The stone walls of the ancient castle loomed high as you stepped into the grand courtyard for the first time. But it was not the landscape that caught your attention—it was the eyes of the boys.

They were standing near the fountain, but their attention was unmistakably on you. You could feel the weight of their gaze from a distance.

A soft warmth pulsed from the sigil etched on your chest, invisible to anyone who hadn't been trained to notice it. But to you it was like a beacon, revealing their thoughts and words to you in real time. A quiet whisper at the back of your mind told you exactly what they were saying.

Tom, was the first to speak up with a thoughtful glance in your direction. “Who’s that?” His eyes scanned you up and down. “She’s... different.”

Mattheo grinned. “She’s definitely something. Don’t know who she is, but she’s sexy as hell.” The words slid off his tongue with an easy confidence.

The smirk tugged at the corners of your lips as you heard his comment loud and clear. Your sigil pulsed again, brightening slightly at the surge of attention.

Draco let out a low chuckle. “Pretty, too,” he muttered with a nod, his attention unwavering.

“She looks... interesting. Mysterious.” Blaise tilted his head slightly, studying you as if he could see through the layers you’d wrapped around yourself.

Then, Regulus glanced over at you, his piercing gray eyes narrowing slightly. He caught the smirk on your lips, the knowing twist of your expression, and his brows furrowed in sudden suspicion. “Is she hearing us?” he asked.

Mattheo waved his hand dismissively. “Oh, come on, man,” he said with a light laugh, nudging Regulus in the side. “It’s not possible. She’s just reacting to being looked at, like anyone would.”

But you knew better. The sigil on your chest shimmered faintly with the heat of their words, and you couldn’t stop the smirk that played on your lips.

Lorenzo said nothing, but there was something in the way he watched you—something that suggested he was already assessing you.