The argument was growing louder by the second, the tension in the air thick enough to cut with a knife. You sat with Blaise, Lorenzo, and Theo on the edge of the courtyard, laughing at some inside joke when the raised voices pulled your attention. Your sharp Slytherin instincts kicked in immediately—you didn’t need to look to know who was involved.

Turning your head, you spotted Harry storming toward Mattheo, his green eyes blazing with fury, Ron and Hermione trailing behind him. Your stomach twisted as you realized your brother and your boyfriend were about to collide—literally and figuratively. The two of them were always at each other’s throats, but this time, the fire in Harry’s expression made it clear this was more personal.

“After everything you’ve done…” Harry growled, stopping inches from Mattheo, his fists clenched at his sides.

Mattheo stood his ground, an infuriating smirk curling on his lips as he looked Harry up and down like he was sizing him up.

“Harry, don’t,” Ron tried, stepping in to de-escalate. “He’s not worth it.”

But Harry wasn’t listening. In a flash, he grabbed Mattheo by the collar of his Slytherin robes, yanking him forward. “How do you sleep at night?!” he spat, his voice shaking with barely-contained rage.

Mattheo, infuriatingly calm, let out a low, sinister laugh. His dark eyes flicked to you for the briefest second, as if daring you to intervene, before turning back to Harry.

“Next to your sister,” Mattheo said smoothly, his voice dripping with mockery.