Daphne sat alone in the farthest corner of the library—she was still furious.

You approached carefully. “Hey, Daphne, please… Let’s talk.”

Her eyes snapped up to meet yours. “I have nothing more to say to you.”

You took a deep breath. “Daphne, nothing ever happened like you think. Me and Barty—we’re just friends.”

She narrowed her eyes, but she believed you. “You know… Mattheo more or less talked me into it.”

You rolled your eyes. “Of course, he did"

---

The match was minutes from starting, but Mattheo was nowhere to be seen.

“Where is he?” Regulus asked.

Theodore shrugged. “No idea.”

Barty looked toward the pitch. “If he doesn’t show, I’ll play.”

When the whistle blew, Barty stepped up in Mattheo’s place, and despite the last-minute change, the match was exhilarating. Barty’s skill was undeniable.

By the time the final whistle sounded, your team had won. The stands erupted in cheers as the players dismounted their brooms, sweaty and grinning. Draco, Lorenzo, Regulus, Theodore, Blaise, and Barty gathered together, triumphant.

You clapped as they approached. “That was a really good game, all of you.”

Regulus nodded in agreement. “Yes, Barty should consider getting back into the game full-time.”

Barty laughed, brushing a hand through his messy hair. “Yeah, I’ll think about it.” He turned to you, his expression softening. “By the way, where’s Daphne?”

“She’s in the restroom,” you replied, raising a brow. “Why?”

Without answering directly, Barty pulled off his Qu/dditch hoodie and held it out to you. “Here, take this. It’s a present.”

You blinked, caught off guard. “Barty, I don’t want to take it. Daphne should get it.”

He shook his head. “I want you to have it because you brought me luck.”

Before you could respond, Regulus raised a brow, his eyes darting between you and Barty. The tension thickened until a new voice cut through the moment.

“Who do you think you are, Barty?” You turned to see Mattheo, storming toward the group like a fury.