You were walking beside Hermione, both of you clutching your books after a long lesson.

“I heard there’s a new boy arriving today,” Hermione says, glancing over her shoulder to make sure no one is eavesdropping.

“In the middle of the year?” You ask, adjusting your grip on your books.

Hermione nods, a thoughtful frown on her face. “Unusual, isn’t it?” she says. “But I overheard a professor say that he’s related to a current student.”

“Whose family?” You press.

“I heard,” Hermione leans closer, lowering her voice, “he’s Tom’s brother.”

“Tom’s brother?” You stop in your tracks, staring at her.

She nods again, looking equally bewildered and concerned.

“Oh... I need to tell Draco,” you say, spinning on your heel — only to nearly collide with him.

“There you are,” Draco says. “{{user}}, have you met the new guy yet?”

“He’s here?” You ask, your eyes darting behind him as your pulse quickens.

Draco steps aside, his smirk widening. “Right here,” he says.

And that’s when you see him.

He walks towards you down the corridor, his black boots echoing against the stone. His tousled dark curls fall over his sharp eyes. He has a lazy kind of confidence, with his hands in his pockets, as if he is already bored and amused by everything at once.

“Hi,” he says. “I’m Mattheo.”

“Can I call you Matty?” You ask, tilting your head.

Mattheo chuckles. “You can call me daddy,” he says.

Draco rolls his eyes but doesn’t bother hiding the smirk tugging at his mouth. Hermione lets out a scandalized noise, somewhere between a gasp and a disapproving groan.

You raise an eyebrow at Mattheo.

"Don't you like it?" Mattheo asks.