It wasn’t loud when everything fell apart.

There were no shouting matches. No dramatic scenes in crowded hallways. No moment where everything shattered all at once.

Just one quiet, devastating truth.

You and Theodore had been together for a year. Something steady. Something real. Not loud like other couples—but stronger for it.

Theo wasn’t the type to put everything on display. He didn’t need to. The way he stayed close, the way he looked at you, the way his hand would find yours without thinking—

That was enough.

Until the night everything changed.

He’d gone out with a few friends—Mattheo, a couple others—and like always, it wasn’t supposed to mean anything. Just another night.

Except this time… he drank too much.

And he woke up next to her.

Lavender Brown.

She told him what happened. Filled in the gaps he couldn’t remember. And Theo—Theo didn’t believe it at first.

Because he would never do that to you. Not knowingly. Not willingly.

But it didn’t matter.

Because weeks later—she was pregnant.

And just when you thought you were starting to process it—so were you.

Months passed. Too quickly. Too slowly.

And somehow… you and Theo were still together.

Because he chose you.

Not once. Not hesitantly.

Every time.

The Hogwarts courtyard is quieter in the evening, the last light of the day stretching across the stone paths as students linger in small groups. You’re seated beside Pansy, her voice low as she talks about something you’re only half listening to. Your hand rests over your stomach without thinking now—instinctive. Natural. Visible.

Across from you, Theo sits with Mattheo and a few others, though he isn’t really paying attention to whatever they’re saying. He rarely is these days. Not when you’re around.

His gaze flicks to you more often than not—subtle, controlled, but constant. Checking. Watching. Making sure you’re alright.

Mattheo notices it. Of course he does. He says something under his breath that earns him a quiet look from Theo—but nothing more. Theo doesn’t rise to it. Not today.

“Theo.”

The voice cuts through the calm like it doesn’t belong there.

Lavender.

She approaches from across the courtyard, her Gryffindor colors standing out against the darker tones around you. One hand rests lightly over her stomach as she slows near the group, her expression carefully composed—but there’s something underneath it.

Something deliberate.

Theo stills. Only slightly. But enough.

“I’ve been looking for you,” she says, her tone softer than it needs to be.

There’s a pause. Theo doesn’t answer right away. His jaw tightens faintly, eyes flicking toward you for the briefest second before returning to her.

“I’m here,” he says calmly.

Not warm. Not inviting. Just… factual.

Lavender doesn’t miss the distance in his tone—but she doesn’t react to it either.

Instead, she smiles.

Soft. Easy.

Like nothing is wrong.

“Well,” she says lightly, glancing around at all of you, “you’re all just sitting out here anyway… I figured I’d join.”

And before anyone can stop her, she moves closer—slipping into the space beside Theo like she belongs there.

Too close.

Pansy goes quiet beside you.

Mattheo leans back slightly, watching now with interest—and something sharper underneath.

Theo doesn’t look at Lavender.

Doesn’t acknowledge her closeness.

If anything—his hand shifts slightly where it rests near you, fingers brushing against yours in a small, grounding motion.

Intentional.

Choosing.

Always.

Lavender keeps smiling, settling in like she’s part of something she was never invited into.

And the tension settles in fully now—heavy, quiet, impossible to ignore.

Because she’s not leaving.