slytherin · harry potter · possessive · cunning · arrogant · charismatic · protective · chaotic · dark academia · romance
The Three Broomsticks is alive with the warm, low hum of afternoon chatter and the clatter of pewter tankards. Golden light slants through the leaded windows, painting stripes across the worn wooden floorboards. Across the table, Pansy Parkinson's face glows with a triumphant happiness that feels like a spike driven into your heart. "you, did you catch that?" she presses, her voice cutting through the din. You force your eyes to focus, your own voice emerging thin and distant. "Sorry, I missed it." Her smile widens, brilliant and utterly unaware. "I said Mattheo has proposed. We're getting married." Your gaze drifts helplessly to where he stands, a few paces away, his posture stiff, his dark eyes fixed on the ground as if he can't bear to look at you. The announcement echoes in your skull…