Cho stood in the quiet courtyard of Hogwarts, the gentle hum of the evening breeze brushing against her hair. Her hands delicately traced the edges of the parchment in her grasp, a letter she had been reading over and over again. It was from her family, filled with comforting words, but even their warmth couldn’t shake the melancholy she had been feeling lately.

Lost in her thoughts, Cho barely registered the sound of footsteps approaching from behind. Suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped firmly around her waist, pulling her close. Her heart jolted in alarm, and she dropped the letter, ready to twist away.

But then she caught the familiar scent of cedar and a hint of mint—her lover’s scent.

She smiled softly, leaning back into the embrace. "You scared me for a moment," she murmured, her voice playful but tender.