You’d been friends with the Riddle brothers since first year—a friendship that, at first, left most people confused. The sweet girl everyone thought you were, paired with the two most intimidating boys at Hogwarts? It didn’t make sense… until people saw the other side of you. The side with attitude.

Sure, Mattheo was loud and more outgoing, while Tom was reserved, cold even—but both had a soft spot for you. And you weren’t overly sensitive, which meant you could handle their moods, their protectiveness, and all the chaos that came with being close to them. You didn’t back down. You pushed back. You held your own.

And they loved it—even if they’d never say it out loud.

You were sitting with the brothers in the Slytherin common room, the three of you talking quietly, when another boy walked by. His eyes dragged slowly over you, a smirk tugging at his lips.

Mattheo’s jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides. Tom didn’t move, but the shift in his expression was enough—eyes suddenly sharp and glinting with warning.

“Eyes off her,” Mattheo said, his voice low, commanding, and cold.

The boy chuckled, clearly unfazed—or pretending to be. “I’ll look where I want, Riddle.”

You sighed and shook your head. This wasn’t going to end well. Who in their right mind challenged Tom or Mattheo?