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TW: This chapter mentions miscarriage. Please don't read if this topic makes you feel uncomfortable.

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THE HOSPITAL WING WAS OPPRESSIVELY QUIET, THE KIND OF SILENCE THAT SEEMED TO AMPLIFY THE TICKING OF THE CLOCK ON THE WALL AND THE SOFT RUSTLING OF MADAM POMFREY'S ROBES AS SHE MADE HER ROUNDS.

The sterile smell of disinfectant lingered in the air, mixing with the faint floral scent of the bouquets scattered around the room. In the far corner of the wing, behind a privacy curtain, Danielle sat beside her best friend's bed, her fingers absently tracing patterns on the blanket that lay over Esmie's still body.

It had been several agonising days since Esmie had slipped into a coma, poisoned by a chocolate frog that had been meant to delight, but instead had nearly killed her. Enzo had found her unconscious on the floor of their dorm, the half-eaten chocolate still clutched in her hand. He had rushed her here, his face pale with panic, carrying her limp body as if she might shatter if he moved too quickly. Since then, it had been a waiting game. Professor McGonagall had taken the chocolate frog to investigate who was responsible for the attack, but all anyone could do for Esmie now was wait and hope.

Danielle sighed softly, her eyes sweeping over Esmie's peaceful face. Her breathing was steady, her chest rising and falling in a calm rhythm, but her skin was too pale, and her usual glow was nowhere to be found. It was eerie to see her like this, so motionless, so unlike the lively, fiery girl Danielle had known for so long. The stillness weighed heavily on her heart, each passing day making it harder to hold onto hope.

"Hey, Emmy," Danielle whispered, her voice cracking as she spoke. "I know you probably can't hear me, but I just needed to talk to you."

Her hand shook slightly as she reached out, gently brushing a stray lock of hair from Esmie's forehead. The sight of her best friend lying so still made Danielle's chest tighten with emotion. She had never seen Esmie like this—Esmie, who was always full of energy, who could brighten a room just by walking into it. Now, it felt as though the light had dimmed, and Danielle didn't know how to navigate through the shadows that remained.

"I miss you," Danielle said, her voice barely above a whisper. "We all do. Mattheo's been a wreck. He's acting like he's fine, like everything's normal, but I can tell he's scared. He came here earlier, just sat here staring at you. He didn't say a word, which you know is so unlike him. He's trying to be strong, but he misses you. You're like his little sister, and I think he's scared to admit how much you mean to him."

Danielle's throat tightened as she thought about Mattheo's uncharacteristic silence. He had lingered near the door after they left, looking back at Esmie's bed as though he couldn't bear to leave her behind, but unable to stay in the room much longer, afraid that seeing her like this would break him. It was rare for Mattheo to show vulnerability, but the look in his eyes earlier had said more than words ever could.

"And Enzo..." Danielle's voice trembled, and she had to pause to gather herself. "He's barely left your side. Madam Pomfrey forces him to take breaks, but even then, he's right back here as soon as she looks the other way. I've never seen him like this, Es. He's lost without you. It's like he doesn't know how to function when you're not with him. You should see the way he looks at you—like he's willing you to wake up, like if he just holds your hand long enough, you'll come back to him."

Her fingers tightened around Esmie's hand, her grip gentle but firm, as if she could somehow anchor her friend to the waking world. "I miss your laugh," Danielle said softly, a bittersweet smile pulling at her lips. "You always knew how to cheer me up when I was feeling down. It's so quiet without you, and I hate it."

The silence that followed was suffocating, pressing down on Danielle like a heavy weight. She looked at Esmie, her chest rising and falling with each slow, steady breath, but there was no movement beyond that, no sign that she was aware of the world around her. Danielle's heart clenched painfully as she stared at her best friend, wishing she could do something—anything—to bring her back.

"You've always been so strong," Danielle murmured, her voice trembling. "You've always been there for me, no matter what. You're the one I've always leaned on, Emsy, and now it's my turn to be strong for you. I'm not going anywhere. Mattheo, Enzo, and I—we're all waiting for you to come back."

