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╰┈➤ ❝ [𝑇𝑊𝐸𝑁𝑇𝑌-𝑆𝐸𝑉𝐸𝑁] ❞ೄྀ࿐ ˊˎ-
⁺⤾·˚.⃗.  [ɴᴇᴡ ʏᴇᴀʀ, sᴀᴍᴇ sʜᴇɴᴀɴɪɢᴀɴs] 𑁍ࠜೄ ˊˎ
﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋

The Room of Requirement
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
— Scottish Highlands
( December, 1994. )

              𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐓 of the holidays lingered in the air as New Year's Eve approached. The halls of Hogwarts buzzed with energy, and despite the chill of winter, warmth radiated throughout the castle. For the students who had stayed behind during the holidays, it was the perfect opportunity to end the year with a bang.

Fred and George had worked their magic once again—quite literally—transforming the Room of Requirement into the ultimate party space. This time, the guest list was even bigger: nearly every sixth and seventh-year student in the castle had been invited, and word of the Weasleys' legendary planning had spread like wildfire.

Olympia and Cassie entered the Room of Requirement just as the party was getting into full swing, their eyes widening in awe at the scene. The space was unrecognizable, even compared to their surprise birthday party a few days earlier. This time, the room had taken on a sleek, glamorous vibe.

Golden and silver streamers hung from the enchanted ceiling, which sparkled like a starlit sky. Floating lanterns hovered above, their soft light casting a warm glow over the crowd. A massive clock was displayed at one end of the room, counting down the minutes until midnight. In the center of the space, an enormous dance floor shimmered, reflecting the lights like glass. Tables along the walls were laden with snacks, desserts, and a selection of drinks (courtesy of some covert Hogsmeade trips).

Music pulsed from an enchanted gramophone, a mix of upbeat wizarding hits and Muggle classics that Fred had insisted on including. The beat seemed to vibrate through the room, drawing people to the dance floor.

In one corner, a towering fountain of bubbling golden champagne flowed endlessly, filling crystal goblets that floated around the room, offering themselves to guests. Tables laden with festive treats and charmed snacks glittered with soft fairy light.

Fred and George stood near the entrance, looking impossibly smug. "Ladies," Fred and George greeted, bowing dramatically. "So glad you could make it." Fred added.

He gestured with an exaggerated flourish toward the grand party scene inside. "Welcome to the finest soirée Hogwarts has ever seen, courtesy of yours truly."

"Hey me too," George added, stepping forward with a playful grin, his gaze settling warmly on Olympia.

"How do you two ever get any schoolwork done?" Olympia teased, a smile tugging at her lips.

"Pfft, that's what first years are for duh" George shot back, his grin widening. He extended a hand to Olympia, tilting his head toward the dance floor. "Fancy a spin?"

Olympia hesitated for only a moment before taking his hand. "Lead the way."

Meanwhile, Olympia followed George to the center of the dance floor. The music was fast and lively, and George immediately twirled her into the rhythm. His steps were smooth, confident, and full of playful energy, and Olympia couldn't help but match his enthusiasm. It was far different than the ballroom waltzing, that was for sure.

"You're better at this than I expected," she admitted as he spun her again, her laughter ringing out above the music.

"Surprised?" George asked, pulling her closer as they moved in sync.

"A little," she teased, raising an eyebrow. "Figured you were all jokes, no footwork."

He grinned, his eyes twinkling. "I'm full of surprises."

As the song shifted to a slower tempo, George pulled Olympia into a steady rhythm, their movements smooth and effortless. She felt herself relax into the moment, her pulse quickening as his hand pressed lightly against her back.

Then, with a dramatic flair, George dipped her low, his hand supporting her effortlessly. Olympia let out a laugh, her hair brushing the floor as the world tilted. When he pulled her back up, their faces were only inches apart. The playful glint in George's eyes softened, and before she could fully process what was happening, he leaned in and kissed her.

It wasn't rushed or bold, but soft and deliberate, as if he'd been waiting for just the right moment. Olympia's breath caught, her heart racing as she kissed him back, the noise of the party fading into the background.

