Diagon Alley was bustling with life, witches and wizards moving through the cobbled streets, shopping for the new school year. The air smelled of parchment, fresh ink, and brewing potions, a familiar scent that should have made Harry feel normal.

But nothing about his life was normal anymore.

Not when he had Theo Nott stalking him through the alley like a predator waiting for the right moment to strike.

Harry could feel it.

The weight of Theo's attention—heavy, unwavering, possessive.

His magic curled against Harry's own, tugging at him, pulling him in, as if something deep inside Theo had already decided that Harry wasn't just his betrothed—

But his.

Entirely.

And the moment they stepped into a quieter side street, away from the crowd, Theo moved.

Harry barely had time to react before his back hit the stone wall, Theo's hands caging him in, his breath warm against Harry's skin.

Harry smirked, tilting his head. "You're looking a little… feral today."

Theo didn't smile.

His fingers curled around Harry's waist, firm, unyielding. "Do you even realize what you've done to me?"

Harry shivered.

Because Merlin help him, Theo wasn't angry.

He was hungry.

Harry let out a slow, lazy breath, his smirk widening. "Oh? Did I do something wicked, Theo?"

Theo's grip tightened.

"You let me claim you," Theo murmured, his voice dark silk, his lips ghosting over Harry's throat. "You signed your name in blood."

Harry swallowed. "Technically, we both signed—"

Theo's teeth grazed Harry's skin.

Harry stopped talking.

A quiet, dangerous chuckle. "That's better," Theo murmured.

Harry's knees nearly buckled.

Theo's lips brushed the sensitive spot just below Harry's ear, and the heat that surged through him made his fingers clutch at Theo's robes.

"People are watching," Harry muttered, but his voice wasn't as sharp as it should have been.

Theo hummed. "Let them."

Harry shivered again, his breath uneven. "You're insufferable."

Theo smirked against his skin. "And you love it."

And then—

Theo's lips crashed against his.

Heat. Magic. Possession.

Theo kissed like he owned Harry, like he had every right to claim, every right to take.

And Harry?

Harry let him.

Because maybe, just maybe—

Theo did.

When they finally reentered the main street of Diagon Alley, Harry's lips were kiss-swollen, his pulse still racing, and Theo?

Theo looked smug as hell.

Lord Nott took one glance at them and sighed, shaking his head. "Well, I suppose that answers that question."

Harry flushed. "You saw—?"

Lord Nott smirked. "I didn't have to."

Theo smirked too, fingers brushing against Harry's wrist, deliberate.

Harry huffed, rolling his eyes. "Great. Lovely. Are we actually going to buy our school supplies, or are you planning on dragging me into another alley?"

Theo tilted his head. "Don't tempt me, Potter."

Harry snorted, shoving him lightly before stalking toward Flourish and Blotts.

Theo followed, dark eyes still lingering on Harry like he was something to be devoured.

They had just finished picking out their books when Ginny Weasley appeared.

Harry barely had time to react before she was suddenly in front of him, a bright, eager smile on her face, her cheeks flushed.

"Oh!" she gasped, eyes wide, like she hadn't been waiting for this exact moment. "Harry Potter!"

Harry sighed. "Ginny."

She giggled. Actually giggled.

Theo, standing right behind Harry, went very, very still.

Ginny ignored him completely, fluttering her lashes at Harry. "I've read so much about you!"

Harry raised an eyebrow. "You don't say."

She bit her lip. "You know, if you ever need help with anything at Hogwarts, I'd be happy to—"

A hand curled around Harry's waist, possessive and unyielding.

Theo.

Harry felt him step closer, his body pressing against Harry's back, his voice low, dark, and full of warning.

"He doesn't," Theo said smoothly.

Ginny finally seemed to notice him. She frowned, gaze flickering between them. "…Who are you?"

Theo smirked.

"His fiancé."

Ginny froze.

Harry, deeply amused, crossed his arms. "You were saying?"

Ginny's face went red. "B-but, I thought—"

Theo tilted his head, smirk widening. "You thought wrong."

Ginny gaped, her mouth opening and closing like a fish before she finally spun around and fled.

Theo sighed, watching her go. "That was irritating."

Harry chuckled. "You just scared a twelve-year-old."

Theo smirked. "She was flirting with what's mine."

Harry sighed dramatically. "Merlin, Theo, you can't just threaten everyone who talks to me."

Theo grinned.

"Oh, Harry," he murmured, leaning in, lips brushing just against his ear.

"Watch me".

Harry really should have been used to this by now.

Theo's constant possessiveness, his casual threats, the way he hovered like he was ready to hex anyone who so much as breathed wrong in Harry's direction.

But Merlin's bloody beard, it was getting worse.

Ever since the betrothal contract, Theo had gone from protective to downright territorial.

Like just now, for example.

Ginny Weasley had barely spoken three words to Harry before Theo had shut her down with the most casual, smug, possessive claim possible.

And Harry?

Harry had let him.

No, worse—Harry had liked it.

Because deep down, somewhere buried beneath years of being used, manipulated, and controlled, something in Harry liked knowing that Theo wouldn't let anyone take him.

And that?

That was dangerous.

They continued through Diagon Alley, gathering the rest of their school supplies.

Theo never left Harry's side.

Not for a single second.

His hand brushed against Harry's wrist as they walked, a subtle, possessive touch that made something hot coil in Harry's stomach.

Every time someone looked at Harry too long, Theo's magic flared—a silent, invisible warning that had people moving out of their way.

And Harry?

Harry pretended not to notice.

Mostly.

They had just finished picking up potion ingredients when Theo leaned in, voice smooth and amused.

"You're thinking too hard, Potter."

Harry arched an eyebrow, smirking. "Oh? And what exactly am I thinking about?"

Theo's lips curled, fingers trailing lightly against the back of Harry's hand.

"Me."

Harry huffed, rolling his eyes. "You're ridiculous."

Theo chuckled, low and satisfied. "And you love it."

Harry didn't deny it.

Lord Nott was waiting for them outside, watching them with thinly veiled amusement.

"Finished?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Theo nodded. "For now."

Lord Nott smirked, his gaze flickering between them before he sighed dramatically. "Merlin, the two of you are insufferable."

Harry blinked. "We haven't done anything."

Lord Nott snorted. "You don't have to. Your entire relationship is like watching two territorial dragons try to hoard each other."

Harry flushed. "That's—"

Theo grinned. "An excellent comparison."

Harry groaned. "I hate both of you."

Lord Nott patted his shoulder. "You'll get used to it, my boy."

Harry sighed, shaking his head. "I really won't."

Theo leaned in, lips brushing against Harry's ear.

"Oh, Harry," he murmured, voice dangerously amused.

"You already have."