The Plan of Thirty days

  At morning

  Arcanmere was unusually cold.

  Fog drifted over the castle grounds, too thick for a normal day. Students whispered in tight groups, glancing around as if the shadows might move again. The news had already spread faster than wildfire:

  Four first-years were missing for the entire night.

  Daniel, Tom, Scarlett… and Light Parker.

  Every hallway buzzed with rumors.

  “Maybe they ran away.”

  “I heard monsters roam the restricted area.”

  “Someone said they saw lights flickering inside the old hall.”

  Even seniors looked uneasy.

  Inside the Great Hall, Mrs. Elizabeth stood stiff near the staff table. Her eyes stayed fixed on Daniel as the students entered. He tried not to look at her, but her gaze followed him like a hawk’s.

  Tom whispered nervously, “Why is she staring like that? She knows… something.”

  Scarlett muttered, “Doesn’t matter. Just act normal.”

  Daniel tried, but every student they passed fell silent and stared.

  A Aurivex boy said loudly, “Look, the restricted-area ghosts came for them.”

  Nihilara girls hissed, “They lost four house points! They should be banned from every activity!”

  Dracorus students glared. “Two points from us because of them.”

  Daniel clenched his fist. “Let’s just sit.”

  But before they could, Professor Albus Christ entered the hall. The chatter died instantly.

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  His voice was quiet, but carried through every corner.

  “Last night, four students disappeared from their dormitories. A search was initiated immediately. Thankfully, they were found outside the west courtyard before dawn.”

  Everyone stared at Daniel and his friends.

  Light tried to shrink in his seat.

  The Headmaster continued, “Light’s friends informed us that they believed the group had entered the Restricted Area.”

  The Great Hall exploded with gasps.

  Scarlett stiffened. Tom muttered, “Those traitors.”

  Albus Christ raised a hand. Silence returned.

  “I personally inspected the Restricted Area at midnight. It was empty, untouched… yet strange sounds were heard later, as if something awakened inside.”

  His eyes moved from student to student… then rested on Daniel.

  “We will investigate this matter thoroughly.”

  Mrs. Elizabeth stepped forward. “No student is allowed near that place again. Anyone breaking this rule will face immediate suspension.”

  Daniel felt her stare pierce through him. He looked away quickly.

  After breakfast, students avoided the trio as if they carried a curse.

  Light grumbled, “Thanks to you three, now my whole house thinks I disappeared to win attention.”

  Daniel snapped, “You told your friends we went inside the Restricted Area!”

  Light shrugged. “They asked. I answered. Not my fault you got caught in the story.”

  Scarlett shot back, “We didn’t get caught. You told them.”

  Light smirked. “Not my problem.”

  Tom crossed his arms. “You just can’t accept your house hates you.”

  Light rolled his eyes. “Whatever. Let’s talk business.”

  Daniel sighed. “Business?”

  Light stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Last night, I almost died because of you. So the price has changed.”

  Scarlett narrowed her eyes. “What price.”

  “Instead of three cards…”

  He held up ten fingers.

  “…I want ten.”

  Tom nearly fell over. “TEN?! Are you mad?”

  Light smiled calmly. “No. Just adjusting to inflation.”

  Scarlett groaned. “Light, that’s robbery.”

  “Call it danger fee.”

  Daniel rubbed his forehead. “Fine. If we survive the month, you’ll get your stupid cards.”

  Light’s grin widened. “Pleasure doing business.”

  He walked away, whistling, as if nothing had happened.

  Tom muttered, “I’m gonna strangle him one day.”

  Scarlett sighed. “Forget him. We have something bigger to deal with.”

  Daniel nodded. “The Polyjuice Potion.”

  Scarlett pulled a small list from her pocket. “I’ve researched everything. We need time, ingredients, and a safe place.”

  The Ingredients

  She pointed at each item.

  ? Lacewing flies

  “Must be stewed for twenty-one days straight.”

  ? Leeches

  “Easy. Aurivex greenhouse pond.”

  ? Fluxweed

  “Only picked at full moon. That’s in nine days.”

  ? Knotgrass

  “Common in the forest edge.”

  ? Powdered bicorn horn

  Scarlett lowered her voice. “We’ll have to take it from the potions storeroom.”

  Tom gulped. “That’s theft.”

  Scarlett shrugged. “Add it to the list.”

  ? Shredded boomslang skin

  “Also in Potions storeroom… locked cabinet.”

  Tom looked horrified. “Great. Double theft.”

  ? A piece of the person we need to turn into

  Daniel raised an eyebrow. “Who exactly are we turning into?”

  Scarlett smirked. “That’s for later.”

  Tom pointed at the list. “And where will we make this disaster?”

  Scarlett thought for a moment.

  “Not in our dorms. Not the library. Not the bathroom.”

  Daniel said, “What about the abandoned classroom on the third floor? No one goes there.”

  Scarlett nodded. “Perfect.”

  Tom blinked. “We’re basically building a criminal lab.”

  Scarlett smiled. “Yes. And it will take thirty days of work.”

  Daniel exhaled. “If the shadow doesn’t kill us first.”

  ---

  That night,

  As they walked back to their dorms, Daniel heard the voice again.

  Faint.

  Cold.

  Right behind him.

  “Moon-bearer… we are not finished.”

  Daniel froze.

  Scarlett turned. “Daniel? What happened?”

  He shook his head silently.

  Because a shiver crawled down his spine.

  The shadow was awake.

  And it was watching.