Mattheo watches as Tom’s gaze follows your every move. He’s never seen his older brother like this before—so still, so distracted, his cold demeanor softening just slightly.

“Are you actually going to ask her out, or are you just going to keep staring at her like a total creep?” Mattheo teases.

Tom’s eyes dart quickly back to the book he’s been pretending to read. “I am not staring at her.”

Mattheo lets out a chuckle. “You are so staring at her. You look like a creep, brother.”

“For the last time, I’m not staring at—” Tom cuts himself off, glancing briefly in your direction. He lowers his voice. “At {{user}}.”

Mattheo smirks. “It’s funny you say that, because I didn’t even mention her name.”

“He’s got you there, Riddle. You can’t deny it,” Theo snickers as his eyes drift toward you.

“Fine,” Tom mutters under his breath. “She has nice eyes, I guess.”

Mattheo and Theo exchange looks before both burst into quiet laughter.

“Yeah, sure, you were staring at her eyes,” Mattheo says with a knowing wink.

Theo grins. “She definitely has a nice pair, for sure.” His gaze drops for a moment, and he gets lost in thought. “And that ass…”

Mattheo’s laughter dies instantly as he realizes Theo has just crossed a dangerous line.

“What did you just say?” Tom’s voice is low and cold.

Theo jumps to his feet, nearly tripping over the table in front of him. “I didn’t mean— Never mind—” He bolts from the common room at full speed, just as Tom stands, wand already raised.

Theo barrels straight into you, causing you to stumble back slightly. You turn to look in the direction he fled from. That’s when you see Tom standing there. His cold gaze instantly falters under your scrutiny.

Mattheo leans toward Tom with a nudge. “Don’t just stand there looking like a doofus. Say something.”

Tom clears his throat, straightening his posture as he gives you the faintest, most awkward nod of acknowledgment. “Good evening,” he manages, his voice carefully composed, though the pink flush creeping up his neck doesn’t go unnoticed.