The Gryffindor common room was alive with celebration, laughter and cheers echoed off the stone walls, golden light from the roaring fire illuminated the victorious red and gold banners strung across the room.

Carlos had stayed for a while, celebrating with his friends, but afterwards he slipped away quietly, exhaustion and lingering pain from his still-healing injuries driving him to seek solitude. He had found refuge in the Astronomy Tower once again, the night air sharp and cold, but it felt better than the stifling warmth of the common room. He leaned against the stone railing, his broom propped beside him, as he let the distant stars blur in his tired eyes.

"You know, most students would be down there celebrating right now." Spoke a voice from behind him. Fernando.

Carlos startled slightly but didn't turn around. "I did stay a bit for the team, but I didn't feel like staying."

Fernando stepped forward, his usual sharp presence softened in the moonlight. He came to stand beside Carlos, his hands clasped behind his back as he gazed out at the sprawling grounds below. "You were... extraordinary today, I don't say that lightly."

Carlos let out a short laugh, devoid of humor. "It's just a school game, Professor."

"No, it wasn't. Not to the people watching. And not to me. Watching you out there- seeing the way you fought for every point, every moment- it reminded me of who you really are, Carlos. Resilient. Determined. Brave."

Carlos' shoulders hunched slightly, as if trying to shrug off the words. "It doesn't change anything."

Fernando turned to face him, his voice softer now. "No, it doesn't. But it doesn't have to. Sometimes, these small victories- they're enough to keep us going."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The wind whistled softly around the tower, and far below, faint cheers still carried up from the castle.

"Why...why are you really here, Professor?"

Fernando sighed, leaning against the railing. "Because I care about you and because I know... I know things haven't been easy between us lately. But I'm trying, even if I haven't always been good at showing it."

Carlos swallowed hard, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "You're still keeping secrets, though."

"I am. But not as many as before. And I promise you, when the time comes-you'll know everything."

Fernando paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "You deserve honesty, and I've been holding back- not because I don't trust you, but because I fear what the truth might cost you. The Chamber of Shadows isn't just a place, it's a test. I know, I've told you this before. It's one that changes everyone who enters it."

Carlos' brow furrowed as he turned slightly to face Fernando. "What do you mean?"

"The Chamber shows you the truth- not the one you tell yourself, but the one you hide from. And sometimes... the truth can break people. That's why I'm cautious. That's why I'm scared for you."

Carlos' expression wavered, a flicker of vulnerability showing through. "But you trust me enough to face it, don't you?"

"I do. And I believe in you, Carlitos. But promise me one thing- don't go rushing into it without being ready."

He hesitated before speaking again, his voice quieter now. "And Lando? He'll want to follow me, won't he?"

Fernando's gaze shifted slightly, his expression unreadable. "He will. And that's what worries me most. Because if he follows you, he'll see things. Things you've worked so hard to keep hidden. And I don't know if either of you are ready for that."

The weight of those words hung heavy in the cold night air. "I don't want him to find out like that."

"Then make sure he doesn't."

They stood there in silence for a few more moments, the wind tugging softly at their robes. Finally, Fernando straightened up. "Rest tonight. You've earned it."

Eventually the celebrations ceased as the time went past. The dormitory was steeped in heavy silence, save for the faint rhythm of steady breathing and an occasional snore. The faint glow of moonlight spilled through the cracks in the curtains, bathing the room in silvery light, Four-poster beds stood like silent sentinels, curtains drawn tight around their sleeping occupants.

But one bed wasn't as quiet. Lando slipped carefully through the curtains of Carlos' bed, wand clutched tightly in his hand. His socked feet made no sound against the stone floor as he perched on the edge of the mattress. Carlos was sitting up against his pillows, arms wrapped around his knees, looking far too awake for the hour.

With a flick of his wand, Lando muttered "Muffliato." The faint hum of magic filled the air, sealing them in a bubble of privacy "Merlin, you look terrible. Have you even slept since the match?"

Carlos gave a tired smirk but didn't meet his eyes. "You know, for someone sneaking into my bed at night, you're awfully judgmental."

Lando grinned but quickly sobered when he looked closer at his friend. Shadows lingered under Carlos' eyes, the way he sat- tense and curled in on himself- spoke of more than just exhaustion.

"I mean it. You look wrecked."

Carlos sighed, leaning his head back against the headboard. His voice was quiet, almost fragile. "It's been... a lot."

Lando nodded, fidgeting with the edge of the blanket. "You know you can talk to me, right? About any of it. Whatever it is," he tried to push.

For a long moment, Carlos didn't answer. His gaze stayed fixed on the shadows dancing across the bed curtains. "It's not that simple."

You keep saying that, but it doesn't change the fact that I'm still here. And I'm not going anywhere."

There was a brief silence, the weight of unspoken words stretching between them. "I know."

They stayed like that for a moment- two silhouettes in the moonlight, surrounded by an invisible wall of magic and fragile honesty.

Lando grinned faintly. "Well, if you're not gonna talk about the heavy stuff, at least distract me. Tell me something interesting. Hogwarts gossip? Your secret Quidditch techniques?"

Carlos let out a small, genuine laugh, shaking his head. "You'd have to actually play Quidditch to understand half of what I'd tell you."

"Oi! I could've been a Seeker. I'm graceful, you know."

"Yeah, like a flailing chicken."

He gasped in mock offense, clutching his chest. "I am deeply wounded. Right here, in my heart."

The two broke into quiet laughter, silenced to the others by the Muffliato charm. For a while, the tension seemed to ease. The shadows felt less heavy, and the air seemed less suffocating.

Eventually, Lando's grin faded slightly as he looked at his friend more seriously. "You know... I was really scared. That night by the lake. When you weren't there. I thought-"

His voice faltered, but Carlos quickly cut him off. "I'm here now."

"Yeah. Yeah, you are."

They sat in silence again, this time more comfortable. Lando leant back against the bedpost, legs stretched across the mattress. Carlos shifted slightly, uncurling from his tense posture.

"You know, you're not as alone as you think you are."

His eyes flickered to Lando, something unspoken passing between them. "I know."

Lando hesitated before speaking again. "Good. Because I meant what I said- I'm not going anywhere."

The corner of Carlos' mouth twitched into a faint smile. For the first time in what felt like weeks, he looked just a little bit lighter.

"Alright, shift over, I'm claiming a corner of your bed. You owe me for all this emotional labor."

Carlos rolled his eyes but shuffled over, letting Lando settle awkwardly beside him. "You're impossible."

"You love it."

They stayed like that, talking about nothing and everything until the first light of dawn crept through the curtains. When the Muffliato charm finally faded, the dormitory was stirring awake, but neither of them noticed- lost in the fragile safety of their shared night.