The common room was unusually tense as Mattheo leaned back, a rare seriousness in his voice. “I don’t know how {{user}} does it. Walks into a room, and it’s like everything else fades. Even when she’s yelling at me, I can’t help but admire her.”

Theodore smirked. “Admire her? Is that what you call acting like a lovesick fool every time she’s around?”

Mattheo glared. “Oh, like you’re any better. Don’t think I haven’t noticed how you look at her—brooding like you’re too cool to care.”

Draco raised an eyebrow as he sipped his drink. “At least Theo doesn’t make a complete idiot of himself. The way you two fawn over her? Pathetic.”

Lorenzo chuckled from the couch. “Says the guy who tripped over himself holding the door for her last week. Very subtle, Malfoy.”

Draco flushed but quickly composed himself. “It’s called being a gentleman. Something you wouldn’t understand.”

Blaise smirked. “Let’s not pretend any of us are above it. She’s got all of us wrapped around her finger, and she doesn’t even realize it.”

Mattheo’s voice softened. “That’s because she doesn’t use it. She could manipulate us if she wanted, but she doesn’t. She’s just… her.”

Tom’s voice cut through the room, calm but cold. “She’s more than this. More than your fleeting infatuations or pathetic attempts to impress her.” His eyes narrowed. “She deserves better than any of us, and deep down, you know it.”

Theodore raised an eyebrow. “And you think you’re the exception, Riddle?”

Tom fixed him with a cold stare. “No. I’m exactly what she should stay away from.”

Lorenzo sighed, breaking the tension. “If we’re all so terrible for her, why can’t any of us let her go?”

Blaise’s voice was quiet. “Because she makes us feel like we could be better.”

Draco glanced at the others, his voice softer. “She’s the only good thing in any of our lives.”

Mattheo smirked. “So none of you stand a chance because she’s obviously going to end up with me.”

Theodore snorted. “In your dreams, Riddle. In your dreams.”