The Hogwarts Express hissed as it slowed to a stop at the familiar station in Hogsmeade. The fading daylight bathed the platform in a golden glow, and the excited chatter of students filled the air as compartments emptied and trunks were dragged out into the cool evening breeze. Lilith Nightingale stood in the corridor of her compartment, adjusting the hem of her robes as Victoria Newton slung her bag over her shoulder with a dramatic huff.

"Honestly, Victoria," Lilith said, arching an eyebrow. "How do you always manage to overpack for a single term?"

"It's not overpacking," Victoria shot back, flipping her black hair over her shoulder. "It's being prepared. Merlin forbid I need something and don't have it."

Elias Thorne stretched in the corner, his golden-brown hair somehow even messier after the train ride. He slung his bag over one shoulder and grinned lazily at them. "This bickering is cute and all, but some of us have places to be. Shall we?"

Lilith shot him a glare. "No one's waiting for you, Thorne. Feel free to go ahead."

"Aw, Nightingale," Elias teased, stepping into the corridor. "Admit it, you'd miss me if I left."

Victoria groaned, giving Elias a shove toward the exit. "Out. You're not holding us up any longer."

Lilith followed, her green eyes narrowing at the back of Elias's head as they made their way off the train. The cool evening air hit them as soon as they stepped onto the platform, carrying the scent of pine and distant rain. Students crowded around, their chatter filling the air as they gathered their belongings and looked for carriages.

Elias turned back to them, walking backward with his usual smirk. "You know, Nightingale, this year might be the one. The year you finally admit how much you enjoy my company."

"I'd rather endure detention with Filch," Lilith retorted, brushing past him.

"I'll take that as a maybe," Elias called after her, his hazel eyes twinkling with amusement.

Victoria tugged at Lilith's sleeve, muttering, "He's unbearable. Why does he make everything into a performance?"

"Because he's desperate for attention," Lilith replied coolly, though her cheeks warmed slightly despite herself. "Let's find a carriage."

As they approached the line of carriages waiting beyond the station, Lilith spotted Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini already seated in one. Pansy leaned out the window, her sleek dark hair framing her face as she waved at them impatiently.

"You two are slow," Pansy said as Lilith and Victoria climbed in. "We almost left without you."

Lilith glanced around the carriage. "Where's Malfoy?"

"He stayed behind to check something," Pansy replied with a huff. "Said we should go ahead without him. Typical."

"Sounds like Malfoy," Victoria said, settling into her seat beside Lilith. "Always a dramatic entrance waiting to happen."

"More like he's avoiding Pansy's complaining," Blaise muttered, earning a sharp glare from Pansy.

Before the conversation could escalate, the door to the carriage opened again, and Elias popped his head in. "Looks like you've got room for one more."

"Absolutely not," Lilith said immediately, her tone icy.

"Relax, Nightingale," Elias said with a grin. "I'm not staying. Just wanted to say goodbye. For now." He gave a mock bow, his hazel eyes lingering on Lilith for a moment too long before stepping back and closing the door.

Victoria let out a breath of relief. "Merlin, he's exhausting."

"That's one word for it," Lilith muttered, her fingers twitching against the hem of her robe.

The carriage began to move, pulled smoothly by the invisible magic that always felt a little eerie. Victoria shivered slightly, glancing toward where the unseen thestrals should have been.

"I know they're harmless," she murmured, "but I still don't like how they're... invisible."

Lilith gave her a sidelong glance. "You'll survive. Just focus on the castle ahead."

The rhythmic creak of the carriage wheels and the muffled chatter of other students filled the air as they made their way up the winding path to Hogwarts. The familiar silhouette of the castle loomed into view, its spires outlined against the deepening twilight. The sight was both comforting and daunting, a reminder of the challenges that awaited within its walls.

"So," Pansy said, breaking the silence, "how was everyone's summer? Anything remotely interesting happen, or were we all subjected to the same old family nonsense?"

Victoria snorted. "Mine was fine, thanks for asking. My parents spent most of it hosting tedious dinner parties, so I've heard enough polite small talk to last a lifetime."

"Aren't you used to that by now?" Blaise said with a faint smirk.

"Doesn't mean I enjoy it," Victoria shot back, crossing her arms.

Pansy's gaze shifted to Lilith. "And you? Let me guess—Caspian gave you another one of his motivational speeches?"

Lilith's lips twitched, though the smile didn't reach her eyes. "If by motivational, you mean a thinly veiled demand for perfection, then yes. It was very... inspiring."

"Sounds delightful," Pansy said with a roll of her eyes. "And here I thought my mother's constant nagging about finding a suitable match was insufferable."

The carriage rattled slightly as they crossed the bridge leading to the castle gates. Lilith glanced out the window, the sight of the Great Lake glittering in the fading light momentarily capturing her attention. Despite the weight of her responsibilities and the tensions that often accompanied her return to Hogwarts, there was a certain comfort in the familiarity of it all.

As the carriage slowed to a stop in front of the castle, the group began gathering their things. Pansy adjusted her robes, while Blaise cast a cursory glance at his reflection in the window.

"Let's hope Malfoy actually shows up at the feast," Pansy muttered as they stepped out onto the cobblestone path leading to the entrance hall.

The grandeur of Hogwarts loomed above them, its towering stone walls and glowing windows as awe-inspiring as ever. Students poured through the large oak doors, their voices echoing in the cavernous space beyond.

Lilith followed the flow of students into the Great Hall, the warm glow of hundreds of floating candles illuminating the four long house tables. The enchanted ceiling mirrored the twilight sky, a few early stars twinkling against the deep blue expanse.

As she took her seat at the Slytherin table beside Victoria, Pansy, and Blaise, Lilith allowed herself a rare moment of quiet satisfaction. Whatever challenges lay ahead this year, she was determined to meet them head-on.

And perhaps, just perhaps, she'd find a way to carve out her own path amidst it all.