𝒏𝒐 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒆 | 𝑻.𝑹.

𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒊𝒗𝒆: 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒎 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒔

Evelyn stirred awake to the soft, golden light of dawn sneaking through the windows of the Slytherin common room. She blinked, taking in the familiar surroundings: the rich green and silver decor, the plush armchairs, and the sprawling fireplace that had long since cooled to embers. Lyssandra was nestled in one of the armchairs, a serene smile on her face as she slept. Evelyn's gaze softened at the sight, appreciating the rare moment of peace.

Checking her watch, she noted it was 5:00 a.m. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized breakfast would start at 6:30, with the early bird students beginning to trickle down to the common room around 6:15. That gave her a precious window of time to study more before waking Lyss.

Evelyn shifted in her chair, stretching slightly, only to feel a sticky sensation on her clothes. Frowning, she looked down and saw a smudge of ink on her lap. Her luxurious Noir robes, a symbol of the renowned brand from which they came, were now marred by the dark blot. The fabric, though stunningly soft and finely crafted, was now stained, and Evelyn felt a pang of frustration. The robes, designed with intricate patterns and adorned with a subtle shimmer, were both a mark of her family's status and a prized possession.

She carefully inspected the ink stain, hoping it was minor, but the dark blot had spread a bit. Evelyn sighed, knowing that the robes, with their high quality and delicate nature, would require special attention to clean. Her family's crest gleamed subtly on the fabric, a reminder of the high expectations and standards that came with her lineage.

Sighing, she decided to use her wand to attempt a cleaning charm. With a flick of her wrist, Evelyn muttered softly, "Scourgify." The spell was whispered with precision, a quiet incantation to avoid disturbing Lyssandra. A soft, silvery glow emanated from the tip of her wand, enveloping the ink stain.

The stain began to fade, the dark blot slowly lifting from the fabric as if it had never been there. Evelyn watched with a mixture of relief and satisfaction as the robes were restored to their pristine condition. The family crest gleamed subtly once more, and the fabric returned to its immaculate state.

Satisfied, Evelyn placed her wand at a nearby table and took a deep breath. She knew she had to use the remaining quiet time to make the most of her studies. Gently, she set aside her ink-stained notes and picked up a fresh set of papers. The morning's tranquility provided a focused environment, and she took full advantage of it.

As she worked, her thoughts occasionally drifted to the day ahead. She considered the classes and the challenges they might bring, and her heart swelled with determination to excel. The quiet of the common room was a stark contrast to the bustling energy she would soon face.

She was deeply engrossed in her textbooks, her focus unwavering as she absorbed every detail. The early morning provided the perfect backdrop for her academic efforts, and she felt a sense of accomplishment in the quiet solitude.

However, the peaceful atmosphere was soon interrupted. A familiar, unsettling presence made itself known. Tom Riddle had arrived. Evelyn heard the subtle rustling of papers and the faintest hint of footsteps before she saw him.

He walked over and took a seat directly across from her, perfectly dressed and impeccably groomed, as though he had just stepped out of a high-end salon and tailoring shop. It struck her as odd how someone could manage to look so pristine at this early hour. The contrast between his polished appearance and her own disheveled state was stark, and she couldn't help but wonder how he managed to maintain such a composed exterior.

He was engrossed in a book that appeared to be a tome on ancient dark arts—a topic that she was fascinated in.

Evelyn tried to ignore him, focusing intently on her notes, but she couldn't shake the irritation from the previous night. Her mind wandered, and she found herself glancing over at him more often than she intended.