A few days before Christmas, the opulent Malfoy Manor was alive with the warmth and laughter of the young Slytherin group gathered in one of its many luxurious living rooms. The room was bathed in the soft, flickering light of a large fireplace, which cast playful shadows across the rich, dark wood panels and the plush, deep green velvet sofas arranged in a cozy semicircle. Outside, the grounds were blanketed in a thick layer of snow, but inside, the atmosphere was toasty and filled with festive cheer.
Theodore, Lorenzo, Mattheo, Draco, Blaise, Pansy, and Sara were all dressed down in comfortable, casual attire, a stark contrast to their usual Hogwarts robes and formal wear. Pansy and Sara were in cute, matching pajama shorts and tank tops, their hair loosely tied up, while the boys lounged in various states of disarray in sweatpants or pajama pants paired with worn t-shirts.
The room was scented with pine from the enormous Christmas tree in the corner, decked with silver and green ornaments that sparkled in the firelight. On the mantle, garlands and small magical ornaments moved gently, casting twinkling reflections around the room.
A low table in front of the sofas held an assortment of snacks and a few bottles of wine, which the group had been enjoying along with the relaxed, easy conversation that flowed as freely as the drinks. Mattheo, holding a joint between his fingers, passed it to Draco who took a long drag before letting out a cloud of smoke that lazily curled up toward the ceiling, where it dissipated.
The combination of wine and weed mellowed the atmosphere, laughter echoing softly in the grand room. Glasses clinked, and playful jabs were exchanged as old stories were reminisced with fondness or embarrassment.
As the evening wore on, the group's conversation started to dwindle, giving way to a comfortable lull. It was then that Blaise, with a mischievous glint in his eye, perked up. "Hey, why don't we play a game?" he suggested, his voice slightly slurred but enthusiastic. "How about 'Never Have I Ever'?"
The idea was met with an array of reactions, from Pansy's intrigued smirk to Theodore's groan, though he was smiling. Mattheo raised an eyebrow, a playful challenge in his eyes as he looked around at his friends, all slightly tipsy and giggling.
"Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen," Draco commented dryly, though his tone betrayed his amusement as he poured himself another glass of wine.
"Perfect," Lorenzo chimed in, clapping his hands together. "It's settled then. 'Never Have I Ever' it is."
"Who's up first, then?" Sara asked, making a grabbing hand at Draco, asking for the joint.
"Fine, I'll go first." Lorenzo said confidently, as he took a swig of his wine. "Let's see... Never have I ever kissed a girl." He said, smirk on his lips.
All the boys put a finger down, and in a motion that elicited a loud gasp from the group, Pansy put one of her fingers down as well.
"Pansy! So scandalous, we *must* know all the details," Mattheo got up and moved next to Sara, as she now possessed the joint.
"You lot are mental if you think I'm talking about that," Pansy shook her head. "Shit happens when you're drunk. I have no doubt that Theodore and Mattheo have woken up cuddling after a night out."
"I'll second that," Sara laughed, taking a hit of the joint and handing it to Mattheo.
"Wait, let's settle this," Pansy sat up straighter. "Never have I ever woken up cuddling Nott or Riddle." She put her own finger down referencing the one time Theodore and her had hooked up years ago.
Theodore was laughing so hard he could barely breathe, but once he did, he put his finger down as well. "I cannot deny these accusations."
Mattheos' eyes wandered across the people in the room as he put his finger down as well. He raised his eyebrows at Sara, clearly implying she should also put her finger down.
