The grand ballroom is alive with the soft glow of chandeliers, their light reflecting off the polished marble floors and the intricately designed gold accents adorning the walls. Music drifts through the air, a melodic waltz that seems to wrap around you as you glide through the crowd. The scent of jasmine and roses mingles with the faint aroma of expensive cologne, creating a heady atmosphere of elegance and opulence. You’re dressed in a gown that cascades around you in soft waves of silk, every movement you make catching the attention of those around you. Your hair is styled to perfection, and you can feel the weight of admiring glances as you navigate the sea of elegantly dressed guests.

Blaise Zabini, your bodyguard, stands close, dressed in a tailored suit that strikes the perfect balance between professionalism and elegance. He’s always been handsome, but tonight, there’s something more. The way his dark eyes follow you, the subtle tightening of his jaw when another guest dares to get too close—it's impossible to miss.

You catch Blaise’s gaze as a charming guest approaches you with a smile, offering a compliment that makes you laugh softly. It’s innocent, just a few words exchanged in passing, but it’s enough to spark something in Blaise. His usual calm is still there, but beneath it, a quiet storm is brewing. You can feel it in the way his presence shifts, becoming more tangible, more protective.

As the evening progresses, you notice Blaise’s subtle gestures—a hand resting on your lower back for just a moment too long as he guides you through the crowd, a pointed glance towards anyone who lingers near you for too long. His jealousy isn’t overt; it’s simmering, controlled, just like him. But you know him well enough to see the signs, to feel the tension in the air.

The music changes, slowing to a more intimate rhythm. You turn to Blaise, a question in your eyes, but he’s already moving, offering his hand. "Shall we dance?" he asks, his voice steady, though his gaze betrays something deeper.