She brushed her thumb gently over Esmie's hand, the small, familiar gesture offering her some semblance of comfort, though it felt like a hollow reassurance. "You have to wake up," she whispered, her voice breaking. "We need you, Emsy. I need you."

A single tear slid down Danielle's cheek, and she quickly wiped it away, determined not to let her emotions overwhelm her. She leaned forward, pressing her forehead gently against Esmie's hand, the weight of her words hanging in the air like a silent prayer.

"I'm not giving up on you," Danielle whispered fiercely. "You're going to wake up, and we're going to get through this, just like we always do. Please, Emmy. Just come back to us."

The room remained silent, save for the steady ticking of the clock on the wall. Danielle stayed there, her forehead resting against Esmie's hand, her heart aching with the quiet strength she still felt in her best friend, even now. It was the only thing keeping her grounded, the only thing giving her hope.

After what felt like hours, Danielle finally sat back, her fingers still wrapped tightly around Esmie's hand. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before speaking again. "Mattheo's still working on getting Gen to go to the Halloween party with him. He's planning some big, ridiculous gesture, but he says he won't do it until you're awake to make fun of him. He's waiting for you, just like the rest of us." She let out a shaky laugh. "He needs you to tease him, to keep him in check."

A soft knock at the door broke the quiet, and Danielle looked up to see Enzo standing in the doorway, his face pale and drawn with exhaustion. His eyes, rimmed red from sleepless nights, found Esmie, and the worry in his gaze was palpable.

"Hey," Enzo said quietly, stepping into the room. His voice was raw, like he hadn't spoken in hours. "How is she?"

Danielle gave him a small, sad smile. "No change. I was just telling her how much we all miss her, especially you."

Enzo moved to the chair beside Danielle, immediately reaching for Esmie's hand. His thumb brushed over her knuckles, the motion gentle, almost desperate. "I miss her so much," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "It's like there's this giant hole in my chest, and it's not going away."

Danielle placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently. "She'll come back, Enzo. She's strong. She'll fight her way back to us."

Enzo nodded, though his eyes never left Esmie's face. It was as if he was willing her to wake up, to smile at him the way she always did, to come back to him and make his world whole again.

They sat like that for several minutes, the silence heavy but filled with unspoken hope. Neither of them said anything, but they didn't need to. The only sound was the steady ticking of the clock and the faint rise and fall of Esmie's breathing.

A soft creak at the door broke the silence again, and Josie entered the room, a bouquet of fresh flowers in her hands. She offered a small smile as she walked over to the vase beside Esmie's bed, replacing the wilted flowers with the new ones.

"How is she?" Josie asked, her voice quiet as she arranged the flowers.

"No change," Enzo replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "Madam Pomfrey said the antidote should have worked by now, but she's still not waking up."

Josie glanced at him, her eyes filled with quiet determination. "She'll wake up, Enzo. I know she will."

Enzo blinked back the tears that had been threatening to fall for days. "What if she doesn't?" he asked, his voice cracking. "I don't know what I'll do without her. I know that probably makes me sound pathetic, but she's my whole world."

Josie shook her head, her gaze soft but firm. "Loving her doesn't make you weak, Enzo. It makes you strong, and she loves you too."

Enzo smiled bitterly, his fingers brushing over the scar on Esmie's hand, a haunting reminder of the torture she'd endured to save Hermione during the war. "I just... I can't lose her, not after everything she's been through."

Josie placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You won't lose her. She's always been a fighter, and she's not giving up now."

She smiled softly, looking down at Esmie's peaceful face. "I still remember the first time she admitted she liked you."

Enzo looked up, surprised. "You do?"

Josie nodded, her expression fond. "It was after the Yule Ball, before everyone went home for the holidays. She came to my dorm way too early and wouldn't stop talking about how much fun she had with you. She said she wished she had kissed you and that you looked so handsome. I already knew she liked you—it was obvious."

Enzo smiled wistfully. "She always wakes up early. It drives Mattheo crazy."

Josie laughed softly. "I can imagine. They're like brother and sister, always teasing each other."

