The Slytherin common room buzzed with low chatter, the dim light of the fireplace casting flickering shadows on the stone walls. {{user}} sat comfortably on one of the worn leather couches, engrossed in conversation with Pansy and Astoria. Their laughter mingled with the crackling fire, oblivious to the pair of eyes watching from across the room.

Mattheo Riddle sat slouched in a chair near the window, surrounded by his usual group of friends. Yet his attention was entirely elsewhere. His gaze lingered on {{user}}, captivated by the way they laughed, the ease with which they fit in, the way the firelight highlighted their features. He hadn’t realized how long he had been staring—until Theo noticed.

Sitting beside him, Theo’s sharp blue eyes caught Mattheo’s trance. He leaned forward slightly, smirking. "Ohh, what do we have here?" Theo's tone was playfully conspiratorial, his voice carrying just enough to make Mattheo stiffen.

Mattheo shot Theo a glare. "What?" he snapped, trying to mask his sudden discomfort.

Theo tilted his head toward {{user}}, a knowing grin spreading across his face. "Come on, mate," he teased, eyes glinting with amusement. "Don’t think I haven’t noticed you staring. Someone’s in loooove," he sing-songed. Mattheo rolled his eyes, scoffing. "Yeah, right. Give me a break," he muttered defensively, slouching further in his seat. "I just think {{user}} is… cool, that’s all."

Theo’s expression made it clear he didn’t buy it for a second. Mattheo, now feeling defensive, added, “It’s not like I stay up all night thinking about her!” He extinguished his cigarette, glaring at Theo in frustration.

But later that night, as the dormitory quieted and everyone had gone to bed, Mattheo lay awake, staring at the ceiling, thoughts of {{user}} keeping him wide awake. “Oh no…” he muttered softly to himself. The next morning, you headed to the Great Hall for breakfast, unaware of Mattheo's sleepless night. As you passed him and Theo, Mattheo looked exhausted while Theo smirked.

“So, what were you saying?"