After the little catastrophe that morning and his conversation with Fleur, Louis calmly returned to the Ravenclaw common room. He found Evangeline and Cho sitting quietly in a corner by the window. Thankfully, Ravenclaw students were generally more mature than most, and no one seemed to be mocking or even bringing up the howler incident.
Louis approached gently, his gaze calm and reassuring.
"I'm truly sorry again," he said as he sat down. "Would you like to go out for a walk? Explore the castle a bit? I feel like I need some air."
Cho shrugged. "Might do us some good."
Evangeline hesitated, eyes downcast. Louis placed a light hand on her shoulder.
"I promise—no more jokes at your expense. You can trust me."
She looked up at him, searching for mischief in his eyes, but found only sincere remorse. She nodded slightly. "Alright."
The three of them left the common room, their footsteps echoing through the stone halls of Hogwarts. Sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, casting colored patterns on the floor.
As they walked through a long corridor, a group of Slytherin first-years passed by. One of them snickered, pointing at Evangeline.
"Hey, it's the howler girl!"
Evangeline tensed immediately, her shoulders stiffening. Before she could react, Louis turned slowly to face the young Slytherins. His expression darkened.
With a subtle motion of his wand, Louis invoked a spell of his own creation—one he had developed as a child. A ripple of invisible energy surged through the corridor, condensing the very air around them. A crushing pressure descended like a weight from above.
The Slytherins froze, their laughter dying instantly. Their faces drained of color, and their limbs seemed to lock. The air felt thick, like moving through water. Eyes wide with fear, they trembled.
Louis held the spell for just a few seconds. Then he blinked, releasing them from the spell's grip. The pressure vanished, leaving only a still silence behind.
The Slytherins bolted without another word.
Cho exhaled. "That was... terrifying. What spell was that?"
"Something I created a long time ago,Vitus Gravita" Louis answered quietly. ""
Evangeline looked at him sideways. "You might actually be a little scary."
He offered her a rare, amused smile. "Only when I need to be."
Their walk continued, winding through different parts of the castle. They eventually ran into Charles Blackwood, who was laughing with some older Ravenclaws.
"Hey there!" Charles greeted, walking over. "I've been meaning to say... sorry about the howler prank. I thought it'd be harmless fun. Next time I'll tease you in private."
Evangeline groaned. "I swear, Charles..."
He grinned. "Come on, I'm your brother. Teasing is in the job description."
Soon the group—Cho, Evangeline, Louis, and Charles—was moving through the castle together, whispering and sharing ideas.
"Do you think there are more secrets in the castle?" Cho asked.
Louis nodded. "Without a doubt. Hogwarts was built by visionaries. There are bound to be secrets even the professors don't know."
Motivated, they decided to consult Professor McGonagall.
She looked up from her desk as they entered. "Ah, the adventurers return. What is it this time?"
Louis smiled with practiced composure. "We're looking for anything the founders might've left behind. Hidden rooms, chambers, anything like that."
McGonagall arched an eyebrow. "You've been here a week. Most students take years before this kind of curiosity kicks in."
"I like to think I'm a fast learner," Louis said smoothly.
She considered him for a moment. "If you're going to chase legends, start with books. The library has records even older than I am."
They thanked her and rushed to the library, eager to dive into the dusty vaults of knowledge. Hours passed as they read through countless books, some so old they cracked when opened.
Finally, Louis found something.
"Listen to this," he whispered. "'When the mind seeks what it desires most, the castle may answer. A room reveals itself only to those who truly need it.'"
Charles leaned over his shoulder. "That's the Room of Requirement, isn't it?"
Louis nodded. "And I believe it's the second chamber of R.S."
Eyes wide, the group hurried to the seventh floor. Louis stopped before a blank wall and paced three times, focusing on what they needed: a safe space to research, to test, to uncover ancient secrets.
With a soft groan, a door emerged.
They stepped into a space bathed in golden light. Shelves lined the walls, filled with ancient tomes and scrolls. A round table stood in the center, surrounded by high-backed chairs. At one end, a small dueling platform shimmered, ready for spellwork.
Evangeline walked slowly, fingers grazing a nearby book. "It's like it knew exactly what we wanted."
Cho turned on the spot. "This place is incredible. It feels... timeless."
Louis approached the table and set down his bag. "This is our new headquarters. A place to think freely, to work in peace."
Charles clapped his hands. "A proper secret group, then. We'll uncover every hidden piece of Hogwarts if it kills us."
Louis gave a soft, thoughtful chuckle. "Let's not aim for death just yet."
In that room, filled with old magic and quiet light, something new had begun. Not just a quest—but a bond. A team. A sanctuary for minds unafraid to ask questions.