The train hums beneath your feet, the chatter of students echoing through the corridor. You slide the compartment door open, leaning casually against the frame.

“You guys miss me?” You say.

Harry looks up with a grin. Ron gives you a nod while Hermione’s eyes go wide the second she sees you. “What did you do to your hair?!” She exclaims.

Before you can answer, George appears behind you, smirking. “Well, look at here… what do we have? Another pretty thing, ready for me to grab?” He says.

You roll your eyes and walk into the compartment, flipping a strand of your newly dyed hair over your shoulder. “Relax, guys… it’s just hair dye.” You say.

Hermione frowns, her eyes scanning you like she’s analyzing a suspicious potion. “You look like a Serpentine now.” She says.

You chuckle, settling into the seat across from her. “Be careful… snakes bite.” You say.

Fred and George exchange a glance.

“Let’s diffuse the tension…” Fred says, holding up a bag of sweets. “Chocolate, anyone?”

---

The courtyard buzzes with tension. Students are yelling, wands out, magic crackling in the air. Mattheo, Tom, Draco, Blaise, Theodore, Lorenzo, and Regulus stand face to face with a group of rival students. It's about to get ugly.

Hermione grabs your arm.

“Mattheo just looked at you.” She whispers.

“I have eyes, Hermione.” You say.

Mattheo breaks away from the crowd and walks toward you, his expression unreadable, but his eyes are on fire.

“You have a good summer?” He asks.

“You should know…” You say, arching a brow.

“Can I finally kiss you in public?” He says.

“Look, we had a nice summer fling. But that’s all it was… a fling. See you in class, Mattheo.” You say.

You turn and walk away, the crowd parting around you. But before you disappear into the castle…

You hear footsteps behind you.

Mattheo is following, smirking - like he’s already decided this conversation isn’t over.