Lando had resorted to ignoring Carlos with the small hope that this would convince Carlos to explain what was wrong. He had been visiting the library non stop much to the teasing from his other friends, "I didn't know you even knew where it was, mate!" He was determined to discover more about the Chamber of Shadows himself as Carlos clearly wouldn't tell him what had transpired in Professor Alonso's office. He had debated asking the professor what the problem was, however he knew he would feel guilty about going behind his best friend's back like that.

Just as he was about to give up for the day and return to his tower, he caught sight of an old, dusty book with a tattered and torn, purple cover. He peeled open the cover and delicately turned the pages. It lacked writing, the pages decorated with detailed images. One page had a drawing of an archway, completely shrouded with fog, the inside of the arch completely black. There's no way- It was as though fate had told him to find this book. On the drawing was inscribed: The Chamber of Shadows. Lando turned the page, eyes skimming across the new image; it was of a lake with what appeared to be a glowing orb looming over it. "When the moon casts no shadow, and the beast bows to the night, the path will reveal itself." Lando's heart rate increased rapidly, he recognised the lake, it was the Black Lake, Hogwarts' lake, the chamber is somewhere in Hogwarts. He audibly gasped, shoved the book in his bag and left for the common room.

The sky was streaked with orange and purple from the fading sunset. Carlos was sitting on the edge of the Astronomy tower, overlooking the grounds, the Forbidden Forest in the distance looming over, dark and uninviting. 'It tests your truth.' The words echoed in Carlos' mind over and over like a cursed incantation. Truth, as if the truth could ever set him free, as if the truth was anything but a shackle, chaining him to the worst parts of himself, the parts of himself that he was forced to live with, that nothing could ever change.

He dug his nails into his palms, his breath catching. He knew, deep down, that Fernando didn't mean it in the way it was said, yet he would never- could never understand. How could anyone understand the fear of losing control, of becoming something monstrous- something that could hurt the people he cared about? Exhaling a sharp breath, he leant back against the cold stone wall, head tilted towards the sky. The moon's not full yet, he thought. Not yet. But soon. And every time the full moon approached, he felt it- deep in his bones, a restless energy, a gnawing hunger, a trembling fear, as though the moon had tied rope around his ribs, ever tugging tighter and tighter as the days upcoming slipped by.

Carlos closed his eyes, his voice barely a whisper. "Why couldn't you just leave it alone, Nando? Why couldn't you just let me have something without tearing it all open again?" His voice cracked on the last word, he clenched his jaw, furious at himself for the display of vulnerability.. He hadn't felt this way for a long time. In the distance the faint tickle of laughter drifted up from the courtyard, students heading to dinner, living their normal lives, worrying about normal things. He pressed his forehead against his knees, trying to shut it all out.

A door creaked below, snapping him back to attention. He stiffened, listening. Students were most likely heading up for their astronomy lesson. With a final glance at the sky, Carlos pushed himself away from the railing and slipped into the shade of the tower, disappearing into the night.

In a dimly lit corridor near the library, the glow from enchanted lanterns cast long shadows across the tiled floor. Oscar clutched a crumpled piece of parchment- a failed attempt at revision he had suffered in his last lesson. He had decided enough was enough of Professor Binns' droning and to make his own notes. Despite his intention to work, he still couldn't shake Carlos from his mind. What's wrong with him? In front of him, Lando appeared, clutching his bag like a lifeline. He froze however as soon as he noticed Oscar heading in the opposite direction.

"Of course, because the universe doesn't think I've had enough lately." He crossed his arms, eyes sharp. He looks tired, Oscar observed, and yet somehow, he's looking at me as though I'm the problem. "Why do you always seem to be lurking somewhere nearby? What are you even doing here?"

"I'm not lurking. I'm... thinking." Thinking about Carlos, he doesn't verbalise. Thinking about the way he had looked that night- pale, shaking, like death itself was tugging at his sleeves. Thinking about Alonso and his too calm, too quick interference. Thinking about whether these events even happened, they had, thinking about how everyone- Lando included- seemed to be swallowing Carlos' stupid quidditch story. Lando didn't reply, instead simply staring at him, expression unreadable. "What? You're just gonna glare at me now? Is this how it is going to be between us?"

This caused a reaction from Lando. He sighed, shaking his head: "Oscar, I don't have time for this."

"Well then make time, Lando," Oscar's voice dropped low, stepping closer, intense. "Because something's wrong. With Sainz, with Professor Alonso- everything. And I know you see it too. Don't pretend you don't."

Lando's eyes flickered with something that Oscar couldn't quite identify- hesitation? Guilt? Anger? "All I see is you sticking your nose where it doesn't belong and making everything harder for Carlos!"

'Harder for Carlos', always Carlos, always Lando leaping in to defend him. "Right. Because poor, perfect Quidditch star Carlos Sainz Junior can do no wrong." Oscar spat, bitterly. Even as he said it, it felt hollow. He didn't hate Carlos really, not anymore. But the way Lando was always shielding him, the way everyone kept acting like he was crazy, it felt as though someone had tied a knot to his chest and pulled it so tight he couldn't breathe.

Lando turned, clearly done with the conversation, but Oscar called after him one last time. "You know I'm right, Lando. You know something's off, and if you won't admit it now... you'll see soon enough." Lando hesitated for a brief second before leaving Oscar stood in the corridor, his words hanging in the cold air. You'll see. You'll all see.