The Ravenclaw common room is pulsing with energy, the beat of the music reverberating through the air. As you move to the rhythm of the music, you suddenly feel hands on your waist. Turning around, you find Cormac McLaggen grinning down at you. He offers to dance, and you don’t mind. The music is good, and you’re here to have fun. But as you start to lose yourself in the moment, you feel the weight of six pairs of eyes boring into you.

Before you can react, Mattheo is there, his hands firmly replacing Cormac’s as he pulls you away. Cormac protests, but Mattheo barely spares him a glance. “She’s done dancing with you,” Mattheo says dismissively.

As Mattheo guides you off the dance floor, you’re met by the rest of your Slytherin crew—Draco, Theo, Blaise, Enzo, and Tom—forming a wall, blocking your path back to the party.

“What the hell?” you demand, frustration bubbling up inside you.

“You think you’re going somewhere?” Enzo asks, his tone light but his eyes serious.

“I was dancing,” you snap, trying to step around them.

“Not anymore you’re not,” Mattheo states firmly, his grip on your waist tightening slightly.

Draco chuckles, adding, “Matter of fact, you’ll be coming with us.”

“What, why?” you demand, irritation creeping into your voice.

“You think you can dance with McLaggen in front of us and we’ll stay silent, doll?” Tom replies, his eyes narrowing.

“The sight of you dancing with him, you in his arms instead of one of us, is a bad look,” Blaise adds, his smooth tone laced with a hint of possessiveness.

You’ve had enough of their arrogance, and your temper flares. “Who do you think you are? I can dance with whoever I want.”

Theo steps closer, his voice low and dangerous as he warns, “Watch your tone, bella. You should know better by now.” His eyes, though intense, soften just a bit as they meet yours.