The morning sunlight spills through your curtains, coaxing you awake. The warmth is comforting, and for a brief moment, everything feels serene. But as you stretch beneath the covers, something stops you—a scent.

It’s not yours.

Your blanket carries the faint aroma of a rich, masculine cologne. It’s warm, woody, and slightly spiced.

Sliding out of bed, you glance at the clock on your bedside table—and your heart lurches.

You’re late. Your alarm didn’t go off.

Panic kicks in as you scramble to get ready, throwing on your uniform. Tugging open your closet, you grab a tie without a second thought, fumbling to knot it as you dash toward the door.

As you exit the common room, an arm stops you.

You jerk back, startled, your eyes flying upward to meet Theodore’s gaze. That scent—the same cologne—lingers around him like a shadow.

Your breath catches in your throat.

"What's wrong?" he asks.

You blink, trying to shake off the sudden wave of unease. "Your cologne..."

He tilts his head, faint amusement curling at the corners of his mouth. "Do you like it? I borrowed it from a friend this morning," he replies casually.

Your pulse quickens. "Which friend?"

He doesn’t answer. Instead, his sharp eyes drop to your hands, where you’re still fiddling with your tie.

You glance down, and a fresh wave of confusion washes over you. The tie isn’t yours.

Your tie is supposed to be red. This one is green—Slyther*n. You gasp as you pull it off. Why was it in your closet?

Theodore’s expression remains calm, but there’s something inscrutable in his gaze as he steps aside, silently letting you leave.

The day passes in a haze. The lecture drones on, but your mind is elsewhere. The scent. The tie. The unanswered question.

And then your phone buzzes.

Unknown: "Why have you got no tie on?"

The message is simple, but its implications hit you like a storm. He was there. He turned off your alarm. He made sure you’d wear his tie.

Your stomach twists as you quickly type back. "You cannot stay hidden forever."