Y/n stood just inside the entrance, trunk at her side, heart somewhere between her ribs and her throat. Six months away. Six months of group chats, late-night calls, and promises that nothing would change.

The corridors were buzzing with students back from break. Laughter. Yelling. Someone's phone was blasting a TikTok from a speaker. Life was already moving without her.

The Slytherin common room was just ahead, all black leather, green accents, and firelight. She could already hear their voices through the door.

Instead, she pushed the door open, and for a second, no one noticed.

She saw them. All of them. Draped over the couches, laughing at something on Astoria’s phone. And in her usual corner, curled up in Y/n's favorite spot, was a girl she didn’t know. Blonde hair. Soft smile. Wearing a hoodie that looked exactly like the one Y/n had left behind.