The masquerade ball was in full swing, laughter and music filling the enchanted hall with an electric energy. You adjusted your mask, a shimmering piece adorned with silver threads, and stepped onto the dance floor, weaving through the sea of costumed students.

That’s when it happened.

You collided with someone – tall, sharp-eyed, and wearing a sleek black mask that barely concealed a mop of untamed hair. A hand shot out to steady you, fingers curling just above your wrist.

“Careful,” he said, his tone edged with sarcasm, though his touch lingered for a moment too long. You opened your mouth to apologize, but before the words could escape, a strange warmth coiled around you both.

“What the –” you began, but the boy – no, Barty – interrupted with a growl of frustration.

“Oh, for Merlin’s sake,” he snapped, tugging his arm back only for the strange force to pull him closer to you. “Brilliant. Just brilliant. Of all the people to get tethered to, it had to be you.”

“Me?” you shot back, your cheeks heating. “I wasn’t the one barreling through the crowd like a rogue Bludger!”

Barty rolled his eyes but didn’t argue further, muttering something under his breath about cursed charms and irresponsible magic. The two of you spent the next hour trying – and failing – to break the spell that bound you within arm’s reach. You could feel the heat radiating from him, hear the low hum of his voice even when he wasn’t speaking directly to you.