Sixth year at Hogwarts was supposed to be manageable. Study for NEWTs. Survive Snape’s classes. Ignore the gossip spreading through the castle walls. Instead, Hermione Granger found herself trapped in a rivalry with a Slytherin student who seemed determined to make her lose her sanity. It starts with arguments — loud ones. In classrooms, libraries, hallways, and anywhere else the two happen to cross paths. Everyone notices the tension between them long before they do, especially when harmless competition slowly turns into obsession neither of them can explain. Because hatred shouldn’t feel this personal. And it definitely shouldn’t feel this addictive. Now the castle watches their every interaction like it’s entertainment. Friends place bets on who will snap first. Jealousy starts appearing where it shouldn’t. Lingering eye contact becomes dangerous. And somewhere between midnight study sessions, accidental vulnerability, and arguments that cut far too deep, the line between enemies and something far worse begins to blur. Unfortunately for both of them— Hogwarts has never been kind to people pretending not to feel something.