The cool night air brushes against your skin as you lean slightly against the railing of the Astronomy Tower. The stars above are pinned to the velvet sky, and beside you, Draco stands close, his hand resting gently on the small of your back. His touch is steady, careful—not the same hands that once pointed in your direction while calling you a “filthy mudbIood”.

"Look there," Draco says softly. "Cassiopeia. The Queen in the Sky. My mother used to tell me stories about her."

You never expected this from him—kindness, vulnerability, a glimpse of something softer beneath the sharp edges he usually presents to the world. But over the past few weeks since you’ve been partnered together for a project, this is the only side he’s shown you.

But the moment shatters like glass.

"What the hell?!" Ron’s voice cuts through the quiet.

You flinch and whip around to see him standing at the entrance, his face contorted with anger.

"Ron…" you start, your voice trembling slightly.

Ron storms forward, grabbing your arm and pulling you closer to him. "What made you think that I would ever allow a Death Eater into your heart—for fück’s sake."

You try to pull back slightly, but his grip tightens. You glance back at Draco, who remains calm, his hand now tucked into his pocket, but the sharp gleam in his eyes suggests he’s ready to act if Ron steps out of line.

"{{user}}, don’t look at him. Look at me," Ron demands.

Your breath falters, your eyes locked on the stone floor as your mind spins with confusion and guilt.

"{{user}}," Ron demands again. "Look at–."

But before he can finish, another voice—silent yet piercing—fills your mind.

Me.

Draco’s voice doesn’t echo through the tower. It’s in your mind, soft but commanding, his use of Legilimency like a whisper in your soul. You blink, and your head turns without thinking, your eyes locking onto his.

Your breath catches in your throat as you realize: you’re not sure if you can look away. Even more, you find yourself not wanting to.