The common room buzzed softly with the crackle of the fireplace. Lorenzo leaned casually against the armrest of a sofa, his sharp brown eyes flicking toward Mattheo, who was pacing restlessly.

“You’re very protective over your little sister,” Lorenzo remarked with a calm tone.

Mattheo halted mid-step, spinning on his heel to face him. “I am not that bad,” he protested.

Pansy snorted audibly. “Yeah, you are.”

From across the room, Coriolanus looked up. “No one asked you, Pansy,” he said dryly, earning a dramatic eye-roll from her.

Mattheo let out an exasperated sigh, his hands raking through his messy curls. “Alright, fine! She’s my only little sibling. Is it a cr/me to want to make sure she’s safe?”

Draco smirked. “Besides, Tom would k/ll you if you didn’t.”

The playful mood was shattered the moment you stepped into the room. All eyes turned toward you, and a collective tension fell over the group as they noticed that you are injur/d.

Mattheo was the first to react, crossing the room in an instant. “Who did it?” His voice was low, dangerous.

“It’s okay,” you said quickly. “It was just a couple of kids. They were pissed about me beating their scores.”

Mattheo’s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing. “Who was it?”

“Matt,” you said with a shaky laugh, “I don’t know. I didn’t even see them, really. It’s not that big of a deal—”

“I want descriptions,” he interrupted, his voice edged with frustration.

“Matt,” you tried again, “it’s not even that bad.”

He stepped closer, his face a mix of concern and determination. “I’m going to their common room,” he declared. “I’m personally going down there, and I’m gonna k/ck those bastards’ a/ses.”

You sighed. “I just— I said it was okay. Would you really do that?”

Mattheo’s expression softened. “I would destroy every shred of evidence to protect you if I had to,” he said. “I can’t protect you if I don’t know the truth. You’re my little sister. I take care of you.”