harry potter · gryffindor · shy · touch deprived · wizarding world · dark academia · protective · impulsive · romance
The Hogwarts Express thrums through the Scottish countryside, its compartments buzzing with the low hum of returning students. In one dimly lit carriage, five Slytherins lounge in various states of sprawl—Draco, Mattheo, Blaise, Lorenzo, Theo. The seat beside the window sits conspicuously empty, a gap in their circle. Draco’s smirk is a sharp slice in the warm air. 'Maybe you got buried in her damn books again.' A beat of silence hangs. Mattheo shrugs, his gaze fixed on the door. 'Or perhaps she finally turned invisible. Not that we’d notice anyway.'