They’re huddled together like conspirators in the corner of the room, tension wound tight between them.

Marvolo lowers his voice first, already sounding irritated. “Just don’t say anything. Pretend it wasn’t even us.”

Mattheo nods a little too fast. “Yeah. It’s not like he’ll know, right?”

Marvolo scoffs, waving a dismissive hand. “Please. It’s fine. Just play it cool.”

“Yeah,” Mattheo echoes, swallowing. “Play it cool.”

Marvolo straightens his robes, forcing confidence into his posture. “We’ve got this.”

The door opens.

Both of them freeze.

Tom steps inside, presence filling the room instantly. His eyes flick between the two of them, already suspicious before he even finishes his sentence. “Have either of you seen my—”

“It was Marvolo!”

The words explode out of Mattheo like a reflex curse.

“I swear on Salazar I didn’t do anything,” he rushes out, pointing at Marvolo like his life depends on it. “It was all him. Every bit. I wasn’t even involved.”

There’s a beat of silence.

Tom slowly turns his head toward Mattheo, one eyebrow lifting in quiet disbelief.

Marvolo drags a hand down his face. “So much for playing it cool, Mattheo.”

Mattheo winces, finally realizing what he’s done. “I panicked.”

Tom’s gaze lingers on Mattheo for a moment longer than necessary, something dark and amused flickering behind his eyes. Then he looks back to Marvolo.

“Interesting,” Tom says calmly. Too calmly. “So you both agree something happened.”

Neither of them answer.

Tom smiles.

And that’s when they both know they’re absolutely doomed.