You and Theo had grown up side by side—best friends since before you could even spell the word “friendship.” Over the years, you’d become each other’s constant: always within arm’s reach, always understanding each other without needing to speak. He was your person. Protective, sarcastic, infuriating… and perfect.

And, somewhere along the way, feelings started to grow.

They crept in slowly—through shared blankets in the common room, through late-night conversations whispered in the dark, through the way his eyes always found yours first in a crowded room. But neither of you had ever dared to say it aloud. You were both too scared of ruining what you had, too afraid that the other didn’t feel the same.

So, you stayed quiet.

And watched.

He dated. You dated. But it never worked—not for either of you. Your closeness drove away anyone who tried to come close. Jealousy always won.

Now, Theo was dating Cassie—a younger Slytherin with blonde hair and an annoying voice that sounded like she practiced every word in the mirror. She was clingy. Overly sweet. And just fake enough that even Enzo didn’t bother pretending to be polite. No one in your circle liked her. Least of all you.

She wasn’t that pretty, despite what she seemed to believe. And deep down, you suspected Theo didn’t even really like her. You weren’t sure what she gave him—maybe a distraction, maybe just something physical. The thought of them together made your chest tighten, but like always, you buried that feeling and smiled through it.

Dinner in the Great Hall was in full swing. The Slytherin table buzzed with laughter as you sat shoulder-to-shoulder with Theo, flanked by Mattheo, Enzo, Blaise, and Draco. The conversation bounced around between teasing insults, snarky jokes, and half-serious debates about Quidditch standings.

You were in the middle of laughing at something Enzo had said when you saw her.

Cassie.

She entered the Great Hall with one of her Ravenclaw-tagalong friends, eyes zeroing in on Theo like a heat-seeking spell. You barely had time to react before she appeared beside him, throwing her arms around his neck and pressing a kiss to his cheek.

You watched silently as Theo let his arm wrap loosely around her waist—a gesture of obligation, not affection. He offered her a faint smile, the kind that didn’t reach his eyes. You knew that smile too well.

Cassie looked up at him adoringly, her voice syrupy sweet.

“Hey baby, I missed you today.”

Theo replied smoothly, but with that distant tone you recognized instantly. “Oh, you did? Well… I’m here now.”

You felt the shift in him—subtle but clear. That was his “I’m already done with this” voice. You’d heard it a hundred times before. He always used it right before he ended things.

Cassie didn’t notice.

But you did.

She glanced toward you—her expression darkening into a glare so fast it was almost impressive. The scowl she shot you could’ve curdled milk.

You rolled your eyes and smirked at her, turning back toward your plate.

Across the table, Mattheo had clocked the entire exchange. His smirk grew instantly.

He leaned in a little, nudging your foot under the table with his. “Careful,” he whispered under his breath with a wink. “Looks like someone’s getting possessive again.”

You huffed a quiet laugh, but your eyes drifted back to Theo without meaning to. He was looking at Cassie now, his hand already slipping from her waist.

But when he glanced toward you—just briefly—his eyes lingered.

Longer than they should’ve.