The Slytherin common room buzzed with chatter, parchment scattered across the tables as the late afternoon sun filtered weakly through the lake’s green water. You stood across from Mattheo, arms crossed, frustration tightening your chest.

“God, how many times do I have to say it?” Mattheo snapped, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t care who you date — we broke up. Ask out any guy you want.”

His tone was sharp, but there was a flicker of something else behind his eyes — something raw he couldn’t quite hide.

You lifted your chin, meeting his stare. “You don’t care?”

He exhaled through his nose, jaw clenching. “No. I don’t.”

From her corner of the sofa, Pansy looked up from a copy of Witch Weekly, smirking like she’d been waiting for the perfect moment to stir the cauldron. “See? I said you should’ve gone with Cedric.”

Mattheo froze. His head snapped toward her. “Cedric?!”

Theo snorted from his seat nearby, nearly choking on his drink. “Oh, this just got interesting.”

Draco smirked. “Diggory, really? The Hufflepuff poster boy?”

You rolled your eyes, trying to sound unbothered even as your pulse spiked. “What’s wrong with Cedric?”

Mattheo let out a humorless laugh. “Nothing. Nothing at all. Just didn’t realize you had a thing for golden boys who probably write love poems before breakfast.”

“Maybe I’m tired of bad habits,” you shot back, the words sharper than you meant.

The air in the room thickened. Mattheo’s smirk faltered for just a second before he masked it again. “Then by all means, sweetheart, go chase Diggory. Maybe he’ll teach you how to smile properly while you’re at it.”

Theo leaned toward Blaise, whispering, “He’s definitely not over her.”

Blaise didn’t even bother to hide his grin. “Oh, not even close.”

Pansy sat up, eyes sparkling mischievously. “Honestly, I think Cedric would look adorable walking Y/N to class.”

Mattheo’s glare snapped to her. “Pansy, do you want me to hex you?”

“Relax,” she teased. “I’m just trying to help you move on.”

Mattheo muttered something under his breath and sank back against the sofa, pretending to scroll through his phone but gripping it so tightly his knuckles turned white.

You sighed, shaking your head. “You’re unbelievable.”

He didn’t look up. “You knew that when you dated me.”

And with that, you turned and walked toward the dorm corridor, your footsteps echoing faintly behind you.

As soon as the door closed, Theo leaned forward. “Mate,” he said quietly, “you still care.”

Mattheo stared at the dying embers in the fireplace, his jaw tight, voice low enough that no one but the fire heard him.

“Yeah,” he muttered, “that’s the problem.”