When they broke apart, George's usual grin returned, this time gentler. "Told you I was full of surprises," he murmured.

Olympia blinked up at him, her cheeks flushed, she hadn't expected him to kiss her in front of everyone. "I'll give you that one."

"Oi!" Fred's voice interrupted, calling from the drinks table. "Are you two done snogging? We're dying of thirst over here!"

George chuckled, taking Olympia's hand. "Let's not keep them waiting."

They weaved through the crowd, joining Fred and Cassie at the drinks table, where a floating goblet of champagne hovered toward Olympia as if charmed to know she'd arrived. Cassie was already holding a glass, her face lit up with amusement.

"You've got glitter in your hair," Cassie pointed out to Olympia, smirking.

"Occupational hazard," Olympia shot back, taking a sip of the golden drink.

Fred raised his glass, giving George a pointed look. "So, when's the wedding, then?"

George groaned, rolling his eyes. "Can't you ever take a night off?"

"Not when you're giving me material," Fred said with a wink.

Cassie elbowed him. "Leave them alone. You're embarrassing yourself more than usual."

"Impossible," Fred quipped, raising his glass in mock dignity.

The four of them lingered by the drinks table, sipping champagne and sharing stories from the term, the party buzzing around them. The music shifted back to a lively beat, and the dance floor filled again as the clock ticked closer to midnight.

The party was in full swing, the air thick with laughter and the occasional hiccup from one too many glasses of enchanted champagne. The fountain of bubbling, golden liquid hadn't stopped flowing all night, and the sixth and seventh years were more than a little tipsy. Spells meant to prevent drunken behavior clearly hadn't been applied—or had been cleverly bypassed.

Lee stumbled across an unoccupied table in the corner, nearly spilling his drink as he caught himself on its edge. His gaze landed on the smooth wooden surface, and inspiration struck like a lightning bolt. With a dramatic spin, he leapt onto the table, champagne sloshing dangerously close to the brim of his glass.

"Oi! Everyone, get over here!" he hollered, his voice booming over the music. "I've got a brilliant idea!"

Heads turned, curious and slightly unsteady, as a wave of students shuffled closer. Olympia and George exchanged a bemused look before making their way over, Cassie and Fred trailing behind. Judeth, Cedric, Marianna, Atlas, Angelina, Cho, Oliver, and Gideon joined the growing circle, their faces lit with a mix of intrigue and mild suspicion.

"What now, Lee?" Angelina asked, arching an eyebrow but clearly entertained.

Lee cleared his throat dramatically, swaying slightly as he tried to steady himself on the table. He raised his wand, twirling it between his fingers, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

"Ladies, gentlemen, and magical beings of questionable sobriety," he began with an exaggerated bow. "I present to you... Spin the Wand: Truth or Dare edition!" He raised his wand into the air with a dramatic spin.

"Spin the wand? Really Lee? What are we twelve?" Oliver asked, an amused chuckle escaping his lips. "Might as well play Gobstones while we're at it."

"Ah, Woody boy but you haven't heard the twist," Lee countered, his grin widening as he reached into his robes with exaggerated flair. "Behold!"

From the depths of his robes, he produced a bottle that seemed to glimmer with dark, almost malevolent energy. The black glass was sleek and dangerous-looking, sealed with a wax stamp that bore a warning in glowing red letters: "Firebreather's Reserve – Consumption Not Recommended for Human Beings."

The room went quiet. Even the enchanted champagne fountain seemed to bubble less enthusiastically.

"Where did you get that?" Cedric asked, staring at the bottle as though it might bite him.

Lee wagged a finger. "Trade secret. Ask no questions, get no lies. But here's the deal, my dear, slightly inebriated comrades: If you don't want to answer a truth or perform a dare, you take a shot of this." He shook the bottle slightly, and the liquid inside fizzed ominously. "No exceptions."

"I'm not drinking that," Cho said immediately, stepping back.

"We'll then do the dare," Angelina said, grabbing her by the arm with a wicked grin. "This is going to be amazing."

