Sia barely took a step toward the dormitories before a shadow moved in the corner of her vision.
Fast. Too fast.
Severus.
His black robes billowed as he cut off her path, his presence looming, dark and unrelenting.
She exhaled sharply. Of course.
"I don't recall asking for company," she said icily, crossing her arms.
His lip curled. "And I don't recall you having a choice."
Something in his tone made her hackles rise.
She tilted her head, arching a brow. "Let me guess. You were waiting for me? How flattering, Severus. I didn't know I had such a devoted stalker."
Something in his eyes sharpened.
"You're bold for someone so utterly out of their depth."
She scoffed. "And you're insufferable for someone who's barely taller than me."
He took a deliberate step forward. "Where were you?"
She stared at him, unimpressed. "Mind your own business."
He stepped closer.
She took a step back.
His eyes glinted with satisfaction.
"I warned you," he said softly, silkily, "about making enemies, Ashford."
She refused to flinch.
"Oh? Is this the part where I tremble in fear? Sorry, I must have left my script in my trunk."
He let out a sharp breath, something that might have been a laugh if it weren't so cold.
"You shouldn't be wandering the castle alone at night. It's dangerous."
She narrowed her eyes. "Oh, so this is about my safety now?"
His gaze darkened.
"You think I care?" His voice was low, sharp. "You don't listen, do you? I asked you a question. You will answer."
Sia glared up at him, her voice cutting.
"Jealous?"
He went still.
Her lips curled into a smirk. "Can't meet Lily, so you take it out on me instead?"
His entire expression shifted.
And before she could even blink, his hand shot out—
Fingers wrapping around her throat.
Sia's breath stopped.
Not tight. Not hurting.
Just holding.
A reminder. A threat.
Her pulse pounded beneath his grip.
His black eyes burned into hers, unreadable, endless.
She refused to look away.
His fingers tightened—just a fraction, just enough to make her aware of them.
"I'm growing tired of your mouth," he said coldly, voice soft, lethal.
Her breath hitched.
Then—something brushed the edges of her mind.
Her stomach dropped.
No—
She squeezed her eyes shut, but—
Too late.
He saw.
He read it.
The thought.
The sinful thought.
The heat of his palm against her throat.
The way his fingers pressed just enough to remind her of their presence.
The way he looked at her—so cold, so sharp, and yet—not indifferent.
Not indifferent at all.
The way something inside her thrilled at it.
The way her body reacted—betraying her, betraying her entire being.
Her face burned.
Rage exploded inside her.
"You bastard," she hissed.
She shoved at his chest—he didn't move.
"Stay out of my head."
His lips curled, slow, victorious. His eyes calculating.
"I don't need permission," he said, and the way he said it—low, knowing—made her want to slap him.
Something snapped inside her.
Fine.
If he wanted to take without asking—
So would she.
Sia reached.
Not gently. Not carefully.
Not asking.
Just taking.
Severus stiffened.
His grip on her throat twitched.
For one brilliant, blinding second, she felt him—
Curiosity.
No. Not just curiosity.
An obsession.
With her.
No—her power.
The power he had felt on the carriage ride. Twice.
And not since.
He had been watching. Waiting.
Trying to see what triggered it.
Emotion. It had to be emotion.
And now—now that he had seen in her head.
Now that he knew.
He could use it.
Her stomach twisted.
Then—
His mind slammed shut.
His fingers flexed—tightened—just for a second.
A warning.
But she wasn't done.
Her voice was low, venomous.
"Is that why Lily left you? Your lack in taking permission?" she whispered. "Is that why she hates you? Your obsessive nature?"
The words landed like a blade.
His entire body went still.
His fingers twitched against her skin.
And then—
He let go.
Stepped back.
Like she had burned him.
His face was blank, but his eyes—his eyes were raging.
He exhaled, slow, sharp.
"You'll regret that." His voice was quiet, almost too soft.
Sia lifted her chin, eyes cold.
"I am trembling." she drawled.
Then he stepped back.
Black eyes burning.
"Tomorrow onwards," he said icily, "your life will be hell."
And then—
He was gone.
Leaving Sia standing there—
Pulse hammering. Breath uneven.
Wondering what the hell she had just started.