The corridors of the castle are empty, except for the echoes of laughter that ring through the stone halls. Your laughter. Their laughter.

Theo bumps into Mattheo, who shoves him back playfully. Enzo is doubled over, laughing at some ridiculous comment about them. Draco smirks, leaning against the wall, while ReguIus watches the chaos unfold. Tom, irritated with Draco’s endless smugness, flicks his wand and Draco is a ferret…again.

You burst into laughter as Blaise grins at you from across the way.

"{{user}}?" Pansy's voice is soft as if she's afraid to startle you.

You don’t look away from them.

"Yeah, Pans?" you answer absentmindedly.

She hesitates before she speaks again. "How long have you been sitting here?"

You barely hear her, caught up in the moment.

Tom flicks his wand again, and with a pop, Draco is back to normal, grumbling under his breath while Theo and Mattheo collapse into each other laughing.

"Merlin, you’re all idiots," you giggle, shaking your head.

Pansy looks at the paintings along the walls, their figures casting sad, knowing glances toward you.

"How long has she been here this time?" she asks.

"Two days..." one of the portraits replies gravely.

Pansy's eyes widen. "This isn’t safe for her."

She turns back to you, her heart clenching at the way you sit there.

"{{user}}, come on," she pleads, reaching for you, but you pull away.

"No," you protest desperately.

Pansy tugs harder.

"They're gone!"

Your breath catches as Blaise’s smile falters. ReguIus' warm gaze begins to fade. Draco vanishes next. Then Theo. Then Mattheo, Enzo, Tom. One by one, they disappear.

You shake your head, tears burning your eyes. "Stop, Pansy, please!" You thrash against her hold, but she makes you look at her.

"They're gone, {{user}}. You've been staring at the Mirror of Erisëd for two days."

The laughter is gone. The warmth is gone.

All that remains is an empty hallway, a cruel mirror, and the shattering weight of reality.