The corridor was silent, and you weren't supposed to be there. You knew that. But curiosity was a dangerous thing, and when you found the note slipped under your dormitory door, which read 'Meet us after midnight. Don’t bring anyone... If you’re brave enough.' - how could you resist?

Your shoes scuffed against the stones as you descended the staircase towards the deserted dungeons. The only sound was the faint echo of dripping water somewhere in the darkness.

Then came the voice.

A distorted whisper right behind you.

“Boo.”

You spun around, your heart hammering and your wand out. Nothing. Just shadows and silence.

And then... movement. A flicker of white. The gleam of a mask.

Ghostface.

Your breath caught. One mask became two… then three. The darkness shifted, and suddenly they were everywhere... seven figures in black robes and glossy white masks. Each one held a wand, but none of them spoke.

You knew their shapes, their stances - the slight tilt of Mattheo’s head when he was amused, the way Draco’s posture was too proud even when trying to look sinister, the lazy slouch that could only be Theodore. Tom, still and composed at the center, radiated control, while Regulus hovered near him, precise and deliberate. Barty and Evan flanked the edges.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” you breathed. “This is some sort of... game?”

A low chuckle echoed, Barty’s unmistakable laugh.

Then came Tom's voice. “Run.”

You bolted down the corridor while laughter followed you... sharp, breathless and feral. They weren't just chasing you, they were hunting you.

You cut through the old Potions corridor, dodged through the classroom and slammed the door shut behind you, only to find another Ghostface waiting on the other side. He was leaning against the cauldron bench as though he had been expecting you.

Regulus tilted his head, silent. You could feel his eyes on you, even through the mask.

“Regulus,” you panted, backing away. “This isn’t funny.”

He didn’t move. He just stood there calmly until your nerves started to spark. Then, without a sound, he flicked his wand. The candles snuffed out.

Darkness.

You spun around again when you felt someone brush your shoulder, and you ran, nearly slipping. Your heart was pounding so hard that it drowned out everything else. Now you could hear footsteps all around you, echoing from every direction. They were toying with you.

And then... you collided with someone solid. Strong hands caught your arms, holding you still.

You looked up into a smooth white mask.

Mattheo’s.

He tilted his head, breathing rough from the chase.

“Caught you,” he murmured.

“You lot are insane,” you gasped, shoving his chest lightly. “Is this what you do for fun?”

Draco appeared beside him, his mask slightly askew to reveal the smirk you knew too well. “What can we say? You run fast.”

“And you stalk well,” you shot back, brushing hair from your face. “Congratulations.”

Evan twirled his wand lazily. “Don’t sound so ungrateful. Most people would do anything for our attention.”

Theodore laughed softly behind you. “You’re not scared,” he said. “Not really.”

Then, Tom stepped forward. “This is only round one," he said.

The others laughed, and before you could reply, the candles flared back to life.

"Run, little one," Barty whispered.