The castle was quieter than usual, but Ivy couldn’t shake the sense of unease clinging to her. The encounter with Cedric had rattled her more than she let on, and Tom’s intervention lingered in her mind like a storm cloud. His presence was magnetic, a force that drew her in and repelled her all at once.

Days passed, and the tension between them only grew. Whenever they crossed paths in the corridors, Tom’s gaze would lock onto hers with an intensity that made her stomach twist. Yet, he never spoke to her, leaving Ivy to stew in her confusion.

One evening, she found herself wandering the library, hoping the quiet would calm her restless mind. Instead, she found Tom, seated at a secluded table with books spread out before him.

“You’re stalking me now?” Ivy said, crossing her arms as she approached.

Tom didn’t look up, his fingers flipping a page. “This is a public space. If anything, you’re stalking me.”

Ivy scoffed. “Right. Because I just knew you’d be here.” She sat down across from him, determined not to let him intimidate her.

For a moment, they sat in silence, the only sound the faint rustling of parchment. Then, without looking up, Tom said, “You shouldn’t let him get to you.”

“What?”

“Diggory,” Tom clarified, his tone clipped. “You let him crawl under your skin, and it makes you vulnerable.”

Ivy bristled. “I’m not vulnerable.”

Tom finally met her gaze, his dark eyes narrowing. “Everyone’s vulnerable. The question is whether you’ll let it destroy you.”

Something in his voice made Ivy pause. It wasn’t mockery or disdain—it was almost... concern. But before she could respond, he closed his book and stood, his presence towering over her.

“Be careful, Ivy,” he said softly, almost like a warning. And then he was gone.