Harry knew the moment he stepped into the corridors that things had shifted.
Students weren't just whispering anymore. They were watching.
Some with fear, some with curiosity—but the worst were the ones who looked at him like he was something to be studied.
Harry had seen that look before.
On Dumbledore.
On Snape.
And now, on a few of the older Slytherins who had never spoken to him before.
Theo noticed it too.
And Theo did not like it.
"You're not going anywhere alone."
Harry sighed, arms crossed, as Theo blocked his way to the library.
"Again with this?"
Theo's jaw was tight. "They're watching you, Harry. They know something's different."
Harry smirked. "Let them wonder."
Theo exhaled sharply, stepping closer. "You think this is a joke, but it's not." His voice was quieter now, dangerously calm. "You don't understand what people will do if they think they can control you."
Harry blinked.
There was something else in Theo's gaze. Not just protectiveness, not just possession—something darker.
Harry tilted his head. "And you do?"
Theo's lips curled into a slow, knowing smirk. "Of course I do."
Harry stared at him for a long moment before sighing dramatically. "Fine. You win. I'll take a bodyguard."
Theo huffed a quiet laugh. "Oh, Harry." He stepped even closer, until there was barely an inch between them. "I'm not your bodyguard."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "No?"
Theo's smirk sharpened. "I'm your shadow."
And Harry, for the first time, wasn't sure if that was a threat or a promise.
Maybe both.
Harry should have been annoyed.
He should have been irritated that Theo had decided he wasn't allowed to walk the halls alone, that he now had an escort wherever he went, that anytime someone so much as looked at him wrong, Theo's wand hand twitched like he was considering a particularly creative curse.
He should have been annoyed.
But he wasn't.
Because, if he was honest? It was entertaining.
Like now, for instance.
They were making their way to the library, Harry barely suppressing a smirk as Theo loomed behind him like a silent executioner. A group of Ravenclaws saw them coming, took one look at Theo's blank, unreadable expression, and immediately found somewhere else to be.
Harry chuckled. "You're scaring people, Theo."
Theo shrugged. "Good."
Harry rolled his eyes but didn't argue.
Because, deep down, some part of him liked it.
Liked that Theo was always there. Liked that he didn't have to watch his own back because someone else already was.
Someone who belonged to him as much as he belonged to them.
Not that he'd ever say it out loud.
Harry smirked. "You do realize I can handle myself, right?"
Theo tilted his head, eyes dark with amusement. "Of course. But I like handling things for you."
Harry blinked, caught off guard for half a second before huffing a laugh. "Merlin, you're ridiculous."
Theo smirked. "And you're mine."
Harry froze.
Theo didn't move, didn't look away, didn't even blink.
The words had fallen so easily from his lips, like they were simply true. Like he had already decided this, and Harry had no say in it.
Harry's heart did something strange in his chest. Something unfamiliar. Something dangerous.
He forced a smirk, tilting his head. "Possessive much?"
Theo's lips curled. "You have no idea."
And the worst part?
Harry wasn't sure he minded.