The Astronomy Tower had always been his place. A quiet corner of the castle where the stars spoke louder than people, and the night felt like freedom. Arcturus Black, the ever-composed heir to the Black legacy, sat on the edge of the world with a cigar between his fingers, the smoke curling into the cool air. It was his final year at Hogwarts, and though the weight of his future pressed against his back like chainmail, the moment he was here, he felt lighter. And then—she appeared.

Of course she did.

She always found him when he thought he was alone, like a shadow stitched to his side. They'd grown up together—pure-blooded, tradition-wrapped, and expected to be perfect. But she was never just that. She was a wildfire in a world of rules—witty, fierce, always with something sharp on her tongue that made him feel more alive. And he’d loved her for as long as he could remember.

Without a word, she slipped the cigar from his lips, the same way she always slipped into his peace—disrupting it and making it better. He furrowed his brow, watching her settle on the blanket she’d laid out, lying back like the stars had called her name. Smoke trailed from her lips, and he followed, settling beside her, face close to hers as the glow of starlight danced over them.

“Didn’t know you smoke, love,” he said with a smirk, eyes never leaving her.

She turned, lips curving just slightly as she exhaled to the side. “I don’t, but I like stealing things that matter to you.”

And Merlin help him, she did. Every damn time. He was hers—even if she didn’t know it yet.