"Try sharing a dorm with them," Enzo said, chuckling lightly despite the heaviness in his heart.

Josie continued, her voice gentle. "I've known since our first year that she was in love with you. The way she talked about you... she's always loved you, Enzo."

Enzo squeezed Esmie's hand, leaning down to press a soft kiss to her forehead. "I've always loved her too," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I always will."

"I know," Josie said quietly. "She's going to be alright."

Enzo nodded, though the worry in his eyes hadn't lessened. He looked at Esmie, her face so still, so peaceful, as if she were merely sleeping, but as he watched, her expression shifted slightly—her brow furrowing, her lips twitching.

"Did you see that?" Enzo asked, his voice filled with hope.

Danielle and Josie leaned forward, their eyes wide with anticipation. "I saw it," Danielle whispered, her heart pounding. "Maybe she's waking up."

Enzo's heart raced as he watched Esmie intently, his hand tightening around hers. "Please, Mie," he whispered, his voice trembling. "Come back to us."

For a moment, the room was still again, but this time, it felt different. There was hope in the air, and as the seconds ticked by, they all held their breath, waiting—hoping—that Esmie would finally come back to them.

~*~

Esmie stood in the middle of her dorm room, staring down at her half-packed suitcase. Her fingers fiddled with the zipper, but her mind was far away, already dreading the Christmas holiday ahead. Danielle sat cross-legged on Esmie's bed, watching her carefully, while Josie and Elsie hovered nearby, offering help but unsure of what to say.

"You're really not spending Christmas with us this year?" Danielle asked gently, breaking the silence that had stretched between them. There was concern in her voice, the kind that only someone who truly knew Esmie could detect.

Elsie, seated on the edge of the desk, chimed in, her brows furrowing. "You've never missed Christmas at Hogwarts before. You're sure you're going to be okay?"

Esmie tried to shrug off the concern, but the knot in her stomach only tightened. She tugged on the zipper again, frustration bubbling up. "I'm going to my mum's this Christmas," she explained. "Since I started at Hogwarts, I haven't spent a single Christmas with her, and she wrote me, asking if I'd come home this year."

Danielle raised an eyebrow. "That's... surprising. You don't really talk about your mum much."

"Yeah, I didn't even think you guys got along," Josie added, glancing between the others. There was a shared unease in their expressions that Esmie tried hard to ignore.

Esmie sighed, giving the suitcase a rough tug before Elsie, ever the helpful one, sat on top of it to try and force it shut. "We don't, but she wants me home this time. Maybe she's ready to try, I don't know." She shrugged, but her voice wavered ever so slightly, betraying her attempt to remain indifferent.

Josie and Elsie exchanged a glance, one filled with unspoken worry. Esmie caught it, and a lump formed in her throat. She knew what they were thinking because it was the same thing she couldn't stop thinking herself—why now? Why, after years of distance, was her mother reaching out? Why was she suddenly ready to have Esmie home for the holidays?

Danielle stood and walked over, her expression soft. "If you ever need anything while you're there, you know we're just an owl away. Seriously, Es. You can always come back here early if it gets too much."

Esmie forced a smile. "Thanks, Dani. I appreciate it." She didn't want to think about the possibility that she might need to leave. All she wanted was to give her mum a chance, even if something in her heart warned her not to get her hopes up.

Finally, after what felt like forever, the suitcase was zipped, and the girls made their way down to the platform. The air was thick with excitement as students buzzed about their holiday plans, and the usual joy of Christmastime at Hogwarts was infectious, but for Esmie, a sense of unease followed her like a shadow.

When they arrived at the platform, Enzo was already waiting. His familiar figure, tall and warm, brought a brief moment of comfort. He smiled at her, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. Esmie could tell he was worried—he always knew when something was wrong, even when she didn't say a word.

As she approached him, Enzo pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly. "Send me a letter when you get home, okay?" he murmured into her hair, his voice filled with quiet concern. His arms lingered around her, as though he didn't want to let go.

"I will," Esmie whispered back, trying to keep her voice steady. She could feel the tightness in her chest, but she didn't want him to know how nervous she really was.

