𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄 ✔︎ ━ 𝖱𝖨𝖣𝖣𝖫𝖤

𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘-𝐎𝐍𝐄: 𝐖𝐄'𝐋𝐋 𝐁𝐄 𝐎𝐊𝐀𝐘

I had just finished packing a backpack with clothes and bathroom supplies to fulfill my stay with Zachary.

I notified Kiara and Cho that I'd be staying with two Slytherin girls- Lily and Meredith- for a Herbology project.

It pained me to lie to them... Again. I've been such a terrible friend, especially recently, I feel as though it only hurt our friendship more.

It was dark, and almost pitch black in the hallways. The only light was the light moonlight streaming through the windows and the dull candles lining the hallways.

I held the strap of my backpack closely as I walked down the hallway. My hand clutched my wand as the dark silence consumed me. It was so quiet I could almost hear my own heartbeat pulsing with adrenaline.

I reached the Slytherin common room. I stood at the door, debating wether I should knock or not. I didn't know if it would wake the guests, and if it did they'd probably hate me... Even more than they already do.

As my hand hovered there, about to knock, the door swung open. Zachary was standing in the dimly lit doorway, a conscious smirk on his face.

He stepped into the hallway and pulled the backpack off my shoulder, holding it in his hands with ease. I thought it was heavy, but apparently to him the backpack was as light as a feather.

"Good evening, Anastasia." He said rather properly. I rolled my eyes and followed him into the common room, where not a single soul was present. The room was dark, aside from a single lit fireplace in the corner of the room.

I followed him up the stairs to the boys dormitories, where many sleepy souls rested. I followed Zachary into his private quarters. A lamp in the corner of the room emitted a soft light, but other than that the room was dark.

I unzipped my backpack which he had sat on the corner of the bed. I took out a white tank top and a pair of dark blue plaid pants. Unfortunately I wasn't able to change into my sleep clothes before meeting up with Zachary.

I turned around with the clothes in my hand and began walking toward the door. "Where are you going?" He asked evenly.

I turned just before my hand touched the doorknob. "I am not changing my clothes in here." I answered firmly. He raised an eyebrow with suspicion. I knew exactly what he was thinking.

"Oh love, I've seen it all before. There's no shame in it." He replied. "Tell you what... I won't even look." He finished with a mischievous grin. I looked him up and down with a sigh.

"Fine. Only because I don't want to wake anyone." I said, walking back toward the bed. He was still staring, so I made a circle motion with my finger, as if telling him to turn around.

He sighed and rolled his eyes, then turned around. I turned the other way and took off my shirt, tossing it onto the ground. I unclipped my bra and allowed it to slip to the ground.

Unfortunately, my moment of peace was ruined when I saw Zachary's reflection looking at me through the mirror. I grabbed my shirt from the ground and threw it at him.

"I gave you one simple command." I spat. He put his hands up in a fake defensive position and turned back around. I slipped on my tank top then quickly pulled off my pants and pulled on the plaid ones.

"Now, I do hope you'll be comfortable on the floor." I said, zipping the backpack back up. I placed it on the ground and began pulling the comforter toward the end of the bed. I smoothed down the sheets and fluffed the pillow.

"Oh Anastasia you're hysterical." He laughed. I looked up at him and knitted my brows together. When he said sharing a room I thought that meant sharing a room... Not sleeping two feet from the man who's tried to kill me multiple times.

"I'm not kidding. There's no way I'm sleeping next to you. You've tried to kill me too many times." I said, crossing my arms. He glanced away for a moment then met my eyes again with a firm expression.

"You could always sleep on the floor." He suggested with a smirk. I scoffed in disbelief. But since he didn't want to sleep on the floor, nor did I, I'd either have to go back to my rock solid single bed or suck it up and sleep in the large, comfortable king bed with someone I despise.

"Fine." I sighed. I shook my head in disbelief at what I was doing. If I knew this was what Hogwarts had in store for me... I wouldn't have come.

I got into the bed and pulled the comforter over my legs and upper body, but left my arms out. I turned toward the wall away from Zachary and got my arms comfortable around the pillow my head rested on.

Zachary crawled bed her a few moments later and pulled the comforter over himself. He turned toward the wall and we both sat in silence, consumed by the lack of conversation.

I closed my eyes, and eventually- despite the utter fear I had that he'd stab me in my sleep- I drifted off the sleep. I was finally in a state of peace that couldn't be broken.

I was jerked awake by the frantic yells of Zachary. Since the lamp was still on I could faintly see what was happening.

He seemed to be having some kind of nightmare that was causing him to make commotion. I didn't know what to do, so for a few seconds I froze, until my instincts kicked in.

I placed my hands in his shoulders and looked down at him. His face looked sour, like something terrible had happened in his nightmare. I removed one of my hands from his shoulder and lightly touched his cheek.

He opened his eyes quickly, like a flash of realization that he had been dreaming came over him. His body became less tense when he realized I was there to comfort him. 

"Are you okay?" I whispered. He turned away from my gaze. I could tell Zachary had a sort of embarrassment about the nightmare he had. I've never really been much of a comforter, so I wasn't too sure of what to do.

"I'm alright, don't worry." He smiled with reassurance, though I wasn't buying it. Just a few moments ago he was yelling like someone he cared about had been killed in front of him.

"Do you have nightmares often?" I asked, laying next to him. He turned his head to meet my gaze. I could tell from the large amount of sadness in his eyes that they did in fact happen often.

"I've had them ever since my parents died. With a touching curse, something that I consider good, I've also been cursed with a reoccurring nightmare. Every time I close my eyes, I watch my parents death happen... Again and again." He replied.

A wave of sadness poured into me. I was in shock. That's something terrible. Watching it happen once would be miserable enough, but watching it every time you sleep would be unthinkable.

"Zachary..." I said quietly. "I'm so sorry." I finished. I could feel tears pulling at my eyes, but I wouldn't allow them to show. Though I have great sympathy, there comes a time when showing too much can be questionable.

"I'll be okay." He responded. He tried to smile, but I could see the sadness in his eyes, even in the darkness of the room. I couldn't imagine someone so devilish to have haunting night terrors... But even the craziest people are the most broken sometimes.

"I don't want you to be afraid." I said quietly, moving closer to him. His hand, warm, gently stroked my cheek. For a moment I forgot he was the same guy who had tried to kill me... Multiple times.

"I could never be afraid when I'm with you. You bring me peace, even in my darkest hours." He replied. A light smile washed over his face. It was a genuine smile, filled with graciousness.

"We find comfort in the most unthinkable things." I said with a smile. I wasn't only referring to Zachary finding comfort in me, but also the way I was beginning to find warmth and peace in him.

And we fell asleep just like that. His hand on my cheek, and mine on his shoulder. It was peaceful, so peaceful I never wanted to leave that moment.