The common room was alive with the usual late night energy. It was quiet, but everything changed the moment you walked in.

Not every head turned at first.

Those that did - Draco, sprawled lazily on the sofa, and Mattheo, leaning against the armrest with his trademark grin - froze for a second before exchanging a glance. Blaise merely raised an eyebrow in mild amusement. Lorenzo sighed, already sensing trouble, and Regulus - who had been buried deep in a book - looked up, blinking once before realisation hit him.

They let the silence last a little too long before finally speaking.

"I took over a year off and cut you b!tches some slack."

Draco sat up straighter, his eyes flickering with something between intrigue and annoyance.

Regulus, who had seen enough chaos for one lifetime, groaned and drew a hand across his face. "Merlin, no."

Mattheo gave a low whistle and shook his head. "Oh, this is going to be good."

You took a step forward, your presence commanding as you scanned the familiar faces.

"Tell a friend to tell a friend," you said, "have mercy on us all - she's back."

Blaise exhaled slowly, swirling the drink in his glass, while Draco crossed his arms, watching you closely. "And what exactly does 'she's back' mean for the rest of us?"

Lorenzo closed his book. "It means we're doomed."

Mattheo laughed. "No, it means things are finally getting interesting again."

Tom tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair, watching you. "Prove it."

You grinned, unbothered. “Oh, Tom.” You stepped forward. “Sit tight and watch.”

Draco muttered something under his breath, rubbing his temples like he already had a headache.

Mattheo laughed, throwing an arm around your shoulders. “Oh, I have missed this.”

Blaise sighed, shaking his head. “We’re all going to regret this.”

Lorenzo just groaned. “We were doing so well.”

Regulus buried his face in his hands. “I should’ve stayed in bed.”

But you? You just smiled. Because they had no idea what was coming.