You had just slipped into your room, deciding to change before the inevitable chaos of the sleepover carried into the late hours. The faint sounds of laughter drifted from the living room of the Manor, but for now, you relished the moment of solitude.

Shrugging off your robes, you reached for the oversized shirt you'd brought to sleep in, half-expecting the door to remain shut until you were finished.

Of course, the universe had other plans.

The door creaked open without warning, and there he was—Regulus, leaning casually against the frame with a raised eyebrow, his piercing gray eyes widening as they took in the scene.

"Are you kidding me?" you yelped, quickly pulling the shirt over your head to cover yourself. "Ever heard of knocking?"

"Didn't realize I needed permission to enter my room," he replied smoothly, though the slight flush creeping up his neck betrayed his usual composure. "Not my fault you're... indecent."

"Your room?" you echoed. "No, this is my room for tonight. Blaise said so."

"Funny," he drawled. "Because Lorenzo said it’s mine."

The realization struck you both simultaneously. The double bed. The lack of alternatives.

"One of us is sleeping on the floor," you declared.

"Fine by me," he shot back. "As long as it’s you."

You scoffed. "Dream on. You’re the intruder here."

"I’m not sleeping on the floor. It’s freezing in here." Regulus said.

"Then go share with someone else!" You shouted.

"Not happening. Blaise snores, Draco kicks, and Mattheo talks in his sleep."

You groaned, sinking onto the edge of the bed. "Unbelievable. Why am I stuck with you of all people?"

Regulus smirked faintly. "Believe me, the feeling’s mutual."

"Fine," you muttered finally. "But if you so much as breathe in my direction, you’re on the floor. Understood?"

"Crystal clear," he said as he sat on the edge of the mattress.

But in the dim light of the candle, you couldn’t help but notice how different Regulus looked—less composed, more human.

Not that it mattered. You still hated him.

Right?