The Great Hall buzzed with the usual breakfast chatter as students prepared for the day. Rez Kenway sat at the Slytherin table, casually eating while keeping an eye on his surroundings. It had been a few weeks since he met Rowan, and their quiet investigations into Hogwarts' secrets had begun. But today, something—or rather, someone—caught his attention.

A Ravenclaw boy with messy brown hair and glasses was arguing with a Gryffindor who had short, spiky dark red hair and a scowl that looked permanent. They stood near the Ravenclaw table, attracting attention from curious students.

"I'm just saying, if you actually used logic instead of your fists, you wouldn't get detention every other day," the Ravenclaw remarked, pushing his glasses up his nose.

"Shut it, Dorian," the Gryffindor growled. "You overthink everything. If I got a problem, I fix it my way."

Rez smirked to himself. The Ravenclaw—Jake Dorian—wasn't backing down, but the Gryffindor—Cecil Cormac—looked ready to throw a punch. Before things could escalate, a Hufflepuff with slicked-back dark hair stepped between them, grinning.

"Alright, boys, let's not get into another brawl before breakfast," he said. "Cecil, mate, you've got a terrible temper. Jake, you really should stop provoking him."

Cecil grumbled but crossed his arms, while Jake huffed and adjusted his glasses.

Rez, amused, stood up and walked over. "You three fight like brothers."

Jack turned to him. "And you are?"

"Rez Kenway."

Jake's eyes widened slightly. "Kenway? As in—"

"Yes," Rez interrupted before Jack could finish. He didn't like people bringing up his lineage, and the last thing he wanted was more attention.

Cecil scoffed. "Great. Another Slytherin."

Rez raised an eyebrow. "Something wrong with that?"

Cecil leaned forward, glaring. "Most Slytherins I've met are either cowards or full of themselves."

Rez smirked. "Good thing I'm neither."

Jake chuckled. "I like you already."

The Hufflepuff clapped Rez on the shoulder. "Michael Auditore. You seem interesting, Kenway. Let me give you some advice—if you ever need help with anything, I'm your guy."

"Help with what?" Rez asked.

Michael grinned. "You know, girls, parties, fun."

Rez raised an eyebrow. "Pass."

Michael pouted. "No fun at all."

Jake rolled his eyes. "Ignore him. Michael flirts with half of Hogwarts."

Cecil crossed his arms. "And annoys the other half."

Rez smirked. He wasn't expecting to meet this group of misfits, but something told him they could be useful. Maybe even friends.

"Alright," he said, "I'll bite. You three seem… different. How do you know each other?"

Jake adjusted his glasses. "We met on the train. I'm the brains, Cecil's the brawler, and Michael is—"

"The charm," Michael interrupted with a wink.

Rez chuckled. "Sounds about right."

Jake leaned in. "And you? You're different too. I can tell."

Rez tilted his head. "How so?"

Jake smirked. "You're observant. Quiet, calculating. Not like most Slytherins."

Rez wasn't sure whether to take that as a compliment or not, but before he could answer, Rowan walked over.

"You're making new friends?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Rez shrugged. "Something like that."

Rowan looked at Jack, Cecil, and Michael, then back at Rez. "Huh. This could be interesting."

Rez smirked. "Yeah. I think so too."

The days at Hogwarts passed quickly, and Rez found himself slipping into an unusual rhythm. Between classes, his growing friendship with Rowan, and the antics of Jake, Cecil, and Michael, life at the castle was never dull.

However, something still gnawed at him. Hogwarts had secrets—secrets hidden in its ancient walls, behind locked doors, and in whispers passed between students. And Rez was determined to uncover them.

One evening, Rez and Rowan sat in the library, flipping through old books. Rowan was determined to find anything about Hogwarts' hidden places, while Rez quietly scanned the shelves for anything that might confirm his suspicions.

"I swear, there has to be something more," Rowan muttered. "I mean, think about it—there are hidden chambers, secret passages, and Merlin knows what else."

Rez leaned back in his chair. "We're first-years, Rowan. If there's anything worth finding, the older students would've found it already."

Rowan frowned. "Or they're hiding it."

Rez smirked. "Fair point."

Just then, a voice whispered behind them.

"You two are either very brave or very stupid."

Rez turned to see Jake, arms crossed, looking amused. Behind him, Cecil and Michael loomed like two opposite forces—one radiating irritation, the other exuding confidence.

"What are you two even doing?" Cecil asked, glancing at the books scattered on the table.

"Research," Rowan replied simply.

Michael smirked. "If you're looking for trouble, you should've invited me sooner."

Rez chuckled. "This isn't exactly your kind of trouble, Mikey."

Michael leaned on the table. "Everything is my kind of trouble."

Jake adjusted his glasses. "You're looking for secrets in the wrong place."

Rez raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Jake glanced around before lowering his voice. "If you really want to find something interesting, you need to check the Restricted Section."

Rowan's eyes widened. "Are you insane? First-years aren't allowed in there."

Cecil cracked his knuckles. "Which is exactly why we should do it."

Rez smirked. "I take it you've been in there before?"

Jake looked smug. "Let's just say I know a few tricks."

Michael grinned. "Then what are we waiting for?"

That night, the five of them crept through the library, moving between towering bookshelves. The Restricted Section was locked, but Jake had already devised a plan.

"Simple spellwork," he whispered, pulling out his wand. "Alohomora."

With a soft click, the lock released.

Rez nodded approvingly. "Not bad i could've used my lockpicks but i guess Alohomora works too."

They slipped inside, the darkness closing around them. The air was thick with the scent of old parchment and dust.

"This place gives me the creeps," Cecil muttered.

"Relax," Michael whispered. "No ghosts yet."

Rowan ran her fingers along the spines of the books. "There has to be something here worth reading."

Rez, however, was drawn to a particular shelf. He reached out, his fingers tracing the title of an old, worn book. The moment he touched it, he felt something—an odd sensation, like a pull deep in his chest.

Before he could open it, a voice rang through the library.

"What are you doing here?"

They all froze.

Peeves the Poltergeist hovered above them, grinning mischievously.

"Little first-years sneaking where they shouldn't be!" Peeves cackled.

Cecil swore under his breath. "We're dead."

Rez acted fast. He grabbed a book off the shelf and threw it. It sailed right through Peeves, but the distraction was enough—Jake whispered, "Petrificus Totalus!"

A moment of silence. Peeves hovered, stunned in place.

"…That actually worked?" Rowan whispered.

Jake adjusted his glasses. "He won't stay like that for long. We need to go."

They turned to leave, but Rez hesitated, glancing back at the book he had touched earlier. There was something about it…

"Rez, move!" Cecil hissed.

With one last look, Rez turned and slipped out of the Restricted Section with the others.

As they rushed back to their dorms, Rez couldn't shake the feeling that he had just stumbled onto something bigger than he could understand.

And he was going to find out exactly what it was.