Chloe Lockwood had always considered herself an ordinary student at Hogwarts. She had no grand ambitions like Hermione, no fiery spirit like Ginny, and certainly no reputation like Harry Potter. But this year felt different. There was an electric charge in the air, a tension she couldn't quite shake.

It all started the day she bumped into Draco Malfoy in the hall.

She had been hurrying to Transfiguration, her mind racing with thoughts of essays and upcoming exams, when it happened. One moment, she was weaving through a crowd of students, and the next, she was colliding with Draco's broad chest. His cold gray eyes met hers, a sneer curling at the corners of his lips.

"Watch where you're going, Lockwood," he sneered, brushing off the invisible dirt on his robes.

Chloe had always found him insufferable — his smug attitude, his mocking voice. But something about his proximity stirred a strange, unfamiliar feeling in her. She quickly mumbled an apology, flustered, and stepped back.

Yet, his eyes lingered on her. He didn't speak again, just studied her for a moment before turning away.

Later that day, when Chloe sat at her usual spot in the Great Hall, she tried to shake off the encounter. After all, Draco Malfoy wasn't someone she would ever let into her heart. But it was hard to ignore the flutter in her stomach when his gaze found hers across the room, brief but sharp.

Then there was Harry.

Harry Potter had always been a constant in her life. They had shared a few classes, a few friendly conversations, but Chloe had always admired him from a distance. He was kind, brave, and everyone loved him for it. But it was in the last few weeks that something shifted between them.

It happened during an encounter in the library. Chloe was hunched over a pile of textbooks, desperately searching for information on Transfiguration charms, when she heard a familiar voice.

"Need help?"

Chloe looked up to see Harry standing there, his glasses perched on the edge of his nose, a gentle smile on his face. She had to admit, she had never seen Harry Potter look so warm and inviting.

"I'm fine, just a bit stuck on this," she replied, motioning to her open book. Harry sat down beside her without hesitation, his presence soothing and reassuring.

For the next hour, they poured over her textbook together, discussing everything from advanced Transfiguration theory to the finer points of charm casting. Chloe couldn't help but notice how effortlessly Harry made her feel at ease, how his laughter made her heart skip a beat.

That night, as she lay in bed, Chloe stared at the ceiling, trying to sort through the storm of emotions churning inside her. How could she be so drawn to both Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter?

It wasn't supposed to happen like this.

Draco was everything Harry was not — arrogant, secretive, and cynical. He had a way of pushing people away, of hiding behind his harsh words. And yet, Chloe couldn't ignore the moments when she felt something beyond disdain in his eyes.

Harry, on the other hand, was her steady rock. He made her feel like she mattered, like she could be something more than just another student at Hogwarts. She could tell he cared for her, but was it love, or just the bond they shared in their fight against darkness?

Chloe didn't know who she was supposed to choose. Both of them pulled her in different directions, leaving her confused and vulnerable. But the heart didn't always listen to reason, and the more time passed, the more she found herself caught in the tug-of-war between them.

As the days went on, their paths seemed to cross more frequently. Harry would offer her small, thoughtful gestures, while Draco would appear unexpectedly, always with a comment that made her blood boil. But underneath his sharp words, she couldn't help but sense that there was more to him — something deeper, something hidden.

But what if she was wrong? What if both of them would only hurt her in the end?

Chloe tried to focus on her classes, tried to push her feelings aside, but every time she saw either of them, her heart would race. Draco's presence made her pulse quicken in frustration and desire, while Harry's warmth made her feel safe and seen.

She had to make a choice, but for now, all she could do was wait for the answer to reveal itself.

The heart, after all, always knows when it's ready.