The Slytherin common room was warm, the greenish glow from the lake above casting shifting shadows across the stone walls. A fire crackled in the hearth, and for once, I felt… calm.
Pansy was sprawled across the emerald couch, flipping through an issue of Witch Weekly with exaggerated disinterest. Draco sat in the chair beside her, tossing a small silver Snitch-like trinket from hand to hand. He wasn’t really paying attention to it—he just liked having something to fidget with. I was on the floor, leaning against the couch, absently twirling my wand between my fingers.
“This is nice,” Pansy said after a moment, stretching like a cat. “No classes, no homework, no obnoxious Gryffindors—just us.”
Draco smirked. “For once, I agree with you.”
I hummed in response, watching the flickering light dance across the stone ceiling. “I dunno, I think we should be grateful for the Gryffindors. Without them, who would we blame for all our problems?”
Pansy snorted. “True. And without Potter, who would Professor Snape take all his rage out on?”
Draco scoffed. “He could start with Longbottom. That disaster of a student needs all the correction he can get.”
I rolled my eyes. “You just don’t like him because he has the audacity to keep existing.”
Draco tossed the Snitch up and caught it in his palm. “Exactly.”
Pansy let out a dramatic sigh and flopped onto her stomach, kicking her feet in the air. “Honestly, you two are no fun. We should be talking about something more important. Like, for example—who do you think will be the first to drop out of Hogwarts?”
Draco smirked. “I have my Galleons on Finnigan. He looks like he’s one failed spell away from spontaneously combusting.”
I laughed. “That’s a fair bet. But I think it’ll be Creevey—he’s got way too much energy. He’s either going to get himself killed or drive McGonagall insane.”
Pansy grinned. “Both good choices. Personally, I think it’s going to be Weasley. The youngest one. She’s too quiet. Suspiciously quiet. If I had six older brothers, I’d be unhinged too.”
Something in my stomach twisted uncomfortably at that. Ginny. I hadn’t spoken to her much since she arrived at Hogwarts, and part of me didn’t want to. It was easier that way.
But before I could dwell on it too much, the door to the common room swung open, and the mood instantly shifted.
Professor Snape stepped inside, his black robes billowing slightly as he scanned the room. His sharp gaze locked onto me immediately. “Vipera. With me. Now.”
Silence fell. Pansy and Draco both tensed, exchanging quick glances.
I felt my heart rate pick up. Snape never asked to speak with students unless it was serious. Had I done something wrong? No—well, nothing that he could prove, anyway.
Still, I stood up, keeping my expression neutral. “Alright.”
I could feel Pansy’s questioning gaze on me, but I didn’t look back. Instead, I followed Snape out of the common room, my mind racing.
Something was wrong.
And I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like what was coming next.
TO BE CONTINUED…
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and then Add to home screen.