Danielle stepped up next, wrapping her arms around Esmie in a warm embrace. "We're going to miss you. Just remember, we're here for you if you need us."

"I'll be fine," Esmie reassured her, though the uncertainty in her voice was hard to miss. "It's only a couple of weeks."

Danielle smiled softly, though her eyes held a lingering worry. "Take care, alright?"

With one last glance at her friends, Esmie boarded the train. As the train pulled away, she watched them disappear from view, her heart heavy with doubt. Maybe she should have stayed at Hogwarts, where she belonged.

By the time the train pulled into the station, the knot in Esmie's stomach had grown tighter. Stepping off onto the platform, she spotted her mother immediately. Fiona stood stiffly beside the car, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable. There was no warmth in her eyes, no welcoming smile. Esmie's heart sank a little as she walked over, dragging her suitcase behind her.

"Hi, Mum," Esmie greeted her cautiously, trying to sound cheerful. "You didn't have to pick me up. I could've walked."

"Don't be ridiculous, Esmeralda," her mother replied, her voice sharp. "You can't drag that suitcase halfway across town." She didn't smile, didn't even look at her for more than a moment before turning back to the car.

Esmie nodded, feeling her chest tighten. "Right." She heaved her suitcase into the backseat and slipped into the passenger seat. As they drove, the silence between them was stifling. Esmie stared out the window, unsure of what to say. The awkwardness between them had always been there, but now, after months apart, it felt even worse.

Finally, her mother broke the silence. "How's school been?"

The question surprised Esmie, though her mother's tone was flat. "It's... been alright," she answered cautiously, unsure of what her mother really wanted to hear.

"Just alright?" Fiona pressed, her eyes flicking over to her daughter briefly before focusing back on the road.

Esmie shifted uncomfortably. "Why do you care?" she asked, her voice a little sharper than she intended. "You've never cared before."

Her mother's grip tightened on the steering wheel, her knuckles turning white. "Esmeralda, I'm trying here."

Esmie blinked, taken aback by her mother's words. Was she really trying? After all these years? She glanced out the window, her heart heavy with confusion. "I'm sorry," she mumbled, not knowing what else to say.

When they arrived home, Esmie dragged her suitcase inside, the familiar emptiness of the house greeting her like an old ghost. Her bedroom was exactly the same as it had always been—faded pink walls, sparse furniture, and a distinct lack of anything that felt like home. She stood in the middle of the room, staring at the walls, already wishing she had stayed at Hogwarts.

As she unpacked, she tried to ignore the sinking feeling in her stomach. She hadn't even been home for a day, and she already regretted coming back.

The first few days passed in quiet unease. Fiona kept to herself, and Esmie tried to stay out of her way, retreating to her room whenever she could. By Christmas morning, the tension had grown thick, and Esmie felt like she was walking on eggshells.

On Christmas morning, she found herself in the kitchen, offering to help with the preparations. "Do you need any help with lunch?" she asked Jack, her stepfather, as she glanced around the bustling kitchen.

Jack smiled warmly at her, the only comforting presence in the house. "Sure, Esmeralda. Why don't you help with the dessert?"

Esmie nodded, grateful to have something to occupy her mind. As they worked on baking Christmas cookies, she began talking about the Yule Ball, her voice brightening as she recounted the night she'd spent with Enzo. For a brief moment, she forgot the tension in the house.

"And this Lorenzo boy," Jack asked, looking curious. "What's he like?"

Esmie's face lit up as she thought about Enzo. "He's my best friend. He made me feel like the prettiest girl at the ball."

Before she could say more, her mother's sharp voice cut through the room. "Who gave you permission to spend any money on a dress, Esmeralda?"

Esmie froze, the cookie dough slipping from her hands. "I... I didn't spend any money on a dress," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. She didn't want to tell her mother how she had borrowed it from a friend.

Her mother's voice turned colder. "And this boy you went with—you will not date him, do you understand?"

The cookie dough fell to the floor, and Esmie turned, her heart pounding in her chest. "W-What? I'm not dating him. What are you talking about?"

