You and the Slytherin gang go up into the mountain for winter break, it’s all fun when you guys play card games and settle by the fire, but what’s the point of coming up here when you guys are just going to sit in the cabin? So you guys decide to go hiking! “Where are you?!” “Guys!” “This isn’t funny!” “Hellooo!!!?”
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@violet_angelzThe fire crackled low in the stone hearth, casting dancing shadows across the worn wooden walls of the cabin. Outside, the wind had picked up, whistling through the pine trees that crowded the property like silent sentinels. Inside, it was warm. Cozy. Eight teenagers sprawled across every available surface—two on the worn leather sofa, one sprawled on the rug, another draped over the armchair like he owned it.
A half-finished game of Exploding Snap lay abandoned in the center of the coffee table, cards scattered where someone had knocked them over in a particularly heated argument. Empty mugs of hot chocolate sat beside them, some still with half-melted marshmallow residue clinging to the rims.
Mattheo Riddle
snatching a card from the pile That's cheating. You're cheating. I watched you cheat.
Blaise Zabini
not even looking up from his own hand You can't cheat at Exploding Snap. It's literally a card game about luck.
Mattheo Riddle
And yet. You're cheating.
Pansy Parkinson
rolling her eyes from her spot on the sofa For Merlin's sake, can we please play something that doesn't end with someone accusing someone else of cheating?
Draco Malfoy
smirking Where's the fun in that?
Draco was sprawled in the armchair closest to the fire, one leg thrown over the armrest, looking insufferably pleased with himself. He hadn't won a single round, but that had never stopped him from acting like he had.
Theodore Nott
quietly, from the corner where he was nursing his mug You haven't won once.
Draco Malfoy
sharply I'm playing strategically.
Theodore Nott
a ghost of a smile Strategically losing.
Lorenzo Berkshire
laughing He's got you there, Draco.
Lorenzo was sprawled on the rug, propped up on his elbows, seemingly the only person in the room who hadn't taken the game seriously. His tie was loose around his neck, his hair slightly mussed from leaning back against the sofa, and he looked entirely too content for someone who'd just lost four rounds in a row.
Astoria Greengrass
perched on the edge of the sofa, knees tucked to her chest Can we talk about tomorrow? Please? I don't want to spend the whole trip playing cards.
Daphne Greengrass
from beside her, calm and measured Astoria, we've been here for three days. It's not a trip, it's a holiday.
Astoria Greengrass
dramatically Exactly! And we haven't done anything fun yet!
Mattheo Riddle
grinning Speak for yourself. I've been having a great time watching Malfoy lose.
Draco Malfoy
shooting him a look I haven't lost. I'm saving my energy for when it actually matters.
Pansy Parkinson
snorting You mean for when you finally admit that Lorenzo has been cheating?
Lorenzo Berkshire
holding up his hands defensively I haven't cheated. I've just been winning.
Draco Malfoy
scoffing Same thing.
A beat of silence, then the room dissolved into laughter. Even Theodore cracked a genuine smile, shaking his head at the absurdity of it all. The fire popped, sending a spark skittering across the hearth, and for a moment, everything felt simple. Easy. Like the kind of holiday people wrote about in letters home.
Astoria Greengrass
leaning forward, eyes bright Okay, but seriously. Tomorrow. There's that trail behind the cabin. The one that leads into the pines. We should hike it.
Lorenzo Berkshire
interest piqued That's not a bad idea. The weather's supposed to hold through the afternoon. We could pack lunch, make a day of it.
Mattheo Riddle
drumming his fingers on the armrest I'm in. Anything's better than sitting here watching Malfoy lose at cards.
Draco Malfoy
jaw tightening I keep telling you—I'm not—
Theodore Nott
cutting him off, calm It's a good trail. I scouted it yesterday morning. A few hours through the pines, a clearing at the top. Good view.
Draco opened his mouth, likely to argue, but Pansy talked over him.
Pansy Parkinson
decidedly Then we're going. All of us. No backing out.
Daphne Greengrass
glancing at her sister You'll need better boots than those. It's snowing up there.
Astoria Greengrass
waving a hand dismissively I have boots. I have very fashionable boots. They'll be fine.
Daphne Greengrass
a dry look And a coat that isn't for fashion.
Astoria Greengrass
pouting You're so bossy.
Daphne Greengrass
Someone has to be.
The bickering continued, light and comfortable, the way it always was. Blaise pointed out that they should leave early to avoid the afternoon wind. Mattheo suggested they bring the flask of firewhisky he'd stashed in his trunk. Pansy told him he was an idiot and that they'd freeze half to death before they made it to the tree line. Lorenzo offered to make sandwiches. Theodore mentioned the map he'd found in the cabin's study, old and yellowed, showing trails that no longer existed.
And Draco, from his spot by the fire, watched the flames and said nothing for a long moment. Then, quietly, almost to himself:
Draco Malfoy
staring into the fire The locals aren't fond of that trail, are they?
The room went quiet. Everyone looked at him.
Mattheo Riddle
slowly What do you mean?
Draco Malfoy
shrugging, not turning away from the flames Just heard some things. When we were getting supplies. Old stories. Mountain stuff.
Lorenzo Berkshire
frowning Like what?
Draco Malfoy
finally looking up, a faint, unreadable expression on his face Like people going missing in the snow. That sort of thing.
Silence. Then Pansy snorted, breaking the tension.
Pansy Parkinson
flatly It's a mountain, Draco. People go missing on mountains. It's called weather and bad decisions.
Draco Malfoy
a slow smirk returning Right. Weather and bad decisions.
Mattheo Riddle
grinning Well, if it gets too spooky, I'll hold your hand.
Draco Malfoy
Don't touch me.
Theodore Nott
quietly What else did they say?
Theodore's voice was even, casual, but there was something in it. Draco glanced at him, then away.
Draco Malfoy
dismissively Nothing worth repeating. Just old folklore. Probably some dramatic village story to scare the tourists.
Astoria Greengrass
leaning in, delighted Ooh, what kind of folklore? Is it ghosts? I love ghosts.
Daphne Greengrass
sighing Astoria—
Draco Malfoy
a little too easily Something about not following voices in the snow. Classic fairy tale stuff.
He said it lightly, like it meant nothing. But for a beat, the fire seemed to crackle louder in the silence that followed. Then Mattheo laughed, loud and bright, and the moment shattered.
Mattheo Riddle
clapping his hands together Alright, enough ghost stories. Tomorrow, we hike. Bring your scarves, bring your common sense, and for the love of Merlin, bring something that isn't white so we can find you in the snow.
Pansy Parkinson
That's rich coming from you. You own approximately four shirts and they're all black.
Mattheo Riddle
They're stylish.
Blaise Zabini
dryly They're depressing.
The bickering resumed, louder than before, and the eerie moment faded into the warmth of the fire. Plans were made—half-joking, half-serious, the way they always were. Meeting at the back door at dawn. Packing food and water and warm clothes. A flask. A blanket. A map that Theodore had found in some old drawer, its edges frayed and dated decades ago.
Outside, the wind picked up, rattling the windows. Snow began to fall, light at first, then thicker, blanketing the pines in white.
None of them noticed.
None of them thought anything of it.