After finishing unpacking, Ivy flopped onto her bed with an exaggerated sigh. "Mionieee, I'm bored," she whined, dragging out the words like a petulant child.

Hermione laughed, shaking her head in amusement. "How are you already bored? Fine, let's go for a walk," she said, pulling Ivy to her feet.

The pair wandered through the castle hallways, their conversation punctuated by giggles. The warm glow of the enchanted torches cast dancing shadows on the stone walls, but Ivy wasn't paying attention. She bumped into something-or rather, someone.

She looked up, her stomach twisting as her eyes met Tom Riddle's. His sharp features were set in an unimpressed scowl. Ivy rolled her eyes and attempted to walk past him, but he grabbed her wrist, his grip firm.

"Not even an apology?" he taunted, his voice low and laced with venom.

Ivy scoffed, jerking her arm back. "Why would I do that exactly?" she asked coldly, refusing to meet his piercing gaze.

Tom's laugh was sharp, humorless, and entirely unsettling. "Because you walked into me, idiot. Apologize," he demanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Ivy's jaw tightened. She hated the way he always seemed to have the upper hand. "Whatever. Sorry," she muttered, each syllable dripping with insincerity. Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and stalked off, Hermione hurrying to keep up.

Once they were out of earshot, Ivy groaned, throwing her hands in the air. "He is such a dickhead! Ugh, he makes me so mad!"

Hermione sighed, clearly unimpressed with Ivy's rant. "Okay, maybe just try ignoring him? Anyway, Cedric was looking for you when we arrived."

Ivy groaned even louder, shaking her head as though the motion could physically rid her of the problem. "No. Cedric hasn't left me alone since the breakup. I did the right thing by ending it, didn't I, Mionie?"

Hermione raised her hands in mock surrender. "You don't have to convince me. But just be careful. He seemed... pissed. It was weird."

Ivy frowned, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "Great. Just what I need. Two brooding idiots to deal with.I broke up with him because he was toxic and aggressive.I hate people sometimes."