You’re walking through the halls of the castle. Fred had to leave for a meeting with the headmaster, and you’d been left alone.

And then you turn the corner.

Mattheo and Theodore are standing by the wall, their faces drawn in a way you’ve never seen before. Theodore’s usually calm, collected demeanor is gone, replaced by something colder, more intense. Mattheo, who always has that mischievous grin on his face, looks uncharacteristically serious.

You stop in your tracks. “What’s going on?” you ask, your voice cautious.

Mattheo’s lips twitch. “We need to talk,” he says. “It’s about Fred.”

The words hang in the air, and your heart skips a beat. “What about Fred?” you ask.

Theodore finally speaks. “He’s been seeing someone else.”

Your breath catches in your throat. “What?” you gasp. “That’s not possible. Fred would never—”

Mattheo cuts you off, shaking his head. “We wouldn’t be telling you this if it wasn’t true,” he says, his voice gentle but firm. “We’ve seen him with her. Last night, after you left the common room.”

Your mind races, but there's a gut feeling that something isn’t right. Mattheo's words, Theodore’s calm demeanor, it all feels… off. They want you to believe this, but why now? And why, out of all things, this?

You stare at them. “This... this doesn’t make sense.”

Theodore steps forward. “We just thought you should know. You deserve better than someone who would lie to you.”

Mattheo smirk. “You deserve someone who actually appreciates you, who won’t keep secrets from you.”

A cold chill runs down your spine, and you suddenly feel the weight of their words pressing down on you. But despite the knot of doubt they’ve planted, you can’t shake the feeling that they’re lying.

“You want me to break up with him, don’t you?” You say it before you even think it, the realization hitting you like a wave.

Mattheo’s smile falters for a split second. “We just want what’s best for you,” he says, but his words feel hollow, rehearsed.

Theodore doesn’t flinch. “We’re only telling you because we care.”