The group is scattered across the common room, everyone acutely aware of the unspoken tension coming from Theo. He’s been off for weeks. You’ve tried to talk to him, but each time, he’s brushed you off with a dismissive “It’s nothing.”

It’s Astoria who finally breaks the fragile peace. “Theo, why don’t you take your bad attitude somewhere else?”

Theo turns to her. “Hey, Tori,” he says, his voice deceptively calm.

“What, Theo?” Astoria asks in annoyance.

He leans forward slightly. “I have a quick question for you: how long have you been fücking Mattheo?”

Mattheo and Pansy’s heads snap toward Theo in shock. Astoria’s attempt to laugh it off is weak, and her forced chuckle does nothing to help matters.

“W-what… what are you talking about?” she stammers.

“How long,” Theo repeats, leaning in closer, “have you been fücking Mattheo?”

Astoria refuses to meet your gaze. “I’m not,” her voice falters. “I’m not.”

Your heart sinks as you turn to Theo. “What are you talking about?”

Theo shrugs, leaning back in his chair with feigned indifference. “Oh, I just happened to see her go to his room a while back, kiss him, and then shut the door behind her. That was what—like a month ago, Mattheo?” He glances at Mattheo, whose jaw is tightly clenched.

Astoria stammers. “No, I… I don’t even know why he would say that.”

You stand abruptly, your voice rising. “Are you kidding me?”

“Tori, that’s, uh, really bad,” Enzo chimes in.

You look between Astoria and Mattheo, before turning fully to her. “You’re fücking Mattheo? Are you kidding me?”

Astoria shakes her head frantically, “No, I—”

“You’re lying!” you cut her off. Before you can take a step toward her, Draco grabs your arm firmly. “Can we just table this conversation? Everyone’s watching.”

You turn on him. “Hell no! You expect me to stand here next to my best friend who’s been lying to me about sleeping with my ex-boyfriend?”

Astoria looks at you, tears brimming in her eyes, but you can’t bring yourself to hear her out.