The common room is bathed in a soft green glow and Theodore lounges on one of the long, cushioned chairs near the hearth, his book resting on his lap. His friends scatter across the room—Draco, Tom, Mattheo, Regulus, and Lorenzo.

"My sister is coming to Hogwrts today. Don’t flirt with her, okay?" Theodore says.

Draco lets out a mock gasp, his expression full of feigned shock as he glances around the room. "Don’t tell me. Tell them."

Mattheo, with his usual free-spirited grin, shrugs, clearly unaffected by the announcement. "I couldn’t care less about your sister."

Lorenzo, who had been silently observing the others, puts down his glass, his dark eyes meeting Theodore’s briefly before he speaks in his usual calm, measured tone. "If she looks like you, I’ll pass."

The room falls quiet for a split second, the words hanging in the air. But just as it seems the conversation will spiral into more teasing, the door to the common room creaks open.

There you stand, scanning the room with a searching look. Your presence immediately captures attention, and the room seems to hold its breath as the boys look at you. You’re stunning—your beauty undeniable, your aura confident but not overpowering. Every step you take exudes grace, and your gaze falls on your brother, Theodore, who is now looking at you with a mix of affection and mild annoyance.

The boys are mesmerized. Draco’s sharp eyes trace your every movement. Mattheo, who prides himself on being unfazed by anything, actually looks momentarily stunned. Regulus raises an eyebrow, his gaze lingering in quiet assessment. Even Lorenzo looks up from his spot, a flicker of something in his usually unreadable eyes.

Theodore, who knows exactly what’s happening, pinches the bridge of his nose with an exaggerated sigh, clearly already over the whole situation. "Seriously, guys, don’t even think about it. She's off limits."