"I will not have my daughter dating one of those freaks," Fiona spat, her eyes narrowing.

Tears filled Esmie's eyes as she stared at her mother, the words hitting her like a punch to the stomach. "And what does that make me? I go to Hogwarts too. I'm a witch."

Her mother's expression hardened, her voice ice-cold. "You will not mention any of this at the Christmas party tonight. I cannot have people thinking I have a freak for a daughter."

Esmie's breath hitched as the tears spilled over, blurring her vision. Without another word, she pushed the cookie dough aside and fled the kitchen, her heart breaking as she rushed upstairs to her room.

Collapsing onto the floor, her body shook with sobs. All she had ever wanted was to talk to her mother, to tell her how much she liked Enzo, how much she had wanted to kiss him at the Yule Ball, but now she knew—she could never talk to her mother about any of it. Her mother didn't want to know, didn't want to hear anything about Esmie's world, the world she belonged to. And in that moment, Esmie realised she would never have the kind of mother she had always longed for.

She would never understand why her mother didn't love her.

~*~

Minutes turned into hours, and the hospital wing gradually emptied as the evening grew darker. The once bustling space now felt eerily silent. Josie and Danielle had lingered for as long as they could, each of them glancing at Esmie, hoping for a sign that she might wake up soon, but when it became clear that Esmie wasn't ready to come back to them just yet, they reluctantly left, promising Enzo they'd return in the morning.

Danielle had tried once more to coax Enzo into taking a break, to at least lie down for a few hours. She had even suggested he grab some sleep in the corner of the hospital wing, but he had refused, shaking his head firmly. "I need to be here when she wakes up," he had insisted. His voice was soft but resolute, and Danielle knew there was no use in arguing with him. With one last glance at Esmie, she had left, leaving Enzo alone with his thoughts and the quiet beeping of the hospital monitors.

Now, Enzo sat slouched in the chair beside Esmie's bed, his eyes red and puffy from days of little sleep and unrelenting worry. His hand never left hers, as though the simple touch tethered her to him. He watched her face, willing her to wake up, to give him any sign that she was okay. But Esmie's chest rose and fell with the same steady rhythm, her body motionless under the crisp white sheets.

Suddenly, Esmie's brow furrowed, a small twitch of movement that Enzo almost missed. His heart skipped a beat as he sat up straighter, his eyes widening. Then, her eyes fluttered open, and for the first time in days, she blinked slowly, her gaze unfocused as she tried to make sense of her surroundings.

"Esmie?" Enzo's voice was filled with relief and disbelief. He leaned forward, gripping her hand tighter. "Esmie, you're awake!"

Her gaze drifted around the room, still disoriented, before finally landing on Enzo. Her lips curved into a weak smile, and tears welled in her eyes as the fog of confusion began to lift. Enzo stood up and leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, his heart racing with a mix of joy and concern.

"You had me so worried, darling," he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion.

Esmie blinked again, her mind still clouded. She felt groggy, like she had just woken up from a deep, dreamless sleep. "What happened?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Enzo exhaled softly, brushing her hair away from her face. "You ate a chocolate frog that was laced with poison," he explained gently, his hand never leaving hers. "We almost lost you, Es."

Esmie's brow furrowed as the memory came back in fragments. "The chocolate frog... wasn't that from you? It was on my bed with a note that said, 'For you, my darling.' I thought you left it for me."

Enzo shook his head, his expression darkening. "No, it wasn't from me. Mattheo said he didn't know who put it there. He was in the room just a few minutes before and didn't see anything."

Confusion clouded Esmie's face, and she frowned as she tried to piece everything together. "Mattheo was there? Oh, right. He had asked me to help him figure out how to ask Genevieve to the Halloween party." She paused, glancing down at her hands. "Someone tried to poison me?"

Enzo nodded grimly. "Yeah, it looks that way. We're still trying to figure out who did it, but the note was clearly meant to make you think it was from me. Whoever did this knew what they were doing."

