Harry had just left the Great Hall after lunch, Theo walking beside him, when it happened.

"Oi! Potter!"

Harry sighed before he even turned around.

Standing there, looking red-faced and determined, was Ron Weasley. Beside him, Hermione Granger was clutching a book like it was a lifeline, her expression disapproving before Harry had even said a word.

Theo tensed immediately, his hand twitching toward his wand. Harry, catching the movement, subtly nudged him in warning.

Weasley marched right up to him, scowling. "What the bloody hell are you doing in Slytherin?"

Harry blinked, then looked around as if checking whether Weasley was talking to someone else. "Oh, is this a riddle? Because I thought the Sorting Hat already answered that one."

Theo smirked.

Weasley's face darkened. "You weren't supposed to be a Slytherin!" He gestured wildly, as if this was some great betrayal. "You're Harry Potter! You're supposed to be a Gryffindor!"

Harry stared at him. "Says who?"

Weasley spluttered. "Everyone!"

"Well, that's stupid."

Theo let out a quiet chuckle, but Harry ignored it, crossing his arms.

"So let me get this straight," Harry continued. "You don't know me. You've never spoken to me. But you somehow think you have a say in what house I belong to?"

Weasley turned red. "That's not what I—"

"Oh, I think it is." Harry tilted his head. "So, what? If I was in Gryffindor, you'd suddenly be my best mate? And if I'm not, I'm the enemy?" He smirked. "Sounds a bit shallow, don't you think?"

Weasley clenched his fists, his ears practically glowing. "Slytherins are evil!"

Theo took an aggressive step forward, and Harry barely had time to grab his sleeve before he pulled his wand.

Weasley flinched, but before he could dig himself an even deeper grave, Granger finally spoke.

"Weasley, maybe we should—"

Weasley ignored her. "Everyone knows Slytherins are bad! And now you're one of them!" He glared at Theo. "Bet he's already got you hexing first-years for fun."

Theo's wand was in his hand before Harry could stop him.

Harry, to his credit, didn't flinch. Instead, he sighed, rubbing his temple like this was exhausting. "Merlin, Weasley, you really are dense."

Weasley looked outraged. "I am not!"

Granger, however, narrowed her eyes. "Harry," she said, and there was something superior in her tone that immediately irritated him. "I've read all about you—"

Harry's smirk vanished. "Have you?"

She lifted her chin. "Yes, and you were supposed to be—"

"Oh, please," Harry cut in, voice sharp. "You read some outdated history books, and now you think you know me?"

Granger flushed. "I was only trying to—"

"Lecture me?" Harry's gaze turned cold. "Yeah, I got that."

Granger's mouth snapped shut.

Weasley was still fuming. "I knew you'd turn out wrong if you weren't in Gryffindor!"

Theo growled, his wand still raised, but Harry grabbed his wrist before he could curse the idiot. "As much as I'd love to see Weasley get hexed across the hall," Harry murmured, smirking, "I'm pretty sure McGonagall would hex you right back."

Theo, still tense, exhaled sharply and—reluctantly—lowered his wand.

Harry turned back to Weasley. "You're boring me, Weasley." He grinned lazily. "Let me know when you're done being a dramatic idiot."

Then he turned and walked away, Theo falling into step beside him.

Weasley shouted something behind them, but Harry didn't bother listening.

As soon as they rounded the corner, Theo muttered, "You should have let me hex him."

Harry smirked. "Oh, I really wanted to."

Theo stopped walking.

Harry turned to look at him. "What?"

Theo was staring at him, something dark in his expression. "You don't belong with them," he murmured.

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Obviously."

Theo stepped closer, just enough that Harry had to tilt his head up slightly. "You belong here," Theo said quietly. "With me."

Harry blinked.

Something about the way Theo said it—calm, certain, like it was fact—made his stomach twist in an unfamiliar way.

Theo smirked, seeing the flicker of surprise in Harry's expression. Then he leaned in just slightly, voice lower.

"Next time, I'm hexing Weasley."

Harry chuckled. "Fine. Just make sure it's impressive."

Theo grinned. "Oh, don't worry. I'll make it memorable."