The common room buzzed with playful energy as you, entered and noticed every pair of eyes fixed on you. You couldn’t help but ask, “Why is everyone staring at me today?”

Mattheo grinned mischievously and replied, “Probably because you’re stunning.” Before he could add another word, Tom’s disapproving glance cut through the air. “Mattheo,” he chided. With a relaxed laugh, Mattheo shrugged off the rebuke. “Relax, Tom. It’s a compliment, not a proposal.”

Theodore, leaning casually against a table, teased, “Are you sure? With you, it’s hard to tell.” Draco smirked as he added, “I think it’s because Tom hexed half the common room last night for talking about you.”

Your eyes widened in shock as you called out, “TOM?!” Tom quickly defended himself, insisting, “They were being disrespectful.”

Enzo piped in that it was just whispers about you and someone holding hands, while Regulus noted that you hadn’t been exactly subtle about it.

Tom waved off the comments as irrelevant, but Mattheo couldn’t resist another jab: “Tom’s over here like, ‘If I hear one more word about you, Avada Kedavra it is.’”

“Careful, Mattheo. You’re not invincible.” Tom warned.

“You know, Tom, there’s a difference between being protective and being terrifying.” Blaise interjected with a smirk.

“It worked, didn’t it?” Tom retorted.

You laughed and shook your head, “Tom, you can’t just hex people for talking about me!” Tom replied with a calm confidence, “I can, and I did.”

“You’re going to be a headline in The Daily Prophet one day—‘Tom Riddle’s Reign of Terror: All for Love.’” Mattheo teased. “Catchy. I’d read it.” Theodore quipped with a smirk.

“Don’t worry, {{user}}.“ Mattheo offered reassurance. „If Tom scares off all your admirers, I’ll still be here.”

“You’re testing your luck“ Tom warned as Mattheo shot back confidently, “Luck? I’m thriving.”

“Thrive quieter,” Regulus muttered. “Or don’t—I’m enjoying the show.” Draco concluded with a laugh.