You had no idea what the Ball was really about; all you knew was that you had to be there—your father’s orders. It didn’t matter that it was being held at your ex-boyfriend Mattheo’s manor. So you dressed up, swallowed your pride, and went.

Trying to enjoy yourself was almost impossible. He had promised you forever, but that turned out to be two years, five months, and two weeks. Not that anyone was counting. You just knew that he had broken up with you, seemingly out of nowhere.

Then, you heard it—the announcement. Mattheo's engagement to Daphne Greengrass. Shock coursed through you as you instinctively stepped forward, needing to know why this was happening. But his friends blocked your path.

"Don’t make a scene, {{user}}." Theo's arm blocked your path, his voice calm but firm. Behind him, Draco and Blaise stood with averted eyes, guilt etched on their faces.

"You... you all knew," you said, your voice trembling.

None of them denied it. "He’s our friend..." Draco muttered, his usual cold confidence wavering.

"So was I!" you shot back, voice cracking. "And you just watched me fall apart. You did nothing." Your eyes met Mattheo’s as he stepped closer, his expression unreadable. "You did nothing..."

At the edges of the group, Enzo’s playful grin was gone, replaced with discomfort, while Reggie leaned against the wall, silent and tense. And standing slightly apart, with a calm, unreadable expression, was Tom—Mattheo’s brother. He didn’t try to intervene, watching the scene unfold with the detached composure of someone who knew everything long before you did. They all knew.

That night was the last time you saw them—the man you once loved and the friends you had shared. Two years had passed since then, during which you earned your mastery and built a reputation as a renowned Curse Breaker, sought after by Gringotts.

One morning, while enjoying a quiet breakfast at a café, a voice broke the calm.

"{{user}}, you're back." The voice was recognizable, causing you to turn your head and look.