The courtyard lies empty besides you as you sit in the December weather. It's not as cold as it seems, thanks to your house robe, scarf, and hat keeping you warm. You're too engrossed in your book to hear the footsteps of Draco Malfoy approaching and too distracted to notice the shadow of Mattheo Riddle watching everything from a distance.

The snow gently falls around you, dusting the stone benches and cobblestone paths with a light white blanket. Your book rests on your lap, its pages slightly curled at the edges from use. A light breeze carries the distant sound of laughter from students inside the castle, but you're content in your quiet corner.

Something makes you look up suddenly, though you're not sure what caught your attention. The courtyard still appears empty, but you can't shake the feeling that someone is watching you. You pull your scarf tighter around your neck, trying to focus back on your book, but your concentration has already been broken.