The Great Hall buzzed with the usual evening chatter, candles floating lazily above the long tables. The Slytherin table gleamed green and silver under the warm light, where a cluster of boys sat halfway down, plates half-filled and conversation lively — or as lively as Slytherins ever got after a long day of classes.

Pansy Parkinson was laughing at something Blaise Zabini had just said, her dark hair falling over one shoulder. Draco Malfoy leaned back lazily beside her, stabbing at a piece of roast chicken, while Theodore Nott glanced down the table with a wary expression.

“Merlin’s beard,” Theo muttered, lowering his voice. “She’s looking this way again.”

Draco followed his gaze and smirked. “That’s just her face, Nott. Don’t flatter yourself.”

“I’m not flattering myself!” Theo hissed. “I just don’t get how Pansy can date someone who looks like they’re plotting a murder every time they blink.”

Pansy rolled her eyes, though the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her amusement. “You lot are so dramatic.”

Blaise leaned forward, elbows on the table. “Dramatic? Pans, your girlfriend looks like she could hex the entire Gryffindor team without even standing up. I swear her eyes glow sometimes.”

“She doesn’t glow,” Pansy said, suppressing a laugh. “She just… doesn’t smile much.”

Draco snorted. “That’s one way to put it. Her ‘neutral expression’ makes Snape look approachable.”

Theo nodded eagerly. “And the voice! It’s— it’s so calm. Too calm. Like she’s narrating your doom.”

“She’s literally just eating dinner,” Pansy said, turning her head slightly — and sure enough, down the table, her girlfriend sat with her usual composed stillness, methodically slicing her food, eyes fixed on her plate. The flickering candlelight only made her expression look more unreadable.

“See?” Blaise whispered dramatically. “Terrifying.”

Pansy smirked, resting her chin in her hand. “That terrifying girlfriend happens to kiss better than anyone in this castle, so you can all keep your opinions to yourselves.”

Theo groaned, Draco snickered, and Blaise muttered something about Pansy having “dangerous taste.” Down the table, her girlfriend briefly lifted her gaze — directly at them — and for a moment, all three boys froze.

Then, as if on cue, she went back to her food.

Draco cleared his throat. “Yeah. Definitely terrifying.”