Whispers in the Shadows || Slytherin Boys

the art of subtle alliances

The thick roll of parchment in my hand felt heavier than it should have, like it carried the weight of all the doubts I’d been suppressing. Still, I forced a smile as I added the final touches to the assignment, my quill scratching against the paper with a precision that was almost therapeutic. It was one of the few tasks that allowed me to momentarily forget the whirlpool of uncertainty and intrigue swirling around me.

Kai lounged on the armchair opposite me, his long legs stretched out as he glanced over at me. “You’re really going all out with that, aren’t you? It’s just a Charms assignment, Cat, not a manifesto.”

“Perfectionism is a curse,” I teased, rolling up the parchment and tapping it lightly against my palm. “Besides, if I don’t make it look impressive, how will McGonagall know it’s from her star students?”

“Star students, huh? I like the sound of that,” Kai said with a grin, but I could tell his mind was already drifting to the pile of homework he had yet to tackle. “You sure you don’t want me to come with you? Strength in numbers and all that.”

I shook my head, pushing back my chair and standing up. “You’ve got Transfiguration notes to go over, and I can handle a simple delivery. No sense in both of us wasting time standing there.”

Kai shot me a mock salute. “As you command, oh mighty overachiever. Just don’t take too long or I might actually have to start working.”

I smirked, tossing the rolled-up parchment to him before grabbing my bag. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back before you can even think about procrastinating.”

With a quick wave, I left the common room, feeling a slight spring in my step that I hadn’t felt in a long time. The air in the castle was cool, but not uncomfortably so, and for the first time in what seemed like ages, I didn’t feel like there were unseen eyes following my every move. The shadows that had once felt oppressive now seemed like old friends, familiar and nonthreatening.

The corridors were quieter than usual, most students either in class or holed up in their common rooms, avoiding the autumn chill. I wound my way through the castle’s labyrinthine halls, the ancient stones underfoot resonating with a sense of history that always comforted me. As I approached McGonagall’s office, however, that comfort was quickly replaced by a flicker of irritation.

A small line of students had already formed outside the door, each holding their own parchment rolls with varying degrees of enthusiasm. I sighed, mentally cursing myself for not coming earlier. The last thing I needed was to waste time standing around.

Peeking over the line, I quickly recognized a familiar face right in front of me - Blaise Zabini. He was chatting casually with a Slytherin girl I’d seen around before but never really paid much attention to. She was about the same height as me, with dark hair that flowed in loose waves down her back, and she exuded a kind of effortless confidence that made it clear she was no ordinary student. I wracked my brain for her name - Lexa, I remembered. She and Blaise were often seen together, and there was something about the way they interacted that screamed iconic duo.

I didn’t mean to be obvious, but before I could look away, Blaise caught my eye. A slow, amused smile spread across his face, and I felt a flush creep up my neck. He raised an eyebrow, his voice light with that trademark blend of sarcasm and charm as he called out, “You know, if you’re going to stare, at least make it less obvious.”

I blinked, caught off guard by his casual tone. “I wasn’t—” I started, then realized I was about to sound defensive, which would only make me seem more awkward. So instead, I rolled my eyes and quipped back, “Just trying to figure out why the line’s moving so slowly. But if you’d rather think I’m admiring your haircut, be my guest.”