen in slow motion.”
Jayce buried his face in his hands, muttering something about never living this down, while the others only laughed harder.
Jayce lifted his head just enough to squint at Mylo and Claggor before shaking his head. “At least I didn’t knock over a whole ass bookshelf”
He turned, finger pointing straight at Caitlyn, who had been quietly snickering in her chair.
The laughter instantly shifted targets. Caitlyn’s head snapped up, eyes wide. “I—what? No, that wasn’t—”
“Oh, it absolutely was,” Ekko cut in, still grinning. “One wrong step, and boom—entire shelf topples like a house of cards.”
Mylo gasped dramatically, clutching his chest. “The tragedy! The destruction! The absolute lack of spatial awareness!”
“I panicked ,” she muttered, then turned, leveling a sharp look at Ekko. “Oh, and you’re one to laugh?”
Ekko blinked, caught off guard. “Uh—yeah? I didn’t knock over a—”
“You lit a tapestry on fire .”
The room fell into stunned silence.
“YOU WHAT?!” Mylo practically yelled, nearly falling off the couch.
Ekko held up his hands defensively. “Okay, okay, in my defense—”
“There’s no defense for arson , Ekko!” Claggor cut in, gaping at him.
“It was an accident! ” Ekko insisted, laughing despite himself. “I was trying to cast Lumos so we could see better, but my wand slipped, and—well—” He made a vague whoosh motion with his hands.
Jayce was now rolling on the floor crying. “So you set Hogwarts on fire. Great. Fantastic.”
“It was a very small fire,” Ekko corrected.
Caitlyn scoffed. “Tell that to the painting that now only has half a face .”
“Oh, come on , it wasn’t that bad.”
“It was screaming, Ekko.”
The group burst into laughter again, Jayce nearly choking on his own breath. Mylo clutched his stomach. “Merlin’s beard , you maimed a portrait?”
Gert, who had been watching them all return with an amused smile, leaned forward from her spot by the fire, raising an eyebrow. “Not sure if you’ve noticed, but you’re missing a couple of people.”
“Oh, shit—Powder!”
Everyone scrambles to get up at once. Jayce nearly trips over Mylo, who shoves Claggor, who knocks into Caitlyn, sending her stumbling. Ekko swears under his breath as he fumbles for his wand. Chairs scrape against the floor, tankards nearly topple over, and someone’s foot lands directly on Mylo’s crotch.
“Yeah?”
The chaos halts instantly.
Powder is right there , leaning casually over Claggor’s shoulder, head tilted as she squints at them in confusion.
Gert stares at them, utterly unimpressed. “Not Powder , you idiots! Vi! ”
Powder blinks. “Wait, Vi’s missing? I swear she was with me.”
Ekko gives her a flat look. “Pow, when was the last time you actually saw her?”
Powder opens her mouth—then stops. Thinks. Slowly, her expression shifts from confident to sheepish. “…Okay, so maybe she wasn’t with me. But she was near me! Probably. I think.”
Caitlyn groans. “Fantastic. We’ve lost Vi.”
Jayce starts stumbling back towards the exit, followed by Powder and Claggor.
“Hold up,” Caitlyn says, her voice steady but firm. “You’ve already caused enough chaos for one night”
The others stop in their tracks, ready to argue back.
“I’m going with Mel,” Caitlyn continues, her gaze locking with Mel’s. “We’ll find her. You all stay here and, I don’t know, don’t break anything else.”
Mel gives a sharp nod, pushing Jayce into an armchair.
“Just, ugh, be careful.” Claggor says, though there’s a quiet respect in his tone. He’s clearly torn between wanting to go with them and knowing he’d just make things worse.
“We’ll be fine”
With that, the two of them head for the door, the others reluctantly staying behind, their attention drifting back to the room, unsure of what to do next.
The girls move swiftly through the quiet halls of Hogwarts, their footsteps muffled against the stone floors. The dim glow of enchanted torches casts long shadows along the walls, flickering as they pass. They check corners, peer down empty corridors, and glance up winding staircases, but there’s no sign of Vi. The minutes stretch on, the weight of uncertainty pressing heavier with each passing moment.
They round a corner and slip into one of the castle’s lesser-known passageways, a shortcut concealed behind an old statue. Mel moves ahead, eyes scanning the space, when a sudden shuffling noise makes her freeze.
Up ahead, she makes out three figures in the shadows. Lorris, Steb, and Maddie.
The trio looks just as startled to see them, Maddie clutching a small pouch to her chest while Lorris hurriedly tucks something into his cloak.
Lorris lets out a breath, visibly relaxing when he recognizes them. “Oh, it’s just you two.”
Maddie huffs, rolling her eyes. “You nearly gave me a heart attack.”
Caitlyn glances between them, noting the way Steb subtly shifts to block whatever Lorris just hid. She raises an eyebrow but doesn’t press. Instead, Mel crosses her arms, smirking. “What exactly are you three up to?”
Lorris grins, unbothered. “Oh, you know. Just… exploring.”
Caitlyn snorts. “Right. Exploring.”
Maddie groans. “Alright, alright, we’ll compare questionable activities later. What about you two? You look like you’re on a mission.”