Esmie's mind raced, but before she could fully process the gravity of what had happened, her thoughts drifted back to a distant, painful memory. Christmas—fourth year. The sting of that holiday still lingered in her mind, a reminder of the isolation and rejection she had faced at home. Her chest tightened, and tears began to slip down her cheeks, unbidden.

"Are you alright, baby?" Enzo asked, his voice filled with concern as he leaned in closer, brushing his thumb against her cheek to wipe away the tears.

Before she could answer, the door to the hospital wing creaked open, and Madam Pomfrey bustled in, her sharp eyes immediately softening when she saw that Esmie was awake. "Ah, Miss Grisky, it's good to see you conscious again," she said kindly. "How are you feeling?"

Esmie sniffled, trying to compose herself. "I'm okay. Just... a little drowsy," she admitted, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling into her bones.

Madam Pomfrey nodded thoughtfully. "That's to be expected after everything your body has been through. I'd like to examine you privately, just to make sure everything is in order."

Enzo glanced at Esmie, clearly reluctant to leave her side, but she gave him a small nod of reassurance. "I'll be fine," she whispered, squeezing his hand gently. He hesitated for a moment longer before finally stepping out of the room, leaving Esmie and Madam Pomfrey alone.

As Madam Pomfrey conducted her examination, Esmie's mind wandered, still trying to make sense of everything. The poison, the near-death experience, it all felt so surreal, but there was something more, a lingering question that tugged at the edge of her thoughts.

"Enzo mentioned that I was poisoned," Esmie said quietly, her voice breaking the silence.

Madam Pomfrey nodded solemnly. "Yes, the chocolate was indeed laced with poison. Fortunately, we were able to treat it in time. You're lucky to be alive, Miss Grisky."

Esmie swallowed hard, the weight of those words settling over her like a heavy blanket. "Is that all?" she asked, sensing there was more.

Madam Pomfrey paused for a moment, her gaze steady as she met Esmie's eyes. "There's something else, Miss Grisky," she said gently. "During my examination, I discovered that you were pregnant. You would have been about ten weeks along. Unfortunately, the poison caused a miscarriage."

The world seemed to tilt beneath Esmie's feet, her mind struggling to process what she had just heard. Pregnant? She had been pregnant? Her breath caught in her throat, and she blinked rapidly, trying to wrap her mind around the news.

"I was... pregnant?" Esmie whispered, her voice trembling.

Madam Pomfrey nodded. "Yes. I'm deeply sorry, Miss Grisky. I know this must be a shock. Have you and Mr. Berkshire been using the contraceptive vial?"

Esmie felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment, her heart pounding in her chest. "Uh, yeah, we do... I must've forgotten to take it," she mumbled, her mind still reeling from the revelation.

Madam Pomfrey gave her a sympathetic look. "I wanted to inform you first before anyone else. You're cleared to leave, but I recommend taking it easy for the next few days."

Esmie nodded numbly, her thoughts swirling with confusion and disbelief. "Thank you," she whispered as she slid off the bed, her legs feeling shaky beneath her.

When she stepped out of the hospital wing, Enzo was waiting for her, his anxious gaze immediately softening when he saw her. Without a word, he rushed forward, pulling her into a tight hug. Esmie melted into his embrace, her heart aching with everything she now carried.

"Lorenzo," she murmured, her voice muffled against his chest. "I love you, but I also love being able to breathe."

Enzo chuckled softly and loosened his grip, but not before burying his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her familiar scent. "I'm so glad you're okay, darling. I was so scared."

At his words, the weight of what Madam Pomfrey had told her pressed down on Esmie's chest. She gently pulled away from Enzo, her heart racing as she tried to find the right words.

"What's wrong?" Enzo asked immediately, sensing her shift in mood. His eyes filled with worry as he studied her face. "Are you okay?"

Esmie bit her lip, her hands trembling as she took a deep breath. "There's something I need to tell you," she said softly, her voice shaky. "Madam Pomfrey told me that... I was pregnant, but the poison caused a miscarriage."

Enzo's eyes widened in shock, his mouth opening and closing as he struggled to find the right words. "You... you were pregnant?" he asked, his voice barely audible.

