Draco is sprawled across the sofa. "I just want to go home to my mama!" he exclaims, his voice thick with exasperation and melodrama.

He's not looking at anyone. He stares up at the ceiling, as if it is responsible for his misery.

Theodore is sitting sideways in a chair with his legs dangling over one armrest and his nose buried in a book. Without glancing up, he mutters, "You are home, Draco. You literally live here."

Draco lets out a long sigh and covers his face with both hands like the world is simply too much.

Across the room, Blaise leans lazily against the back of Mattheo's armchair, watching the chessboard as Mattheo debates his next move.

"He’s been like this since dinner," Blaise says dryly.

Regulus has his arms crossed. "He said mama."

"Yes, thank you, Regulus, we all heard it," Blaise says, rolling his eyes.

At that exact moment, the door creaks open. Draco lifts his head first. As soon as he sees you, his whole face lights up.

"Oh, hey mama," Draco says, as if you’re the answer to a prayer he hasn’t even said out loud.

The room goes still.

Blaise looks at Theodore. "He did say mama."

Theodore flips a page. "That's what I thought."

Mattheo stares at Draco, then snorts and leans back in his chair. "I didn’t think this day could get funnier."

Regulus watches you with an unreadable expression, but there's something like amusement flickering behind his eyes.

You raise an eyebrow. "Everything alright in here?"

"Now it is," Draco says, patting the couch cushion beside him enthusiastically. "Sit, please. I've suffered greatly in your absence."

"You were lying on your back, crying," Theodore says, not even looking up.

"I was yearning," Draco corrects. "Like a poetic soul."

Mattheo snorts. "You’re about as poetic as an owl."

Draco scoffs. "You're just jealous. She loves me more."

"I’m regretting being here," Regulus says flatly.

"You always say that," Blaise replies, smirking.

Draco leans against you once you sit, his head resting on your shoulder. "You have no idea how awful they've been to me."