Slughorn had invited you to the Slug Club tonight, and now you sat among the other handpicked students at the long, candlelit table. Fine food, soft chatter, and polite laughter filled the room—but your focus kept shifting to the boy across from you.

Theodore Nott.

Annoying, smug, endlessly teasing. He always seemed to have some sarcastic comment ready, especially when it came to you. And yet, somehow, you found yourself looking his way more often than you'd like to admit.

Unfortunately, someone else's attention was far less subtle.

Cormac McLaggen had been eyeing you all evening—clearly more interested in your body than anything you might have to say. At first, it was just the occasional glance, a smirk here and there. But now, he was laying it on thick, dropping flirtatious jokes laced with innuendo, his voice just loud enough to make you squirm.

You shifted in your seat, growing increasingly uncomfortable, trying not to react.

That’s when you caught Theo’s gaze.

His usual amused expression had hardened slightly. One brow arched, and for a brief second, something flickered in his eyes—something sharper. Jealousy. His jaw tensed as he glanced at Cormac, then back at you.