You and Draco had practically grown up together. Your families became close when the two of you were still in your toddler years. Narcissa adored you and always made sure there was a room prepared for you at MaIfoy Manor. Even Lucius, who wasn’t known for his warmth, respected you—and that alone spoke volumes. Your family, like the MaIfoy’s, held status in the wizarding world, another high-profile pure-blood line, and together, you and Draco were nearly inseparable.

That bond came with complications—especially when either of you started dating. It never ended well. Fights always broke out with your respective partners, accusations were thrown, and in the end, you and Draco always chose each other. Every time. What you didn’t know was that Draco had been in love with you since fifth year. And now, here you were in seventh, still unaware.

You were currently dating Avery—another Slytherin boy. He was good-looking and had been kind at first, but lately… he’d been trying to isolate you. Particularly from Draco. The tension had been building, and it was starting to wear on you. The relationship felt more exhausting than exciting, and you were reaching your limit.

Now, you sat on a couch in the Slytherin common room with Draco, Pansy, and Blaise. You were all laughing and chatting about the weekend ahead and the party tomorrow night. Pansy was animatedly describing a new emerald dress she was dying to wear when Draco rested his hand on your back. You didn’t flinch—it was normal. Familiar. You were used to his presence, the way his touch was natural, never demanding.

But then Avery appeared.

He strolled over casually, though you could see the flicker in his expression when he noticed Draco’s hand on you. His eyes narrowed—just for a second—before his smile slid into place like a mask. Without missing a beat, he sat on your other side and pulled you firmly into his side, causing Draco to withdraw his hand, his expression tightening as he leaned back, eyes cold but silent.

The shift in energy was immediate.

You felt the tension ripple through the group, and while Avery was too focused on you to notice, Pansy and Blaise definitely did—both rolling their eyes almost in sync.

“How’s my beautiful girl?” Avery asked, his voice smooth as he tucked a strand of your hair behind your ear. “Didn’t see you much today.”

You forced a smile, but it didn’t reach your eyes. You caught Draco looking away, jaw clenched. His fingers tapped once against his knee before stilling completely. You hated this. The possessiveness. The way Avery always felt the need to make a point. And the way Draco withdrew when he clearly wanted to say something but didn’t.

And somewhere deep inside you, the same question rose again—

Why were you still with Avery, when the person who felt like home was sitting just a breath away?