The flickering lantern light cast long, ominous shadows across the room as you stood before them—Mattheo, Theodore, Draco, Blaise, Lorenzo, and Regulus. Their gazes were sharp, unreadable, as if carved from stone.

Your heart raced, but you forced yourself to steady your breath. "I need to tell you about Tom's plan."

Mattheo leaned back in his chair, a lazy smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Oh? Enlighten us."

You nodded, determined to push through the unease tightening in your chest. "He's planning to take over the wizarding world. Dark alliances, cursed artifacts—he’s building an army. But there’s a way to stop him."

Draco arched a brow. "Stop him, you say?"

"Yes." You swallowed hard. "I've found ancient spells, counter-curses that can break his control over—"

"Enough," Regulus cut in sharply, his voice cold as ice.

The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of his words pressing against your lungs.

"You don't need to tell us about Tom's plan," Theodore said smoothly.

A chill crept up your spine. "Why not?"

"Because we've always known," Blaise said casually, as though discussing the weather.

"How?" you demanded, your voice shaking.

Lorenzo's lips curled into a faint, cruel smile. "We were never outside of it."

The realization hit you like a hex to the chest. "You're loyal to him?"

Draco's smirk deepened. "Loyalty is such a simplistic term."

Mattheo leaned forward. "You really thought you could walk in here and rally us against him? That we'd turn our backs on everything he's promised?"

"He gave us purpose," Theodore added. "Power."

Desperation clawed at your throat. "You're making a mistake. He'll destroy everything—even you."

Regulus's expression darkened. "The only mistake would be standing in his way."

"You won't get away with this," you spat.

Mattheo smirked. "We already have."

A sudden chill crept through the room, heavy and oppressive.

Draco’s voice dropped to a whispe. "Tom knows you've been meddling."

Regulus's eyes locked onto yours. "He's coming for you."