𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐏A𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄, jp

Truth or Dare.

The sky had turned dusky pink by the time Izzy and James made their way up from the lake, the cold nipping at their noses, their fingers laced tightly together.

They reached the castle steps, laughter bubbling between them as they stumbled over patches of ice, whispering things that would never be remembered but felt like the whole world in that moment. When they entered the Gryffindor common room, it was warm and dimly lit, a fire crackling in the hearth and casting golden light over the worn sofas and cluttered tables.

"Well," Izzy said, brushing snow from her sleeves, "this is where we part ways."

"For now," James replied, eyes glinting behind his glasses.

"What time will you be down for the party?" She asked, unlinking her hand from his as she began to walk up the stairs. James gently grabbed her waist, pulling her back down with a smirk.

"Couple of hours," he said, one arm still round her waist, the other brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "I'll see you then?"

"See you then," she grinned, butterflies swarming in her stomach, and he leaned in, lips brushing hers in a lingering kiss, soft and unhurried. Just as they pulled apart, a sharp whistle cut through the common room air.

"OI!" Marlene's voice rang out from the girls' staircase. "Save it for later, lovebirds! I'm too sober for this!"

Izzy groaned, burying her face in James's coat as Marlene laughed. James smirked and gave a mock salute before heading upstairs. Izzy turned, cheeks flushed, to find Marlene grinning wickedly.

"Come on, you. We've got a party to get ready for."

Upstairs, the girls' dormitory had been transformed. Marlene had dragged the record player out, and Fleetwood Mac was spinning, Stevie Nicks' voice dreamy and rich as they moved around the room. Clothes were scattered everywhere — dresses, glittering tops, flared trousers. The room smelled of perfume, hair spray, and the faint sharpness of Muggle wine that Marlene had smuggled in.

"Should've seen the way they were looking at eachother!" Marlene announced to the room, and Lily instantly grinned.

"Potter?"

"Duh," Marlene nodded, grabbing the bottle of wine, "fancy a glass?"

"Yeah," Izzy nodded, and she poured her a glass. "We're not that bad!"

"Sure," Alice winked.

Izzy sat cross-legged on Lily's bed while Marlene painted a bold streak of blue eyeshadow across her lids. Lily was curling Alice's hair, and Dorcas and Mary were dancing barefoot in their dresses, giggling every time the record player skipped.

"So," Marlene said, dabbing glitter at the corners of Izzy's eyes, "is it official yet?"

Izzy smiled, sipping from the glass in her hand. "I don't think it's official."

Mary flopped onto the bed beside her. "I give it three days before he's writing poetry."

"I actually wouldn't put it past him," Izzy laughed. "He's sweet."

Alice, cheeks pink, piped up, "Frank wrote me a note last week. Just 'meet me in the library,' but I was obsessed either way, he has beautiful handwriting."

"Adorable," Dorcas drawled, pouring more wine into glasses. "You lot and your bloody boys, makes me sick."

"We like a bit of romance," Lily said, fluffing her red hair in the mirror. "I'm jealous."

"Romance? Speak for yourself," Marlene grinned. "I like a bit of danger."

They all erupted in laughter, the room spinning slightly as the wine did its work. Glitter stuck to their cheeks and shoulders, eyeliner winged to the heavens, and the record changed to David Bowie as they danced in a whirlwind of curls and colour.