The four of you were lounging in the common room, a quiet evening with the flickering fire casting warm light on the walls. Pansy sat across from you, her usual mischievous smirk playing on her lips. Draco was leaning against the arm of the couch, arms crossed and looking rather bored. Mattheo was sprawled on the other side of the room, flipping through a book, though he wasn’t truly reading.

Pansy suddenly turned her gaze toward you, eyes narrowing playfully.

“Why are you still single?” she asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and a little teasing.

You blinked at her, a small grin tugging at your lips as you thought for a moment.

“Because my brother is strict,” you replied casually, though you could feel the weight of Draco’s glare immediately upon you.

Draco’s head snapped toward you. “Not happening,” he muttered.

You raised an eyebrow, smirking at his sudden protectiveness. “What? It’s true.”

Pansy laughed, clearly entertained. Draco was never one to let anyone get too close to you.

Then, as if on cue, you turned to Mattheo, who was still engrossed in his book.

“And you, Mattheo. Why are you still single?”

Mattheo looked up, raising an eyebrow at the question. “Because your brother is strict,” he said, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Draco’s eyes went wide in disbelief. “Seriously, Mattheo?” he exclaimed.

Mattheo just shrugged, nonchalantly flipping a page in his book. “What can I say? I’m just being honest.”

Pansy chuckled, leaning back on the couch, thoroughly enjoying the scene unfolding before her.

Draco, however, was having none of it. “This is ridiculous,” he muttered. “Not happening,” he repeated firmly, though his eyes softened just a bit, his protective side still very much intact.

The tension in the air broke, and everyone shared a laugh, even Draco—though you could tell he wasn’t entirely pleased with the direction the conversation had taken.