You were in your boyfriend’s dorm again, arguing for what felt like the hundredth time. Adam, another Slytherin in your year, had been getting increasingly possessive, and you’d finally had enough. You weren’t even sure why you had stayed this long. You’d only been dating for a month, but his temper and control had worn you thin. The argument had escalated quickly, voices raised, tension sharp and biting.

“No, I’m done with this,” you snapped, stepping up to him, fury in your voice. “I’m my own person, and I won’t let you control me. We’re done.”

Adam froze, stunned by your words. But as you turned to leave, his hand shot out and grabbed your arm—tight. Too tight. He shoved you back, and your back hit the wall with a hard thud that knocked the breath from your lungs.

“We’re not done until I say we are,” he snarled, eyes flashing.

You shoved at him, trying to break free, but before you could react again, his hand cracked across your cheek. You hit the floor, stunned. The sting radiated through your skin as you sat there for a moment, heart pounding, shocked more by the fact he’d actually hit you than the pain itself.

He lunged to grab your arm again, but you reacted instinctively—sweeping your foot out and catching his leg, sending him off balance. You didn’t wait. You scrambled up and bolted out of the room, your heart racing as you ran down the corridor of the boys’ dorm.

You reached the Slytherin common room, eyes blurry, chest heaving—and collided straight into someone.

A strong arm caught you before you could fall.

“{{user}}, can’t even look where you’re going,” Blaise Zabini muttered with a scoff, steadying you before releasing you.

You stiffened. Of all people… Blaise. The two of you didn’t get along—at all. The last thing you needed right now was him finding a reason to mock you. But then, his expression shifted. He froze. His eyes locked on the red mark blooming across your cheek.

His usual cool demeanor cracked for a brief second.

“He did that, didn’t he?” Blaise asked, his voice lower now—colder. You opened your mouth, unsure how to respond, but didn’t get the chance.

Adam stormed into the common room, fury written all over his face. You instinctively flinched, your body tensing.

Blaise noticed. Without hesitation, he stepped in front of you—blocking Adam’s path—as Draco appeared from nearby and pulled you protectively behind him.

“Get out of my way, Zabini,” Adam growled, advancing.

Blaise didn’t move. His gaze was steely, jaw tight. That usual air of indifference had vanished, replaced with something sharp and dangerous.

“Try it,” he said coldly, eyes burning with quiet fury. *“I dare you.”