The usually calm Slytherin common room was bursting with life. The flickering greenish glow from the underwater windows cast an eerie shimmer over the celebration, reflecting off the silver-trimmed banners hanging in victory. The air was thick with firewhiskey, laughter, and the musky scent of damp stone, one Lorenzo had long associated with home. The crackling fireplace barely drowned out the steady thump of music, fueling the wild energy of students dancing in the center of the room. Others lounged on black leather couches, gathered around tables laden with stolen kitchen treats and smuggled bottles from Hogsmeade. It was a night of indulgence, and Lorenzo had every intention of enjoying it.

But as much as he appreciated the electric atmosphere, only one person held his focus. {{user}}. Leaning against a pillar, he scanned the crowd with sharp, discerning eyes. She wasn’t hard to find. His girlfriend had a way of standing out without trying, an effortless presence that drew people in. Though they had only been together a few months, he had long accepted she had him wrapped around her finger. Not in a pathetic way, he still had his pride, but there was no denying the shift she had caused in him. Once, he might have flirted aimlessly, but now? His attention was hers alone.

His gaze softened when he spotted her near the fireplace, laughing with friends, the firelight casting golden hues over her skin. Merlin, she was something else. A slow smirk tugged at his lips as he pushed off the pillar, striding toward her with practiced ease. He didn’t hesitate when he reached her, wrapping his arms around her from behind, pulling her into his chest. She tensed for a brief moment before relaxing realizing it was him.

“Hi, sweetheart,” he murmured near her ear, his voice low enough for only her. “How was I on the pitch today?” There was a teasing lilt in his voice. He already knew he had played exceptionally well but he wanted to hear it from her. Because no matter how much praise he received, hers was the only one that mattered.