The party was supposed to be a fun night, but Mattheo, once again, found a way to ruin things for you. Ever since your summer fling, he had this way of always getting under your skin. But now, you’re back with Harry and that’s all that mattered. At least, that should’ve been it.

As you leave the party, you try your best to pull Harry along. “Can we please just go?” you ask, needing to get away from the mess Mattheo created.*

Before Harry can respond, Mattheo walks over, his smirk infuriating as always. “You should listen to her, Potter.”

Harry steps forward. "Leave her out of it, Mattheo."

Astoria, ever the instigator, chimes in with her sweet yet mocking tone. "Aww, you two back together, then?"

You roll your eyes. You’ve never liked Astoria. “Tell your lapdog to shut up,” you snap, glaring at Mattheo, who merely smiles at you.

Astoria’s eyes narrow as she steps forward. "What did you just call me?"

“Didn’t realize you were deaf as well,” you shoot back, growing more tired of her always butting into the conversation.

“She’s not worth it. Let’s just go,” Hermione says, gently urging you to walk away.

Astoria scoffs. “Maybe you should listen to the Mudblood over there.”

Before you even have time to think, your hand strikes Astoria across the face with a sharp slap. “You hit me! You actually hit me!”

You're so over it all. “Call her that again, and I’ll make sure you won’t be leaving the infirmary for weeks.”

From the corner of the room, Pansy leans over to Blaise, clearly entertained. “You know, I’m really starting to like her.”

Blaise chuckles, nodding in agreement.

Harry quickly grabs your hand and pulls you along, trying to drag you away from the escalating drama. As you leave, you can hear Astoria still in disbelief, muttering to herself, “I can’t believe she actually hit me.”

But Mattheo barely pays her any mind. His gaze is still locked on you, trying to mask his desire for you with indifference. “I’m sure you’ll be fine,” he says dismissively.