firecracker ???

The Slytherins had grown particularly good at sneaking around the castle after hours.

It was nearly bedtime when Theo had whispered the idea. "Quick kitchen run. I'm craving éclair," he muttered.

"Again?" Pansy said, amused. "You're going to turn into a pastry."

"Worth it," Blaise added. "House elves make better desserts than all of Hogsmeade combined."

Draco was quiet, leaning against the arm of one of the emerald-green sofas, his arms folded and eyes narrowing thoughtfully. He wasn't thinking about éclairs. He was thinking about Potter.

He'd seen the way Harry had been looking at Elestara lately—like she was a riddle he wanted to solve. It wasn't the same way other boys looked at her. It was worse. More persistent. Subtle.

And she hadn't hexed him yet.

That bothered Draco more than he'd admit.

"I'm coming," he said sharply.

The others looked up, surprised. Draco rarely participated in anything spontaneous, especially near curfew.

"I'll guard the door," he added, already pulling on his cloak.

"Such a hero," Elestara murmured.

He gave her a sidelong look. "Someone has to keep Potter from jumping out of a cupboard with sonnets."

She snorted but followed anyway, and the group crept into the darkened corridors with practiced ease.

The dungeons felt colder at night. Their boots clicked quietly across stone as they slipped toward the kitchens.

Just before the portrait of the fruit bowl, Draco held up a hand. "Wait."

Murmurs floated through the air—low, urgent whispers that carried just enough to catch their attention. The Slytherins pressed back into the shadows of a side alcove.

They could see just enough: Potter, Weasley, and Granger standing at the corner near the stairway.

"—we can't just go looking for it, Harry. It's forbidden!" Hermione hissed.

"What did Hagrid say exactly?" Ron asked.

"Something about it being protected," Harry whispered. "He mentioned the third floor. I swear."

"Honestly," Hermione snapped. "If you get expelled, I'm not helping."

The Slytherins remained silent, trading glances.

Draco's frown deepened. He leaned closer to Elestara and muttered, "Why is he always lurking near dangerous things?"

She shrugged, watching Harry with unreadable eyes.

Draco stopped short and motioned for silence. Elestara narrowed her eyes, and they all leaned in, slipping behind a jutting wall to listen more closely.

"Dumbledore didn't just put a massive three-headed dog on the third floor for fun," Harry was whispering.

"Someone's trying to steal whatever it's guarding," Hermione said.

Ron made a noise of protest. "We shouldn't be messing with this. We're first-years!"

"And if we don't find out what it is," Harry argued, "someone else might."

Elestara blinked. Third floor? Three-headed dog?

Draco's frown deepened, and he muttered, "They're not just nosy—they're reckless."

Theo's brows were raised in disbelief. Blaise looked like he wanted to laugh.

"They're actually investigating school secrets?" Daphne whispered.