Back home.

Our entire elite Slytherin squad was seated at our table, waiting—no, dreading—the inevitable announcement of the House Cup winner.

Now, logically, we should have been celebrating already. We were at the top with the most points. But, of course, this was Hogwarts—the land where Gryffindor pulled last-minute miracles like it was a bloody tradition.

I leaned towards Kenny, resting my chin on my palm. "Alright, bets on how many points Saint Potter is gonna be gifted this year?"

Kenny sighed, shaking her head. "I'm guessing a solid fifty gazillion."

Blaise huffed. "I'd say a hundred gazillion, but let's be honest, McGonagall is probably gonna sell her soul to Dumbledore if it means Gryffindor wins."

Draco snorted. "I know he's done something again. Probably saved another idiot from dying." He rolled his eyes. "Can't he just take a break?"

Pansy perked up. "Maybe if he saves one more person, they'll just rename the bloody school after him."

Sree, ever the delicate one, tilted her head in thought. "Hmmm... Potterwarts?"

Kenny wheezed. "Sounds like a disease."

I bit my lip, pretending to consider it. "Symptoms include uncontrollable hero complex, extreme recklessness, and a deep need to be the center of attention."

Blaise smirked. "Fatal in extreme cases. Side effects include gaining a fan club of adults who should really get a life."

Draco let out an exaggerated groan and slammed his goblet on the table. "I deserve the bloody House Cup. I have been a model student—"

"—You tried to get Buckbeak killed," I interrupted.

Draco's eyes narrowed. "Oh, don't even get me started on that bloody chicken—"

Kenny grinned. "Ah yes, how tragic—attacked by a majestic, noble creature."

Blaise snickered. "Be honest, mate. You didn't want Buckbeak dead, you just wanted revenge for your bruised ego."

Draco scowled. "Oh, shut up, Zabini."

I smirked. "Draco, if you really wanted revenge, you should have challenged Buckbeak to a duel."

Draco scoffed. "Oh, brilliant idea, Selene. I'll just kindly ask the oversized pigeon to borrow a wand."

Pansy giggled. "You could have just hexed him."

Blaise smirked. "Or, better yet, punched him like Granger punched you."

The entire table howled with laughter. Draco froze. His face turned a shade that could only be described as 'mortified tomato'.

Kenny wiped fake tears from her eyes. "Oi, Draco, imagine getting punched by a Hippogriff and a Muggle-born in the same year."

I grinned. "Tough year, huh?"

Draco glared at all of us. "I hate every single one of you."

Sree patted his arm sympathetically. "There, there, Draco. Maybe next time you'll win against a girl."

Blaise lost it. He was actually crying from laughter now. Kenny had collapsed onto the table, wheezing.

Draco huffed, crossing his arms. "I refuse to engage in this nonsense any further."

I smirked. "Oh, of course. You need to rest after all your battles."

Pansy nodded solemnly. "You must be exhausted after all that fighting."

Draco muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like "I will kill all of you in your sleep."

Before any of us could recover, Dumbledore stood up, signaling that it was time for the announcement.

I sighed, shaking my head. "Alright, let's hear it. How many illegal points will Gryffindor receive this time?"

Draco muttered bitterly, "I hate this school."

And honestly? Same, especially, when it came to house cups.

Kenny wasn't however done yet.

"You forgot to mention how you tripped while running away from Buckbeak," Kenny added, smirking.

Blaise gasped in mock horror, placing a hand over his chest. "Merlin's beard, Draco! Are you telling me that in addition to being mercilessly attacked, you also tripped?"

Pansy, who had been listening with rapt attention, looked scandalized. "That never happened!"

"Oh, it definitely happened," I said, resting my chin in my palm and smirking at Draco. "Face-first into the dirt. Very graceful. Almost as if you were trying to hug the ground."

Draco scoffed, crossing his arms. "I did not trip. I was strategically maneuvering my way out of danger."

"Strategic maneuvering," Kenny repeated, deadpan. "Otherwise known as falling flat on your face."

Sree, who had been mostly silent, finally chimed in with a faux-serious nod. "I, for one, think Draco was very brave."

Pansy nodded eagerly, latching onto this. "Exactly! Poor Dracy, you were so wounded. You should've been in the Hospital Wing for weeks!"

Blaise burst into laughter, shaking his head. "Oh, come on, Pansy! He barely had a scratch!"

"Exactly!" I grinned. "I mean, come on, Draco. Buckbeak barely tapped you. It was like he was swatting a fly."

Draco looked personally offended. "Are you implying that I, Draco Malfoy, am as insignificant as a fly?"

Kenny shrugged. "I dunno, you do buzz around quite a bit."

Blaise nearly choked on his drink from laughing so hard, while Draco glared at us all, his face burning red. "I hate all of you."

"Oh, Dracy baby, don't be mad," I teased, patting his cheek. "We love you. Just not as much as Buckbeak does."

Before Draco could retaliate, Dumbledore stood up, signaling the moment we had all been dreading. The Great Hall fell silent as the House Cup ceremony officially began.

