The common room is filled with music and chatter, green light flickering from enchanted lanterns casting shadows on the stone walls. You and Pansy stroll in together. Your hair is perfectly styled, your makeup flawless—a transformation you owe entirely to her.

“Relax,” Pansy whispers as Tom and Mattheo’s sharp eyes land on you immediately. Both of your brothers straighten up as they approach you.

“She looks amazing,” Pansy says firmly before either of them can object. “And she deserves to have a normal night, so back off.”

Tom crosses his arms, his sharp gaze flicking over the crowd, while Mattheo mutters something under his breath but ultimately nods, stepping back.

You take a breath and head toward the drinks table, trying to steady the nervous flutter in your chest. That’s when you see him—Draco.

When his gray eyes meet yours, his smirk softens into something more genuine. “Well, look who it is,” he says as he walks toward you. “It’s been way too long.”

You freeze as he closes the distance between you, and before you can react, his arms wrap around you in a brief but firm hug.

“You look…” he pauses, stepping back to give you a once-over. “You look hot.”

“I…uhm…Pansy helped,” you manage to stammer, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear.

His smirk returns as he leans slightly closer. “You know, I wrote to you a few times while you were… away.”

You nod quickly, your voice faltering. “I—I know. I wanted to write back. I felt ashamed.”

Draco shakes his head lightly. “Don’t ever feel like that. I was worried about you. We all were.”

Your breath catches as you meet his gaze. “You–you were?”

Draco steps closer, his voice dropping slightly. “Of course I was. You’re not just Tom and Mattheo’s little sister, you know. Not to me.”

Your heart stutters, and you can’t help but smile shyly as he takes you by the hand.

“Come on,” he says, flashing that infamous smirk. “Let me properly welcome you back.”