The Serpent Prince

The common room was quiet that night. Most of the students had retreated to their dormitories, worn out from the day's lessons. Alex remained by the fire, the green flames casting faint, flickering light across his sharp features. The book on his lap lay forgotten, its pages untouched for the better part of an hour. His thoughts kept circling back to Professor Radwick's cryptic words and the unease he felt whenever his gaze lingered on the Black Lake.

"Still brooding?"

The voice startled him out of his reverie. He looked up to see Imogen approaching, a cup of steaming tea in her hand. Her dark hair was pulled back, her expression carrying its usual smirk, though there was a softness to her eyes that Alex hadn't seen before.

"I wouldn't call it brooding," Alex replied smoothly.

Imogen took the seat opposite him, curling her legs beneath her as she set the cup down. "Pondering, then? Meditating? Agonizing over some deep, world-changing question?"

Alex allowed himself a faint smile. "Perhaps a bit of pondering."

"Let me guess," she said, leaning forward slightly. "The lake."

"You're very perceptive," Alex said, inclining his head.

Imogen shrugged. "It's not exactly subtle. You've been staring at it like it owes you money ever since we got here."

Alex chuckled softly, though the humor didn't reach his eyes. "There's something about it… I can't explain. It feels like it's hiding something."

"It's a lake," Imogen said, her tone teasing. "Hiding things is kind of its thing."

"Not like this," Alex said, his voice quieter now. "It's more than just secrets. It feels… alive."

Imogen studied him for a moment, her smirk fading. "You're serious."

"I am."

She tapped her fingers against the armrest of her chair, her expression thoughtful. "You know, there are a lot of stories about the lake. Merfolk, grindylows, even the occasional rumor about a kraken. But if you're looking for answers, you won't find them by staring out a window."

"And where should I look?" Alex asked.

Imogen's smirk returned, though it was tinged with mischief. "The library. Or maybe Radwick's office. Professors love leaving their doors unlocked after hours."

"Breaking into a professor's office seems… ill-advised," Alex said, though there was a glint of amusement in his eyes.

"Only if you get caught," she said lightly.

Their conversation was interrupted by Malcolm, who stumbled into the common room looking half-asleep. "What are you two still doing up?" he mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

"Solving mysteries," Imogen replied breezily.

"Uh-huh," Malcolm said, clearly too tired to care. "Don't get yourselves expelled."

As Malcolm disappeared into the boys' dormitory, Imogen glanced back at Alex. "Let me know if you decide to act on that curiosity of yours. Could be fun."

"I'll think about it," Alex said, his tone neutral but his mind already turning over possibilities.

The next morning, Alex woke early. The dungeons were still cloaked in shadows as he dressed and made his way to the Great Hall. Few students were up this early, and the hall was pleasantly quiet, the long tables set with a modest breakfast spread.

As he ate, he noticed Professor Radwick entering the hall. The man moved with purpose, his sharp eyes scanning the room before landing briefly on Alex. He gave the faintest of nods before heading toward the staff table.

Alex considered approaching him, but the timing felt wrong. Radwick wasn't the type to tolerate idle questions, and Alex suspected he'd need a more compelling reason to pry answers from the professor.

Instead, he decided to visit the library again. The quiet sanctuary of the stacks had quickly become one of his favorite places in the castle, and if anyone had written about the lake's secrets, the answer would likely be buried there.

The library was as quiet and inviting as ever, its high shelves casting long shadows across the polished stone floor. Alex made his way to the section on magical creatures, running his fingers along the spines of ancient tomes until he found one titled Legends of the Black Lake.

He carried the book to his usual corner near the Restricted Section and opened it, flipping through pages of dense text and detailed illustrations. The book described the lake's known inhabitants in vivid detail: the merfolk, their culture steeped in song and secrecy; the grindylows, lurking in the shadows like predators waiting to strike; and the giant squid, a peaceful yet mysterious guardian of the depths.

But as Alex read on, a particular passage caught his eye:

"Though the Black Lake's more prominent denizens are well-documented, whispers persist of a deeper presence—something older, something forgotten. Tales passed down through generations speak of a power beneath the lake's surface, its influence subtle yet pervasive. Some claim it watches, others that it sleeps, waiting for a time when it will rise again."

Alex frowned, rereading the passage. The words resonated with the unease he had felt since his arrival. If there was something beneath the lake, something forgotten, it could explain the strange energy he sensed whenever he looked at it.

"Interesting choice of reading material."

Alex looked up to find a girl standing nearby, her Gryffindor tie slightly askew and her arms full of books. Her dark curls framed a face that was both striking and confident, her brown eyes bright with curiosity.

"You always sneak up on people?" Alex asked, closing the book.

"Only when they're reading something intriguing," she replied, setting her books on the table and taking a seat without invitation. "I'm Lily Potter."

The name caught Alex off guard for a moment, but he recovered quickly. "Alexander Lorian."

Lily grinned. "Oh, I know who you are. Everyone's been talking about the prince in Slytherin. You're quite the novelty."

"I aim to entertain," Alex said dryly.

Her grin widened. "So, what's got you interested in the lake?"

Alex hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "I'm curious about its history."

Lily raised an eyebrow. "The history, huh? You don't strike me as someone who's satisfied with the obvious answers."

"You're very observant," Alex said, his tone neutral.

"It's a family trait," Lily said with a shrug. "My dad's always poking around where he shouldn't, and it seems to run in the blood. If you're looking for answers about the lake, you'll need more than a book."

"And what would you suggest?"

She leaned forward slightly, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Talk to the merfolk."

Alex blinked. "I doubt they're interested in idle conversation."

"They're not," Lily admitted. "But they're not impossible to talk to. My brother tried once—didn't get far, but he said they're more willing to chat if you bring them something shiny. Or food."

Alex filed the information away, intrigued despite himself. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you're interesting," Lily said simply. "And because I want to know what you find out."

The rest of the day passed uneventfully, though Alex's mind kept returning to Lily's suggestion. The idea of venturing into the lake to speak with the merfolk was both daunting and exhilarating. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but the promise of uncovering the truth was too tempting to ignore.

As night fell and the castle settled into its usual hush, Alex stood by the window in the Slytherin common room, his gaze fixed on the lake's dark surface. Somewhere beneath that still water lay answers—and Alex was determined to find them.