"As always," Dumbledore said, beaming down at us, "another year has come to an end, and what a remarkable year it has been!"

We all exchanged looks. Here it comes.

"The final house points stand as follows: In fourth place, Hufflepuff, with 352 points. In third, Ravenclaw, with 426 points. In second place..."

We collectively held our breath.

"Slytherin, with 471 points."

Draco's head slammed into the table as Gryffindor erupted into cheers. Blaise groaned, rubbing his temples, while Kenny let out an exaggerated sigh.

"And in first place," Dumbledore continued, his eyes twinkling as if he hadn't just shattered our spirits, "Gryffindor, with 482 points!"

"WHAT?!" Draco shot up, looking outraged. "How?!"

We all turned to stare at the Gryffindor table, where Potter, Granger, and Weasley were positively glowing.

Blaise narrowed his eyes. "I knew it. What did I say? It's always last-minute points."

"Wouldn't be Hogwarts if Dumbledore didn't pull this trick out of his hat every damn year," I muttered.

"Right? I swear he just makes up numbers at this point," Kenny added, looking completely done.

Draco, meanwhile, looked ready to combust. "This is a travesty. A scandal! A conspiracy!"

I patted his shoulder. "It's alright, Draco. Maybe next year, they'll let you hand-pick the giant bird that attacks you."

That did it. Draco groaned loudly, slumping over the table as the Gryffindors celebrated.

"Someone kill me now," he muttered dramatically.

"Sorry, Dracy," I teased. "Looks like Buckbeak didn't kick hard enough."

Blaise and Kenny howled with laughter, while Draco simply groaned, defeated.

It was a ridiculous, completely unfair ending to the school year, but at least, finally, everything felt right again.

..................................................................................

The warmth of the common room cast a golden glow over Draco, the firelight flickering against his pale complexion, making his silver-blonde hair gleam. He stood alone, arms crossed over his chest, gazing into the flames, lost in thought. There was something unspoken in the way he held himself—relaxed, yet tense, as if he had been waiting. For what, I wasn't sure.

But I knew one thing—he was waiting for me.

A small, knowing smile curled on my lips as I descended the last few steps. My heart was pounding louder than it should have been for something as simple as seeing him alone in the common room, but I didn't question it. Not tonight.

"Miss me?" I teased, my voice light, but carrying something more—something I wasn't sure either of us was ready to name yet.

Draco turned at the sound of my voice, and for a fleeting moment, I saw something soft flicker in his eyes before he smirked, effortlessly slipping back into his usual bravado. "Didn't get much chance this year to annoy you."

I laughed at that, stepping closer, my arms instinctively wrapping around his waist. Before I could think twice, I pressed a light kiss against his cheek, feeling the warmth of his skin under my lips. It was supposed to be playful, but the moment lingered.

His body stiffened—just for a second—before his arms slowly wound around me, pulling me against him. It wasn't just a friendly hug; it was something deeper, something charged. My heart beat wildly in my chest as I let myself sink into the moment, his scent—expensive cologne—wrapping around me like a spell.

It was the most intimate thing I had ever felt.

"Selene..." His voice was quieter than usual, almost hesitant. It wasn't the usual cocky drawl, nor the teasing lilt he always used with me. It was different. Softer.

I tilted my head slightly to look at him, my cheek brushing against his shoulder. "Hmm?"

His grip on me tightened, just for a second. "Nothing," he murmured. "Just... stay here for a bit?"

I nodded, my fingers curling into the fabric of his robes. "Yeah," I whispered. "Of course."

We stayed like that, standing together in the common room, the fire crackling beside us, the world outside forgotten. And for the first time, I realized—next time I visited Hogsmeade, it wasn't just going to be special.

It was going to be ours.

**Draco's Pov**

The common room was quiet, save for the occasional crackling of the fire. Everyone else had gone to bed, but I couldn't sleep. My mind was a tangled mess of thoughts, and all of them led back to her.

Selene.

I wasn't sure when it happened, when the way I saw her changed. It had been subtle, creeping in between the banter, the fights, the moments in between where we found our way back to each other again and again.

And now?

Now, I stood there, watching the flames flicker, waiting—though I'd never admit it—for the sound of footsteps I had memorized over the years.

Then, there it was.

Light, graceful, but with a purpose.

"Miss me?" Her voice carried that teasing lilt, the same one she always used, but tonight, it felt different. Everything felt different.

I turned, smirking, because that's what I do. I smirk, I tease, I act like everything is normal. "Didn't get much chance this year to annoy you."

She laughed, stepping closer. My heart did something strange—something that had nothing to do with fear, nothing to do with anger, and everything to do with her.

Then she kissed my cheek.

It was brief, barely even a second, but Merlin help me, it sent my heart into an erratic mess. I tensed—because I didn't expect it. Because I didn't know what to do with it. Because I wanted it to last longer.

Then she hugged me.

I didn't think, I just reacted. My arms moved around her, pulling her against me instinctively, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

I was holding her.

And it wasn't a joke, it wasn't some casual thing. It was real. It was warm. It was... terrifying.

