The Allure of Darkness

Retribution

Slytherin Dormitory [November 23rd ]

"It's me," Daphne knocked on the solid black oak door, "Can I come in?"

The door swung open and Daphne walked inside curiously, holding her bag close to her side. She'd never been inside Hadrian's room before. It was kept neat, as she expected, but there was something eerily sterile about it. Hadrian's room didn't have quidditch posters plastered to the wall with spell-o-tape like Draco did. As far as she knew, he didn't have a copy of PlayWitch thrown casually on his desk like Blaise did. His room seemed devoid of his personality.

Daphne cocked her head to the side and watched Hadrian, who was writing on his parchment frantically with one hand as he flipped a page in a dusty book with the other.

She cleared her throat, "You missed dinner tonight."

Hadrian waved his hand unconcernedly, "I was busy with something."

Daphne frowned, moving to sit beside him on the bed, "That might've been a sufficient answer for Blaise but not for me. You haven't eaten much of anything for the past few days. What's going on?"

"It's touching you've decided to track my meals, but I don't need a dietician," He snarked.

Daphne frowned, "Don't be a prick, Hadrian. Tell me what's wrong."

He didn't even tear his eyes from the page as he said, "My father just has me doing a couple tasks because he can't be bothered to do them himself."

Daphne glanced dubiously at the thick stack of books on his desk, none of which she identified as school textbooks, "A couple tasks? Hadrian that looks like two years worth of reading."

Hadrian shrugged, "He wants a proposal written by next week. Whether or not that's humanly possible, he doesn't care."

She watched him read in silence for a few minutes before hesitantly asking, "What about the task tomorrow? Are you sure you're ready for that?"

He shrugged, "Does it matter? I still have to compete whether I'm ready or not."

She sighed heavily, pushing back a lock of long golden hair that had fallen in her face, "Please be careful, Hadrian."

Hadrian glanced up at that, biting back his automatic sarcastic reply after sensing something unfamiliar in her tone. His eyebrows furrowed slightly as he tried to decipher the flash of emotion that appeared in her dark blue eyes.

"I promise I'll be careful," He spoke quietly, noticing how her shoulders almost sagged with relief at his words.

"Thank you," She beamed at him, and Hadrian found it impossible to not smile back at her.

Before he could get back to his reading, Daphne blurted out, "After breakfast tomorrow, you must meet Draco at the library in our usual place before the first task. He has something important to tell you."

Hadrian's eyes narrowed, "What is it?"

Daphne averted her gaze, choosing to play with the hem of her skirt instead of facing his suspicion. "I'm not quite sure what it's about," She lied, "Just that it was important."

"I really don't have time for–"

"Hadrian, it will only take an hour at most. If you'd like, I can help you with any work you have tonight so you're not behind on anything," Daphne waved her hand dismissively, "But you have to go tomorrow."

"Can you help me read ancient texts from the 15th century and piece together a regeneration spell?" Hadrian raised an eyebrow in challenge.

Daphne bit her lip, "I'm sure I could do anything if you teach me, Hadrian."