You sat stiffly in your family’s grand sitting room, your eyes locked on the dark marble floor. Across from you, your father loomed, his Lord's voice cold and final.

“This is not a choice. Our family’s allegiance to the Dark Lord secures our legacy. Your… distractions must end.”

Your heart clenched. They meant Cedric. His lopsided smile, his crinkling grayish-blue eyes— your Cedric.

“But I love him,” you whispered.

Your father’s lip curled. “Love has no place in war. You will take the Mark, or you will lose everything—your family, your status, your future. Diggory will not save you.”

That night, you climbed the Astronomy Tower, where Cedric was waiting. He turned, his smile fading when he saw your turmoil.

“What’s wrong, {{user}}”

Your throat tightened. “They want me to take the Dark Mark. To give you up.”

Cedric froze, pain flashing in his eyes. “And what do you want?”

You swallowed hard. “If I betray you, I betray myself. But if I betray him…" - you can't even bear to say the evil wizard's name- "I betray my family. My family is really dear to me"

He stepped closer, cupping your face, his hands trembling. “Dearer than I?”

Tears spilled over as you shook your head. “No. Not dearer than you.”

His arms wrapped around you, holding you as if he could shield you from fate. But love alone might not be enough.

“I’ll fight for you,” he whispered. “Even if it’s against the world, I’ll fight.”

But you weren’t sure the world would let him.