"Or lethal," muttered Olympia, eyeing the bottle like it was a cursed object.

"Both!" Lee said cheerfully. "Alright, let's play. Olympiaaaa, you're classy enough to kick this off. Spin the wand."

Olympia arched a brow but stepped forward, taking out her wand and giving it a flick onto the table. The wand spun with a soft whir, the group leaning in closer as it slowed. It stopped, pointing squarely at Atlas.

"Sibling rivalry right out the gate," Fred cackled, elbowing Cassie. "This is going to be good."

"Truth or dare?" Olympia asked sweetly, her tone dripping with faux innocence.

Atlas straightened his shoulders, trying to look unaffected. "Dare," he said, attempting to sound brave.

Olympia smirked like a Kneazle with a bowl of cream. "I dare you to serenade Judeth. Right now. Full choreography."

The room burst into laughter, Judeth choking on her drink as she exclaimed, "What? No! I—"

"A dare's a dare," Lee said smugly, crossing his arms.

Atlas sighed, his face rapidly turning scarlet. "This is a stupid dare."

"Take the shot, then," Judeth said, trying to hide her amusement. "It's safer."

But Atlas, stubborn as ever, took a deep breath, dropped to one knee, and launched into a dramatically off-key rendition of "A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love" by Celestina Warbeck. He even threw in a spin that nearly knocked over Fred's drink, sending the crowd into hysterics. Judeth buried her face in her hands, half mortified, half dying of laughter.

"Merlin, my ears!" George groaned, clutching his head.

"Alright, alright, spare us!" Lee yelled, tears streaming down his face from laughing. "Next spin!"

Atlas stood, his face still a little red but now sporting a lopsided grin. He gave a mock bow to the roaring crowd, then leaned over to toss Okympia's wand to her before removing his own from his pocket. "Right, my turn," he said, flicking it onto the table.

The wand spun fast, whirring as the group leaned in, breath held in anticipation. It slowed, wobbled, and finally came to a stop, pointing directly at Gideon.

"Truth or dare?" Atlas asked, smirking like a man who had just survived a battlefield and now wanted revenge.

Gideon, who had been quietly sipping his champagne, straightened with a nervous chuckle. "Dare," he said quickly, trying to sound confident.

Bad move.

Atlas rubbed his hands together like a cartoon villain. "I dare you to take a lap around the room... as a dragon."

The group exploded into cheers, some already mimicking wings with their arms.

"What does that even mean?" Gideon asked, looking equal parts confused and horrified.

"It means you're flapping, roaring, breathing fire—the whole bit," Fred said, grinning ear to ear. "Don't skimp on the details, mate."

"Or take the shot," Lee added, shaking the ominous bottle of Firebreather's Reserve with a devilish grin. Waiting rather impatiently to see someone take a shot of the ominous liquid.

Gideon sighed dramatically, clearly weighing his options. "Fine, but if I pull something, you lot are covering my hospital wing fees."

He dropped his drink onto the table, spread his arms wide, and let out what could only be described as the most pitiful, half-roar, half-yawn the group had ever heard. "That's a chicken, not a dragon!" Angelina shouted, laughing so hard she nearly dropped her glass.

"More fire!" George yelled. "And flapping, come on, put some effort in!"

Gideon sighed again, then began running around the room, stomping and flailing his arms like wings. He added exaggerated growls and the occasional "ROAR!" that sounded more like a sneeze. By the time he pretended to "breathe fire" on Oliver, sending the Quidditch captain ducking behind Cassie, the crowd was rolling in laughter.

"Best dragon impression I've ever seen," Judeth said, wiping tears from her eyes.

"Absolutely legendary," Olympia agreed, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Now spin the wand, Puff the Pathetic Dragon."

Still out of breath, Gideon staggered back to the table, grabbed his wand, and flicked it. The wand spun furiously, making two full rounds before it finally slowed and landed on Angelina.

The group cheered. "Angelina!" He called, clapping his hands together. "Truth or dare?"

