The sound of your hurried footsteps reverberated through the corridor as you sprinted toward the common room, breathless and panicked. The words burst from your lips in a frantic shout, echoing down the hall.

“Theodore! Pineapples!”

The door to the common room slammed open as you stumbled inside, drawing every pair of eyes to you.

Lorenzo nudged Theodore with a smirk. “Pineapples?” he asked, one brow arched.

Theodore, sitting cross-legged near the fire, barely glanced up from the book resting in his hands. His expression remained calm as he replied. “She gets cravings.”

You groaned in frustration. “Pomegranates! Grapefruits! Nectarines!”

Mattheo chuckled. “She’s ordering a fruit cocktail?” he teased, the corner of his mouth quirking up in amusement.

You froze. Which d4mn fruit was the secret word you invented?!

Suddenly, it clicked. Your eyes widened, and you screamed louder, your voice shaking the very walls. “PEACHES!”

Draco straightened. “Peaches?” he echoed, his gaze flicking to Theodore.

Theodore froze mid-turn of a page, the word hitting him like a lightning strike. His dark eyes widened, and the usual calm in his demeanor dissolved instantly. The book slid from his hands as he shot to his feet.

“PEACHES! THE BABY! Wha—what? NOW?!” he exclaimed.

Mattheo burst into laughter. “This is amazing. He’s losing it!”

Theodore ignored him, his focus entirely on you. “The baby is coming, guys!” he called over his shoulder.

Draco groaned. “Of course, it’s now. Nothing’s ever simple around here.”

Theodore reached you, his hands gently gripping your shoulders as he leaned in. “Are you okay? How close are we talking? Breathe. Just breathe.”

“Theodore!” you snapped. “We don’t have time for this! We need to go now!”

He nodded quickly, wrapping an arm around you and guiding you toward the door as the others scrambled to follow.

As the door slammed shut behind you, Theodore’s voice rang out again, tinged with incredulity. “Why couldn’t you just say peaches in the first place?!”