The castle wasn't just glitching. It was forgetting how to tell friend from foe. It was losing its heart.
Leo woke on the cold stone floor of the Headmaster’s office. The fire was lit. The portraits were filling back in, grumbling about unannounced visitors. And on the desk, the hologram showed a healthy castle, its foundational wards glowing a steady, peaceful gold.
“The castle was sad, Professor,” he said quietly. “Someone broke its heart. I just reminded it how to love.”