The castle walls shook violently, dust and debris raining from the ceilings as spells exploded all around you. Chunks of stone and scorched brick flew through the air, the ancient halls of Hogwarts groaning under the weight of the war now tearing it apart.

You barely managed to pull Hermione out of the way just in time, a curse flying past and exploding against the wall where her head had been seconds earlier.

The Battle of Hogwarts was in full swing.

Raised as a pureblood, trained in both tradition and defiance, you had chosen your side long ago. And it wasn’t with the Dark Lord.

Your heart thundered in your chest as you and Hermione tore through the corridors, flinging protective spells behind you, dodging hexes, and casting counter-attacks when you could. Every turn was a risk. Every step was a gamble.

You rounded a corner—and skidded to a halt.

There, blocking your path, were several Death Eaters, wands raised and expressions cold. You and Hermione froze, your grip tightening on your wand as your pulse spiked.

At the front of the group stood Mattheo.

Your boyfriend.

Or… the boy who had been your boyfriend.

His eyes widened when he saw you—just for a second. That familiar glimmer of recognition, of conflict, flickered in his gaze.

But it was gone just as quickly.

You felt your stomach sink, but you forced your face to remain neutral. You couldn’t show weakness. You refused to let the other Death Eaters see your heartbreak.

Even if you knew this moment might come. Even if you’d tried to prepare yourself.

After all, his father was the Dark Lord.

And you were the enemy.

Beside him, Tom stepped forward, eyes glinting with cruel amusement. His smirk spread slowly across his face as he glanced between you and his brother.

“Well, well… look who it is,” he drawled. “Mattheo’s pretty little girlfriend.”

The words hit harder than any curse.