Angelina smirked, tilting her head. "Dare, obviously."

"I dare you to duel Fred in a full ballroom dance. And you have to lead."

The room erupted again, Fred doubling over in laughter while Angelina rolled her eyes. "Please, I can lead circles around him."

Fred straightened, wagging a finger at her. "You're underestimating my twinkle toes."

"Prove it," Angelina said, holding out a hand.

To the sound of poorly hummed waltz music from the crowd, Angelina pulled Fred into the middle of the room and began twirling him around with surprising grace. Fred, meanwhile, was a chaotic mess, tripping over his feet and nearly taking them both down twice. (He wasn't exactly used to someone else leading.)

"Fred, you're like dancing with a troll," Angelina muttered, trying to keep her balance as Fred stumbled through another turn.

"This is unnatural!" Fred replied, grinning.

Eventually, the pair collapsed in a heap on the floor, the group clapping and whistling as Angelina brushed herself off and whisked out her wand. "Next victim."

Fred, still lying on the floor, reached up and spun the wand. It twirled wildly before landing on Marianna.

"Truth or dare?" Angelina asked, sitting up and smirking.

"Truth," Marianna said without hesitation, crossing her arms.

"Oh, come on!" Lee groaned. "You're killing the mood!"

Angelina leaned forward, eyes glinting. "Fine. Here's your truth: Who's the better-looking twin, Fred or George?"

The group collectively gasped, their heads snapping to Marianna as if she held the secrets of the universe.

Marianna, to her credit, didn't even blink. She looked between Fred and George with an exaggerated slowness, then shrugged. "Fred."

"YES!" Fred punched the air triumphantly, while George spluttered.

"Lies!" George cried. "This is favoritism!"

Marianna just smirked, flicking her hair over her shoulder. She spun her wand and it landed on Oliver, who groaned instantly at the sight. "Truth or dare my dear quidditch captain?" Marianna mused.

Oliver glances around the circle, "dare." He decided, not wanting to look like a pansy.

"I dare you to take a shot." Marianna said simply, earning cheers and whistles around the group.

"Hell yeah!" Lee bounded forward, uncorking the drink and pouring the bubbling liquid into a shot glass. "Single or double?"

"Single!" Oliver cried out.

"Mmmm no double." Marianna corrected with a devilish smirk.

Oliver hesitated for a split second, his jaw tightening as the group erupted in laughter and jeers. The flickering candlelight in the common room cast shadows across his determined expression as he stared down the bubbling amber liquid Lee was carefully pouring. The fiery scent wafting up from the glass was enough to make even the boldest wizard falter, but Oliver Wood was nothing if not competitive. He wouldn't back down—not in front of his team, and certainly not with Marianna Oakes grinning at him like she had already won.

"Double it is," Oliver said, his voice firm, though there was a faint edge to it, thickening his Scottish accent. He picked up the shot glass, glaring at Marianna. "You're going to regret this, Oakes."

"Oh, I doubt it," she replied sweetly, crossing her legs and leaning back against the sofa. "Unless you can't handle it, of course."

Fred and George leaned in close, whispering loudly to each other. "This'll either end in glory—"

"—or he'll be passed out under the table in ten minutes," George finished with a grin.

"Shut up," Oliver muttered, though he couldn't hide the amused flicker in his eyes. Around him, the group was already chanting, their voices rising in anticipation.

"WOOD! WOOD! WOOD!"

Lee held the bottle high, saluting the group before giving Oliver a mischievous grin. "To our fearless captain! May he survive this!"

The chant grew louder as Oliver raised the glass. The fire-breathing Reserve fizzed ominously, tiny sparks of flame licking the rim. It was the strongest alcohol in the wizarding world—rumored to make even seasoned Aurors hesitate—and here Oliver was, about to throw back a double shot like it was pumpkin juice.

"Alright then," Oliver said, taking a deep breath. "Cheers."

With one swift motion, he downed the liquid. The second it hit his tongue, he knew he was in trouble. It wasn't just the taste—it was like drinking molten lava, scorching a path down his throat and setting his insides ablaze. He slammed the glass down on the table, his face scrunching up as he gasped for air.

