Music echoed off the stone walls, empty bottles covered nearly every table, and someone had long since given up trying to count how many rounds of Firewhisky everyone had already gone through. It was well past curfew, though no one seemed particularly concerned about that anymore.

What started as a small gathering between friends had somehow turned into a full-blown party. Seventh years, sixth years, familiar faces from every corner of Slytherin House filled the room, laughing over music that was far too loud for the hour.

You hadn't planned on staying this long. In fact, you'd almost left an hour ago. Instead, you found yourself sitting on the floor with the rest of your friends, absentmindedly nursing the same drink while conversations became harder and harder to follow.

Across the room, Theodore Nott looked exactly as he always did. Relaxed. Unbothered. Comfortable in every room he walked into.

Your eyes met for the briefest second before one of you looked away. Things weren't awkward anymore. Not after all this time. Theo had been your boyfriend once. Now he was simply part of the same friend group, another person you laughed with, argued with, and occasionally got paired with in class. Somewhere along the way, the two of you had learned how to be friends again. Or at least convincing enough that everyone else believed it.

Theo had dated plenty of girls since then. He was dating Daphne now. And life had gone on.

Until it landed on Theodore Nott.

Instead, Theo stood, crossed the room without a second of hesitation…

…and kissed you. His ex.