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THE DAY HAD BEGUN LIKE ANY OTHER, OR AT LEAST AS NORMAL AS THINGS HAD BEEN SINCE THAT FATEFUL QUIDDITCH MATCH.

Esmie's routine had become a delicate balance between different parts of her life. She was spending more time with Draco, though their moments together were often brief and interrupted by whatever vague business he seemed to be involved in. He would brush it off with a casual "stuff," but Esmie knew better than to pry. There were always unspoken things between them—things Draco preferred not to talk about. Yet, despite their fleeting moments, she found comfort in his presence, however limited.

On the other hand, her friendship with Enzo had grown deeper. The two of them had always been close, but now, they were almost inseparable. Their bond felt like a safe harbour in the middle of the storm that had torn through their once tight-knit group. Ron, unsurprisingly, spent most of his time with Lavender, who clung to him at every opportunity. Hermione, on the other hand, had become distant, avoiding everyone like the plague, and her absence weighed heavily on Esmie.

It was as if their world was unraveling thread by thread, and Esmie could feel the tension crackling in the air whenever they were all together—what was left of them, anyway.

One morning, as they gathered at breakfast in the Great Hall, the atmosphere felt more awkward than ever. Grace, who had been watching the group closely for weeks, finally broke the silence with a frustrated sigh. "This is getting ridiculous," she said, setting her goblet down with more force than necessary. "None of us hang out anymore. Last time I checked, we were all still friends, but now it feels like... I don't know, something's wrong."

Esmie bit into her toast, trying to ignore the conversation and focus on the mundane act of eating. "Nothing's going on," she muttered with a shrug, unwilling to engage in what felt like a futile discussion.

But Grace wasn't letting it go. "Clearly something is going on. Even you haven't been spending any time with us, Esmeralda," she pointed out, her eyes narrowing as she held Esmie's gaze.

Esmie felt a small pang of guilt but masked it quickly. She glanced at Harry, who gave a half-hearted shrug. Even he had been distracted lately, spending most of his time with Maddison, a fact that Esmie hadn't failed to notice. The Quidditch afterparty had been a turning point, a moment where everything began to fall apart, and they all knew it. The once-solid friendship they'd shared had begun to splinter.

"Look," Esmie began, pushing her plate aside, "things are just different now. Ron's with Lavender, Harry's always with Maddy, Hermione's avoiding all of us, and—"

"And where have you been?" Hope interrupted, her voice sharp with suspicion.

Esmie stared at her, caught off guard by the question. She hadn't meant to distance herself, but the truth was that she'd been hiding, both emotionally and physically. Her arm still throbbed occasionally, a painful reminder of the mark she bore, and she'd been careful to keep it covered, to not let anyone else know.

Shrugging, Esmie finished her toast and stood abruptly, avoiding the question. "I'll see you all in Defence Against the Dark Arts," she said, turning on her heel before anyone could pry further.

"Esmie—" Grace called after her, but Esmie was already halfway out the door, her steps quick and purposeful as she made her way back to the Gryffindor dormitory. She couldn't shake the heaviness that hung over her, an invisible weight pressing down on her shoulders. Once in her room, she headed straight for her bedside table, where a small jar of cream sat waiting. She applied it to her arm, hissing slightly as the cool salve touched the red, irritated skin. The mark wasn't getting any better. It was as if the pain ran deeper than the surface, a constant reminder of the burden she now carried.

After a few minutes, Esmie pulled down her sleeves, hiding the evidence of her discomfort, and made her way toward the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. The hallway outside the classroom was already crowded with students, their chatter filling the space. Esmie scanned the group until she spotted Draco, Theo, Mattheo, Danielle, Blaise, and Enzo, and she hurried over to join them. Despite everything, being around them always made her feel more grounded, as though they were an anchor holding her steady.

"Where'd you run off to?" Harry's voice cut through the noise as he, Ron, Hermione, Grace, and Hope joined them.

"Oh, I just needed to grab something from the dorms," Esmie replied nonchalantly, tugging at the sleeves of her robe as though that would somehow mask her discomfort. She winced slightly, her arm still tender, but tried to hide it.

