You stirred awake slowly, only to find that Draco was already up. He was standing in front of the mirror, adjusting his shirt cuffs.

He glanced back over his shoulder and caught your sleepy gaze. “Come on, darling. We’re late.”

You groaned softly, pushing the tangled sheets off you and swinging your legs over the edge of the bed. “Late? Again? I swear this castle is bigger than it looks,” you muttered, scrambling to find your clothes scattered across the floor.

Draco moved quickly, pulling on his black robe and tightening his silver-and-green tie with ease. “The professor won’t be happy if we show up like this. He’s already made it clear that detentions are coming for anyone who’s late again.”

In your rush, you grabbed the wrong tie — the green one instead of your usual red — and tied it around your neck without a second glance. Draco caught sight of it in the mirror and raised an amused eyebrow, but said nothing.

“Come on, hurry up,” he urged, already heading toward the door.

You dressed quickly, the knot of the tie biting into your neck, and followed him down the corridors.

You burst into the classroom just as the door was closing.

The professor’s sharp gaze immediately landed on Draco. “Draco, why are you late?”

Draco shrugged with a small, disarming smile. “I slept too much, I’m sorry.”

You slipped in behind him, your cheeks burning.

The professor’s gaze shifted slowly to you, narrowing slightly in recognition. “Oh… and look who else decides to join us.”

He stepped closer, scrutinizing your tie. “Are you a Lion, isn’t it?”

You blinked, confused and a little embarrassed. “Yeah, why do you ask?”

The professor’s lips twitched with a hint of a smile. “Because you’re wearing a green tie.”

A burst of laughter erupted from Draco’s friends, Mattheo, Theodore and Blaise, who exchanged amused glances and nudged each other.

You flushed and reached up to tug awkwardly at the tie, but Draco just shook his head and smirked.