The dim corridors of the castle were quieter than usual as you made your way toward the common room. Your heart was light, a smile tugging at your lips as you thought about Theodore. He had just finished a training session with the boys, and you couldn’t wait to see him. He had been working so hard lately, and you wanted to surprise him—maybe run your fingers through his tousled hair, press a soft kiss to his jaw, and tell him how proud you were.

As you neared the entrance, the sound of laughter filtered through the door. It was a familiar melody—Draco, Mattheo, Regulus… and Theodore.

You hesitated, hand hovering just inches from the door.

"You really have her convinced, Theo," Draco’s voice drawled, amusement evident. "She’s utterly in love with you."

Your brow furrowed.

"And why wouldn’t she be?" Mattheo added with a chuckle. "You’ve got the whole quiet, brooding, mysterious thing going for you. Works every time."

Your breath hitched.

"Well, it’s not like I had to try hard," Theodore’s voice finally cut through. The warmth you always felt when hearing him speak vanished instantly. "She’s useful. Her family name alone makes her worth keeping around."

A chorus of low chuckles followed.

"You’re playing this well," Regulus mused. "She actually thinks you love her."

There was a pause. Then Theodore sighed. "It’s not about love. It never was. She’s a means to an end."

You stumbled back.

Your heart, which had just moments ago been beating with warmth and anticipation, now pounded with something cold and foreign. It didn’t make sense. The way he looked at you, the way he held you, the way he whispered your name like it meant something. It had to be real… right?

But this? This wasn’t the Theodore you knew.

"She’ll never suspect a thing," Draco said, amused.

"Of course not," Theodore replied smoothly. "She trusts me."

Your throat tightened, and suddenly, the walls felt like they were closing in. You had to get out of there before they saw you, before Theodore caught a glimpse of your devastation.