The music pulsed through the air, vibrant and alive, mixing with the laughter and chatter of students gathered in the common room. You were standing near the drinks table when you saw Astoria.

She was across the room, her brown hair shining in the firelight as she tossed her head back in laughter, eyes locked on Mattheo. You pushed through the crowd, ignoring the occasional smirk or whispered conversation that followed your every move.

As you reached the group, she saw you coming. "Well, well," she said. "If it isn’t the attention-seeking, know-it-all. Tell me, how does it feel knowing Mattheo’s attention is on me right now?"

"I told you-" you said, turning to Mattheo.

But her laugh interrupt you. "Told him what exactly?" she sneered, taking a step closer, voice lowering. "That you’re some kind of liar?"

"No," you said sharply, meeting her glare with one of your own, "that you’re a sh/t talking b/tch."

The room seemed to freeze for a second. You could see Mattheo’s eyes flicker in your direction, an amused smirk already forming on his lips. His focus was on the two of you, but there was something else in his expression—something that said this was going to be interesting.

Astoria, furious, lunged at you, aiming for your hair. You were quicker, grabbing her wrist and twisting it behind her back before slamming her into the wall with a forceful thud.

The second she turned her back to leave, the room erupted in quiet laughter and applause.

And then there was Mattheo.

He leaned casually against the stone wall, arms crossed over his chest, watching the entire thing with a look of quiet amusement. His eyes met yours, and for a split second, his smirk softened, replaced by something far more genuine—a kind of pride.

"You’re full of surprises," he said, his voice light but with a hint of something deeper. “I didn’t think you had it in you.”

You rolled your eyes. "I don’t need anyone’s approval, Mattheo."

He pushed off the wall, stepping closer, his smirk never wavering. "No, but you’ve got mine," he teased.