The group roared with laughter, Fred and George practically collapsing into each other. "His face!" Fred howled, pointing at Oliver's reddening cheeks.

"Bloody hell, it's like he swallowed a dragon!" George added.

Oliver's eyes watered as he coughed, holding up a hand for silence. "I'm—fine," he croaked, though his voice sounded like it had been dragged across gravel.

"Are you, though?" Marianna teased, leaning forward with a triumphant smirk. "You look a bit... fiery, Captain."

Oliver shot her a glare, though the effect was slightly ruined by the hiccup that escaped him—a hiccup accompanied by a tiny puff of smoke. The room dissolved into chaos, everyone laughing and pointing at the faint tendrils of smoke curling from his mouth.

"I swear—" Oliver began, but he hiccupped again, this time with a small burst of flame that singed the edge of Lee's sleeve.

"Oi!" Lee yelped, jumping back and patting at the embers. "He's gonna set the bloody place on fire!"

By now, Oliver had joined in the laughter, shaking his head as he wiped at his watering eyes. "You're all insane," he muttered, though he couldn't stop grinning.

The game spiraled further into chaos as the wand landed on more unsuspecting victims. George had to do an interpretive dance. Oliver got dared to wear a lampshade as a hat for the next five rounds. Lee confessed to sneaking into the Ravenclaw common room past curfew to see Seraphina. Cedric narrowly avoided setting himself on fire when dared to juggle flaming goblets.

By the time the wand landed on Cedric again, the room had become a whirlwind of laughter, spilled champagne, and increasingly questionable dares.

"Truth or dare?" Lee asked, leaning in like a vulture ready to feast.

Cedric sighed. "Truth."

The group quieted, sensing something juicy was about to happen. Lee's grin widened. "Alright, Ced. Who do you fancy?"

Cedric's face turned bright red. He glanced at Olympia, then at the Firebreather's Reserve sitting ominously on the table.

"I—uh—think I'll take the shot," he stammered.

The group erupted into cheers and teasing as Cedric grabbed the bottle, his hands shaking, he poured the shot. With one fluid motion he downed the shot, his eyes immediately watering as flames shot out of his ears.

"Best game ever," Lee declared, raising his glass. "Who's next?"

As Cedric wiped his mouth after the fiery shot, the group howled with laughter, the air thick with a mix of smoke (thanks to Cedric's flaming ears) and the lingering scent of enchanted champagne. Olympia chuckled softly, leaning into George, who wrapped an arm around her shoulder with an easy smile. It hadn't been too long since they'd made their relationship official, but the comfortable warmth between them already felt natural, even amidst the chaos of Lee's ridiculous game.

Marianna stood nearby, laughing at Cedric's misfortune, and she glanced toward Olympia and George. There wasn't an ounce of bitterness in her expression, only a quiet fondness. She nudged Cedric lightly with her elbow. "That's what you get for trying to avoid the question."

Cedric chuckled, rubbing his neck. "Trust me, the shot was the better option. Besides, I think we all know the answer to that question."

"Do we?" Marianna teased, though her grin softened. Cedric smiled back, a rare glint of mischief in his eyes. Their exchange was easy and playful, a sign of how far they'd all come.

"Yeah yeah Mar, watch it or I'll ask you the same question." He threatened, causing her to chuckle and sip her drink.

"I'd take the shot." She admitted, their gazes landed on Olympia and George before locking with one another, the two sharing a knowing glance.

Meanwhile, Oliver had been sitting quietly, recovering from his earlier shot of Firebreather's Reserve. Too quietly, in fact.

It started with a hiccup—a small, harmless sound that barely drew attention. Then came another, followed by a third. Oliver swayed slightly, blinking as though the room had suddenly grown three sizes.

"Er, Wood?" Lee asked, leaning forward with a mix of amusement and concern. "You alright there, mate?"

Oliver waved him off, though his hand barely seemed to coordinate with his brain. "I'm... I'm fine," he slurred, hiccupping again. "That stuff—hic—isn't even that bad."

