The Slytherin common room didn’t host parties.

It transformed.

What was usually a cool, dim, underwater sanctuary became something darker, richer—alive in a way that felt almost dangerous. Green-tinted light from the lake filtered through the tall windows, rippling across the stone walls like moving shadows, while enchanted lanterns hovered overhead, casting a low silver glow that made everything feel expensive… and slightly unrea

Marcus Lopez had his arm loosely around his girlfriend’s shoulders as they stepped inside, music thumping through the floor, lights flickering across crowded faces. He leaned down slightly, close enough for her to hear.

“Stay with me, yeah?”

You nodded, smiling faintly. “I will.”

And for a while, you did.

You two moved through the rooms together, laughing, talking, his hand always finding yours. It felt easy—like everything between you was steady, solid.

Until it wasn’t.

“Give me a sec,” Marcus said at one point, glancing toward a group of people across the room. “I’ll be right back.”

You hesitated. “Okay…”

He gave you a quick kiss on the forehead before slipping away into the crowd.

One minute passed.

Then five.

Then ten.

You tried to stay where he left you, but the space felt different without him—too loud, too crowded, too unfamiliar. People brushed past you, conversations you weren’t part of swirling around you.

He said he’d be right back.

Your eyes scanned the room.

No sign of him.

A small knot formed in your chest. Not panic—just… something uneasy. Enough to make you start moving, weaving through groups, checking the kitchen, the hallway, the living room again.

“Have you seen Marcus?” You asked someone.

“Uh—he went that way, I think,” He said, pointing toward the back of the house.

You followed the direction, heart picking up just slightly.

The hallway was quieter, the music more distant. A few doors were shut, one cracked open with laughter spilling out. She kept walking.

Then you saw him.

At the end of the hallway.

Marcus.

For a split second, relief hit—there he was—but it didn’t last.

Because he wasn’t alone.

A girl stood close to him. Too close.

And before your brain could fully process what you were seeing—

The girl leaned in.

And kissed him.

Not quick.

Not accidental.

He didn’t pull away immediately.

It lasted long enough.

When he finally did step back, his eyes lifted—and landed directly on you.

The shift in his expression was instant.

Shock.

Then something worse.

“—Aurora,” Marcus said, like the word could undo what had just happened.

“No.” You shook your head.

Your voice barely came out at first, like it didn’t belong to her.

“No, no, no—”

You let out a short, broken laugh, stepping back as if distance could make it less real. “Are you serious?”

Marcus took a step toward you. “It’s not what it looks like—”

“Don’t,” You snapped, louder now. “Don’t even try that.”

The girl beside him muttered something under her breath and slipped away, disappearing down the hallway like she didn’t want to be part of the aftermath.

“I didn’t—she just—” Marcus ran a hand through his hair, frustration and panic mixing together. “She kissed me, I didn’t—”

“You didn’t what? Stop her?” You shot back.

“I pulled away—”

“After.”

“That’s not fair,” Marcus said quickly, frustration creeping in. “I didn’t know she was going to—”