its quiet out here

The nocturnal hours had settled upon the school, signaling the end of classes and urging students to retreat to their beds. However, tonight was different for young Montclair, as she took up the responsibility of monitoring the younger students. In the dimly lit corridor, the only source of light emanated from the flickering torches that cast long, dancing shadows on the ancient stone walls. As she made her rounds, Wanda's vigilant steps reverberated through the silent halls, intermingling with the soft hum of a haunting melody she had been perfecting.

In the midst of her watchful journey, a stray ghost materialized from the darkness, its ethereal form drifting aimlessly along the corridor. The specter's faint glow illuminated the surrounding area, casting an eerie aura that sent a shiver down Wanda's spine. Undeterred, she maintained her composure and continued her patrol, her eyes scanning each nook and cranny to ensure all the students were accounted for. "Good evening," she nodded as she passed the ghost.

Cosmo enjoyed the night shift as a prefect. It gave him the chance to become acquainted with the castle in a way most students never would. Cosmo’s intrigue came less from an interest in mischief, but because of his driving philosophy: knowledge was power. You didn’t have to know what to do with it. A charmed life such as his meant that eventually the opportunity would arise that would make good on it.

It also meant he and his fellow prefects shared these hours alone. Nothing like some team bonding.

He saw Wanda before she saw him, distracted as she was by the appearance of a ghost. He rolled his eyes good-naturedly as she greeted the ghost, who slipped by and passed through a wall.

Perfect.

“Booooo,” he called out, cupping his hands as he paused, peeking out at her from behind a suit of armor.

The convergence of the haunting melody and the sudden apparition of the ghost had already put Wanda on edge, her nerves tightly wound. The subsequent unexpected sound made her jolt in alarm, her own heart seeming to leap out of her chest. Reacting swiftly, she brandished her wand and cast the Lumos spell, illuminating her surroundings. With a mix of caution and curiosity, she turned to face the source of the sound, her voice betraying a tinge of tension, "Who's there?"

And there he was, Cosmo Barbary. Wanda's pent-up anxiety released in a relieved sigh, accompanied by an eye roll. "Oh," she exclaimed, her tone now infused with a blend of exasperation and familiarity, "It's just you." The sense of danger faded as the realization struck that it was not an unknown threat lurking in the shadows but rather her whimsical and occasionally unpredictable friend, Cosmo.

Cosmo grinned widely and swung out from his hidden alcove, moving with ease towards the Ravenclaw prefect. He swung his arms out in a shrug, saying, “An opportunity presented itself, and I’m nothing if not an opportunist.”

He fell into step with her, leading the way on a new rotation. It didn’t matter, so long as the hallways were being covered by responsible students.

“No mischief afoot tonight?”

With a disappointed shake of her head, she gracefully tucked her wand back into the secure embrace of her robes, the fabric whispering softly as it enveloped the mystical instrument. It was a motion born out of both resignation and caution, for the lack of any noticeable disturbance left her yearning for some semblance of excitement. "No signs of anything peculiar, I'm afraid," she confessed, her voice a gentle murmur amid the tranquility of the night. A hint of frustration danced in her eyes, momentarily betraying the longing for an adventure that remained unfulfilled.

As they continued to tread the familiar path, their feet resonating with the rhythmic cadence of the stone floor, she found solace in the company of her companion. Each step, deliberate and measured, carried with it a sense of unity—a silent pact to face the darkness together. The soft glow of their intertwined camaraderie illuminated the shadows that threatened to encroach upon their hearts.

In the midst of their synchronized footsteps, a sigh escaped her lips, laden with unspoken desires and unfulfilled dreams. Her words, tender yet tinged with melancholy, reached out to bridge the divide. "Does another extended evening of solitude await us, my dear?" she inquired, her voice awash with empathy and genuine curiosity. She longed to break free from the monotony, yearning for the thrill of shared laughter and whispered secrets that only the night could bear witness to.

“Alas,” he sighed at her assessment of the quiet. “It’s been ages since I’ve gotten to deduct points. Favorite part of the job, especially when Ravenclaw is ahead in points.” He shot her a grin, indicating he was teasing. Though there was a tinge of truth in every joke.

