•Flirting?•

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Christmas Eve had arrived, and the Gryffindor common room was transformed into a cozy haven of warmth and cheer. A large fire crackled in the hearth, casting a golden glow that illuminated the faces of my friends as we gathered around the oversized couch and chairs, a mix of blankets and festive decorations strewn about.

Lily, Alice, Sirius, James, Remus, and Peter were all there, laughter filling the air as we settled in for a night of games. A large bowl of popcorn sat in the middle of the table, alongside mugs of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

"Alright, who's ready for a round of Exploding Snap?" James exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

"Count me in!" Sirius replied, grinning as he reached for a deck of cards. "Just remember, I play to win."

"Isn't that your strategy for everything?" I teased, nudging him playfully. He just winked at me, that familiar mischievous glint in his eye.

As the game began, the atmosphere turned competitive, everyone calling out playful insults and making wild gestures as cards went flying. Lily and Alice were teaming up against James and Sirius, and Remus, ever the peacekeeper, took it upon himself to try and maintain some semblance of order.

"You two are far too competitive," he remarked, shaking his head with a smile as Sirius tried to distract Lily with exaggerated facial expressions.

"Oh, come on! It's all in good fun!" Sirius protested, then turned to me with a mock-serious expression. "Grace, what's the verdict? Should we let them win?"

"Not a chance!" I laughed, tossing a card at him. "You know I'm rooting for the underdogs!"

The game escalated into delightful chaos, and soon popcorn was flying everywhere as Sirius attempted a particularly dramatic move. "You're ruining the snacks!" Alice shouted, giggling.

"Sorry, I'll clean it up—after I win!" Sirius shot back, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes, a smile still on my face.

After several rounds of Exploding Snap, we decided to take a break and shift to a more relaxed game of charades. James jumped up first, dramatically acting out "Hippogriff" while we all tried to guess.

"Is it a giant chicken?" Remus guessed, earning a laugh from everyone.

"No! Try again!" James insisted, his movements growing increasingly exaggerated.

Sirius took a turn, mimicking a rather flamboyant dance that left us all in stitches. "What are you even doing?" I managed between fits of laughter.

"Clearly, I'm channeling my inner Nymphadora Tonks!" he declared, striking a ridiculous pose.

The laughter continued to roll through the room, and the mood felt light and carefree. As the evening wore on, we began to share stories, reminiscing about past holidays and our favorite Hogwarts memories.

As the laughter from our games began to settle, an idea sparked in James's mind."You know what we need right now?" he said, leaning forward with a conspiratorial grin. "Midnight snacks from the kitchens!"

"Are you serious?" Lily raised an eyebrow, though I could see the intrigue in her eyes.

"Absolutely! What better way to make this Christmas Eve unforgettable?" James replied, his enthusiasm infectious.

Sirius leaned in closer, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. "I'm in. Who wouldn't want to raid the kitchens on Christmas Eve? It'll be a legendary adventure!"

Alice clapped her hands in excitement. "I'm in! Let's go!"

Remus, ever the cautious one, frowned slightly. "Do we really want to risk getting caught? It's already late."

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