The library was unusually quiet. Sunlight slanted through tall windows, casting golden patterns across the wooden tables. You had settled into what you thought would be a peaceful afternoon, flipping through a textbook, when Blaise's voice shattered the tranquility.

"You know," Blaise drawled, leaning casually against the edge of the table, "I'm starting to think you're in love."

You nearly dropped your quill.

Theo, sitting across from you, looked up from his book with a skeptical brow. "Seriously? You in love?" His voice was rich with disbelief, as if you were incapable of such a thing.

You rolled your eyes. "I am not in love with Mattheo."

A beat of silence.

Theo's lips curled into a smirk. "Right… and I didn’t mention him."

Your heart lurched. Damn it. You could feel the heat creeping up your neck, and Blaise had caught it too. He let out a low, satisfied laugh.

Before you could launch a retort, another voice cut in, smooth and languid.

"What's this?" Regulus strolled up. "A love confession in the library? How romantic."

Draco appeared right behind him, his expression as unimpressed as ever. "Sounds more like a scandal," he drawled. "Do tell."

"There’s no scandal," you said quickly, glancing desperately at your book as if it could shield you from their collective amusement.

"Except the fact that you just denied being in love with Mattheo," Theo supplied helpfully.

Draco's pale brows shot up. "Mattheo?" He smirked. "Now this I need to hear."

"There’s nothing to hear," you snapped.

Regulus tilted his head thoughtfully. "Sounds defensive to me. What do you think, Draco?"

"Absolutely defensive," Draco agreed. "Classic sign of a guilty conscience."

Blaise grinned. "Told you."

You groaned, burying your face in your hands. "You're all insufferable."

Regulus chuckled softly. "We try."

You glared at them, tempted to hex the lot of them right then and there. Instead, you muttered under your breath, "I need better friends."

Regulus smirked. "Ah, but where would you find anyone as charming as us?"