In the Great Hall, Theo barely hears any of the chatter surrounding him. His gaze is fixed on you, sitting at the other end of the Slytherin table, your smile bright as you lean closer to the Adrian next to you. He can’t even bring himself to look away as you laugh at something he says, your eyes sparkling in a way Theo remembers all too well.

You’re happy—happier than you’ve been in weeks, and that should be enough for him. But it isn’t.

He grips his fork tightly, his knuckles turning white, as memories flood his mind. The way you used to look at him like he was the center of your world. The way your laughter felt like home. But now, all of that is gone. He took it away, erased it to keep you safe from his father and the dark circle of Dëath Eäters closing in.

“Mate, you’re staring,” Blaise mutters quietly from across the table.

Theo doesn’t respond, his jaw tightening as you lightly touch Adrian’s arm, laughing again.

“She doesn’t remember,” Blaise continues, softer now, as if that’s supposed to ease the ache. “You did what you had to do.”

But it doesn’t ease the ache. It only sharpens it. Because while you may not remember the love you shared, Theo remembers every moment. Every kiss. Every promise.

When Adrian leans closer to you, his hand brushing yours, Theo finally looks away, his heart hammering painfully in his chest.

“You alright?” Blaise asks.

“No,” Theo says quietly, the word almost drowned out by the noise around them. He pushes back from the table abruptly, muttering, “I need some air.”

As he walks out of the Great Hall, he wills himself not to look back at you. He knows he made his choice to protect you, but nothing can protect his heart from breaking.