The hall buzzes with the usual morning chatter, with the occasional hooting of an owl delivering letters to various students. You're sitting at your table, trying to finish an essay in peace.

And then—

"Take ten points from {{user}}'s House — she's too hot, it's a distraction!"

The entire hall freezes. A spoon clinks loudly against a plate. Somewhere, a group of first-year students gasp in shock. But more than anything, you hear it. The laughter. Mattheo's friends are howling, clearly enjoying the spectacle he's made of himself — and you.

Mattheo.

The person you despise the most in the entire castle. The one who always seems to find new ways to get under your skin. The same troublemaker who’s always somehow in detention, only to tease you with his smirks and antics.

You arch a brow, but say nothing.

You know exactly what this is. He’s practically daring you to punish him, to do something. He wants detention. He wants you to be the one to drag him out of the hall by his collar, preferably to a broom closet somewhere dark and secluded.

You roll your eyes. The same old game. Another stupid dare.

But the way he’s staring at you, with that smirk… something feels different this time. This isn’t just a prank. No, Mattheo has an ulterior motive.

You watch as Theodore leans in and whispers something in his ear. Mattheo’s gaze flickers to you, and the moment stretches between you both. And then — he winks.

Wait.

Is he flirting with you now?

Your chest tightens. The thought makes your mind spin, but you scoff, dismissing it. No way. This is just another stupid dare. They’ve probably made a bet about it — how far Mattheo can push you without getting punished.

You stand up and all eyes follow you as you stride toward Mattheo’s table.

“I see you’re trying to get yourself into trouble,” you say.

Mattheo leans back in his chair. “Maybe,” he says casually, as though it’s the most natural thing in the world. “But you’ve got to admit, you’re pretty hot when you’re mad.”