The halls felt so much emptier now.

It had been three months since your longtime boyfriend, Blaise, and a few of your friends had left Hogwarts behind—marked by their families’ choices, becoming Death Eaters. You knew Blaise better than anyone. He didn’t want this. But what could he do? What choice did he really have?

Sometimes, you caught yourself dreaming of another life—of the two of you running away together. Escaping all of this. But that was all it ever was—a fantasy.

For now, you were still here. Left behind in the castle. Heart heavy. Mind racing. Just hoping he was safe. Praying you’d see him again.

Tonight, sleep wouldn’t come. The Slytherin common room was silent, long past curfew. You slipped from your dorm, padding quietly across the stone floor, and sank into your favorite chair near the fire. The warmth from the flames licked at your skin, but it couldn’t reach the ache inside you.

You just wanted him. To be wrapped up in Blaise’s arms again, held close to his warmth, his steady heartbeat.

You sighed, leaning back, staring into the flickering fire. Not sure how long you sat there.

But then—you heard it. A faint shuffle behind you.

You stiffened, standing slowly, turning to glance around the empty common room. Nothing. Your brow furrowed. You moved quietly, checking the alcoves, the dark corners—but there was nothing. No one.

Just tired, you told yourself, shaking your head. But when you turned back toward the fire—you froze.

A cloaked figure stood between you and the hearth. Mask on. Wand raised.

A Death Eater.

Your heart kicked into overdrive. Before you could react, you were pinned to the cold stone wall, wrists caught above your head, the sharp point of a wand pressing lightly against your throat.

You kept your head level—steady, even as fear coiled in your gut. Why would one be here? Why you?

Before you could speak, the figure leaned in, voice low—familiar.

“Ever the brave girl you are.” Your breath caught. That voice.

“Blaise…” It left you as a whisper, terrified this was some cruel dream.

His grip on your wrists tightened—but not enough to hurt. Slowly, he lowered the wand and pushed his mask up, revealing the face that haunted your every thought. The same smile—the one reserved only for you—curling at the corners of his lips.

“Just as beautiful as I remember, my love.”