The castle was still beautiful, but everyone moved through it like they were waiting for something. Like a storm was gathering just past the mountains.

Y/n sat in the Slytherin common room, the greenish light from the Black Lake pressing against the windows. A few younger students were clustered by the fire, whispering. The usual crowd was scattered, quieter than they'd been in months.

The door to the boys' dormitory swung open. Theodore Nott came down the stairs, hair messier than usual, a book tucked under one arm. He spotted Y/n almost immediately.