The common room hummed with quiet conversation and the crackling of a low fire. A group of boys sprawled across the dark leather sofas, their voices low but laced with amusement.

Theodore leaned forward, a sly smirk on his face. “Did you guys hear about the new girl? She’s in our year. I heard she’s pretty too.”

Mattheo, lounging lazily with one arm draped over the back of the couch, snorted. “Don’t get your hopes up. I bet she’s mid at best.”

Draco didn’t even look up from where he was casually flipping through a magazine. “Probably just another pathetic girl to make fun of.”

Mattheo and Lorenzo exchanged looks and burst into laughter, their sharp chuckles filling the room.

But then, the door to the common room creaked open, and you stepped inside. Heads turned as your confident yet unassuming presence drew every eye in the room.

Mattheo’s smirk faltered, his expression shifting to one of disbelief. He straightened in his seat, the playful arrogance in his posture evaporating. “No way…” he muttered under his breath.

Lorenzo, usually calm and collected, raised an eyebrow. The corners of his lips twitched upward in the faintest sign of amusement.

Draco, caught off guard, let his magazine slip from his hands and hit the floor. “Who…” he started, then trailed off, his pale cheeks tinged pink.

Regulus , seated by the fire, glanced up from his book, his sharp gray eyes flickering with curiosity. “Interesting,” he murmured.

Theodore leaned back, a satisfied smirk spreading across his face as he looked at his stunned friends. “I told you boys,” he said.

You glanced around the room, a faint smile on your lips as you met each of their eyes, seemingly unaffected by the storm of emotions you’d just unleashed.

“Well,” Mattheo finally said, recovering his usual charm and standing up with a grin that couldn’t hide the glint of genuine intrigue in his dark eyes. “Welcome.”