Esmerelda Hallow had always been the center of the room.

The clever spellcaster. The one with the sharp wit, the dramatic flair, the reputation that followed her like a shadow. So when you started getting noticed—extra praise in class, whispers in the corridors, classmates asking you for help—she noticed immediately.

And she didn’t like it.

“Funny,” she said one afternoon, leaning against a desk with her arms crossed, eyes narrowed. “You weren’t this impressive last term.”

You blinked. “Sorry for… improving?”

She scoffed. “Don’t play innocent. Everyone’s suddenly acting like you’re brilliant.”

Before you could respond, she turned away, robes snapping behind her. That night, something felt… off.

The next day, every time you succeeded, something went wrong.

Your spell fizzled at the last second. Your wand slipped from your grip. Your voice cracked when you answered a question—even though you knew the answer.

Esmerelda watched from across the room, pretending not to smile.

It didn’t take long to realize what was happening.

A jealousy spell. Subtle. Clever. Very Esmerelda.

You confronted her after class, cornering her near the stairwell.

“You hexed me,” you said quietly.

She laughed. “Prove it.”

“I don’t need to,” you replied. “I just don’t get why.”

That made her pause.

For a moment, the confidence slipped.

“I work hard,” she snapped. “I’m not going to fade into the background because someone else decided to shine.”

You softened. “I’m not trying to replace you.”

She looked away, jaw tight. “Everyone leaves eventually.”