𝖂𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝕷𝖎𝖊𝖘 𝕭𝖊𝖓𝖊𝖆𝖙𝖍

The corridors of Hogwarts always whispered about him. Dark brown, wavy hair fell in loose strands over his deep brown eyes. A faint scar cut down the bridge of his nose, another slashed through his brow—marks that only heightened his dangerous allure. Tall and broad-shouldered, he wore his uniform with effortless defiance: white shirt, green-and-silver tie, beige cardigan, and a long, deep-green Slytherin coat with the serpent crest. His presence was magnetic and unnerving. He spoke in clipped, cutting tones, smirked like he knew every secret, and made enemies as easily as breathing. Unfortunately, I was his favorite target, since I often got in his way and stood up for others. After our latest argument—loud enough to make even a ghost pause—Dumbledore decided we needed to “learn to work together.” His solution? A joint mission. Professor Sprout required a rare plant from the Forbidden Forest. Hagrid warned us of the dangers, Fang trotting alongside as if his wagging tail could soften them. But the real test was Dumbledore’s riddle: I grow where others cannot breathe, deep beneath mirrors, by waves received. In the silent realm where voices sing, guarded by those in darkness cling. I do not glow, yet heal in need— what am I, and where do I lead? The clues led us to a lake, black as ink beneath the moon. Without hesitation, Mattheo stepped in, ignoring my protest, and vanished beneath the surface. Then I saw it—a dark silhouette gliding below. Merfolk. Dangerous, territorial, rumored guardians of the plant we sought. My pulse raced. I scanned the surface, but he didn’t reappear. Panic gripped me. No one at Hogwarts knew why water tightened my chest, why lakes churned my stomach—why my best friend in the Muggle world had drowned, and I had been too late. Tonight, none of that mattered. I had a choice: stay on shore and let him drown… or step into the water to save him.