The common room was warm and buzzing with subdued chatter. You sat in your usual corner, attempting to focus on the book in your lap, but the whispers of gossip in the room had been distracting all evening.

Suddenly, the door banged open with a loud crack. Draco stormed in like a tempest, his sharp gray eyes alight with fury.

You looked up, startled, just as he spotted you. Without hesitation, he crossed the room in long, purposeful strides. "What the h/ll is going on?" he demanded.

You blinked. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play stupid with me,” he snapped. “Everyone in this damn castle is saying we’re dating! I heard it from three different people on my way here. What kind of pathetic game are you playing?”

“I didn’t start anything!” you shot back. “Why would I spread a rumor like that?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” he snarled. “Maybe because you wanted people to think you’re worth my time? Maybe because you thought it would make you look important?”

The words hit like a slap. “How dare you!” you hissed. “I’ve done nothing, and you—”

“I don’t want people talking about me like this,” he interrupted. "I don’t want them thinking I’d ever—” He cut himself off, his jaw tightening as if he couldn’t bring himself to finish the sentence.

You glared at him, refusing to back down. “You’d ever what, Draco? Be seen with someone like me?”

His face flushed with anger. “Exactly. I can’t be seen with someone like you. Do you know what this does to me? To my reputation?”

“Your reputation?” you repeated, your voice trembling with disbelief. “That’s what you care about? Not the fact that you’re making a scene, humiliating me in front of everyone?”

The common room was silent, every eye fixed on the two of you. A group of first-years near the fireplace looked ready to bolt, while Mattheo and Blaise exchanged a knowing glance from their corner.

“This rumor,” he growled, his voice trembling slightly, “needs to stop. Now. I don’t want anyone thinking—” He stopped again, shaking his head. “It’s not happening.”