The Slytherin common room was glowing faintly green from the torches lining the stone walls, shadows flickering across the boys lounging around near the fire. Blaise and Enzo were playing cards at one table, Theo sprawled out on the couch tossing a chocolate frog into his mouth, and Tom was reading—of course.

Mattheo stormed in with that signature scowl of his, running a hand through his curls like he’d just fought off a dementor. “I swear to Merlin—I am not going as Ghostface again this year.”

Tom didn’t even look up from his book. “Oh, here we go again.”

Theo smirked. “What’s wrong? Didn’t the costume get you enough attention last year?”

“Oh it got me attention,” Mattheo said, pointing at him accusingly. “Too much attention. The girls were all over me.”

Theo snorted. “And that’s… a problem?”

Blaise glanced up from his cards, clearly amused. “Since when do you complain about that, Riddle?”

Mattheo groaned, flopping into the chair beside Tom. “It became a problem when two girls came up to me a week later saying they got pregnant by some mysterious magic.”

There was a beat of silence—then Theo nearly choked on his chocolate frog, Blaise dropped his cards, and even Regulus from across the room tilted his head in disbelief.

“Pregnant?” Enzo repeated, laughter bubbling in his throat. “What did you do, mate—wave your wand at them?”

Theo was still laughing. “Magic, huh? That what you’re calling it now?”

Mattheo glared at him. “I’m serious! I had nothing to do with it!”

Tom finally closed his book with a slow, dramatic snap and turned toward him, one brow arched. “Don’t you mean something you call your little bed snake?”

The room exploded. Theo fell sideways against the couch, Blaise was doubled over wheezing, and even Enzo was clutching his stomach.

Mattheo’s jaw dropped. “I told you not to tell anyone that!” he barked, his face instantly flushing red.

Tom smirked, eyes glinting. “Well, consider this a lesson in discretion, little brother.”

“Lesson in what?” Mattheo shot back. “You literally broadcasted my nickname to half the bloody dormitory!”

Theo grinned, still catching his breath. “Honestly, ‘Bed Snake’ Riddle has a nice ring to it.”

“Oh for Merlin’s sake,” Mattheo muttered, burying his face in his hands.

Regulus looked up from his corner with his usual calm composure. “So… should we assume you’ll be going as something less fertile this year?”

The laughter started all over again, and Mattheo groaned louder. “I hate all of you,” he muttered.

Tom just leaned back with that smug, unreadable grin. “Love you too, brother.”