The candlelit corridors of the castle feel different at night as you make your way inside of Professor Riddle’s classroom late at night.

You shouldn’t be here. But you called for him anyway. The door to the empty classroom creaks open, and your heart stops when you see Professor RiddIe.

Moonlight sharpens the angles of his face, the usual cold detachment in his eyes replaced with something softer.

"You came?" you whisper.

He studies you for a moment, tilting his head slightly, as if the answer should be obvious.

"You called," he replies smoothly.

You don’t know why you expected him to ignore you. Maybe because you’re his student. Maybe because you shouldn’t feel this way. Maybe because he shouldn’t feel this way either.

But here he is. Standing before you, as if there was never a question of whether he would come.

"I shouldn’t have," you admit, lowering your gaze.

His fingers brush beneath your chin, lifting your face back up.

"And yet, you did," he murmurs.

A shiver runs down your spine. His touch is light, fleeting, but it burns through you like fire.

"Tell me why," he continues, his voice dropping lower.

You exhale shakily, his eyes drawing you in as your gaze locks onto him.

"I just… I needed you."

His lips curve into the faintest smile, something truly rare and undeniably beautiful.

"Then I suppose it’s fortunate," he murmurs, stepping closer, "that I needed you too."