You were curled up on a couch in the common room, looking around lazily. “You would not hold up well under t0rture,” you said, voice casual, almost amused.

Tom, who had been lazily twirling his wand between his fingers, stilled. His eyes narrowed slightly. “Oh, and you would?” he challenged, a smirk tugging at his lips.

You met his gaze evenly. No hesitation. No bravado. Just truth. “I did.”

The room felt like it exhaled all at once, yet no one spoke.

Mattheo straightened slightly, his playful smirk fading. Draco’s jaw tensed while Blaise suddenly looked far more interested, his eyes scanning your face for any sign of a lie.

Regulus was the first to react. He didn’t speak, but the subtle shift in his expression—the way his fingers curled slightly against his knee—told you he understood in a way the others might not.

Theodore tilted his head. “You’re serious,” he murmured, barely above a whisper.

You simply nodded.

Silence stretched between you all.

Tom, who had been watching you the entire time, leaned forward slightly. His smirk had long since vanished, replaced with something unreadable. “What happened?” His voice was softer now, not demanding, but… curious.

Your gaze flickered around the room, to the faces that were now watching you with a mix of understanding and unease. They weren’t just looking at you anymore. They were seeing you.