As dusk settled over Hogwarts, casting long shadows across the grounds, I found myself wandering the familiar corridors of the castle, my mind consumed by thoughts of the recent events. The mysterious incident near the Forbidden Forest weighed heavily on my mind, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it than meets the eye.
Lost in my thoughts, I turned a corner and nearly collided with Adam, who was striding purposefully down the corridor. His expression was dark, and there was a hardness in his eyes that sent a shiver down my spine.
"Adam," I greeted him tentatively, feeling a knot of apprehension forming in my stomach.
"Mia," he replied curtly, his voice devoid of its usual warmth. "What are you doing wandering around alone?"
I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal to him. Adam and I had been close once, but lately, things between us had been strained. I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt at the memory of our last encounter, the kiss that had ignited a spark between us but ultimately led to nothing.
"I was just... thinking," I said evasively, shifting uncomfortably under his penetrating gaze.
Adam's expression softened slightly, and he reached out to touch my arm. "You shouldn't be out here alone, especially with everything that's been going on."
I nodded, grateful for his concern but wary of his sudden change in demeanor. "I know, I just needed some fresh air."
"Come on," Adam said, gesturing for me to walk with him. "I'll walk you back to the common room."
As we made our way through the dimly lit corridors, a tense silence settled between us. I couldn't shake the feeling that Adam was hiding something, that there was a darkness lurking beneath the surface of his calm exterior.
Finally, unable to bear the silence any longer, I spoke up. "Adam, can I ask you something?"
He glanced at me, his expression guarded. "Of course, Mia. What's on your mind?"
I hesitated, unsure how to broach the subject. "It's about Natasha," I began, choosing my words carefully. "I know things have been difficult between us lately, and I feel like I'm losing her."
Adam's brow furrowed, and a flicker of annoyance crossed his features. "What does Natasha have to do with anything?"
I sighed, frustrated by his lack of understanding. "She's my best friend, Adam. I don't want to lose her, but I don't know how to fix things between us."
Adam's grip tightened on my arm, and I felt a surge of unease at the intensity of his gaze. "Forget about Natasha, Mia," he said, his voice low and urgent. "She's not worth your time."
I pulled away from him, taken aback by his sudden hostility. "What do you mean she's not worth my time? She's my friend, Adam. I can't just abandon her."
Adam's eyes flashed with anger, and for a moment, I saw a darkness in them that sent a chill down my spine. "You don't understand, Mia," he said, his voice dripping with venom. "Natasha is nothing but trouble. She'll only drag you down with her."
I recoiled at his words, stunned by the venomous tone in his voice. "I don't believe that," I said firmly, my resolve hardening. "Natasha is my friend, and I won't turn my back on her."
Adam's expression darkened, and for a moment, I feared he might lash out at me. But then, as quickly as it had come, the anger faded from his eyes, replaced by a mask of cold indifference.
"Suit yourself, Mia," he said, his voice chillingly calm. "But don't come crying to me when she inevitably betrays you."
With that, he turned and stalked off down the corridor, leaving me alone with my thoughts. As I watched him disappear into the darkness, a sense of foreboding washed over me, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something dangerous lurked within the walls of Hogwarts.
