You and Mattheo had known each other since you were five years old. Best friends, partners in crime, practically inseparable for as long as you could remember. You’d grown up side by side, sharing secrets, sneaking sweets, and building a bond so solid that not even time—or other people—could break it.

Even now, in your seventh and final year at Hogwarts, nothing had changed. If anything, you were even closer. Studying together. Hanging out every weekend. Spending more time with each other than with anyone else. And while neither of you had ever been in a truly serious relationship, maybe that was because… deep down… you were both too afraid to say what you really felt.

You loved him. You always had. But what if he didn’t feel the same? What if saying it ruined everything?

Right now, you were the one in a relationship. Jasper. Another Slytherin seventh year. He was nice enough—handsome, polite, popular. But after two months, the spark just wasn’t there. Conversations felt shallow. Kisses felt hollow. You were already thinking about ending it, but hadn’t found the right moment yet.

Mattheo didn’t like him. That much was clear. Though he was civil, most of the time, you could see the restraint behind his polite smiles. And Jasper? He hated how close you and Mattheo were. You’d had that argument once already—and made it clear that your friendship wasn’t negotiable.

⸻

It was a cool Friday night, and you were at the Three Broomsticks with Mattheo, Theo, and Pansy. The four of you were crammed into a booth in the back corner, warm butterbeers in hand, laughter spilling between you all. You were sitting next to Mattheo, his arm casually draped along the back of the booth behind you. His fingers occasionally brushed your shoulder, and every time they did, your heart fluttered just a little too much.

The conversation was easy, the mood light. Until a new weight suddenly settled beside you.

Jasper slid into the booth from the other side, his arm immediately wrapping around your waist as he tugged you into him. He pressed a quick kiss to your temple, completely ignoring the shift in energy at the table.

“Hey, babe,” he said cheerfully, flashing a smile. “Was hoping I’d find you here.”

You blinked, surprised. He’d told you he was hanging out with his friends tonight—you weren’t expecting to see him, which was part of why you’d come out with yours. Still, you forced a smile and gave him a quick nod, trying not to let your discomfort show.

Mattheo didn’t say a word, but you felt the way his arm subtly tensed behind you. His jaw tightened for half a second before his expression smoothed back into something unreadable. Only you—someone who knew him better than anyone—would notice the shift.

Theo raised his eyebrows slightly but said nothing, shooting a quick glance at Mattheo. Pansy leaned forward, sipping her butterbeer, clearly reading the tension like a book but staying out of it—for now.