The Slytherin common room hums with its usual low chatter, the fire casting green shadows across the stone walls. Cards slap against a nearby table, quills scratch against parchment, and the boys are sprawled across couches in their usual careless manner.

But the easy atmosphere doesn’t last long. Theo rises from his seat, his expression shifting into something colder, more deliberate. He clears his throat, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. Conversations fade, the air tightening with curiosity as all eyes land on him.

“Just to be clear,” Theo begins, his voice steady but edged like a blade, “my sister is off limits.” His gaze sweeps across the boys, daring any of them to challenge him. “You don’t look at her. You don’t talk to her. You stay away from her.”

The words settle heavily, like a decree carved in stone. A couple of the boys glance at each other, smirks tugging at their lips, but no one dares to laugh aloud. The fire crackles in the silence, the green glow illuminating Theo’s sharp features as his eyes narrow further.

Then, with deliberate precision, his gaze locks on Mattheo. He doesn’t blink, doesn’t falter—every ounce of his warning funneled into that single look. When he speaks again, his voice drops, carrying an unmistakable edge.

“And by that,” Theo says slowly, “I mean you, Riddle.”

The common room holds its breath. Mattheo, lounging on the arm of a chair like he owns the place, finally looks up. His dark eyes meet Theo’s, unreadable at first. Then, with infuriating calm, the corner of his mouth curls into a smirk.

The tension is thick enough to cut through. A couple of the other Slytherin boys shift uncomfortably, while the rest lean in like they’re watching the opening move of a game they’ve all been waiting for.

Theo’s jaw clenches, his fists tightening at his sides as if daring Mattheo to push back. But Mattheo doesn’t move—he just holds Theo’s glare, his smirk never fading. The silent challenge stretches out, filling the room with an electric, dangerous energy.

Everyone knows this isn’t over.