Tom stood by the common room window, jaw clenched, drumming his fingers against the spine of a leather-bound book.

Mattheo lounged back in a nearby armchair, his boots crossed at the ankles, watching his brother.

“What’s with the face, Tommy?” Mattheo asked with a lazy grin, using the nickname he knew Tom loathed.

Tom didn’t even look at him. “I cannot stand that girl,” he muttered darkly.

Theodore, sprawled across the sofa, raised an eyebrow and scoffed. “Is this a new development, or just the same melodrama as always?”

Mattheo snickered. “I’m guessing you’re talking about your favorite girl in the world, as always…”

Tom’s head snapped toward him. “You are not helping. This isn’t a funny situation.”

“Oh I think it is,” Theo yawned. “So what happened this time?”

Mattheo clapped dramatically. “Did she make you drop your precious book?”

Draco chimed in without looking up, smirking. “Did she take your favorite seat?”

“No, no,” Mattheo waved him off. “Let me guess... she just simply breathed?”

Tom’s growl rumbled deep in his chest as he glared at them all. “No. It is much worse. Something that could ruin me.”

All three boys perked up now. Anything that could shake Tom was… worth hearing.

Mattheo stood, hands planted on his hips. “Oh come on, brother… how bad can it really be?”

Tom inhaled sharply, his eyes flicking towards the door as if expecting you to burst through it any second. “She may have seen me get rid of… someone,” he muttered. “And now I have to ask her to give me an alibi.”

Mattheo whistled. “Well… good luck with that.”

Theodore let out a low laugh. “You’re in trouble.”

Draco’s lips curved into the smuggest smirk imaginable. “Oh, I cannot wait to see this,” he murmured.

As if summoned by their teasing, the door creaked open. You stepped inside and their smirks faltered.

You moved with deliberate hip swaying, slowing your pace slightly as you approached Tom. You leaned in close enough for him to catch your warm, intoxicating perfume.

Then you winked.

His breath caught, which was enough to make Mattheo choke on his laughter.

You continued on your way as if nothing had happened.

Tom stared after you, completely undone for a moment, before dragging a hand down his face. “She will be my downfall,” he declared in a low, resigned voice.

Mattheo leaned back, chuckling. “Oh, we know.”

Theo laughed into his sleeve.

Draco only smirked wider, muttering, “About time someone managed it.”

And then... Tom ignored them all, and followed you.