One wish willow · Y/n story by @fawn

The Slytherin common room was unusually quiet for a Saturday evening. Most of the sixth years had retreated to their dorms or the library, leaving only a handful of students scattered across the worn leather sofas, the fire crackling low in the marble hearth.

Ghost

They say it still stands, you know. Deep in the forest where the moonlight doesn't dare reach. The One Wish Willow.

A few heads turned. Draco Malfoy glanced up from his Transfiguration essay, silver eyes narrowing with interest.

Draco Malfoy

snorts Old wives' tales. My father would have mentioned if there was a tree that granted wishes on Hogwarts grounds.

Ghost

cackles softly Lord Malfoy knows many things, boy. But the willow doesn't show itself to those who seek it with pride. Only to those who come with want.

Blaise Zabini leaned forward, elbow on his knee, a slow smile curving his lips.

Blaise Zabini

And what exactly does one wish for, when they find it?

The ghost's translucent eyes flickered to the cluster of boys—Draco, Blaise, Theodore Nott, Mattheo Riddle, and Osamu Dazai, who had been silently watching the fire, his dark eyes unreadable.

Ghost

Anything. But be careful what you ask for. The willow doesn't grant wishes. It grants truths—the ones you hide even from yourselves.

The ghost faded, dissolving into the stone wall like smoke. A beat of silence passed.

Draco Malfoy

stands abruptly Who's coming with me?

Theodore Nott

raises an eyebrow To find a mythical tree in the Forbidden Forest? At night? Because a ghost told you to?

Draco Malfoy

grins Exactly.

Osamu Dazai

tilts his head, a ghost of a smile on his lips I'm in.

Mattheo pushed himself up from the sofa, his dark curls falling across his brow.

Mattheo Riddle

What do we even wish for? pauses, then smirks I could think of a few things.

Blaise Zabini

stands, flicking his wand to extinguish the lamp beside him We'll figure that out when we get there.

Theodore sighed, unfolded himself from his chair, and followed without a word.