Esmie nodded, her fingers tightening around his. "I didn't know. I didn't have any symptoms except for a missed period. I would've told you if I'd known, Enzo. I swear."

He exhaled shakily, his hands reaching up to cradle her face. "Are you okay?" he asked softly, his voice filled with concern.

Esmie looked down, her emotions swirling in a confusing storm. "I... I feel like I should be more upset, but I'm not," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "I want children one day, Enzo, but not now. I want to finish school first. I wasn't ready."

Enzo's expression softened, and he leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "You want children one day?" he asked, his voice full of tenderness. "With me?"

Esmie smiled through her tears, nodding as she looked up at him. "Of course I do, Sweets. You're the only person I've ever wanted that with."

A smile spread across Enzo's face, and he kissed her, soft and lingering, filled with all the love he had for her. Esmie giggled and pulled away, her cheeks flushing. "Maybe not here," she teased, glancing around. "I already feel like Madam Pomfrey was judging me earlier. I don't need a lecture too."

Enzo laughed softly, kissing her nose. "Alright, let's get you back to our dorm. You need rest."

Hand in hand, they walked slowly back to their dorm, the weight of the past few days still heavy but softened by the knowledge that they had each other.

The moment Esmie and Enzo walked into the dorm room, the atmosphere shifted. It was as though all the tension that had gripped the space for days finally began to lift. Mattheo, who had been slouched on his bed pretending to read a book, immediately snapped to attention. His smirk, the one he usually wore to mask how much he cared, vanished in an instant, replaced by an expression of pure, unguarded relief. He tossed the book aside without a second thought, and in just a few strides, he was across the room, standing in front of Esmie.

He didn't bother with words at first, didn't wait for any witty remark or sarcastic comment, instead, he wrapped Esmie in a tight hug, pulling her close with an intensity that startled her. "It's so good to see you, Emmy," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion he rarely allowed to show. For once, there was no teasing edge, no attempt to hide how much her absence had affected him.

Esmie, surprised by his uncharacteristic display of affection, let out a soft laugh as she hugged him back just as tightly. "Good to see you too, Matty," she said, her voice warm. She could feel just how tightly he was holding on to her, like he was reassuring himself that she was real, that she was actually standing in front of him.

For a moment, neither of them moved, and Esmie could feel the tension in Mattheo's body as he finally released her. When he pulled back, his hand lingered on her shoulder, his dark eyes flicking between her and Enzo. "You had us all scared out of our minds," he admitted, his voice quieter now, more serious than usual. "I mean, I get that you love the drama, but this? This was too much, even for you."

Esmie smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "Yeah, not my idea of a fun time," she said, though she could hear the seriousness in her own voice. The fear that had gripped her friends during the time she'd been unconscious was still palpable, even now.

Mattheo exhaled slowly, his shoulders finally relaxing a bit, though he hadn't fully shaken off the tension. "Well, next time you feel like making an entrance, maybe just prank us or something, okay? No more death-defying stunts."

Esmie's smile softened as she looked at him, knowing that beneath his teasing, Mattheo had been deeply shaken by what had happened. "I'll try to keep the drama to a minimum," she promised, her tone affectionate.

Mattheo flashed her one last grin before stepping aside, letting her and Enzo move toward the bed. As she sat down, Enzo immediately slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her close as if he needed to keep her anchored to him. He hadn't let go of her hand since they'd left the hospital wing, and now, with her safely by his side, he looked at her like she was the only thing in the world that mattered.

"I'm just so glad you're okay," Enzo whispered, his voice low and raw. He leaned down to press a soft kiss to her forehead, his thumb brushing over the back of her hand. "I don't know what I would've done if..."

Esmie gently placed her hand on his cheek, stopping him before he could finish. "Don't go there," she said softly, her thumb tracing comforting circles over his skin. "I'm here now. I'm okay."

Enzo closed his eyes briefly, leaning into her touch as if the feel of her hand against his face was enough to ground him. "I was so scared, Es," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't know if you'd wake up."

