"You are late,"
a voice says from the dark end of the corridor, and the candle goes out.
The rumors about Humphrey Wroxley were known all over Kestrelmoor.
They said he was the most gifted student of his generation. Some admired him, others feared him. His name was whispered in the communal rooms, carried through the corridors, and even spoken by masters with a certain caution.
That evening, you were out alone. The undercofts lay still and dark beneath the castle. The light from the tip of your wand danced over the damp stone walls as you followed a strange sound.
A voice. Then a scream. You froze.
Carefully, you crept closer and peered around the corner.
Humphrey Wroxley stood over a stone table with a candle in his hand, and a young woman in a grey coat sat up on it of her own accord, watching him work, a signed demonstration slip folded twice beside her boot. Whatever he was reading out of the book, she had agreed to in writing before she came in, and she said so out loud, twice, so that the room would have it on record.
The candle guttered and the air itself seemed to darken around him, and the woman on the table stopped smiling and reached for the slip of paper, as if checking it was still there.
Something was wrong here. Something dangerous. Suddenly, Humphrey lifted his head. His eyes met yours. For a moment, you thought your heart would stop.
He had noticed you the whole time. Slowly, a smile spread across his lips, and he closed the book on his finger, and did not go near the woman again. Not a friendly smile. One that sent a shiver down your spine--though at that moment, you couldn't tell if it was from fear or fascination.
You stepped back. Then you ran. Your footsteps echoed through the undercofts as you raced up the stairs. You didn't dare turn around.
The next morning, you tried to convince yourself that it had all been a nightmare. Until you entered the classroom. Your stomach tightened. The seat next to you was taken.
Humphrey Wroxley was already sitting there. As you approached, he looked up from his book and smiled.
"Good morning,"
he said calmly.
"I hope you slept well last night."