The air in Hogwarts carried a bite of early autumn, the crisp scent of leaves drifting through the castle corridors. The torches lining the stone walls flickered with their familiar warm glow, casting elongated shadows that danced with every gust of air that crept through the hallways. Lilith Nightingale walked with purpose, her boots tapping against the marble floors, her gaze sharp and unreadable. The weight of another long day settled on her shoulders, yet she carried it effortlessly, as she always did.

Her thoughts churned, tangled between the expectations pressed upon her and the persistent annoyance that was Elias Thorne. It had been days since their forced partnership in Potions, and somehow, he had managed to become even more insufferable. Whether it was in the hallways, the Great Hall, or even in passing glances during Prefect duties, he had taken to inserting himself into her routine with a sort of lazy amusement that made her blood simmer.

It wasn't just his arrogance, though that certainly played a role. It was the way he seemed so effortlessly unbothered by everything. As if he didn't carry the weight of expectations. As if he could just... exist without the crushing demand for perfection that she had always known.

She exhaled sharply, shaking her head slightly. Elias Thorne was not worth this much thought.

As she rounded the corner near the entrance to the Slytherin common room, she nearly collided with a small figure. A startled gasp met her ears, followed by the sound of books tumbling to the floor.

Lilith took a step back, steadying herself before her gaze landed on Leo Wilkes—a small first-year, his wide brown eyes staring up at her in a mix of fear and embarrassment. His robes were slightly too big for him, his sleeves bunched at his wrists as he scrambled to pick up his books.

"Wilkes," she said, her tone even. "You're supposed to be in the common room by now."

"I—I know," he stammered, fumbling with the last book. "I got lost."

Lilith sighed, bending down to pick up the parchment that had slipped from his grasp. She held it out to him, her expression softening just slightly. "The dungeon corridors can be confusing at first."

Leo nodded, his cheeks pink with embarrassment. "I tried to follow the torches, but they all look the same."

"They do," Lilith admitted. "But you'll learn soon enough." She gestured for him to follow her. "Come on, I'll walk you back."

Leo looked up at her, eyes full of a cautious sort of admiration. "You don't have to."

Lilith arched a brow. "I'm a Prefect. It's my job."

She led him through the winding stone corridors, her pace slowing just enough for him to keep up without stumbling. The castle at night had a different kind of presence—quieter, but somehow more alive. The distant sound of the Black Lake lapping against the walls of the dungeons created a rhythmic backdrop, and the occasional shifting of the castle's very foundation reminded them that Hogwarts was a place with secrets woven into its very stones.

"Is it true that Professor Snape favours Slytherins?" Leo asked suddenly, his voice small but curious.

Lilith glanced at him, considering her answer. "He expects more from us," she said finally. "He doesn't tolerate failure. But if you prove yourself, he will respect you."

Leo bit his lip. "I don't know if I'll be good enough."

Lilith stopped in front of the entrance to the common room, turning to face him fully. "You're here, aren't you?"

He nodded hesitantly.

"Then you belong," she said simply. "You'll find your way, Wilkes. And if you ever need help, you can come to me."

The password was spoken, and the stone wall slid aside. Leo gave her a small, grateful smile before hurrying inside, disappearing into the emerald glow of the Slytherin common room.

Lilith lingered for a moment before turning back down the corridor, her mind already shifting to the next task ahead.

Prefect rounds were meant to be routine, uneventful. A walk through the corridors, ensuring order, breaking up any minor rule-breaking, and reporting anything out of place. But tonight, there was something different in the air. The castle seemed... restless.

Lilith met up with Elias outside the Great Hall, his ever-present smirk firmly in place. She was already exhausted.

"Looking forward to our quality time together?" he drawled.

"I'd rather patrol with a troll," she muttered.

Elias clutched his chest in mock offense. "You wound me, Nightingale."

She sighed, ignoring him as they started their rounds. The corridors were mostly empty, only the occasional flicker of movement as students hurried to their dormitories. But as they turned a corner near the Transfiguration classroom, a muffled noise caught Lilith's attention.

She halted, holding up a hand to silence Elias. He raised a brow but said nothing as they listened.

There it was again. A hushed whisper. The scrape of something against stone.

Without hesitation, Lilith moved toward the sound, her wand slipping into her grasp as she approached the source. Elias followed, his own easy going demeanour shifting into something more serious.

They reached an alcove just outside the classroom, where the shadows pooled deeper than usual. A small figure was hunched there, barely visible against the stone wall.

"Lumos," Lilith murmured, the tip of her wand illuminating the space.

The light revealed a second-year Ravenclaw, trembling as he clutched something tightly to his chest—a book, old and worn, its cover barely intact. His eyes widened in terror as he looked up at them.

Elias knelt beside him, his tone unusually gentle. "What's your name?"

The boy swallowed hard. "N-Nathaniel," he whispered.

Lilith's gaze flickered to the book. "What are you doing out here?"

Nathaniel hesitated before whispering, "I—I found this in the Restricted Section."

Lilith exchanged a glance with Elias. This wasn't just a case of sneaking out after curfew. The Restricted Section was dangerous, and students—especially second-years—were not meant to be meddling in its secrets.

"What's in the book?" Elias asked, his voice careful.

Nathaniel hesitated again before whispering, "It... talks to me."

A chill ran down Lilith's spine. This wasn't just some stolen library book. This was something much worse.

Elias exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Well, that's not ominous at all."

Lilith turned to the boy, her expression steely. "You're coming with us. Now."

Nathaniel swallowed hard, nodding quickly as he clutched the book tighter. Lilith extinguished her wand's light, the shadows creeping back around them as they led him down the corridor.

There were many things lurking in the depths of Hogwarts.

And Lilith had a feeling they were only just beginning to unravel them.