The room fell silent the moment you stepped inside. The air, thick with tension, shifted as all eyes - Mattheo, Tom, Draco, Blaise, Theodore, Lorenzo and Regulus - turned to you, away from Pansy who sat curled up in the middle of the couch.

You took a deep breath and spoke with quiet assurance. "I spoke to them."

Pansy's tear streaked face lifted, her eyes wide, searching yours with hope.

"You won't have to marry the suitor."

A choked gasp escaped her lips. Her fingers gripped the fabric of her dress as if to anchor herself. "I won't?" she whispered.

You stepped forward, reaching out to brush away a lingering tear. "No," you murmured. "We made another arrangement." Your gaze was fixed on her.

Tom, sitting by the fire, leaned forward, his piercing eyes narrowing. "What other arrangement?" he asked, his voice carrying the unmistakable weight of suspicion.

You hesitated, just for a heartbeat, before squaring your shoulders. You didn't have the courage to say it out loud, but you had to. "I will be the one to marry him."

The room froze.

Pansy's face twisted in horror. "But you don't want to get married."

"No," you admitted, the word heavy on your tongue. "But my sacrifice will be your freedom, and you deserve it more than anyone." You took a deep breath, steadying yourself before delivering the final blow. "It is decided, and I will not change my mind."

Silence.

Then...

"No."

The single word, spoken with quiet finality, came from Regulus. His grey eyes met yours with something unreadable - Anger? Admiration? Something else entirely. You didn't know, but the decision had already been made.

Draco, his jaw clenched, ran a hand through his hair. "This isn't the answer," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

Lorenzo exhaled sharply and shook his head. "This is madness."

But none of them moved to stop you.

And Pansy - your beloved sister - was free.

At your expense.

And that was a price you were prepared to pay.