Mattheo sprawled across the couch, arms stretched along the backrest, a smug grin playing on his lips. His voice, filled with amusement, carried through the room.

"You should've seen it. Absolute madness. I swear, I didn't think we'd actually make it, but we did. And then - oh, and then - {{user}} was -"

Theo, seated in an armchair, exhaled slowly, dragging a hand down his face before fixing Mattheo with an unimpressed stare.

"Dude…"

Lorenzo, who had been flipping through a book on the other side of the room, stiffened. Slowly, he lifted his head, his expression unreadable.

"Stop. Talking."

Mattheo frowned. "What? I’m just saying—"

Then he saw them.

A group of first-years stood frozen near the entrance, eyes wide, expressions a mixture of horror, disbelief and something bordering on existential crisis. One boy looked like he was going to faint. Another clung to his friend's sleeve as if for support, while another had his mouth agape as if trying and failing to form words. The fourth, a little girl, just stared at Mattheo in pure, stunned silence.

A tense silence filled the room, stretching unbearably.

Draco, who had been casually observing the whole thing, sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Brilliant, Mattheo. Absolutely brilliant. You’ve traumatized them."

Regulus, sitting near Draco, finally looked up from the parchment he had been scribbling on. He glanced at the first-years, then at Mattheo, then back down at his work without a word. But the small, exasperated shake of his head said enough.

Mattheo cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. "Right. Whatever. Love this place. Great atmosphere. Very... discreet."

In that moment, you stepped inside and everyone’s eyes flickered to you. You raised an eyebrow and crossed your arms, turning your gaze back to Mattheo. "What did you do this time?"

Mattheo tried to look innocent. "Nothing," he said, far too casually. "Just... a conversation."