Whispers in the Shadows || Slytherin Boys

count me in

The last class of the day couldn't have dragged more if it tried. Charms was usually my favorite, but today, it felt like every second stretched into minutes, and every minute into hours. The air felt heavy, and the tension between Avery and me wasn't helping. We sat next to each other as usual, but there was a definite shift in the air. It wasn't something you could see, but I felt it in the silence between us - an uneasy gap that had widened since our last conversation about... everything. Secrets, things left unsaid, had a way of doing that to friendships.

Professor Flitwick's voice droned on at the front of the room, explaining the intricacies of a new charm we'd been working on. His wand flicked in demonstration, the tip glowing faintly as he expertly cast the spell, causing the feather in front of him to twist and levitate in a complex series of loops. It was advanced stuff, the kind of charm that required focus. Normally, this was the kind of lesson I thrived on, but today, my thoughts kept wandering back to Avery, her stiff posture, the way she wasn't quite looking at me.

Kai, seated behind us, was oblivious. He was always oblivious to this kind of thing, which usually made him good company when I needed a distraction. His constant stream of energy and chatter was both exhausting and comforting at the same time. Beside him, Felix, a quiet, reserved guy who had a certain endearing awkwardness, was listening attentively. He was different from Kai - softer, quieter, always the one to offer a shy smile rather than a boisterous laugh. I didn't know him well yet, but I'd noticed him in class before. Something about him felt... kind, almost innocent, in a way that was rare at Hogwarts.

"Now, who can tell me the key to maintaining control in mid-cast?" Flitwick's voice brought me back to the present, and I instinctively raised my hand before I even had time to consider the question.

"Catalina," Flitwick said, nodding in my direction. "Please enlighten the class."

"It's about balance, Professor," I said confidently, even as I could feel Avery stiffen beside me. "You have to keep your intent steady while adjusting for any environmental changes - like wind or sudden movement. If you lose focus, the charm will lose its precision."

Flitwick beamed. "Exactly right! Ten points to Ravenclaw."

There was a small murmur of approval around the room, and I allowed myself a brief smile. It wasn't unusual for me to know the answer, but I couldn't shake the feeling that Avery wasn't impressed. She didn't say anything, but the slight tightening of her lips and the way her fingers clenched around her quill told me enough. I knew she was still upset, though we both were pretending like nothing was wrong. The problem with old friends is that they can tell when you're faking it.

Before I could dwell on it any further, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Kai leaned forward, his voice dropping to a loud whisper that was far from discreet. "Oi, Cat, you coming to the party tonight?"

I blinked at him, thrown off by the abrupt change in topic. "What party?"

Kai grinned, clearly enjoying the fact that he knew something I didn't. "You've got to be kidding me. The bonfire at the lake - first official party of the year! It's all over the place. Open to all houses, but, of course, it's a secret. You've been living under a rock or something?"

I barely had time to process this information before Flitwick's sharp voice cut through the classroom. "Mr. Caldwell, if you could kindly stop discussing tonight's extracurricular activities and pay attention, that would be most appreciated."

There were a few stifled giggles around the room as Kai flushed and muttered an apology, but the damage had already been done. The mention of the party was out there, and now, I was curious.