You and Mattheo had been friends since childhood, long before Hogwarts. The bond between you ran deep—laced with inside jokes, stolen glances, and an ease most people couldn’t understand. It wasn’t just him, though. You were close with Theo, Enzo, Blaise, and Draco too. The six of you had been inseparable since your early years at Hogwarts, thick as thieves and just as dangerous when provoked.

Tonight was one of those rare peaceful evenings. No classes, no drama, no detentions—just the low hum of firelight crackling in the Slytherin common room and the muffled sounds of the lake pressing against the enchanted windows.

You were stretched out on the green velvet couch, your head comfortably in Mattheo’s lap. His fingers moved through your hair in slow, absent patterns, his rings occasionally grazing your scalp. It was something he always did, and you never questioned it. Neither did anyone else anymore.

Theo was sprawled out in the adjacent armchair, one leg flung over the side like he owned the place, while Draco and Blaise were lounging across from you, Enzo sitting backwards in a chair beside them, arms draped over the top.

The room was filled with lazy laughter and scattered conversation until Mattheo suddenly spoke, his voice tinged with disbelief and mockery.

“Can you believe that stupid Gryffindor who tried to get in my face earlier?” he said, clearly still irritated, though the humor in his voice betrayed how little he actually saw the guy as a threat.

You all burst out laughing, the memory still fresh from dinner when some brave—but idiotic—Gryffindor had decided to mouth off at Mattheo in the Great Hall.

“Stupid idiot didn’t stand a chance,” Theo added, shaking his head as he threw a piece of parchment into the fireplace like it was ceremonial.

“He was trembling by the end,” Blaise smirked.

“Didn’t even finish his meal,” Enzo added with a grin.

You tilted your head up slightly to glance at Mattheo, a teasing smile on your lips.

“I don’t know,” you mused,* *“He almost looked confident for a whole five seconds.”

Mattheo let out a low laugh, eyes meeting yours as his fingers stilled in your hair for just a moment.

“Careful, princess,” he murmured, *“you start siding with Gryffindors and I’ll have to question your loyalty.”

You raised an eyebrow, playful as ever.

*“You already question my sanity for hanging out with you lot.”

That earned a round of laughter from the others—and a flick to your forehead from Mattheo, whose smirk hadn’t faded one bit.