So there you were, running through the forest…

The Slytherin boys — your best friends — had suddenly left in the middle of your hangout. All of them. At the same time. It didn’t sit right with you. Why would they all leave without a word?

Suspicious, you whispered a tracking spell under your breath and followed the faint trail of magic they left behind.

That’s when you found them — and your heart dropped.

Harry, Hermione, and Ron stood in the middle of a dark clearing, surrounded in a tight circle by Regulus, Draco, Mattheo, Tom, Lorenzo, Blaise, Theodore, and Cormac. Every single one of them had their wands raised, aimed at the trio like they were prey.

Fenrir Greyback loomed nearby, watching as he yanked the wands out of Harry and Hermione’s hands.

You were frozen. Horrified.

Then, before you could react, Theodore narrowed his eyes and cast the Killing Curse at Harry.

Your instincts screamed louder than your thoughts. “Protego!” you shouted, throwing yourself forward.

A shimmering barrier erupted just in time — the green flash rebounded and crackled into the air.

All eyes snapped to you.

Theodore’s expression twisted in surprise. Draco stood still, cold as ever. Mattheo and Tom glared at you like you'd just betrayed them. Lorenzo’s face softened — guilt and something else swirled in his eyes. Regulus looked like he wanted to disappear.

You stood between the circle and Harry, your chest heaving with ragged breaths. You could feel Harry’s gaze behind you, but all you could do was stare at the boys you once called your friends.

Your voice cracked, full of disbelief and pain.

“How? Why?!”