"You look like you're about to fall over," Cho pointed out, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm not falling over!" Oliver protested loudly, standing abruptly... only to immediately stumble into Atlas, who caught him just before he hit the floor.

"Sure, mate," Atlas said, grinning as he steadied him. "You're as steady as a drunk troll on ice."

"I'M FINE," Oliver insisted, though his legs said otherwise. He blinked at the room, squinting like it was suddenly too bright. "Is the floor moving?"

"Nope, just you," Fred said, biting back laughter.

Oliver swayed again, this time narrowly avoiding the table. "This is—hic—nothing. I've flown through a hurricane, you know!"

"I'm sure you have," Angelina said, trying not to laugh as she pulled a chair behind him. "Sit down before you try to duel the champagne fountain."

Oliver plopped into the chair with a dramatic sigh, hiccupping again. "This is all Lee's fault," he muttered, glaring at his friend. "Who brings illegal whiskey to a party?"

"I prefer the term 'legendary,'" Lee corrected, looking far too pleased with himself.

George snorted, pulling Olympia closer as she rolled her eyes at Lee. "This is exactly why I don't trust Lee with any kind of responsibility."

"Oi!" Lee protested. "You're all enjoying this game, aren't you?"

"Define enjoying," Olympia replied dryly, though her lips twitched in amusement.

The wand was spun again, this time landing on Seraphina. The group cheered as she arched an eyebrow, clearly unfazed.

"Truth or dare?" Cedric asked, his voice still slightly raspy from the shot.

"Dare," Seraphina said smoothly, crossing her arms.

Cedric hesitated for a moment before his lips curved into a slow grin. "Alright, I dare you to prank George."

The group erupted into laughter, George groaning immediately. "Why me?" He hollered, throwing up his hands in defense.

"Because you're you," Fred quipped. "Now get ready for whatever she's about to pull."

Seraphina turned to Olympia with a sly smile. "You don't mind, do you?"

Olympia shook her head, grinning. "Not at all. Just don't screw up his face." She joked, earning a laugh from each of them.

George groaned again. "I'm surrounded by traitors."

Marianna leaned in, whispering something to Lee, who immediately started cackling. The rest of the group watched in anticipation as she pulled out her wand and muttered a spell under her breath. A faint, glittering aura surrounded George's head, but nothing seemed to happen immediately.

"What did you—" George started, but then his voice suddenly pitched several octaves higher. "What did you DO?!"

The entire room dissolved into hysterics as George's voice continued to squeak, sounding more like a cartoonish house-elf than a fully-grown wizard. "Sera!" he squeaked indignantly, his ears turning red. "Undo it!"

"Not a chance," she replied, grinning. "This is too good."

Olympia was doubled over laughing, clutching her side. "I think I love this," she managed between breaths.

George turned to her, still squeaking. "You're supposed to be on my side!"

"I am!" she said, wiping tears from her eyes. "But this is amazing."

"I hate all of you," George muttered, though the effect was lost entirely thanks to his helium-infused voice.

As the laughter continued, Lee raised his glass once more. "To chaos!"

"To chaos!" the group echoed, the night far from over as the wand spun once again, ensuring even more ridiculous antics and unforgettable moments.

Around them the party ensued, but the group had accumulated a number of watchers, intrigued by the hilarious antics of the game.

As the wand spun again, the group tried to compose themselves, though George's squeaky protests still sent them into fits of giggles. Oliver, meanwhile, was slumped in his chair, his head lolling to one side as his hiccups grew louder and more frequent.

"Alright, who's next?" Lee asked, leaning forward eagerly. The wand slowed and stopped, this time pointing at Oliver.

The group erupted into cheers and jeers. "Oh, this is going to be good," Fred said, rubbing his hands together.

"Truth or dare?" Seraphina asked.

Oliver blinked slowly, squinting at the group like he was trying to remember where he was. "Dare," he slurred, his Scottish brogue suddenly thick enough to cut with a knife. "I'm no a wee bairn—ye cannae scare me."

