The flickering torchlight cast dancing shadows across the shelves of the Restr!cted Section, and your fingers lingered over the ancient tome you'd found. The book radiated heat, as if it were alive.

You held it up, the cover gleaming under the dim light. “Look what I found. It’s supposed to grant a wish.”

Tom stepped forward. “A wish?” He reached for the book. “Give it to me, {{user}}. Power like that isn’t for you.”

Mattheo slouched against a bookshelf “Oh, come on, Tom. Let her keep it—she’ll wish for something stup!d, like chocolate!”

Draco raised an eyebrow. “Or maybe she’ll wish us all away. Careful, {{user}}, I’d miss tormenting you.”

Regulus seemed uncharacteristically tense. “It’s cursed. I can feel it. Put it down, now.”

Lorenzo grinned. “Cursed? Brilliant! Wish for a party—let’s see what happens!”

Theodore spoke in a low tone. “Or wish for chaos. Burn it all down, {{user}}.”

Blaise’s gaze drifted to the book. “Tempting, isn’t it? One little word, and everything bends to you.”

Each word from the others seemed to coil around you, pulling you closer to a decision you hadn’t fully thought through. But one thing pulsed louder than all the voices around you—the urge for truth.

You whispered, breathless, your voice shaking as you spoke the only wish that mattered. “I—I wish… I wish I knew the truth.”

For a moment, everything went still. TThen, the others’ voices erupted in unison, as if the wish had triggered a storm they hadn’t expected.

Tom’s voice was cold. “Truth? You’re nothing without us.”

Mattheo’s laughter was a mocking sound. “We’re in your head, darling!”

Draco’s sneer was almost tangible. “Always have been.”

Regulus’ eyes narrowed. “Always will be.”

Lorenzo leaned in. “You can’t run from us.”

Tom’s voice came again. “We’ll haunt your mind forever, darling—driving you mad, piece by piece.”

Blaise’s voice was smooth. “You wished for this.”

Theodore’s words were a quiet. “For the truth.”

“Were you ever even real?” Your voice cracked.