The flickering torchlight cast long shadows along the stone corridors as Lilith Nightingale strode purposefully toward the Slytherin common room. The weight of the past day still pressed against her, heavy as a storm waiting to break. Conversations from lunch, murmurs in the library, and Elias's ever-present teasing all swirled in her mind, intertwining with thoughts of Leo and her father's expectations.

It was suffocating.

She paused briefly outside the common room entrance, muttering the password under her breath. The stone wall slid open seamlessly, revealing the dimly lit sanctuary of Slytherin House. A few students lounged in the plush emerald-green chairs, exchanging quiet words about the upcoming Quidditch match or their latest academic pursuits.

Lilith spotted Draco and Blaise near the fireplace, engaged in a hushed discussion. Pansy was draped elegantly over one of the couches, flipping through a magazine with disinterest. Theodore Nott sat at a nearby table, scribbling in what looked like a private journal, his brow furrowed in thought.

She made her way to her usual seat, ignoring the way Draco's gaze followed her. She had barely settled before he spoke.

"Nightingale," Draco drawled, his voice laced with curiosity. "You've been rather preoccupied lately."

Lilith arched a brow. "I wasn't aware my every move was under scrutiny."

Draco smirked, leaning back in his chair. "It's hard not to notice when you're adopting first-years and disappearing into the library at every opportunity."

Blaise chuckled. "We're starting to think you're plotting something."

Pansy let out an exaggerated sigh, closing her magazine. "Or she's just gotten herself a new little pet project."

Lilith remained composed, keeping her expression unreadable. "Maybe I simply have better things to do than entertain your endless gossip."

Draco tilted his head, his sharp eyes assessing her. "Or maybe you're starting to question things."

The words hung between them like a challenge.

Lilith held his gaze, knowing exactly what he meant. The Nightingale family was as entrenched in pureblood tradition as the Malfoys, their allegiances clear. To stray from that path was not only frowned upon but seen as betrayal.

And yet, she had begun to stray. In ways she never thought she would.

Her silence stretched, and she could see the satisfaction flicker across Draco's face. "Careful, Lilith," he murmured. "You wouldn't want to disappoint your father."

Lilith's fingers curled into her robes, nails pressing into the fabric. "I don't answer to you, Malfoy."

Draco smirked, lifting his hands in mock surrender. "Of course not."

Without another word, Lilith stood and turned on her heel, making her way toward the dormitories. She refused to let Draco's words sink their claws into her, but deep down, she knew they already had.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Later that night, unable to find sleep, she slipped from her bed and made her way back to the common room. The fire had burned low, casting flickering shadows across the room. Only one other person was awake.

Theodore Nott.

He sat at the same table as before, though now his book was closed, his sharp eyes focused on her as she approached.

"You don't sleep either?" he mused.

Lilith sighed, sitting across from him. "Not tonight."

Theo studied her for a moment before speaking. "You don't have to say it, but I know something's bothering you."

Lilith hesitated, then exhaled, her voice quiet. "Do you ever feel like everything's already decided for you?"

Theo's lips quirked into a knowing smile. "Every day."

She looked at him then, really looked at him, and for the first time, she realized she wasn't as alone in her thoughts as she had believed.