The room paused for half a second, then exploded with laughter.

"Oh, Merlin, his accent's gone rogue," Angelina wheezed, clutching her stomach.

"Oliver, mate, are you alright?" Cedric asked, trying and failing to keep a straight face.

"Ahm foin'," Oliver replied. He hiccupped again, throwing up a finger. "But if any o' ye think ye're gonna get me tae—hic—back doon, ye've got anither thing comin'."

"Alright, alright," Seraphina said, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. "I've got the perfect dare for you. I dare you to—wait for it—get up on the table and give us all a pep talk, Quidditch captain-style."

Oliver's eyes lit up, his drunken haze momentarily lifting as if this was exactly what he'd been born to do. "Aye," he said, slamming a fist on the arm of his chair. "Pep talks are mah specialty."

The group exchanged amused looks as Oliver staggered to his feet, swaying dangerously. Atlas moved to steady him, but Oliver waved him off with a dramatic flourish. "Dinnae touch me—I'm foin!"

"Sure you are," Cassie muttered, biting her lip to keep from laughing.

Oliver climbed onto the table with all the grace of a bowtruckle trying to dance, nearly knocking over the enchanted champagne fountain in the process. He steadied himself, spread his arms wide, and began.

"Laddies an' lassies!" he bellowed, his voice ringing out in a rich Scottish brogue that was almost incomprehensible. "Tonight, we are here tae celebrate! Celebrate courage, celebrate camaraderie, an'—hic—celebrate me not fallin' aff thus damn table."

The crowd roared with laughter, George squeaking out a particularly high-pitched cheer.

Oliver continued, pointing at random people with exaggerated seriousness. "Ye! Fred Weasley! Ye may be a troublemakin' menace, but ye've got the heart o' a lion an' the brain o'... well, somethin'. And ye! Angelina Johnson! A goddess among mortals, if ever there was one."

"Keep going, I like this," Angelina called, grinning.

"And Cedric Diggory!" Oliver's arm wobbled dangerously as he gestured toward Cedric. "A man o' such handsomeness, he's practically a liability tae the rest o' us mere mortals."

Cedric groaned, covering his face. "Oh no."

"But most importantly," Oliver continued, swaying slightly as he turned to Olympia and George. "You two!" He squinted at them, hiccupping again, swaying slightly. "Ye've got somethin' special, aye? A love story fer the ages, like, uh... like... Romeo an' Juliet!"

"Pretty sure they die at the end," George pointed out, his squeaky voice making the whole thing even funnier.

"Shut yer trap, Weasley!" Oliver barked, nearly falling over as he spun to face him. "Mah point is—ye're a good lad, and she's a good lass, an'... ah forgot wha' ah was sayin'."

He hiccupped one last time before teetering dangerously on the edge of the table. Atlas and Fred rushed forward, grabbing him just before he tumbled off.

"Okay, that's enough table speeches for tonight," Fred said, laughing as he helped Oliver back into his chair. "Someone get him some water."

"Or a stretcher," Cho muttered, still giggling.

As Oliver slumped in his chair, muttering something about Quidditch tactics, the group spun the wand again, their laughter ringing through the room.

With the wand pointing decisively at George, the atmosphere quickly recovered from Oliver's drunken antics as all eyes turned to the next victim of the game. Now back in his normal voice, George raised his hands in mock surrender, the twinkle in his eye unmistakable.

"Fine, fine, I'll give the crowd what they want. Dare!" he announced, drawing cheers and a few wolf whistles from the gathering.

Fred, always ready to instigate further mischief, grinned devilishly. "Alright, Georgie, since you're so eager to entertain, I dare you to propose to Olympia—"

"With a love song!" Lee interjected, clapping his hands in delight.

George's face broke into a wide grin. "Challenge accepted," he declared, jumping up with a flair that could rival any seasoned performer. He quickly scanned the room for something to use as a makeshift microphone, grabbing a spoon from a nearby punch bowl. Clearing his throat dramatically, he turned to Olympia, who was already laughing, shaking her head in amused anticipation.

