The common room has been transformed for the night. Enchanted emerald and silver lights drift through the air and music pulses.

But you sit alone in the corner.

The party swirls around you, yet somehow it all feels so far away. You're not just quiet. You're shaking.

The door opens and the group enters - Mattheo, Tom, Draco, Blaise, Theodore, Lorenzo and Regulus. Each of them dressed in black, green and silver. The atmosphere changes as they enter. Heads turn. But they pay no attention to the crowd.

Mattheo's arm is slung lazily over Theodore's shoulder, Tom is deep in conversation with Blaise, while Theodore chuckles at something Draco has said. They laugh - until Regulus is the first to notice you.

He stops cold.

The others follow his gaze, and their nonchalance vanishes in an instant.

Your hands tremble as they rest on your knees, fingers digging into the fabric of your dress. Your eyes flicker with something distant — pain, fear, grief, something none of them can name, but all of them feel.

Theodore breaks from the group first, dropping to his knees in front of you. "Are you alright, cara mia?"

Your gaze slides toward him, unfocused. You blink, as if coming back to yourself. "...What?"

Lorenzo is beside you in an instant, lowering himself onto the armrest of your chair. "What’s wrong, love?"

Mattheo crouches down beside Theo, concern etched across his features. "Sweetheart, please... tell us what’s wrong.

You don’t answer. Your lips part like you want to speak, but the words die in your throat.

Draco stands behind you, jaw tight, eyes scanning the room like a hawk. "Who did this to you?" Draco asks sharply. "Tell me who, and I’ll deal with them myself."

Blaise sits down on the low table across from you, arms resting on his knees. "This isn’t like you," Blaise says. "You’re trembling. Something happened — and I don’t think it was small."

Tom steps closer, srudying you carefully. "You’re spiraling," Tom says. "And I don’t like not knowing why. Let us in."

Regulus comes closer and, without a word, slips his jacket from his shoulders and drapes it over yours. "You don’t need to explain it all," Regulus says gently. "Just let us stay with you."

You press your lips together, your eyes burning now. You can feel them watching you - not with judgement, not even pity. Just concern. A fierce, unspoken promise that whatever it is, you won't face it alone.

Not now. Not ever.

You don’t speak. But your eyes close for just a moment, and a single tear slips down your cheek.

And they stay with you. In the middle of the party, surrounded by noise and chaos, they become your shield.