They moved in silence for awhile, listening to the sounds of the castle for any signs of student disturbances. Despite his jokes, Cosmo did do the job well. He took it just seriously enough to be worthy of the job, but not quite so much that he was ever annoying about it.  

“It seems that way,” he said, pushing his hands deeper into his pockets. “Oh.” He withdrew a pack of Silly Gum, a Honeydukes product that offered a slight gleeful feeling while the gum was fresh. He held out a stick for his companion, saying, “What to do to pass the time. Have you heard any fresh Hogwarts news?”

Wanda shook her head, a playful glint in her eyes, as she dismissed Cosmo's comment about his enjoyment of deducting points. "Honestly, I haven't either," she replied, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and amusement. "What's happened to the younger Slytherins? They seem far less troubled than they used to be." A smile tugged at the corners of her lips, adding a touch of warmth to her words. She brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear, the gesture revealing a glimpse of her easygoing nature.

Appreciation danced in her eyes as Cosmo offered her a stick of gum. With a graceful motion, she accepted it, tucking the wrapper into her pocket for later disposal. "Oh, thanks," she said, her voice filled with gratitude. The small act of kindness sparked a connection, as Wanda found herself drawn to Cosmo's genuine thoughtfulness.

As they exchanged pleasantries, Wanda delved into the realm of campus gossip, her tone lighthearted yet eager for any intriguing tidbits. "Not much that's particularly interesting," she began, her voice tinged with a hint of excitement. "There are rumors about Potter and Greengrass disappearing off the castle grounds with Lupin. And it seems the Kane and Cuffe siblings have found themselves entangled in a bit of a love square." A mischievous twinkle danced in her eyes, a testament to her enjoyment of sharing the latest rumors and secrets.

With a playful curiosity, she turned the spotlight back to Cosmo. "Have you heard anything juicier?" she inquired; her voice laced with anticipation. In this exchange of gossip and shared intrigue, a bond formed, united by the thrill of being privy to the inner workings of their magical community.

“The kids just don’t know how to make trouble these days,” Cosmo said with a faux heavy sigh.

“Potter and Greengrass,” Cosmo drawled with interest. He was at the age where he was beginning to track and predict the eventual marriages of his pureblood classmates. Their parents were already steeped in the process and he wanted to stay astride any of the complications, as it’d affect his own later prospects. He’d long wanted to touch base with Greengrass and see if the troubled teen shared some of his concerns about the dilution of magical blood… his dalliance with a Potter, therefore, was troubling.

Kanes and Cuffes though? Interesting. Two pureblood families fully mixed into each other. It was almost like the old days. They were all rather young, he doubted it’d last beyond school, but stranger things had happened.

“Potter and Greengrass are an odd pairing,” he mused. “Fun for the Cuffes and Kanes though. Interesting to see the domino effect one break up might cause.”

He considered the small bit of gossip he had, before deciding that the prefect’s code meant he could share. “Jakob Sallow and Brynn Aubrey seemed cozy in the common room not long ago.”

Wanda discreetly observed Cosmo as he absorbed the information she had just shared. His curiosity was piqued by the first two names she mentioned, Greengrass and the entangled drama involving the Cuffes and Kanes. A fierce altercation had unfolded in the grand hall, yet somehow the girls involved had managed to escape the consequences. Alexander, unfortunately, had been hospitalized as a result. Wanda presumed that Cosmo had already been aware of this incident, as it seemed to be somewhat dated news.

Not particularly invested in the trivialities of teenage relationships and gossip, Wanda added, "On another note, I happened to witness Fawkes sitting at the Gryffindor table, spoon-feeding Underwood. Quite an unexpected sight, I must say." It didn't surprise her that Brynnley was cozying up to someone, as she had a knack for flirting with one guy or another.

After a prolonged period of silence, Wanda shifted the conversation back to Cosmo. "And what about you?" she inquired; her curiosity piqued. "Anything of interest happen for you recently?"