George began, his voice a dramatic falsetto, "Oh, Olympia, fairest of the fair, brains of Ravenclaw and beauty beyond compare!" He took her hand, dropping to one knee, and continued in song, "Will you make me the happiest wizard in the world, and accept this humble spoon as a token of my undying affection?"

The room erupted in laughter and applause as Olympia played along, dramatically clasping her hands together and pretending to swoon. "Oh, George, I thought you'd never ask!" she exclaimed, her voice loud enough for everyone to hear, causing another wave of laughter.

As George took a theatrical bow, handing her the spoon with a flourish, the attention momentarily shifted as Cedric, affected by his earlier shot of Firebreather's Reserve, began to show signs of the potent drink's effects. His usually calm and collected demeanor melted away, replaced by a hilariously exaggerated loquaciousness.

Cedric stood, swaying slightly, his eyes wide with a giddy expression. "Ladies and gentlemen," he announced, his words slightly slurred, "I feel fantastic! Is this what love feels like, George? Because I feel like I could hug a dragon!"

He proceeded to stagger around, attempting to hug various partygoers, proclaiming his newfound affection for everyone and everything around him, including the enchanted champagne fountain, which he assured everyone was "the most beautiful fountain he had ever seen."

As the group dissolved into fits of laughter at Cedric's antics, George pulled Olympia back to her feet from her mock faint, both of them chuckling at the absurdity of the game.

"Seems like Cedric's got a bad case of the love potion!" Angelina joked, dodging as Cedric came over to bestow a rather wobbly hug on her.

The night continued in a similar vein, with the party shifting back to its original high spirits, fueled by a combination of magical intoxicants and the sheer ridiculousness of their games. As laughter filled the room once more, the earlier tension was forgotten, replaced by the joyful camaraderie of friends enjoying a night filled with magical mischief and unexpected declarations.

As the laughter and antics continued, Fred glanced at his watch and realized the time was swiftly approaching midnight. With a grin, he stood up, clinking his glass to draw attention. "Everyone, everyone! It's nearly midnight!" he announced, his voice booming across the room.

The chatter quieted down as everyone turned their attention towards him, a buzz of excitement filling the air. Fred, with his usual flair for the dramatic, raised his wand high into the air. "Let's count it down together!" he declared.

With a flick of his wand, he conjured a large, glowing countdown clock that floated majestically above the crowd. The numbers shimmered into view, starting from ten and ticking down amidst a halo of sparkling magical lights.

"Ten, nine, eight!" the crowd joined in enthusiastically, their voices rising in unison, the anticipation palpable as each number faded and the next appeared, larger and brighter.

"Seven, six, five!" Cheers and laughter mingled as friends drew closer, raising their glasses, wands twinkling with prepped spells and charms, ready to mark the occasion.

"Four, three, two!" The excitement peaked, everyone's eyes fixed on the floating digits that lit up their faces in a warm, golden glow.

"One!" As the final number burst into a spectacular array of sparkles, cascading down like a waterfall of lights, Fred shouted, "Happy New Year!" mimicking the traditional celebratory cheer.

At that moment, amidst the cheers and the magical display, George turned to Olympia. As the world around them erupted in celebration, their eyes locked, and all the noise seemed to fade away. George gently cupped Olympia's face in his hands, and they kissed, deeply and slowly, as if they were the only two people in the room. Around them, the magic of the countdown turned the surroundings into a blur of colors and light, but they were lost in their own world, the chaos of the party fading into a distant murmur.

The kiss was a perfect moment of connection, a bubble of tranquility amidst the festive tumult. As they finally pulled apart, the room snapped back into focus, but for a moment, it had felt as if time stood still, the celebration around them just a backdrop to their shared affection.

The night continued with high spirits and laughter, but for George and Olympia, the countdown kiss had deepened their bond, marking the night as not just a celebration of fun and games, but of something more profound between them. The memory of their kiss amidst the sparkle and cheer would linger long after the party ended, a cherished moment in the midst of magical chaos.