𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲

The Black Lake stretches out before you, dark and still, swallowing the last light of the sunset. The sky above is a bruised purple, the first stars pricking through like pinpricks. The grass beneath you is damp, cold seeping through your robes. The whole world feels empty.

???

a low, amused voice Singing to yourself, princess? That's properly tragic.

More footsteps. The rustle of robes. Someone settles onto the grass beside you — close enough that you can smell expensive cologne, and underneath it, the faint tang of smoke.

???

closer now, voice gentle You can turn around, sweetheart.

When you finally do, you see them. Five silhouettes against the darkening sky. Draco Malfoy, Mattheo Riddle, Lorenzo Berkshire, Blaise Zabini, Theodore Nott. Your enemies. Your housemates' rivals. The last people you expected.

Draco Malfoy

quietly Saw you out here from the common room window. Looked like you needed this more than we did.