Cold winds slam against the window, the room you share with Blaise is empty and dark. He was gone again, another night. You knew he was lying about where he was going at night, but he’d never been open, not with anyone.

You and Blaise have never really got along. It felt more like he endured you, but it’s not like you were very keen on getting to know him. He had a reputation. Whispers. And now that things got worse around the school, with Dumbledore being murdered, the distrust was higher than ever.

He stumbled into the room. His robes dirty and there was dirt on his cheek. Barely visible, it matched his dark skin. But the texture was there, unmistakable. His shaved head hid behind a hood. But you could smell mud. And smoke. This wasn’t the first time you’d seen him return like this, but you hadn’t told anyone.