That was the point.

{Y/N} was tucked into the deepest corner of the Restricted Section's antechamber, back to the wall, both exits visible, essay half-written and completely abandoned.

It had been quiet for eleven minutes.

Then the cart stopped.

"Library's closing," Madam Pince said. She did not look up from the book she was shelving. "Out."

{Y/N} gathered the essay, and left.

The corridor outside was dark, empty, and cold. October drafts leaked in through the tall windows, and the sconces had guttered low.

Footsteps. Three sets, quick and grinning behind the sound.

"Look who's crawling out of the library. Alone. Again."

It was Corvin Ackerly, a sixth-year Ravenclaw with a plain, unremarkable face {Y/N} would never forget, and behind him, two girls {Y/N} didn't know. Or rather, didn't want to.