You padded quickly down the long corridor, heart racing. The Astronomy Tower always kept you longer than you planned, and tonight was no exception. By the time you’d slipped back through the winding staircases, the hourglass windows showed nothing but moonlight. Curfew had passed ages ago.

Your footsteps echoed softly on the flagstones, and you tugged your cloak tighter around you. If you were lucky, you’d make it back before any prefect noticed.

“Going somewhere?”

The voice made you jump. You spun around, nearly tripping over your own feet. Bill WeasIey leaned against the wall at the end of the corridor, torchlight catching on the polished badge pinned to his chest: Head Boy. His arms were folded,the faint smirk tugging at his mouth didn’t soften the authority in his eyes.

“Bill,” you breathed, trying for nonchalance. “You scared me.”

“I should hope so.” He pushed off the wall, walking toward you at an unhurried pace that somehow made him more intimidating. “Most students have the sense to be in bed right now.”

“I couldn’t sleep,” you offered weakly.

His smirk deepened, though his tone stayed measured. “And you thought sneaking through the castle in the dead of night would help?” He stopped in front of you, close enough that you had to tilt your chin to meet his gaze.

You swallowed, heat crawling into your cheeks. “Maybe?”

“You know i should march you straight back to your dormitory. Dock points. Maybe give you a lecture about responsibility.” His tone was firm, but his eyes flickered with something more mischievous.

You bit your lip. “But you won’t?”

Bill’s lips twitched into a grin “That depends. Convince me why I shouldn’t.”

The challenge in his voice was enough to make your stomach flip. He was the picture of responsibility, yet there was a spark of mischief beneath it all—like he was daring you to give him a reason to let you go.