The castle had settled into its usual rhythm as the weeks passed. Hogwarts was always bustling with energy—Quidditch training, studies, and late-night talks in the common rooms. For Ezekiel, however, this year felt different in more ways than one.
It wasn't the weight of being Lord Ravenclaw, nor the constant rivalry on the Quidditch pitch. No, what occupied his mind the most these days was Daphne Greengrass.
There was no longer hesitation between them.
No more barriers.
Only a growing intensity that neither of them had quite put into words yet.
---
The torches lining the corridors flickered softly as Ezekiel made his way through the dimly lit hallways. He wasn't looking for her.
At least, that's what he told himself.
But fate, or perhaps something stronger, had other plans.
Just as he turned a corner, he found himself face to face with Daphne.
She raised an eyebrow, arms crossed, her lips curled into an amused smirk. "Following me, Malverne?"
Ezekiel chuckled. "Hardly. But if I knew you'd be wandering the halls alone, I might have."
Daphne hummed, stepping closer. "Charming, as always."
Their interactions had shifted drastically in the past weeks. The careful politeness was gone. Now, there was teasing. There was tension. There was something unspoken yet undeniable.
And in the silence between them, something crackled.
---
Without thinking, Ezekiel reached out, his fingers brushing against her waist as he pulled her in slightly. Not enough to trap her, but enough to test the waters.
Daphne didn't pull away.
Instead, she tilted her head, her cool blue eyes searching his. "Bold tonight, aren't we?"
Ezekiel smirked. "Only when it comes to you."
The words hung in the air for a moment before Daphne closed the remaining distance between them, her hands pressing lightly against his chest.
"I've been wondering," she murmured, her voice lower now, more intimate. "When exactly did you stop seeing me as just an obligation?"
Ezekiel didn't hesitate. "The moment I realized how much I wanted you."
Daphne's breath hitched, just slightly.
Then, she surged forward, capturing his lips in a heated kiss.
It was slow at first—testing, exploring—but the moment Ezekiel responded, something ignited. His grip on her waist tightened as he pressed her against the stone wall, his body flush against hers.
Daphne exhaled softly as his hands roamed, tracing the curves hidden beneath her robes.
"We're in a hallway," she murmured between kisses, though there was no real protest in her tone.
Ezekiel smirked against her lips. "And?"
She huffed a soft laugh before pulling him back in, fingers threading through his hair as she deepened the kiss.
Neither of them cared about the setting anymore.
Not when the desire between them was growing harder to ignore.
And they had no reason to ignore it any longer.
---
When they finally pulled away, both of them were slightly breathless, eyes darkened with something unmistakable.
Daphne traced a finger down his chest, her touch lingering, teasing. "This is only the beginning, you know."
Ezekiel smirked. "I'd be disappointed if it wasn't."
Daphne chuckled, shaking her head. "Come on, Lord Ravenclaw. Let's get out of the hallway before we give someone a heart attack."
With a lingering glance, she took his hand and led him away.
And Ezekiel let her, knowing full well that there was no turning back from this.
---