"You alright?" Enzo's voice was soft and concerned, his eyes fixed on her.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Esmie lied, though her discomfort was growing harder to ignore. She pulled her sleeve up slightly to take a quick look at her arm, hoping no one would notice, but before she could hide it again, Ron's gaze sharpened.

"Esmie," Ron's voice was hard, suspicious. Before she could react, he grabbed her arm roughly and yanked up her sleeve, exposing the partially healed mark on her arm for everyone to see.

There was a stunned silence as the group took in the sight. Enzo, Mattheo, Danielle, and Draco were standing close enough to catch the full view, but it was Ron's shock that rang out the loudest. Esmie pulled her arm away, a rush of anger and panic swelling in her chest.

Although Mattheo and Enzo already knew about the mark, and Danielle had seen it weeks ago when Esmie had confided in her after an accidental reveal, it was still a secret she had tried desperately to keep hidden from the others.

"Is that—?" Ron began, his voice incredulous, but Esmie cut him off.

"It's none of your business," she snapped, pulling her sleeve back down with trembling hands.

But it was too late. The secret was out. And as she stood there, surrounded by her friends, she realised that nothing was going to be the same anymore. Not after this.

"What the hell, Esmeralda? You're one of them?" Ron's voice cut through the air like a whip, loud enough to draw the attention of nearly every student in the corridor. His grip on Esmie's wrist was painfully tight, and she winced, trying to pull away from him, but his hold was unrelenting. The disgust in his voice stung more than the physical pain.

"Let me go, Ron," Esmie snapped, yanking her wrist free with a sharp tug, rubbing it as she recoiled from his accusation. Around them, her friends stood frozen, their eyes glued to the mark on her arm. The shock was palpable, expressions ranging from confusion to betrayal, but Enzo, Danielle and Mattheo remained unfazed, their faces set in silent solidarity. They had known all along, but that didn't stop the others from staring at her as though she had morphed into something unrecognisable.

"Esmie?" Harry's voice was softer than Ron's, but the disappointment in it was even harder to bear.

"Frankly, I'm not surprised you took the mark," Ron spat, his blue eyes blazing with anger. "You've practically been one of them from the start."

Esmie's head snapped up, and she glared at him, her fists clenching at her sides. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Her voice rose, the frustration bubbling inside her. She could feel the weight of everyone's stares pressing down on her, judging her, but she refused to shrink away.

"It means," Ron sneered, stepping closer, his voice dropping into a dangerous whisper, "you spend all your time with them. You defend them constantly. And now you've taken the mark. It's only a matter of time before you're sleeping with them too."

Esmie's breath caught in her throat, her vision blurring as tears pricked the corners of her eyes. She could feel the words cutting into her like knives, the judgment in his voice making her chest tighten. Before she could respond, Enzo moved swiftly, placing himself between her and Ron, his expression darkening.

"Back off, Ron," Enzo warned, his voice low and steady, though his posture was rigid with tension. "Leave her alone."

Esmie rubbed her wrist absentmindedly, the pain from Ron's grip still radiating through her arm. She couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped, like a caged animal under the eyes of her peers. Her heart pounded loudly in her chest, a dull roar that drowned out the murmurs and whispers gathering around them.

"The Death Eaters killed our father," Grace whispered, stepping forward, her face pale as her voice wavered. "How could you join them, Esmie?"

Esmie's breath hitched, her eyes flicking down to the partial mark on her arm, the dark lines still fresh against her pale skin. The weight of her friends' confusion and betrayal was heavy on her shoulders, pressing her down, making it hard to speak, hard to breathe. How could she explain any of this? How could they possibly understand?

She looked around, her gaze drifting over Harry's bewildered expression, Hermione's growing suspicion, and finally, Draco's cold, unreadable stare, but she couldn't find the words. She couldn't explain the chaos inside her head, the impossible situation she found herself trapped in.

Hermione's voice broke through the tension, her tone sharp as she pieced together the puzzle. "You're Muggle-born... or at least, that's what you led us to believe. How could you have the mark unless..."

Hermione's eyes widened, the realisation dawning on her. Esmie's heart sank.

