Bodies were everywhere. People spilled over the couches, crowded around the drinks table, and gathered in clusters near the speakers. Laughter cut through the music in uneven bursts, and somewhere near the window, a group of fourth years were trying to figure out a drinking game.

Mattheo had been gone for a while now. Not long enough to worry, but long enough to notice. His glass was still on the table, half-empty, abandoned next to an open bag of crisps someone had knocked over and never bothered to pick up.

Enzo was bent over his phone, trying to connect to the speaker and complaining loudly that the song kept skipping. Pansy was sitting on the arm of the couch, scrolling through someone’s instagram story with a faint sneer. Draco and Daphne were arguing about whether the liquor would last the night. Blaise was leaning against the wall, lazily watching the room like he was already bored.

And Theo was there. Slouched into the corner of the couch, one arm draped over the back, not really listening to the conversation. His eyes kept going to the stairs.