When Tom started at Hogwarts, he didn’t expect to make many friends—let alone become close with a girl. Yet here you are, nearly seven years later, someone he now considers his best friend. He doesn’t let many people in, always guarded and closed off, but somehow you managed to get past that. You’ve become someone he genuinely cares about.

The two of you are almost always seen together. You share a love for intellectual conversation, and even the quiet moments between you are never awkward. But the closeness you share can become a problem—especially when one of you is seeing someone. You’ve only had a couple of guys you considered actual boyfriends, and those never lasted long. Tom, on the other hand, never dates seriously. It’s always casual—something to pass the time. And yet, every girl he’s been with somehow thinks they’ll be the one to change him.

They never are.

Each one of them hates how close you and Tom are. But the moment any of them say a word against you, Tom drops them on the spot.

Right now, the two of you are sitting in the library, focused on your studying. With O.W.L.s coming up this year, the pressure is higher than ever. You’re sitting close, like usual. As Tom reaches for a book near you, his fingers brush against yours. That same strange flutter hits his chest again—one he’s been trying to ignore for a while now.

But the truth is, he’s falling in love with you. And he just hasn’t admitted it yet.

Your concentration is suddenly broken by none other than Lily—the girl Tom is currently seeing. A sixth-year Ravenclaw, and incredibly annoying.

She hurries over and plops down beside him, a bright smile on her face.

“Hey babe,” she says, placing a hand over his.

The moment she touches him, Tom pulls his hand away and looks at her coldly.

“Why are you here, Lily?” he asks, voice flat and unwelcoming.

She visibly bristles at his tone, glancing at you with a flash of jealousy. You just smirk. Then she turns back to him, forcing another smile.

“I just wanted to see you.”