"You lied to us," Draco's voice was icy, cutting through the silence like a blade. "You've been leading everyone to believe you're a Mudblood, but it's not true, is it?" The venom in his words made Esmie flinch. He stared at her with barely contained fury, his face contorted with disgust.

The word hit her like a slap, and Esmie felt her knees buckle slightly. "How dare you call her that!" Enzo snapped, shoving Draco backward, his voice shaking with rage.

"Enzo, stop!" Esmie cried, reaching out to pull him back, her heart pounding as the confrontation escalated.

"Back off, Malfoy," Enzo growled, positioning himself protectively in front of Esmie. "She doesn't owe you or anyone an explanation."

Ron scoffed loudly, his eyes rolling in frustration. "You're a traitorous bitch, Esmeralda." With those harsh words, he turned on his heel and stalked into the classroom, leaving Esmie frozen, her entire body trembling.

"Esmie... I—" Harry began, but his words faltered. His disappointment was clear, etched across his face like a permanent scar. Esmie could only stand there, mute, unable to explain. She watched as he and Hermione exchanged a glance before they followed Ron into the classroom, leaving her behind.

"I really thought you were better than this," Grace whispered, her voice tight with hurt. She shook her head, walking away with Hope by her side. The feeling of abandonment washed over Esmie like ice, chilling her to the bone.

Tears threatened to spill over as Esmie looked down at her feet, too ashamed to meet anyone's gaze. "Enzo," she whispered, her voice broken and small. He turned to her, his expression softening immediately as he wrapped his arms around her trembling form.

"I've got you," Enzo murmured, his voice soothing as he stroked her back. "I'm right here."

Esmie buried her face in his chest, her tears finally breaking free as her body shook with silent sobs. Mattheo stepped forward, his hand resting gently on her shoulder, offering his silent support. He wasn't one for words, but his presence alone was enough to calm her frayed nerves.

From across the room, Draco's face hardened, his eyes darkening as he watched the scene unfold. Without warning, he stormed forward, grabbing Esmie's wrist with a bruising grip and holding it up for all to see. "Tell me something, Esmeralda," he hissed, his voice sharp with accusation. "Does Lorenzo know about this? Does he know the truth about your blood status?"

Enzo stepped forward, his protective stance unwavering. "Back off, Malfoy. She doesn't have to answer to you."

Draco's grip on her wrist tightened, and Esmie whimpered, trying to pull away from him. "Draco, please," she whispered, her voice trembling. "You're hurting me."

Draco ignored her, his voice full of bitter disdain. "How long have you been sleeping with him, Esmeralda?" he spat.

Esmie's mind spun, trying to grasp what he was accusing her of. "W-what?" she stammered, her heart pounding in her chest.

Draco sneered. "You think I haven't noticed? The secret glances, the constant touching. You're obviously sleeping with him."

The accusation hit her like a physical blow, knocking the wind out of her. She could barely process what he was saying. "I—" she started, but Draco cut her off.

"Is he the only one? Or are there others?" Draco's words were full of venom, laced with something far darker—something close to betrayal.

The accusation was too much. "How could you even think that—" Esmie's voice cracked, tears spilling freely now.

Draco scoffed, his gaze cold and unforgiving. "You've probably slept with half of Hogwarts, haven't you?"

Before Esmie could react, Enzo lunged forward, his fist connecting with Draco's face with a sickening thud. Esmie gasped, stumbling backward, only to feel Mattheo's arms catch her, pulling her to safety. Tears streamed down her cheeks, her body trembling as she watched the chaos unfold.

"Enzo, stop!" she cried, her voice breaking as she pleaded for the violence to end.

Enzo, hearing her voice, immediately stepped back, his chest heaving with adrenaline. He turned to her, his anger dissipating as he saw the fear in her eyes. He wrapped his arms around her once again, pulling her close. "It's okay," he whispered, kissing the top of her head. "It's alright, sweetheart. I've got you."

Esmie clung to him, burying her face in his chest as sobs wracked her body. Around them, the students slowly filed into the classroom, whispering among themselves, but Esmie barely noticed. The world around her felt like it was falling apart.

"You could've told me you were sleeping with Lorenzo too," Draco muttered darkly, wiping the blood from his split lip. "Whatever this was between us, it's over, Esmeralda."

