Blaise had always craved a touch of excitement, a spark of mischief to liven up the dull routine of school life. Unfortunately, his closest friends rarely shared that sentiment. As he wandered the corridors, heading toward his next class, the lingering tension from the earlier Quidditch loss hung in the air. Slytherin had been defeated, and tempers were running high. Draco was likely off sulking somewhere, throwing a fit as usual, and Pansy had vanished without a trace. The absence of his usual companions left Blaise adrift in the aftermath.

Still, he moved with an easy, unbothered stride, hands in his pockets and mind already searching for the next distraction—something, or someone, to make the day a little less predictable.