She smelled like vanilla and parchment, like late-night study sessions and stolen glances across the Great Hall. I wanted to bury my face in her hair, to stay there longer than I should, to memorize the way she fit against me.

But I couldn't.

Because this was Selene. And I was Draco Malfoy.

"Selene..." I didn't even know what I was going to say. I just wanted to say her name, to make sure this moment wasn't a dream.

"Hmm?" she hummed, looking up at me, her cheek brushing against my shoulder.

I swallowed, my grip tightening for just a second before I forced myself to relax. "Nothing," I muttered, because I was a coward. "Just... stay here for a bit?"

She didn't hesitate. "Yeah," she whispered. "Of course."

And just like that, she made everything feel okay.

We stood there, bathed in the golden glow of the fire, and for the first time in forever, I didn't feel like I had to prove something. I didn't feel like I had to pretend.

I just felt her.

And I never wanted to let go.

..................................................................................

The Hogwarts Express loomed ahead, a familiar sight marking the end of another year. The platform was buzzing with students dragging trunks, waving at friends, and squeezing in last-minute goodbyes.

For once, our usual Slytherin clan wasn't making a dramatic exit. No pompous parade, no gloating about House points (because, let's be honest, Gryffindor stole the cup again), and certainly no hexing first-years on the way out.

We stood in a loose circle near the train, delaying the inevitable.

Blaise was, as always, perfectly composed, hands in his pockets, exchanging his usual lazy smirk with Theo, who was pretending to listen while Kenny animatedly recounted a very questionable theory about Dumbledore having an underground dance club for teachers.

"I'm telling you," she insisted, throwing her hands up. "He wears those fancy robes for a reason."

"Yes, Kenny," Blaise deadpanned. "Dumbledore waltzes with McGonagall in the dungeons every full moon. Makes perfect sense."

"McGonagall?" Draco scoffed, standing beside me with his arms crossed. "Clearly, the real scandal is Sprout. Have you seen how she looks at Flitwick?"

Theo choked on air. "Oh, for Merlin's sake, why must you put these images in my head?"

We all burst into laughter, but then the whistle of the train echoed through the platform, a sharp reminder that time was up.

Kenny sighed dramatically, turning to Blaise. "You better write to me, or I swear I will find a way to send an angry Howler that plays Celestina Warbeck songs on loop."

Blaise smirked but softened. "Wouldn't dream of ignoring you, miss-conspiracy-theory."

Kenny turned red.

"Oi, Zabini, keep it in your pants," Draco quipped.

"Oh, please," Blaise scoffed. "This is rich coming from you, considering you look at Selene like she's your last meal before execution."

I snapped my head toward Blaise, but before I could protest, Kenny cackled. "Oh, you have no idea how true that is!"

Draco's ears turned a shade of pink, and I elbowed Kenny, who just winked at me. Traitor.

With a final round of hugs and goodbyes, we climbed aboard the train.

The four of us—Draco, Kenny, Blaise, and I—claimed a compartment together. Theo had disappeared somewhere, probably trying to escape any more of Kenny's wild conspiracy theories.

I rested my head against the window, watching the castle shrink in the distance. Hogwarts always looked different when you were leaving. Like it knew you were saying goodbye.

"You alright?" Draco's voice was quieter than usual.

I glanced at him and gave a small smile. "Yeah. Just... you know."

His gaze flickered, understanding immediately.

Sree.

It wasn't that we hated each other now. It was just... nothing. A hollow space where there used to be something. She had chosen a different path, one that didn't include me, and for the first time, I wasn't fighting it anymore.

Draco nudged me with his knee. "Her loss, really. Who else would tolerate your unbearable need to correct my pronunciation in class?"

"It's not my fault you can't pronounce 'Amortentia' properly!"

"I can pronounce it. I just choose to say it differently."

"Wrongly," I corrected.

Kenny piped up. "You both pronounce it like two idiots in love."

I choked. Draco nearly died.

"Kenny!"

"What? I speak the truth," she grinned. "Oh, come on, the tension is suffocating—"

"What tension?" I exclaimed.

Draco scoffed, leaning back lazily. "If you're so convinced there's tension, then maybe Selene should prove you wrong and kiss me."

There was a moment of silence.

Then Kenny and Blaise BURST out laughing.

Draco's smirk faltered slightly when he realized what he had just said. He immediately looked away, but I saw the way his fingers clenched around his robes.

I tilted my head, pretending to consider. "Hmm. Maybe I should, just to see you faint from the shock."

Draco narrowed his eyes. "You wouldn't dare."

"Try me, Malfoy."

He swallowed. "I hate you."

I grinned. "No, you don't."

Kenny groaned. "This is worse than any Celestina Warbeck song."

Blaise stretched his arms behind his head. "And to think, we get an entire summer without watching this disaster unfold."

I rolled my eyes, but deep down, I knew I was going to miss this—miss them.

The train rattled along the tracks, carrying us away from Hogwarts and toward whatever came next. And despite everything—the goodbyes, the changes, the broken friendships—I felt... okay.

Because I wasn't leaving alone.

Draco leaned his head against the seat, his eyes drifting to mine.

Yeah. I wasn't alone at all.