Enzo stiffened, his head snapping up at Draco's words. "Too?" he asked, his voice laced with confusion.

Esmie's heart sank, and before she could stop herself, she blurted out, "I've only ever slept with Enzo."

The moment the words left her mouth, she froze, her hand flying to her lips in horror. The silence that followed was deafening.

Draco's eyes narrowed as he scoffed bitterly. "I knew it."

Before Esmie could respond, she saw Snape approaching from the corner of her eye, his dark gaze scanning the chaos before landing on her. Her heart began to race, panic flooding her system.

"I—I can't be here," she stammered, her voice barely a whisper. Without waiting for anyone to stop her, Esmie turned on her heel and fled down the hallway, her sobs echoing behind her.

Danielle, who had been watching silently the entire time, stepped forward, her expression filled with sympathy. She placed a gentle hand on Enzo's shoulder. "Go after her," she said quietly. "She needs you."

Without hesitation, Enzo sprinted down the hallway, determined to reach her before she disappeared completely, his heart aching for the girl he cared so deeply for.

Enzo found Esmie sitting alone in the Astronomy Tower, knees pulled tightly to her chest, arms wrapped around them in a protective embrace. Her blonde hair caught the light of the fading sun, stray strands whipping across her tear-streaked face. For a moment, he just watched her, feeling the ache in his chest tighten at the sight of her so broken, so vulnerable. He had seen her like this before, but it never got easier.

Taking a deep breath, he walked over and sat down beside her. He didn't say anything at first, just let the quiet of the evening settle between them. Finally, he spoke, his voice gentle, filled with concern. "Are you alright, Mie?"

Esmie didn't lift her head. Her face remained buried in her arms, and her voice came out in soft, muffled sobs. "I—I didn't mean to tell everyone, Enzo. I didn't mean for any of this to happen..."

"Hey," he whispered, sliding his arms around her. "It's okay, darling. It's okay." His touch was tender, comforting, as he pulled her closer. She turned into his chest, her sobs quiet but steady, soaking into his shirt as he held her.

They stayed like that for a long time, the only sound between them the soft wind and her quiet crying. Enzo gently rubbed circles on her back, his heart aching for her. He hated seeing her like this, hated that she had to carry such a heavy burden alone. Slowly, she sat up a little, her tears still clinging to her lashes as she met his gaze.

The look in her eyes—the vulnerability, the pain—sent a wave of protectiveness through him. He wanted to take it all away, to fix everything for her, but he knew he couldn't. Still, he could be here. He could hold her and make sure she didn't feel alone.

As Esmie gazed into his eyes, memories began to flood her mind—memories of all the times Enzo had been there for her, of every quiet moment they had shared over the years. Her thoughts wandered back to their fifth year, to a night much like this one. They had come to the Astronomy Tower, just like tonight, to escape the pressures of the castle below. It had always been their sanctuary.

That night had changed everything between them.

Esmie remembered how they had stayed up late, talking about nothing and everything, laughing under the stars. There had been a shift in the air between them that night, a tension she hadn't understood until much later. She had kissed him—nervous, excited, terrified. She could still feel the way her heart had raced, the warmth of his lips against hers, the way he had kissed her back, slow and soft, as though he had been waiting for that moment as long as she had.

She hadn't planned on it going any further, but it had. It hadn't been perfect—it had been awkward and rushed in some ways, but it had also been intimate and sweet. They had fumbled their way through it together, laughing nervously afterward, unsure of what to say. They hadn't talked about it much afterward, just quietly agreed to move forward as though nothing had changed. But in truth, everything had.

Esmie felt her heart race now as she sat beside him, thinking about that night, about how much Enzo meant to her. She had never let herself fully acknowledge what she had felt back then. She hadn't wanted to admit that she was in love with him. But now, sitting here with him, the truth was undeniable.

She had always loved him.

For a long time, she had convinced herself that what they had was just a close friendship—a bond formed by years of shared secrets, laughter, and moments of vulnerability, but Rosie Hart had seen through that.

Rosie, wise beyond her years, had spoken the truth that Esmie had been avoiding for so long.