Mel sighs. “We’re looking for Vi. We got split up earlier. Have you guys seen her?”
Steb taps his chin thoughtfully. “Actually, I think I saw a half naked person with pink hair running around near the astronomy tower.”
Mel snickers, despite herself. “Well, that narrows it down. Thanks, Steb. We’ll check the Astronomy Tower.”
Maddie, raises an eyebrow and steps forward. “Hey, I’ll come with you. Three pairs of eyes are better than two, right?”
Caitlyn glances at her, surprised. “You sure? We’ve got this covered.”
“I’ve got nothing better to do. Plus, I’m curious to see what trouble Vi’s got herself into.”
“Alright, then. Let’s go.”
With that, the trio heads off, determined to find the missing Gryffindor.
As they make their way toward the Astronomy Tower, Maddie falls into step beside Caitlyn, hands tucked into her pockets.
"You know," she starts casually, "you’re really serious when you're focused. It’s kinda… cool."
Caitlyn hums, eyes scanning the halls ahead. "I guess?"
Maddie nods, rocking on her heels. "Yeah. Like, real leader energy. Bet you’d make a great Auror."
"That’s the plan."
"Maybe you could, y’know… show me a few things sometime?"
Caitlyn furrows her brows, finally glancing at Maddie. "What? Leader things? I’m not sure what that’d entail."
Maddie blinks, then hurriedly shakes her head. "No, I mean—uhm—dueling! I heard you’re good at dueling."
Caitlyn tilts her head slightly, considering. "I do alright."
"I heard you took out Vi."
Caitlyn blinks. "What?"
"In a duel!" Maddie adds quickly, waving her hands. "You beat Vi in a duel once, right?"
"Oh. Yeah, once. But I think she was distracted."
"Still impressive! I mean, Vi’s kind of scary in the ring."
Caitlyn shrugs, completely oblivious to Maddie’s awkward attempts at flirting. "She’s strong, but she doesn’t always think things through. If you can outmaneuver her, you have a chance."
Maddie nods a little too quickly. "Right, right. So, maybe, if you have time, you could—uh—show me some moves?"
A sudden clang echoes from up ahead—metal striking stone, the unmistakable sound of something being knocked over. The three of them freeze. Mel exchanges a glance with Caitlyn before quickening her pace toward the noise, but Maddie hesitates for half a second before following.
They round the corner just in time to see Vi, pressed against the stone wall, her hands tangled in red hair as Sarah Fortune pulls her closer. The flickering torchlight catches on the glint of Sarah’s rings as her fingers curl into Vi’s shirt, neither of them seeming to notice the audience.
Mel stops short, eyebrows lifting slightly. Caitlyn, on the other hand, just stares , her breath hitching for half a second before she schools her expression into something unreadable.
Maddie snorts. “Oh, shit.”
The sound is enough to snap Vi and Sarah out of it. Vi’s head jerks up, eyes widening slightly as she registers the three figures staring at them. Sarah, for her part, just smirks, running a hand through her tousled hair as she steps back, completely unbothered.
Mel crosses her arms, amusement flickering in her gaze. “Well, that explains why we couldn’t find you.”
Caitlyn takes a step forward, her tone sharp as she crosses her arms. "Vi, what the hell? We’ve been searching for you for ages, and you’re out here doing—this?”
Sarah runs a finger over the corner of Vi's mouth, wiping away a smear of lipstick, before stepping back toward the hallway.
“Well, I’ll leave you all to it,” Sarah says, her voice light, almost too casual. “See you around, Vi.” She flashes a final wink before turning on her heel and walking away, her footsteps echoing in the quiet corridor.
Vi watches Sarah walk away, her eyes following the retreating figure for a moment before she turns back to face the trio, her cheeks flushed. She lets out a small sigh, running a hand through her hair and adjusting her shirt.
“Look, I—” She hesitates for a moment, searching for the right words. “I was running with Powder, right? We got separated—those damn stairs decided to take us in different directions. I was about to be caught. I thought I was done for. And then—” she exhales, glancing toward the direction Sarah just left. “Sarah appeared and pulled me out of there. And, uh… well, things just… escalated from there. I didn’t even realise how much time had passed.”
“Let’s - “ Caitlyn crosses her arms, a sharp sigh escaping her lips. “Let’s just go back.”
She turns on her heel, walking briskly past the others, her footsteps quick and purposeful as she heads back down the hall. Mel follows behind Caitlyn without a word, the two of them moving in sync.
Maddie slows her pace even more, her eyes glancing sideways at Vi as they walk. She tilts her head slightly, her tone almost too casual. "You know, Cait was really worried about you."
Vi looks at her, caught off guard by the comment. "What?"
Maddie shrugs. "Just saying. She’s been looking for you everywhere. Wouldn’t hurt to show a little appreciation, you know?"
"I know."
As they walked back toward the common room, the sounds of the castle around them seemed almost distant. The knot in Vi’s stomach tightened with every step. When she finally crawled into bed, sleep refused to come. She tossed and turned, unable to quiet the gnawing unease that clung to her thoughts.
Vi didn’t sleep well that night.