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(🥀)═══ CHAPTER TWELVE ❝ crossroad ❞
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The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden glow through the windows of Hogwarts. The corridors buzzed with students hurrying to their final classes of the week, eager for the weekend's respite.
Mazikeen, Abraxas, and Alphard walked together, their footsteps echoing on the stone floor as they made their way to the dungeons for Potions class.
The first week of classes at Hogwarts had flown by in a whirlwind of lectures, assignments, and late-night study sessions.
"I swear, the professors are out to get us this year," Abraxas grumbled, shifting his heavy stack of books from one arm to the other. "It's only the first week and I already feel buried under assignments."
Alphard chuckled, patting his friend on the back. "Welcome to fourth year, mate. It's only going to get tougher."
Mazikeen nodded in agreement, though her thoughts were elsewhere. She had noticed the intensity of the coursework too, but something else was occupying her mind. The sense of unease she had felt earlier that week at the feast still lingered.
"It does seem like the workload has increased," she replied. "But it's nothing we can't handle. Besides, Potions with Slughorn is always interesting."
Abraxas rolled his eyes. "Easy for you to say, Mazikeen. You seem to breeze through everything."
Mazikeen smiled slightly but didn't respond, her mind already shifting to the Potions lesson ahead.
As they descended the staircase to the dungeons, the air grew cooler and the light dimmed. The flickering torches cast eerie shadows on the walls, adding to the foreboding atmosphere.
Mazikeen glanced at Abraxas, who was still muttering about essay deadlines and reading assignments.
"Maybe it's their way of preparing us for our O.W.L.s next year," Mazikeen suggested, trying to lighten the mood.
"Maybe," Abraxas replied, though he didn't sound convinced. "But it doesn't make it any easier."
They reached the Potions classroom, and the familiar scent of various ingredients and brewing concoctions greeted them.
