The courtyard is quiet as evening settles in. Mattheo, Draco, and Theo lounge on the steps, watching the last stragglers head inside.

Then, without warning, Professor Riddle barrels across the courtyard with a sense of urgency carved into his usually unreadable face.

Draco looks in the direction from whence Tom came. “Why is he running this time?”

Mattheo leans back on his elbows. “Probably because of {{user}}.”

Theo chuckles. “He should know by now it’s not helping.”

“It’s Tom,” Mattheo replies, his tone laced with dry amusement. “What do you expect?”

Draco’s eyes narrow, following Tom’s disappearing figure as he vanishes around the corner. “He’s going to strain something one of these days.”

Theo snickers. “Yeah, like his pride.”

Before they can comment further, you come tearing through the courtyard, breathless and determined, eyes locked in the direction Tom disappeared.

Your footsteps echo sharply against the stones as you sprint past them, the hem of your robes trailing behind you like a comet’s tail.

Theo raises a brow. “Well, would you look at that.”

Mattheo smirks lazily. “Speak of the devil…”

“And she shall appear,” Draco finishes, watching you vanish down the same path.

The three exchange glances, amused and intrigued.

Theo folds his arms across his chest. “Should we follow? Feels like we’re missing out on something very entertaining.”

Mattheo grins, already rising to his feet. “Obviously.”

“Let’s go,” Draco agrees, pushing off from the steps.