behind the scenes

*Narrator pov*

A lone figure glided through the corridors of Hogwarts, they were oddly empty for this time of day as the students and professors were out at the Quidditch pitch watching the duels.

Ahead of the figure was another one much shorter wearing Gryffindor robes but, he didn't seem to notice the pale man following him.

They walked for nearly five minutes before stopping, the student suddenly touched something, and a pathway opened up presumably it led outside of the school entirely.

The student look around before heading inside the pathway, his eyes somehow managed to look everywhere but at Morpheus.

Morpheus smirked slightly as he followed behind a bag slipping into his hands. Opening the strap slightly he poured a handful of powder into his right hand and then mumbled, "mentis excessus," with a soft blow the powder dispersed floating down the pathway

The powder seemed to blend into the air itself as it floated forward ahead of Morpheus. The Gryffindor student was none the wiser as he finally met with his allies. Three men in black robes and silver masks stopped seeing him approach.

"Are you the boy?" one of the men asked suspiciously his wand pointed dangerously at the young wizard

The Gryffindor hastily shook his head, "It's me! The Dark Lord sent me!" he squeaked out while producing an envelope with a silver snake seal

The leader of the older wizards snatched the envelope and looked at the seal, "Okay he's the kid, take us inside boy," his voice was gruff but unnaturally slow he was most likely using magic to change it

They began to follow the student but their footsteps got heavier and heavier, and their eyelids began to feel weighted, "What's happening!" He snarled whipping his wand out his compatriots following his lead

The Gryffindor boy jolted in surprise as his shoulder was gripped tightly, "What did you do!" Each word came out slower than the last his friends behind him began to slowly drop their wands their grips loosening

"I don't know!" The boy squeaked out his head hazy as if filled with clouds

"Bloody he…." The man couldn't even finish his words as his mind slowed and his body crumbled to the ground followed by everyone else in the pathway

The slow steady sound of approaching footsteps didn't raise a hair of a reaction from the fallen group. Morpheus approached with a small smile plastered on his face, "Good job Peter," he said with a small chuckle looking down at the Gryffindor boy

"I thought Tom would wait to use this passage until he wanted to siege the castle, quite foolish to waste the perceived element of surprise now," the professor mused aloud

Crouching down next to the fallen men he removed one of their masks, "Hmm, I don't know you," he chuckled softly, "Must not be important enough don't worry that changes today,"

*SNAP* the man's eyes shot wide open at the noise, "Tell me what was your mission?" Morpheus asked with a small radiant smile

The man's eyes rolled backward, "Sneak into Hogwarts using the secret pathways our spy found and place cursed objects in classrooms,"

Morpheus frowned while taking the man's bag and sifting through it, "Some good pieces, what classrooms?"

"Divination, Transfiguration, charms, the great hall, and defense,"

"Impressive you're actually trying to resist," Morpheus was genuinely surprised this time most wizards wouldn't be able to resist the spell

*SNAP*

"Tell me more,"

"The spy was to lead us into the Gryffindor common room where we would place the last object," the man gasped in pain his mind feeling like it was splintering into a thousand pieces

"What is your name,"

"Antonin Dolohov,"

"Ah, the duelist then. I'm surprised he sent you," Morpheus laughed slightly patting the man's cheek

"It was a test," he mumbled, "In case we faced resistance I was to take one out,"

"I see,"

"Well then goodnight my new friend,"

***

The cheers of the Hogwarts students thundered around the pitch as Stiles and Asha a female Uagadou student clashed. She ducked yet another one of his spells before swiping her wand upward, "le grand vent!" she shouted creating a sickle construct of wind slicing toward Stiles

"Wow! What a spell!" a figure clapped sitting in the visitor's booth

A disgusted look was shot his way, "Who might you be," a regal greasy voice was heard

The obnoxious figure turned to Lord Lestrange, "Morpheus," the professor answered shortly

A couple of the parents who had been watching the match froze and turned their heads slightly, "Professor Morpheus what are you sitting in this section for?" a different parent asked his voice was strained

"Ah! Lord Potter what a pleasant fright, to answer your question I find the view here much more enjoyable," Morpheus replied with a small grin his eyes scrunched slightly and dancing with glee

Some could swear they saw a small group dancing around a campfire in the reflection of his eyes.

"Professor Morpheus, I've heard about you," Lord Lestrange said with a strange look in his eye

"Good things I hope?" Morpheus asked with an easygoing smile

"Some," Lord Lestrange answered shortly his tone leaving much to be desired

Stiles dodged another wind spell before he spun his wand creating a tempest of snow using his opponent's wind to enhance the effect.

Morpheus laughed, "What a great duel how do you think your children would fair? No don't even entertain my thought they aren't duelists,"

A brow twitched and a nostril flared, "What do you mean by that professor?"

Morpheus busted into roaring laughter again, "Nothing nothing," before Lord Lestrange could question further Morpheus swiveled to Lord Malfoy, "What about you Malfoy I saw your kid in dueling club how do you think he would fair,"

"Speak to me with res-"

"Ah that's right he was bested by Longbottom oh he was a couple of years younger at that time too," Morpheus's smile was far too eager for everyone's taste

*Lord Potter*

Sitting here with my wife watching our son's friends duel before his turn was a pleasant treat I rarely get any time to do these types of things.

Then he sat down I didn't notice him at first but I should have we all should have how is it a man sat down in the middle of the seats and no one noticed until he started making a scene?

Then he said his name and my head shot toward his figure.

Morpheus.

I tried to diffuse what was obviously going to be a terrible situation but the man persisted his laugh sounded like glass shattering it was unnerving.

Not as unnerving as that damnable smile he wore as he baited two Lords into an argument.

"One rest day, I ask for one day to see my son duel," I whispered in disappointment