Hermione and Ivy strolled through the quiet corridors, their voices echoing as they talked and laughed about everything from classes to the upcoming Quidditch season. The air was crisp with the faint smell of parchment and candle wax as they made their way back toward the Gryffindor Tower.

As they entered the castle, their carefree conversation abruptly halted when they were met by Cedric, his expression stormy. He stood in the middle of the corridor like a barrier, his arms crossed.

"I need to talk to Ivy," he said, his voice firm and edged with frustration.

Ivy stopped in her tracks, her stomach sinking. "No," she said flatly, shaking her head. "I don't want to talk to you, Cedric."

She tried to walk past him, but his hand shot out, gripping her arm tightly. His fingers dug into her skin, and she winced.

"I said," he repeated, his voice low and dangerous, "I need to talk to you."

The intensity in his tone sent a shiver down her spine. Ivy glanced at Hermione, who hesitated before giving Ivy a pat on the shoulder. "I'll meet you back at the dorm, okay?" Hermione said, her voice uncertain.

Ivy opened her mouth to protest, but Hermione was already walking away, leaving her alone with Cedric.

"Fine," Ivy muttered, her voice clipped. "Talk."

Cedric didn't reply right away. Instead, he pulled her by the arm into a dimly lit, secluded corner of the castle. The shadows seemed to close in around them, making Ivy feel trapped. She yanked her arm free, glaring at him.

"What do you want, Cedric?" she snapped.

"What do I want?" he echoed, his voice rising. "You've been ignoring me, Ivy. You think you can just walk away and act like I don't exist?"

"I walked away because you're toxic, Cedric!" she shot back, her voice trembling with anger. "We were miserable together, and you know it!"

Cedric's face twisted into a sneer. "Miserable? You're the one who made it that way. Always running your mouth, always picking fights-"

"Don't you dare blame this on me!" Ivy interrupted, her voice rising. "You were controlling, manipulative, and-"

"Watch your mouth," Cedric growled, stepping closer.

For a moment, Ivy froze, her heart pounding. She was about to shout back when another voice cut through the tension like a blade.

"I'd suggest stepping away from her."

Both Ivy and Cedric turned to see Tom Riddle standing a few feet away, his posture calm but his eyes cold and calculating.

Cedric glared at him. "Stay out of this, Riddle. It's none of your business."

Tom tilted his head, a faint smirk playing at his lips. "Oh, but it is when you're acting like a brute in the middle of my castle."

"Your castle?" Cedric scoffed, but the edge in his voice faltered under Tom's unyielding gaze.

"I said," Tom repeated, his tone deceptively soft, "step away from her."

For a moment, it seemed like Cedric might argue, but something in Tom's expression made him think better of it. With a frustrated huff, Cedric turned back to Ivy. "This isn't over," he spat before storming off.

Ivy exhaled shakily, her body still tense. She turned to Tom, her eyes narrowing. "What, are you going to mock me now?"

Tom raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by her hostility. "Mock you? Hardly. If you prefer dealing with him alone next time, by all means, let me know."

"I didn't ask for your help," Ivy snapped, crossing her arms.

Tom's smirk returned, but there was something different about it this time-almost amused. "And yet, you needed it."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Ivy standing in the shadows, her emotions a tangled mess of frustration, embarrassment, and a strange, unwelcome sense of gratitude.

**i love this part omddddd**