"Enzo cares about you," Rosie had said softly one night when Esmie had visited her at the shop in Hogsmeade she worked at, her voice filled with gentle understanding. "You've been best friends for years. That doesn't just go away. But you need to talk to him, Esmie. You need to be honest with him about how you feel."

At the time, Esmie had shrugged it off. She wasn't ready to face her feelings, wasn't ready to confront the possibility that her relationship with Enzo was more than just friendship. She had feared that if she acknowledged it, everything would change, and she couldn't bear to lose him. But now, the weight of her love for him settled heavily in her chest, undeniable and overwhelming.

Esmie blinked back the fresh tears welling in her eyes as she looked at Enzo, her heart pounding. "Do you... do you regret it?" she asked quietly, the question slipping out before she could stop herself.

Enzo frowned, confused. "What?"

"What happened between us in fifth year. Do you regret it?" she clarified, her voice trembling slightly.

His expression softened, and he shook his head, moving closer to her, his hand gently brushing a strand of hair from her face. "No. Of course, I don't regret it, Mie. Why would you even think that?"

Esmie took a deep breath, her gaze dropping as she gathered her thoughts. Fear clawed at her—fear of what this moment could mean, fear of losing him if she said the wrong thing. But she needed to know if he felt the same. Slowly, she raised her eyes to meet his, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I don't regret it either," she murmured, her words fragile yet sincere. Memories of that night flashed through her mind—the way they had silently understood each other, the unspoken bond that had formed between them. She also remembered Rosie's advice, urging her to be honest, to face what was in her heart.

"Thank you," she added softly, offering him a small, grateful smile. "For defending me back there. You didn't have to."

Enzo's eyes softened, his reassuring smile melting her heart. "I'll always defend you, darling. You know that. I'll always be here for you."

The warmth of his words filled Esmie with a comforting sense of safety, but her heart still ached, heavy with all the unsaid emotions. She hesitated for a moment, then leaned in, her lips seeking his in a desperate attempt to ease the pain she felt, but before she could reach him, Enzo gently pulled back, his hand resting softly on her arm.

"We shouldn't," he said quietly, his voice filled with understanding and tenderness. "Not like this. You're sad, Esmie. I don't want you to regret it later."

Her breath caught in her throat as she blinked back tears, nodding slowly. She hadn't been ready to say it, but in her heart, she knew she was in love with him. And yet, now wasn't the time to confess it—not when her emotions were so raw and vulnerable.

"I don't really want to go to class today," she admitted after a long pause, her voice small, as if she were trying to change the subject, to shift away from the heaviness of their conversation.

Enzo adjusted his position, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer. "We don't have to go," he said quietly, resting his head against hers. "We can stay here as long as you want. Do you want me to stay with you, or do you want to be alone for a while?"

Esmie immediately grabbed his arm, her grip tight as she shook her head. "No, please don't leave me alone. I don't want to be alone right now."

Enzo smiled softly, kissing the top of her head. "I'm not going anywhere, Mie. I promise. I'll stay with you as long as you need me."

Her heart fluttered at his words, her cheeks warming as he pressed the kiss to her head. She rested her head on his shoulder, her mind still spinning with everything she had been avoiding for so long. She wasn't ready to face it, but with him beside her, it felt a little less terrifying.

They stayed there for what felt like hours, watching as the stars began to fade and the sky turned a soft shade of purple with the approaching dawn. The cold wind bit at them, but they didn't move, wrapped in the comfort of each other's presence.

Eventually, though, her stomach growled, breaking the silence. Esmie blushed, laughing softly as she sat up and wiped the last remnants of her tears away. "I guess I'm a little hungry," she admitted, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Enzo chuckled and stood, offering her his hand. "Let's go get something to eat, then."

As they walked back toward the castle and into the Great Hall, Esmie's nerves began to return. She could feel the stares, the whispers already starting as soon as they entered. Everyone had seen the mark, everyone knew. The weight of their judgment felt suffocating.

Her hand slipped out of Enzo's as they walked, her anxiety tightening in her chest. "Es?" he asked, his voice full of concern as he looked down at her.

"It's fine," she whispered, though she could feel her heart pounding in her chest. "I'll be fine."

