It was a peaceful day... until you saw Viktor standing by the fountain, waiting for you.

Dressed simply in slightly rumpled black robes from training, he looked more grounded than ever. His broad shoulders were tense, and his hands were tucked behind his back as though he were bracing himself. As you approached, he turned slowly, his eyes softening the moment they met yours.

“{{user}},” he said gently, “I need to ask you something.”

He held out his hand. “{{user}}… will you be my girlfriend?”

The words echoed in your chest. Before you could respond, there was a shuffle of movement behind you.

The courtyard wasn’t so private, after all.

Mattheo looked like he wanted to say something, but couldn’t find the right words.

Tom stood further back with his hands in his pockets, analysing Viktor as if he were a threat he hadn’t expected to be real.

Regulus folded his arms. “Seriously?” he muttered.

Draco scowled. “Him?” he hissed under his breath.

Theodore sized Viktor up with subtle disdain, unsure how to react except that he hated it.

Harry's eyebrows shot up and his lips parted in silent protest.

Ron looked as though he’d been physically struck. “Wait—what?!” he exclaimed.

Cedric stood at a distance, his smile quiet but clearly forced.

Lorenzo exhaled sharply, muttering something you couldn’t quite catch.

Oliver dragged a hand through his hair in frustration. “You've got to be kidding me…”

Fred and George appeared from opposite sides of the courtyard, each with their arms crossed and a strangely serious expression on their face — no jokes this time.

All of them were there.

All of them had seen it.

And all of them looked like the floor had just been pulled out from under them.

But Viktor didn’t seem to notice — or if he did, he didn’t care. His entire world was focused on you.

“I know I’m not the only one who feels something,” he said, a little louder now, as though addressing them too. “But I’m the one saying it. I want to be yours, {{user}}. If you’ll let me.”

Is there time to choose someone else?

Should you?