lorenzo was sprawled across an armchair like he’d been melted into it, one leg dangling over the armrest. "i'm telling you," he said, stretching the words out, "she has to look exactly like him."

draco looked up from his book, one eyebrow raised. "that's a horrific thing to say."

"it's realistic."

blaise snickered from the sofa, not bothering to look up from his phone. "do we think she'll have his crooked nose and deep hatred for anyone with a pulse?"

lorenzo snorted. "we just have to use context clues."

mattheo was lying across the opposite sofa, one arm thrown over his eyes. "imagine having snape as your father. i'd transfer schools too."

"she'll probably hex anyone who looks at her," draco said dryly.

"or assign us homework," lorenzo added, grinning.

theo turned a page in his book without looking up. "or maybe," he said, voice flat, "she's just... normal."

five heads slowly turned toward him.

lorenzo frowned. "that's the least believable thing you've said all year."

before theo could respond, the portrait swung open. pansy walked in, holding a folded piece of parchment like it was a bomb.

"well," she said, dropping it onto the table, "your lives just got significantly more difficult."

draco unfolded it. his expression fell immediately.

"what?" lorenzo asked, sitting up.

"it's from snape."

lorenzo grinned. "already? we haven't even met her."

draco cleared his throat. "rule one: do not approach my daughter unnecessarily."

the room went quiet.

"rule two," draco continued, "do not attempt to impress my daughter."

mattheo laughed. "he thinks we'd try?"

"keep reading," pansy said, already smiling.

draco sighed. "rule three: should any of you become the cause of my daughter's distress, you will answer to me."

another pause. the fire crackled. then lorenzo folded his arms, a slow grin spreading across his face.

"...i suddenly really want to meet her."