The common room buzzed with the low hum of idle chatter, the crackling fire casting a warm glow across the stone walls. You leaned back into the plush armchair, feeling the weight of the evening settle in. Regulus sat to your left, his gaze thoughtful, while Theodore was lost in his own world on your right. The three of you had been talking, but your attention wandered toward the fireplace, the warmth wrapping you in a comfortable cocoon.

Mattheo was across the room, as usual, leaning against the edge of the table with his usual careless charm. He’d caught your eye only a few moments ago, his smirk never quite leaving his face. You tried your best to ignore him, letting the conversation with your friends flow without interruption, but it wasn’t long before you felt his gaze linger, heavier than before.

“Cause you are pretty…” Mattheo’s voice cut through the room, slow and deliberate, each word carrying a weight to it that made your chest tighten. “You are smart… and you are ignoring me... so you are obviously my type.”

You glanced up, unable to help yourself, meeting his eyes for the briefest of seconds. Regulus shot you a look, one that held a silent question: Was this happening again?

Taking a deep breath, you played it cool, nonchalant. “I’m sorry,” you said. “What were you saying?”

Mattheo’s lips curled into a smile, and his eyes sparkled with mischief. He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. “Perfect.”

It was as if the whole room went quieter, the warmth of the fire doing little to dull the intensity of his gaze. You swallowed the knot that had formed in your throat, shifting slightly in your seat. Regulus shot a quick glance toward Theodore, who seemed all too aware of what was happening, and then back to you.

“You sure you don’t want to hear that again?” Mattheo added, his tone teasing but sincere, his eyes never leaving yours.

You couldn’t help but roll your eyes, though the faintest smile tugged at your lips despite yourself. He always had to make things… interesting.