Enzo frowned but reluctantly nodded, squeezing her arm gently before heading to the Slytherin table. Esmie took a deep breath, forcing herself to walk toward the Gryffindor table, though her legs felt like lead. As she sat down in an empty spot, the noise of the hall seemed to grow louder, but to her, it felt like a distant hum. The whispers swirled around her, but she couldn't bring herself to listen to what they were saying.

For the first time since coming to Hogwarts, Esmie felt utterly alone.

But as she glanced across the hall, her eyes found Enzo. He was sitting at the Slytherin table, but his gaze was still on her, steady and unwavering. And in that moment, despite everything, she knew that she wasn't truly alone.

Not as long as she had him.

~*~

ENZO

Enzo watched from the Slytherin table as Esmie sat down at the Gryffindor table, isolated in a sea of people. No one at the table even glanced her way, as if she were invisible. His heart twisted as he saw her pull her sleeves down, trying to hide the mark that had turned her world upside down. She wiped her face quickly, as if brushing away tears she didn't want anyone to see.

Without thinking, Enzo stood up, his chair scraping the floor. Theo glanced up at him, raising an eyebrow.

"What are you doing?" Theo asked, his tone low but curious.

Enzo's jaw clenched as he looked over at Esmie. "I don't care if I get into trouble for it. Right now, Esmie needs a friend." His voice was firm, leaving no room for debate.

Draco, who had been lounging in his seat, scoffed loudly, drawing attention from the others at the Slytherin table. He leaned forward, smirking. "Oh, let me guess—you think you're that friend, don't you, Lorenzo?" His words dripped with sarcasm, but Enzo didn't bite.

Without responding, Enzo turned away and started walking toward the Gryffindor table. Whispers followed him, but he didn't care. His focus was on Esmie, sitting alone, her shoulders slumped under the weight of everything she had been through.

When he reached her, he sat down directly across from her, startling her out of her thoughts. Esmie's head snapped up, her wide eyes locking onto his. She blinked in surprise, her lips parting as if to protest.

"You don't have to sit here, Sweets," Esmie said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. She lowered her spoon, the food on her plate forgotten. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and the vulnerability in her expression made Enzo's heart ache.

Enzo reached across the table, gently taking her hand in his. He squeezed it reassuringly, giving her a small smile. "I want to, Mie," he said, his voice gentle but firm. He wasn't going anywhere.

Esmie's lips twitched into a small smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. She was still hurting, and Enzo could see the exhaustion in her face, the way she was trying so hard to keep herself together.

At first, no one seemed to notice that Enzo had abandoned the Slytherin table to sit with Esmie, but it didn't take long for the whispers to start. A few girls nearby turned to stare, their expressions quickly twisting into something ugly. One of them—a Gryffindor girl—stood up, her face set in a scowl as she walked over to where Enzo and Esmie were sitting. She sat down beside Enzo, her arms crossed and her voice dripping with disdain.

"I don't know why you'd want to talk to her," the girl sneered, loud enough for everyone around them to hear. "There are plenty of girls here who are much better people than she is. At least none of us are lying about who we are."

Esmie flinched at the words, her entire body recoiling as if she had been slapped. Her hand slipped out of Enzo's grasp, and before he could say anything, she stood up, her movements abrupt and shaky. Without a word, she turned and walked out of the Great Hall, her head down, her steps quick.

"Mie—" Enzo called after her, his voice strained with worry, but she didn't stop. She didn't even look back.

Enzo let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair. He turned to the Gryffindor girl, his expression darkening. "You don't know anything about her," he snapped, his voice low and angry. "So mind your own business. I happen to think she's a much better person than anyone sitting at this table."

The girl's eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a sneer. "Clearly, she has you under some kind of spell, Lorenzo. Open your eyes."

Enzo didn't bother responding. He stood up quickly, ignoring the whispers that followed him as he hurried out of the hall to find Esmie. His heart pounded as he scanned the corridors, his eyes searching for any sign of her. He finally spotted her leaning against the stone wall just outside the Great Hall, her shoulders shaking as she cried.

