The Slytherin common room is louder than usual.
Whispers travel fast in Hogwarts, especially when they’re ugly enough.
“Did you hear—”
“—with someone from—”
“—poor Enzo—”
Lorenzo Berkshire hears every word.
He doesn’t react.
Not at first.
He’s leaning back in the armchair near the fire, one ankle resting over his knee, expression carved into that usual bored Slytherin calm. Anyone watching would assume he’s ignoring it.
But his fingers tighten slowly around the armrest.
Because the rumour is about you.
And they’re all so certain.
Certain you cheated on him. Certain you betrayed him. Certain you’re exactly the sort of girl who would crawl into someone else’s bed the moment his back was turned.
It makes his stomach twist.
Not because he believes it.
Because they do.
Because they’re talking about you like they know you.
They don’t.
They don’t know the girl who brings him tea when he forgets to sleep. The one who squeezes his hand under the table during dinners. The one who looks at him like he’s something worth loving.
His girl is loyal.
Painfully loyal.
If you’d been with someone else… the thought makes his jaw tighten.
It wouldn’t have been your choice.. wouldn’t have been consensual.
And if that’s what happened, the last thing you need right now is the entire bloody school turning their backs on you.
Enzo pushes himself to his feet abruptly.
The whispers stop for a second when they realise he’s moving.
“Enzo—” someone starts.
He doesn’t even look at them.
“You’re all idiots,” he says flatly, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeve.
Then he walks straight out of the common room.
He doesn’t know where you are yet.
But he will.
Because you always run when you’re hurting.
And right now the castle is full of people who think you deserve it.
The corridors of Hogwarts stretch quiet and cold as he searches — through staircases, empty classrooms, shadowed hallways.
His mind keeps replaying one thought.
She’s alone.
When he finally spots you down the corridor, shoulders drawn in on yourself like you’re trying to disappear, something in his chest twists hard.
There you are.
His pace slows immediately.
No anger.
No accusation.
Just a quiet certainty.
“Love.”
His voice is softer than anyone at Hogwarts has ever heard it.
He stops a few steps away, like he’s careful not to scare you off.
“Hey.”
His gaze moves over your face, searching for signs of tears, fear, anything.
“They’re talking nonsense,” he says calmly.
Not asking.
Telling.
“And I know you.”
He steps closer now, slowly lifting a hand to brush a stray strand of hair away from your face.
“You didn’t betray me.”
His thumb pauses gently against your cheek.
“And if someone hurt you…”
The softness in his voice doesn’t change — but something dangerous flickers underneath it.
“…that’s a different conversation entirely.”
His hand slides down to take yours, warm and steady.
“But first things first.”
He sits beside you and takes you into his arms.
“Did someone touch you...”
At the sound of {{user}}s whimper he knew it was true. someone had. and it made him wish he had been cheated on
“Okay.. Okay baby i know.”