Slytherin secrets.

Into the darkness.

NOT RELATED TO THE BOOK OR MOVIES.

FOUL LANGUAGE.

The tension in Slytherin had always been thick, but lately, it felt suffocating. Whispers had become a permanent fixture in the common room—murmurs about family alliances, ancient magic, and a brewing darkness that seemed to grow stronger with every passing day. It was no secret that the Malfoys had ties to dark magic, but I had always brushed off the rumors. I had bigger things to worry about. Or at least, that's what I told myself. Even though me and Malfoy had become civil, and he was off my back for now. I was still thinking about what Blaise said and to never trust no one in Slytherin.

But something was changing. I could feel it in the cold stone walls of the dungeons, in the way people hushed their conversations when I walked by. Something hidden, something dangerous, was lurking beneath the surface of Slytherin, and it seemed like I was starting to become a part of it—whether I wanted to or not.  

It all began one evening after dinner, when the common room was unusually quiet. Blaise was off with Daphne, and Millicent had mentioned something about sneaking into the library for a late-night study session. I found myself alone, absentmindedly flipping through my Potions textbook, but my mind was elsewhere. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was brewing, just out of sight.

As I sat by the fire, I noticed Draco at the far end of the room, huddled with Pansy Parkinson and a few older Slytherins. They were speaking in low voices, their heads close together, casting furtive glances in my direction. Every so often, Draco's gaze would meet mine, and there was something unsettling in his eyes. It wasn't the usual arrogance or the playful tension I had come to expect. This was something darker.

I tried to ignore it, but my curiosity got the better of me. I slowly closed my book and stood up, heading toward the dormitories. But instead of going straight to my room, I lingered near the entrance to the dungeons, watching as the group grew more animated. Pansy gestured wildly with her hands, and I could just make out snippets of their conversation.

"...have to be careful. You know they're watching us."

"I'm not afraid of them," Draco muttered, his voice laced with disdain.

Pansy shot him a sharp look. "You should be. If they find out about—"

Her words were cut off as Blaise appeared suddenly in the entrance, looking more serious than I'd ever seen him. He glanced at Draco and the others, then turned his eyes toward me. "Y/N, what are you doing here?"

I blinked, startled. "Just... heading to bed. Why?"

He looked at me for a moment, as if weighing something in his mind, then shook his head. "It's nothing. Get some sleep. Big day tomorrow."

I nodded, though his response did little to ease the gnawing feeling in my gut. As I made my way to the dormitory, I couldn't shake the sense that I had stumbled onto something far bigger than just house politics. 

Later that night, I found myself unable to sleep. My mind raced with thoughts of what I'd overheard, and the looks exchanged between Draco and Blaise. There was something they weren't telling me, something important, and it was driving me mad.

With a sigh, I threw off my blankets and got out of bed. The common room was dark, the fire now just embers glowing softly in the hearth. I pulled on my robes and slipped out of the dormitory, determined to find some answers.

The corridors of the dungeon were silent, save for the faint dripping of water echoing through the stone walls. I knew the risks of sneaking around after curfew, but my curiosity far outweighed my caution. I made my way toward the older section of the dungeons, a place I had never ventured before. I had heard whispers of secret rooms and hidden passageways deep within the Slytherin quarters, but I had never dared to explore them.

Until now.

I followed the corridor down until I reached a narrow, unmarked door. My heart pounded in my chest as I hesitated for a moment before reaching for the handle. It creaked open with a low groan, revealing a dimly lit room filled with old books, strange artifacts, and the faint smell of dust and dirt.

Stepping inside, I could feel the weight of history pressing down on me. This wasn't just any room—it was a place of power, a sanctuary hidden away from prying eyes. I approached one of the bookshelves, my fingers tracing the spines of dusty, leather-bound volumes. These weren't the standard textbooks or reference materials from the Hogwarts library. These books were old—ancient, even.

One title caught my eye: Secrets of Blood Magic: The Dark Ties of the Wizarding World.

I reached for it, feeling a chill run down my spine as I opened the cover. The pages were filled with cryptic symbols and notes written in the margins. Blood magic was forbidden at Hogwarts, and for good reason. It was the kind of magic that required a price—one that wasn't always worth paying.

As I flipped through the pages, something fell from between the book's covers—a small, folded piece of parchment. I picked it up, my heart racing as I unfolded it. The message was written in neat, slanted handwriting that I recognized immediately.

"They are watching. Don't trust anyone. Meet me at midnight near the lake. —D.M."

Draco.

The realization hit me like a lightning bolt. This wasn't just some secret Slytherin hideout—this was where Draco and the others had been hiding their darkest secrets. And now, Draco wanted me to meet him.

At midnight, I found myself standing by the edge of the Black Lake, the water dark and still beneath the pale light of the moon. The cold air bit at my skin as I waited, anxiety swirling in my chest.

Draco appeared from the shadows, his expression guarded. He said nothing at first, simply standing there, his eyes scanning the area as if checking for unseen threats.

"You found the note," he finally said, his voice low and tense.

I nodded, crossing my arms against the chill. "What's going on, Draco?"

He hesitated, his gray eyes flickering with an emotion I couldn't quite place—fear, maybe. Or guilt. "There are things happening that you wouldn't understand, Y/N. Things that go beyond Slytherin rivalry or Quidditch matches."

"Try me," I replied, my voice sharper than I intended. "I've heard the whispers, seen the looks. You're involved in something dangerous, aren't you?"

Draco's jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he might deny it. But instead, he stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You have no idea what's at stake. There are forces at work here, forces tied to my family, to our house... to you."

"To me?" I echoed, confusion swirling in my mind.

"Do you really think you were put in Slytherin by accident?" he asked, his eyes searching mine. "You've always been a part of this, Y/N. You just didn't know it."

My heart pounded in my chest as his words sank in. "What are you talking about?"

"There are secrets in Slytherin that go back centuries," he continued. "Things that tie us all together—bloodlines, magic, power. You were chosen, just like the rest of us. And now... you're in too deep to back out."

I stared at him, trying to process everything he was saying. "Draco, if you're in danger-"

"There is no way out," he said, his voice almost a whisper. "Not for me. And not for you." Draco disappeared into the darkness not saying a word. I was left there stunned and confused of what the hell he was talking about? I've always been a part of it. What?