Whispers of Darkness (A Shadows of Slytherin Series) Book 2

Prologue

"It is time for you to return..." my father's commanding voice echoed through the depths of my consciousness. "You, my son, are the rightful heir to my legacy, and together, we shall reclaim what is rightfully ours."

The weight of his words settled heavily upon me, as if the darkness itself had materialized into a dense cloud around me. Yet, I could sense my father's presence guiding me through the shadows as I walk through the darkness.

"Oh, Mattheo," his voice resonated. "What lies ahead is not merely the end, but the beginning of my true power... Your true power... Embrace it, for this is but the start our destiny."

Suddenly, the ground beneath me gave way, and I plummeted into the void, falling into the unknown...

Startled awake, I jolted upright, my lungs gasping for air as if I had been submerged underwater. Sweat drenched my forehead, and my racing heart threatened to burst through my ribcage. Disoriented, I glanced around the dimly lit room, searching for any signs of danger. However, the sight of Dani sleeping peacefully beside me brought a wave of relief.

Gradually, my breathing steadied as I attempted to regain control over my frantic heartbeat. With each deep inhale, I forced my body to relax, to release the lingering remnants of the nightmare that had gripped me. I slowly get up from the bed and head towards Dani's little book nook, a cozy sanctuary she had created within her room.

I sit in the window nook and looked out into the night, the tapping of raindrops against the glass serenading my ears. In the distance, streaks of lightning illuminated the night sky, casting an ethereal glow over the landscape. It was a mesmerizing sight, a dance of nature's power that momentarily captivated my troubled mind.

Lost in my thoughts, a sudden searing pain on my arm snapped me back to reality. My brows furrowed, and I winced as I inspected the source of the discomfort; the dark mark... 

I rise from where I was seated, quickly grabbing a nearby shirt and slipping it on to conceal the mark. Casting one last glance at Dani, I quietly exit her room and make my way down the dimly lit hallway. Fortunately, Draco's room is the closest to Dani's, making it convenient for me to get to his place faster. As I approach his door, ready to knock, it swings open abruptly, freezing my hand in mid-air.

Draco's eyes widen in surprise as he takes in my appearance. However, beneath the initial shock, I see the concern on his face. "You feel it too..." he murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper.

I nod in confirmation, our shared understanding amplifying the gravity of the situation.

The sound of approaching footsteps interrupts our silent exchange, drawing our attention to Pansy, who approaches us with a furrowed brow. Concern is etched across her features, mirroring the apprehension that courses through our veins. She looks up and stops once she notices us, "We're being summoned..." she announces, her voice laced with a mix of worry and urgency.

Draco's voice barely audible, he whispers, "But not by Snape..."

Pansy's expression turns somber, and she shakes her head in agreement, then looks at me. "He's returned, Mattheo. It was only a matter of time," she replies, her voice tinged with concern.

As Pansy and I exchange worried glances, Theo and Enzo suddenly emerge from the shadows, joining us. All four of them fix their gaze upon me, their eyes filled with a mix of determination and apprehension. Sensing the gravity of the situation, I draw a deep breath, steeling myself, and meet their eyes, nodding in acknowledgement.

"Alright," I say, my voice steady despite the tension in the air. I shift my focus to Draco, locking eyes with him. "Whatever memories you have of Dani," I assert, my tone firm yet compassionate, "push them back as far as you can."