Without hesitation, Enzo crossed the space between them and pulled her into a tight hug. Esmie stiffened at first but then melted into his embrace, burying her face in his chest as sobs wracked her body.

"Whatever they say, it's not true, Mie," Enzo whispered, holding her close. He ran his hand up and down her back in soothing motions, trying to calm her. "You're a much better person than anyone else here. I'd rather spend time with you than anyone else."

Esmie sniffled, her hands clutching the front of his shirt. "They're right, though," she choked out, her voice thick with tears. "I've been lying to everyone. I've been hiding the truth about who I am."

Enzo pulled back slightly, cupping her face in his hands so she had to look at him. His eyes were filled with nothing but warmth and understanding. "You don't owe anyone an explanation, Mie. You don't have to tell anyone the truth about your blood status or what's happened to you. It's no one's business but yours."

Fresh tears welled up in her eyes, and Esmie shook her head, glancing down at her arm. The sleeve had fallen back, revealing the mark once again. She stared at it, her voice small and trembling. "You, Danielle and Mattheo are the only ones who know the truth about this."

Enzo's heart clenched as he gently took her arm, his thumb brushing over the inflamed mark. It looked worse than it had earlier that morning, red and irritated. "What did you put on this, Mie?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

"Just some cream I had in my dorm," Esmie mumbled, avoiding his gaze.

Enzo frowned, examining the mark carefully. "I think you had a reaction to it," he said softly, running his fingers lightly over the irritated skin. "Come on, let's go to my dorm. I have some better cream for this."

Esmie hesitated but then nodded, wiping at her face as she followed him. They walked in silence, the weight of everything pressing down on them. When they reached his dorm, Enzo quickly rummaged through his things and found a jar of cream, along with a set of clean clothes.

"Here," he said, handing her the clothes. "I figured you might want to shower and change. It'll help."

"T-thank you," Esmie whispered, her voice still shaky but grateful. She disappeared into the bathroom, leaving Enzo alone with his thoughts.

He couldn't stop thinking about the way she had been treated — the way everyone seemed so quick to judge her without even knowing the full story. It made his blood boil. Esmie didn't deserve any of this. She had been through enough already, and now she was being torn apart by people who didn't even know her.

When Esmie came back, she was dressed in the clothes Enzo had given her, her hair still damp from the shower. She looked fragile but a little more at ease, and Enzo smiled when he saw her. She sat down on his bed, and he joined her, opening the jar of cream.

"Let me see that arm," he said gently.

Esmie hesitated for a moment, then extended her arm to him. Enzo began applying the cream carefully, his touch gentle and soothing. As he worked, Esmie watched him, a soft smile playing at the edges of her lips. There was something calming about being here with him, something that made her feel safe.

"Enzo?" she asked quietly, her heart fluttering in her chest.

"Yeah?" he replied without looking up, still focused on her arm.

"Can I ask you something?"

"You know you can ask me anything, darling," Enzo said, glancing up at her with a soft smile.

Esmie bit her lip nervously before speaking. "Will you go with me to Slughorn's Christmas party?"

Enzo stopped applying the cream, looking up at her with surprise. A smile spread across his face as he nodded. "I would love to go with you, Mie," he said, his voice warm. Without thinking, he leaned in and kissed her forehead, causing her to blush.

Esmie's heart fluttered at the gentle touch, and she smiled back at him. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt a little lighter. She lay down on the bed, her body finally relaxing, and within minutes, she had drifted off to sleep.

Enzo stayed beside her, watching her sleep peacefully. He sighed softly, running a hand through his hair. A part of him regretted not kissing her back earlier when she had tried to kiss him. He had wanted to—more than anything. But he hadn't. Not because he didn't love her, but because he was afraid.

As in love with her as he was, Enzo didn't want to risk ruining their friendship. He wasn't sure if she felt the same way, and the thought of losing her, of things becoming awkward between them, terrified him.

But as he watched her sleep, her face soft and peaceful, he couldn't shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, she felt the same way too.

And that was enough to give him hope.

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Poor Esmie.

I have honestly had this chapter planned since I first started writing this book, but this chapter is honestly the downfall of Draco and Esmie's relationship (not that there really was one in the first place).

Enjoy! Xo

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