𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐒, ᵗᵒᵐ ʳⁱᵈᵈˡᵉ. ✓

005.

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The night was darker than usual, the thick clouds swallowing the moon as a chill settled over Hogwarts. Daphne was returning from the library, her footsteps echoing faintly in the empty corridors. She had spent longer than intended on her Arithmancy essay and was now regretting it—this part of the castle was notorious for being eerily quiet after dark. As she rounded a corner near the entrance to the dungeons, she heard low murmurs ahead. 

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Her heart skipped a beat when she recognized some of the voices: Avery, Mulciber, and a few others from Tom's circle. Daphne hesitated, her instincts warning her to turn back. There was a tension in their tones she didn't like. She wasn't one to scare easily, but she had heard the rumors about what some of Tom's followers got up to when they thought no one was watching. Quietly, she moved to slip past them, hoping to avoid a confrontation. But she hadn't gotten far before Avery's sharp voice cut through the air.

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"Well, well. Look who we have here." Daphne stopped, her pulse quickening. She turned slowly, meeting Avery's eyes. He was smirking, and the others looked at her with the same predatory glint that made her skin crawl. "What are you doing out so late, Rose?" Avery drawled, stepping closer. Daphne's heart pounded in her chest, but she kept her voice steady. "Going back to my dorm. If you'll excuse me—"

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Mulciber blocked her path, his grin wide and malicious. "No need to rush off. We were just talking about you, actually." Daphne's stomach twisted. She didn't like where this was heading. "I don't care what you were talking about," she said firmly, her eyes flashing with defiance. "Touchy," Mulciber sneered, his tone mocking. "We were just wondering what makes you so special. Tom seems awfully interested in you lately."

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The mention of Tom sent a cold chill down her spine, but not because of his presence. It was the way they spoke of him like he was their leader in more than just name. And in their eyes, she was nothing more than an anomaly—a curiosity. Avery moved closer, his smirk deepening. "You think you're something special, don't you? That you can get close to Tom, and we won't notice?" Daphne clenched her jaw, her heart racing. "I'm not afraid of you."

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That was true, in part. She wasn't afraid of them, but she was acutely aware of how much power they wielded—and how much they wanted to test her. Mulciber's hand shot out suddenly, grabbing her arm in a bruising grip. "Maybe you should be." Before Daphne could react, a cold voice sliced through the air, freezing everyone in place. "Let her go."

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