You’re leaning against the drinks table, lost in your own thoughts, when Cedric approaches.

"So... do you have a boyfriend?" Cedric asks, his tone casual but his eyes telling too much.

“Why? You want to ask me out on a date?” You smile.

Across the room, Mattheo, Tom, Draco, Lorenzo and Regulus sit in a half-circle, engaged in conversation.

But your words? They cut through the music like a spell. Their gaze is fixed on you. Eyes narrow. Jaws clenched. Regulus raises a brow. Lorenzo twirls his glass, unimpressed. Draco just mumbles, "What's she doing?" and Mattheo is already sitting forward in his seat.

Cedric doesn’t notice. Of course he doesn’t.

“Maybe… do you have a boyfriend?” he asks again, leaning a bit closer.

“No…” You say it with a small smile.

“Cedric.” Mattheo’s voice is sharp.

Tom catches the flicker of rage in his brother’s eyes. “Mattheo—” he starts, but he’s too late.

“Tom. Hold my drink.” Mattheo’s voice is steady.

Tom takes it, already smirking. “Sure.”

Mattheo stalks forward like a predator, parting the crowd effortlessly, eyes locked on Cedric.

“Stay away from her.” Mattheo says, his voice low and dangerous.

Cedric’s smile falters. “I didn’t mean anything by it, I was just—”

“I don’t care what you meant.” Mattheo cuts him off. “Walk away.”

Cedric swallows and steps back. “Alright. Got it.”

As he slips away into the crowd, the room seems to exhale. The tension doesn’t fade, though.

Tom leans over to you and teases. "Next time you flirt with someone, give us a heads-up before Mattheo starts growling."

Draco raises a glass. “Honestly, we should start taking bets.”

“Ten galleons says he knock out the next one who flirts with her.” Lorenzo adds dryly.

“I’m in.” Regulus says without looking up from his glass.

"The next time you act like my attack dogs, I'm getting a leash." You shake your head, half laughing.

"Try it again and see how fast I bite." Mattheo smiles, sipping at his drink, his eyes still smoldering.