Esmie's heart tightened at his words, and she could feel the weight of his fear in every syllable. "I'm sorry I scared you," she said quietly, her hand still resting on his cheek. "But I'm here, and I'm okay now."

Across the room, Mattheo leaned back against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest as he watched them. His usual playful smirk had faded again, replaced by an expression of quiet intensity. Esmie had known him long enough to recognise that look—Mattheo's protective streak was in full force, even if he wasn't saying it outright.

"We're going to figure out who did this," Mattheo said, his voice steady but laced with a quiet anger. His gaze flickered toward the door, as though he could already see the person responsible for the poison standing there. "No one gets away with hurting you, Emmy."

Esmie looked over at him, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over her. She knew Mattheo cared, even if he didn't always show it in obvious ways, but seeing the way his usual bravado had dropped, replaced by genuine concern, reminded her just how fiercely loyal he was.

"Thanks, Matty," she said softly, her voice filled with warmth. "I know we'll figure it out."

Enzo, sitting beside her, squeezed her hand tighter, his jaw clenched as he looked down at their intertwined fingers. "I'm not letting this go," he said quietly, the usual lightness in his voice replaced by a cold determination. "We'll find out who did this, and they'll pay for it."

Esmie leaned into his side, feeling the warmth of his body against hers. She knew that both Enzo and Mattheo would stop at nothing to protect her, but the reality of what had happened still weighed heavily on her. Someone had tried to poison her. Someone had wanted to harm her, and the fact that they hadn't been caught yet made the whole situation even more terrifying.

Just as the room began to settle into a somber silence, the door creaked open, and Danielle stepped inside. Her eyes immediately sought out Esmie, and the look of relief that crossed her face was instant. She hurried over, her worry etched into every line of her expression as she wrapped Esmie in a tight hug.

"Esmie," Danielle whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "You have no idea how worried we've all been."

Esmie hugged her back, smiling at the overwhelming warmth and concern she felt from her friends. "I'm okay, Dani," she said softly. "I promise."

Danielle pulled back slightly, her hands resting on Esmie's shoulders as she looked her over, as though to reassure herself that Esmie really was alright. "I thought we were going to lose you," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Enzo and Mattheo have barely slept, and we've all been on edge since it happened."

Esmie glanced between Enzo, Mattheo, and Danielle, the weight of their concern settling heavily in her chest. She had always known how much they cared, but hearing how much they had been affected by her condition made her realise just how deep their bond ran.

"I'm really okay now," Esmie reassured them, her voice soft but filled with sincerity. "I don't know what I'd do without you all."

Enzo squeezed her hand gently, and Danielle sat beside her on the bed, still watching her closely. "We're just so relieved you're alright," Danielle said, her voice softening.

Mattheo, sensing the heavy mood, finally pushed off the wall and strolled back toward them, his usual grin returning. "Alright, Emmy," he said, his tone lighter now but still carrying the undercurrent of protectiveness. "Enough with the sappy stuff. You've been lying around for days—when are you going to get back to kicking my arse at Quidditch?"

Esmie laughed, the sound breaking through the tension in the room. "Soon, Matty," she teased. "But don't get too comfortable. I'm going to beat you like always."

Mattheo chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, we'll see about that."

Enzo leaned in and kissed her temple, his voice soft and full of affection. "Welcome back, Princess," he whispered, his hand still holding hers as if he wasn't quite ready to let go.

Esmie smiled, her heart full as she looked around at her friends. She knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy—there were still questions that needed answers, and the person who had tried to hurt her was still out there—but she also knew she wasn't facing it alone. With Enzo, Mattheo, and Danielle by her side, she felt stronger, more grounded.

"Thank you," she said, her voice filled with emotion as she looked at each of them in turn. "For everything. I don't know what I'd do without you guys."

Danielle smiled warmly, Mattheo's grin widened, and Enzo simply pulled her closer, resting his chin on her shoulder. Whatever came next—whether it was tracking down the person responsible or navigating the aftermath of the poison—Esmie knew she could face it. With them, she could face anything.

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My babies 🥺 poor Esmie just wanted her mum's love 😭💔

Enjoy! Xo

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