The afternoon sun glinted off the rippling surface of the Great Lake, casting a golden light across the sloping beech lawn. Fifth-year students drifted in scattered groups after their Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.L., relishing the cool breeze. Near the base of a sprawling tree, Severus Snape sat alone, nursing his parchment and ink, entirely engrossed in his notes.

A sudden flick of a wand shattered the peaceful quiet. Without a word or a shred of provocation, James Potter and Sirius Black strode across the grass, wands raised and grins flashing. Before Severus could react, James slashed his wand through the air, whispering a jagged spell:

“Levicorpus!”

In an instant, an invisible hook yanked Severus into the air by his ankle. He hung upside down, his black robes billowing downward over his head to expose his graying undergarments to the gathering crowd. Laughter erupted across the lawn as students pressed forward to watch, Sirius egging the crowd on while James twirled his stolen wand with effortless cruelty.

Severus thrashed wildly, his face burning red with a terrifying mix of fury and humiliation, cursing blindly from beneath the folds of his robes.

"Who wants to see me take off his trousers?" James shouted to the onlookers, his voice dripping with arrogance as he stepped closer, gesturing mockingly toward the dangling boy. The crowd cheered, craving the spectacle.