There was an unmistakable scent in the air.Not magic.Sugar.

  Love was an invasive spell at Hogwarts, and by morning, it had infected everything.

  Owls were swooping through the Great Hall in a chaotic ballet of feathers and heart-shaped letters. Candies that whispered sweet nothings in the recipient’s ear. Enchanted parchment that flushed red when held by your “true match.” Even the toast had turned pink.

  Jake had burned three confession drafts before breakfast.

  “This one’s too formal.” Crumple.“This one sounds like I’m proposing marriage.” Toss.“And this one…” he held it up proudly, “this one is perfect.”

  He cleared his throat dramatically at the table.

  “Evie,When I first saw you, I thought an angel accidentally fell through a portrait into the real world. I think I love you. Also, I may be allergic to your hair. But in a romantic way.Yours in destiny,Jake Dawson, Gryffindor's MVP-in-waiting.”

  Desmond spat out his pumpkin juice.

  Nathaniel whispered, “Are you high on sugar quills again?”

  I blinked slowly. “You’re going through with this?”

  Jake grinned. “Round two. This time, she will say yes.”

  Valentine's Chaos: The Confession

  Jake had timed it perfectly — just after Charms css. He intercepted Evie in the courtyard. She wore her signature Gryffindor red scarf over her uniform, her fiery hair blowing like war banners in the breeze.

  I watched from the hallway arch. Because of course I did.

  “I know you said maybe,” Jake said, standing tall with a heart-shaped box, “but I’m hoping today it’s a yes. You know, Valentine’s Day magic and all.”

  Evie looked at him for a long moment.

  Then… smiled.

  A small, simple thing.

  “Alright,” she said.

  “Wait—what?”

  “I said alright.”

  Jake’s brain visibly rebooted.

  “Does this mean… you’re saying yes?”

  Evie arched a brow. “Unless you’d like me to change my mind.”

  Jake’s whoop echoed across the courtyard, startling two second years and a flock of enchanted doves. He twirled in pce and punched the air like he’d just caught the Snitch.

  Evie turned and caught my gaze.

  There was that small smile again.

  I gave her a nod, unreadable as ever. She gave one back, equally cryptic.

  That Evening – The Message

  Among the swirl of parchment, sweets, and hormonal breakdowns that had become Valentine’s Day, I found a letter tucked neatly in my satchel. Unmarked. Sealed with blue wax.

  Ravencw colors.

  It wasn’t enchanted—simple ink. The handwriting was clean, careful.

  “Caelum Rosier,I know what your eyes are.Meet me at the Astronomy Tower. Midnight.Come alone.”

  I stared at it for a long time, letting the words settle.

  It could’ve been a trap. It could’ve been a joke.

  But curiosity was louder than caution.

  Midnight – The Astronomy Tower

  Snow had dusted the stone stairs leading up to the highest point in Hogwarts. The castle y below like a dream carved in stone and moonlight. Stars burned sharp above, clear through the winter sky.

  She stood by the balustrade, back to me. Ravencw robes. Windswept hair.

  She turned when she heard me approach.

  Not someone I knew. Not closely.

  I didn’t speak.

  She did.

  “I… lied in the letter,” she said quickly, eyes wide. “I don’t know anything about your eyes. I just… didn’t know how else to get you to come.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “You lured me up a tower. With a lie.”

  “Yes,” she admitted, cheeks bright. “It was stupid. I panicked.”

  I tilted my head. “And what did you pn to do if I was angry?”

  “I brought chocote.” She held up a lumpy, heart-shaped bundle, awkwardly wrapped.

  I stared. Then let out a soft, rare sigh. “Why?”

  She looked down, embarrassed. “Because… I think I like you.”

  There it was.

  No dark truths. No conspiracies. Just honesty and teenage courage wrapped in nerves.

  “You don’t know me.”

  “I know enough.” Her voice was quiet. “You don’t talk much. You sit by yourself sometimes, but you watch everything. You helped that third-year with her spell when you thought no one was watching. You brought Jake to the Hospital Wing when everyone else panicked. And… you have those eyes. Like you’ve seen too much already. I just… wanted to tell you.”

  I was quiet for a long time.

  Then said gently, “I appreciate that.”

  Her smile faltered. “But?”

  “I’m not… looking for anything like that. Not now.”

  She nodded quickly, trying to cover the crack in her expression. “Right. Of course. I just thought maybe—”

  I cut her off. “But we can be friends.”

  She blinked.

  “Really?”

  I nodded. “Sure.”

  She let out a breath that seemed to have been locked in her chest since Halloween.

  “Friends,” she said, smiling.

  She extended the chocote toward me again.

  I took it this time.

  “I’m sorry for the lie.”

  “I’ve dealt with worse.”

  She ughed, surprised. “You’re actually kind of funny.”

  “Don’t spread that rumor.”

  Later That Night – Common Room

  Jake was snoring on the couch, still holding the scarf Evie gave him as a gift.

  Nathaniel and Desmond were arguing about who got more candy from anonymous senders.

  Evie was reading quietly, her eyes flicking to me once as I entered. She gave a slow nod, which I returned before heading to the firepce.

  Alone again.

  But not quite as alone as I used to be.

  [End of Chapter 22]