?~HEARTS OF SLYTHERIN~?

~Your first lunch with them in the Great Hall~

Draco let out a dry chuckle at that, but before their conversation could continue, Lorenzo's voice cut through the air.

"Hey, Pansy! Y/N! Over here!"

It was clear he wasn't speaking to any of the boys. Instead, he was waving toward two Slytherin girls at the far end of the table. Pansy Parkinson, ever the eager one, didn't hesitate-grabbing Y/N's arm and tugging her toward them. Y/N, on the other hand, looked like she would rather be anywhere else.

A part of Theo felt relieved to see her there, looking as composed as ever.

As Y/N approached, Theo found himself straightening up slightly, though he wasn't sure why. Maybe it was the lingering concern from earlier, or maybe it was just the way she carried herself-graceful, composed, yet guarded. She slid into the seat across from him, next to Pansy, who was already chatting away about something neither of them seemed particularly interested in.

Theo's gaze flickered to Y/N, studying her for a moment. She looked fine-no sign of distress, no trace of the embarrassment she must have felt in Potions. But he knew her enough to recognize the way she toyed with the hem of her sleeve, a subtle tell that something was still on her mind.

"Didn't see you after class, Y/N," he said casually, cutting into his beef.

Y/N glanced at him, surprised for a moment and reached for the goblet of pumpkin juice. "I had something to do," she replied smoothly.

Draco, who had been half-listening, snorted, his lips twitching into a smirk. "Yeah, like running out of the room before Slughorn could even wind up his class?"

Y/N's sharp glare shot across the table, but Draco only raised an eyebrow in response, as if daring her to snap back. She didn't. Instead, she stayed quiet, her fingers tightening slightly around the goblet in her grasp.

Theo noticed the small movement instantly. So, he was right-it had been about Potions.

"You know Slughorn doesn't care about that kind of thing. He'd probably say it builds character or some nonsense," Theo pointed out, taking a sip of his drink.

Y/N sighed, finally setting her goblet down and meeting his gaze properly. "I just...didn't feel like hearing the entire class laugh at me again, alright?" Her voice was steady, but there was a flicker of irritation and embarrassment in her eyes, like she was bracing herself for more teasing.

But Theo only nodded. "Fair enough."

Y/N blinked, as if surprised that he didn't push further. Across the table, Lorenzo and Mattheo had started bickering like usual-something about a Quidditch match-but Theo barely paid them any mind. His focus stayed on Y/N, the way she shifted slightly in her seat, as if debating whether to say more.

"You don't have to run off, you know," he added after a moment, keeping his tone light. "Not from us, at least."

For a second, something unreadable passed over her face-gone too quickly for Theo to decipher. Then, she exhaled through her nose, shaking her head slightly.

"I didn't," she muttered, though there was no real conviction behind her words.

Theo's lips twitched slightly, but he let it go. If she wanted to pretend it hadn't bothered her, he wasn't going to push. Instead, he leaned back, lazily twirling his fork between his fingers.

His gaze lingered on Y/N for just a moment longer, watching as she finally reached for a piece of bread, her shoulders easing ever so slightly.

~~~~~~

You could feel his gaze on you as you reached for a piece of bread. It lingered-steady, observant-but not intrusive. Still, the weight of it was enough to make you glance up.