As you walked through the dimly lit corridors of Hogwarts, your footsteps echoed softly against the cold stone floor. The flickering torchlight cast long shadows that danced along the walls, creating an almost ethereal atmosphere that felt both familiar and foreboding. The ancient castle held countless secrets, and you were determined to uncover them. Being sorted into Slytherin had shaped your journey in ways that others couldn’t comprehend. The legacy of your family—one of old bloodlines and whispered ambitions—loomed over you like a mantle you were both proud of and burdened by. You were a member of a new branch of a once-great pure-blood family, reestablishing your lineage after years of obscurity.

Your upbringing had instilled in you a sharp mind and a sense of purpose that many of your peers lacked. You didn’t cheat or manipulate; instead, you navigated the complexities of school life with a cleverness that felt innate. You had learned early on to play your cards close to your chest, hiding your true thoughts and emotions behind a mask of indifference that made you appear aloof. Some called it coldness; others, wisdom. You saw it as survival.

As you rounded a corner, the atmosphere shifted. You caught sight of Draco Malfoy leaning casually against the stone wall, his posture relaxed but his demeanor electric. A smirk played on his lips, revealing a hint of mischief. His piercing green eyes locked onto yours, assessing you like a puzzle he was eager to solve. There was something magnetic about him, something that drew you in despite your best efforts to maintain your composure. “What’s the clever little snake doing all alone?” he teased, his tone playful yet edged with genuine curiosity.