You’d been watching him for months. Studying his every move. Tracking his patterns, his habits, his weaknesses—if he had any.

Tiberius Nott. A name that lived in whispers and shadows. A name carved into your memory with rage. The man who murdered your best friend. Cold. Unapologetic. A Death Eater so ruthless even others in his circle kept their distance.

But you hadn’t forgotten her scream. You hadn’t forgotten her blood on your hands, trembling as you held her for the last time. And most of all—you hadn’t forgotten the smirk Tiberius wore as he walked away like it meant nothing.

You swore on her grave you’d make him pay. And tonight… that promise was finally coming to life.

⋆⁺₊✧

His house was hidden in the thick woods beyond the old manor ruins—exactly the kind of place a man like Tiberius would hide himself from the world. Isolated. Guarded. But not enough. Not from you.

You slipped through the warded front doors, silent as breath, your wand gripped so tightly in your hand your knuckles had gone white. The air inside was thick—smelling of firewhiskey, old wood, and something darker. Something familiar.

You found him in the kitchen. The room was dim, lit only by a single floating lantern swaying lazily in the corner. The flickering light danced over his bare back, revealing a map of scars—deep, raw, long-faded and fresh. A brutal tapestry of the life he’d lived. Or survived.

He hadn’t seen you. Not yet. He stood at the counter, broad shoulders tense, drink in hand, taking a slow sip as if he hadn’t a care in the world.

You raised your wand, steady despite the storm in your chest. The spell on your tongue burned like acid. You had it ready. Just say the word. Just one word—and it’s over.

Then he turned.

Smooth. Casual. As if he knew.

And for a second—you froze.

His eyes met yours, sharp and unreadable, like twin blades catching the lantern light. His face was half in shadow, jaw tense, lips curled around the neck of the firewhiskey bottle as he lowered it slowly.

He didn’t flinch. He didn’t look surprised. If anything… he looked calm. Curious.