A few days later, Ivy sat with Harry, Hermione, and Ron in the common room. The tension from recent events weighed heavily on her, but Harry’s cheerful demeanor was a welcome distraction.

“I’ll always protect you, you know,” Harry said suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence.

Ivy blinked, caught off guard. “What?”

“You’re my friend, Ivy. No matter what happens, I’ll protect you. From Cedric, from Riddle… from anything.”

Hermione looked up from her book, her brow furrowing slightly, but she didn’t say anything.

Ivy forced a smile. “Thanks, Harry.” But the unease in her chest wouldn’t go away.

----

The tension between Ivy and Tom reached a boiling point during a late-night confrontation in the Astronomy Tower. Ivy had been pacing, trying to clear her mind, when Tom appeared, his presence as unwelcome as ever.

“Do you enjoy tormenting me, or is it just a hobby at this point?” Ivy snapped as he approached.

Tom smirked, leaning casually against the stone railing. “You’re the one who keeps seeking me out.”

“I don’t seek you out. You just… show up.”

He stepped closer, his smirk fading. “Maybe it’s because I can’t stand the thought of you getting yourself killed.”

Ivy froze, her breath hitching. “What are you talking about?”

“Cedric. Your father. This war. You’re in over your head, Ivy, and you don’t even realize it.”

She glared at him, her frustration boiling over. “And what do you care? You don’t help people unless it benefits you.”

Tom’s eyes darkened. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I don’t care about anyone else. But you…” He trailed off, his voice barely a whisper.

Ivy’s heart pounded as he stepped closer, his face inches from hers. She hated the way he made her feel—vulnerable, exposed, like he could see every part of her.

“Just admit it,” she said, her voice trembling. “Admit that you’re just using me like everyone else.”

Tom’s hand brushed against her cheek, his touch surprisingly gentle. “You’re the only thing in this world I can’t control, Ivy. And that terrifies me.”

Before she could respond, he kissed her—fierce, desperate, and full of emotions neither of them were ready to confront. When he pulled away, his expression was guarded again, his walls firmly back in place.

“Don’t trust me,” he said softly. “But don’t walk away, either.”

With that, he disappeared into the night, leaving Ivy more confused than ever.