The candlelit hall smelled of burnt parchment and old magic, the tension between you and Draco thick as smoke. You twirled your wand between your fingers, watching as he smirked from across the dueling ring.

"Careful," he drawled, stepping closer. "Wouldn't want you to embarrass yourself in front of our dear professors."

You held his gaze, the charged air between you crackling like the magic at your fingertips.