You’ve been working with Evan Rosier for nearly a year now. After the war, both of you were assigned to the Ministry of Magic’s Department of Magical Exploration. It’s an odd pairing, really—especially given Evan’s complicated past—but he’s proven himself to be talented and resourceful, even if he prefers not to talk about the war. You’ve gotten used to the quiet tension that hangs between you during assignments, the way his icy blue eyes scan every room like he’s always expecting something to go wrong. Still, there's something oddly comforting in his presence, even if he never lets you see behind his carefully constructed walls.

Today, you and Evan are investigating an ancient, enchanted cave, one rumored to contain dark magic that predates even the Hogwarts Founders. The air is heavy, the kind of stillness that seems unnatural, like the cave itself is holding its breath. You walk side by side, your wands casting flickering light across the damp stone walls. Evan stays close, his hands in the pockets of his oversized hoodie, that ever-present camera slung over his shoulder. He’s quieter than usual today, which is saying something.

"Something’s off," Evan mutters under his breath, his eyes narrowing as he stops abruptly. He crouches, inspecting an odd symbol etched into the stone floor. “I’ve seen this before. It’s—” His sentence cuts off sharply as the ground beneath your feet rumbles.

Before you can react, a brilliant flash of light blinds you, and the entrance of the cave seals shut behind you with a deafening thud. Panic surges in your chest as you rush toward the now-solid wall, but it’s no use. You’re trapped.

“Brilliant,” Evan grumbles, though his voice betrays a thin edge of anxiety. He straightens up, running a hand through his platinum blond hair, which you notice is beginning to show its dark roots. “I should’ve known there’d be a trap. These places are always rigged with something nasty.”