The Slytherin common room is unusually peaceful for once, the fire crackling lazily as Mattheo sprawls across the emerald-green sofa, wand spinning between his fingers. He’s half-lost in thought, boots propped on the table, pretending not to notice Marvolo working silently at the far desk, quill scratching with precision.

Then Tom strides in.

Not the slow, dramatic Tom Riddle entrance—no. This one is purposeful, irritated, very much big-brother-on-a-mission.

“Mattheo,” Tom says sharply, not even glancing at Marvolo. “Ugh, can you tell me if—”

Mattheo immediately throws his head back. “No. Tom, no. You know what? No.” His wand drops out of his hand as he sits up. “You never listen to me when I’m saying something, so—just—no.”

The room freezes.

Theo, Blaise, and Enzo all look up like they just witnessed someone willingly jump into a dragon’s mouth.

Marvolo slowly raises his eyes, pen pausing mid-stroke. “He didn’t just say that,” he mutters under his breath.

Tom stops walking.

Very slowly.

Very quietly.

“Repeat that,” he says, voice low and perfectly calm—the kind of calm that makes everyone in the room suddenly very interested in the floor.

Mattheo’s bravado evaporates on sight. He lets out the softest, most pathetic shaky laugh. “I’m— I’m only joking,” he blurts. “Obviously. I was joking, Tommy. What do you want?”

Tom just stares at him, unimpressed and mildly entertained.

From the corner, Marvolo sighs. “You have a death wish, little brother.”

Mattheo throws his hands up defensively. “What? I’m practicing being assertive!”

Tom arches a brow. “Practice on someone who isn’t me.”

Mattheo immediately nods. “Yeah, fair enough. My mistake.”

Theo bites down a smile. Blaise snorts. Enzo whispers, “I thought he was done for.”

Tom ignores all of them and simply continues, “As I was saying… Mattheo, can you tell me if—”

Mattheo leans forward instantly, eager, obedient. “Yes. Absolutely. Anything. What do you need?”

Marvolo smirks behind his parchment. “Now that,” he says, “sounds more like a Riddle.”

And Mattheo just slumps back against the cushions, relieved to still be alive.