‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Beside you, a charcoal black bunny thumped her foot against the cage floor in a rapid, frustrated rhythm, her blue eyes wild with indignation. Thump. Thump. THUMP.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "This is absolutely humiliating."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ A sandy blonde bunny sat perfectly still in the opposite corner, her posture so composed it was almost insulting. Her ears barely twitched as she observed the stone walls of Snape's office with the detached calm of someone attending a very boring lecture.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ The fluffy brown bunny pressed herself against your side, trembling slightly, her nose twitching as she let out a tiny, nervous squeak.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "I can't believe this is happening."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ The door creaked open.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Footsteps. Heavy. Confident. Multiple sets of them.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Professor Snape swept into the room first, his black robes billowing behind him like shadows given form, his expression carved from stone and disappointment. Behind him, Professor Grubbly-Plank strode in with a practical air, a leather-bound notebook clutched in her weathered hands.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ And behind them—

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Draco Malfoy stepped into the lamplight first, his platinum hair catching the glow, his grey eyes scanning the room with bored curiosity. Blaise Zabini followed, dark and unreadable, his hands in his pockets as he leaned against the doorframe. Lorenzo Berkshire slipped in beside him, already grinning at nothing in particular, his warm brown eyes bright with barely contained amusement.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Theodore Nott and Mattheo Riddle entered last, shoulders brushing, whispering something to each other that made Theo's smirk widen and Mattheo's laugh echo off the stone walls.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Professor Snape turned to face them, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "I trust you are all wondering why you have been summoned here at this hour."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Draco exchanged a glance with Blaise. "The thought had crossed my mind, sir."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "Then I shall not keep you in suspense." Snape's dark eyes flickered toward the cage. "Effective immediately, the five of you have been assigned a responsibility. These rabbits," he gestured with a wave of his long fingers, "are currently under your care for the duration of one week."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Mattheo's brow furrowed. "Rabbits?"

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "Rabbits," Grubbly-Plank confirmed, stepping forward. "They are perfectly healthy, though they were discovered in quite an unfortunate state. All four were found in a rather distressing condition near the Forbidden Forest, likely abandoned or escaped from a less-than-reputable breeder."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "Discovered? ESCAPED?!" The charcoal bunny's ears flattened against her skull. "We were DRUGGED and TRANSFIGURED!"

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ A tiny indignant squeak escaped her.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Lorenzo's head tilted. "Aw, look at the angry one. She's got opinions."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "They all do," Grubbly-Plank said crisply. "They are remarkably intelligent creatures. I suspect they were owned by someone who took great care in their training." She reached into the cage, her hand gentle as she nudged the sandy blonde bunny forward. "This one is remarkably calm. Almost regal in her demeanor."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "I am not calm. I am in shock, clearly."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "Grubbly-Plank and I have discussed the arrangements," Snape continued, his voice sharp enough to cut glass. "Each of you will be assigned one rabbit to care for. You will ensure they are fed, exercised, and kept in appropriate conditions. Any neglect will be met with consequences that far outweigh whatever punishment you imagine this to be."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "So we're... babysitting rabbits?" Theodore's voice dripped with disbelief. "For a week?"

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "You are providing a necessary service to the school," Snape corrected, his lip curling. "Do not mistake this for a holiday."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Draco stepped closer to the cage, his grey eyes scanning the four bunnies with an expression that was difficult to read. "And who gets which one?"

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Grubbly-Plank consulted her notebook. "Malfoy, you will take the brown one. Zabini, the blonde. Berkshire, the black one."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "Excellent." Lorenzo was already moving toward the cage. "I can already tell she's going to be a handful."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ The charcoal bunny thumped again, harder this time.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "I am going to RIP HIS FINGERS OFF."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "And what about us?" Mattheo's voice cut in, sharp and impatient. "That's only three rabbits for the four of us."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Snape's expression did not change. "The remaining rabbit will be shared between you and Nott."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "Shared?" Theodore's head snapped toward Snape. "What do you mean, shared?"

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "I mean precisely what I said, Nott. You will share responsibility." Snape's gaze was ice. "I trust that will not be a problem."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Mattheo and Theodore looked at each other. Then back at the cage.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ At you.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "Absolutely not." Theodore's voice was flat. "We're sharing a rabbit?"

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "Consider it a lesson in cooperation," Snape said smoothly. "Something you are both sorely lacking."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Mattheo's jaw tightened, but he said nothing. His dark eyes swept over the cage, lingered on you for a moment too long, then flicked away.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "Brilliant," he muttered under his breath. "This is going to be a fantastic week."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Grubbly-Plank unlatched the cage, her hands moving with practiced ease. "Come, then. Let's get you settled." She reached in, her fingers gentle but firm, and lifted out the first rabbit.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ The fluffy brown bunny let out a soft squeak of protest as she was placed into Draco Malfoy's reluctant arms.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "Hold her properly," Grubbly-Plank instructed. "Support her hind legs."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Draco stared down at the trembling bunny in his grasp. "She's... shaking."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "She's nervous," Grubbly-Plank said. "She'll warm up to you."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ The bunny in his arms looked up at him with wide blue eyes.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "This is the worst day of my entire life."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "I'll call her..." Draco paused, considering. "Dewdrop."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ A strangled squeak escaped the brown bunny.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "Dewdrop?" Blaise repeated, one eyebrow raised. "You're naming a rabbit Dewdrop?"

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "It's elegant," Draco said, his tone defensive. "Shut up."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Next, Grubbly-Plank lifted the sandy blonde bunny, who remained perfectly still, her expression unreadable as she was passed into Blaise's careful hands.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "Well," Blaise said, his voice low, "you're certainly the calmest of the bunch."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ The blonde bunny's ear flicked once.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "I am having several internal crises, actually."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "I think I'll call her... Opal." Blaise's thumb brushed gently over her fur. "Suits you."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ The charcoal bunny was next. She kicked. Hard.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "Goodness," Grubbly-Plank huffed, readjusting her grip. "She's spirited."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Lorenzo's grin widened. "I love her already." He took the thrashing bunny into his arms, holding her close despite her attempts to escape. "You're going to be trouble, aren't you?"

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ The charcoal bunny went still, staring up at him with utter contempt.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "You have no idea."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "What are you naming her?" Theodore asked, crossing his arms.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Lorenzo looked down at the bunny in his grasp. "Sapphire. Because she looks like she's plotting my murder."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "Accurate," Draco muttered.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ And then there was one.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Grubbly-Plank reached into the cage, her hands closing around you gently but securely, and lifted you out into the open air.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ The room felt colder suddenly. Brighter. Louder.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ You were passed forward, the world tilting, and then—

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Mattheo Riddle's hands.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Warm. Firm. Careful.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ He held you against his chest without hesitation, one hand supporting your back legs the way Grubbly-Plank had shown, the other resting lightly on your back. His dark eyes met yours for a fraction of a second.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "And who's this one?" His voice was quieter than you'd expected.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Theodore stepped closer, peering down at you with a critical expression. "She's smaller than the others."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "She's the quiet one," Grubbly-Plank said. "Observant. I suspect she's the most intelligent of the group."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Mattheo's brow rose. "Is that so?"

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ You sat perfectly still in his hands, your heart hammering against your small ribcage.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "What are we calling her?" Theodore asked, his tone flat.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Mattheo was quiet for a long moment. Then a slow smile spread across his face.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "Juniper."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "Juniper?" Theodore's nose wrinkled. "That's a tree."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "Exactly." Mattheo looked down at you, his grin infuriatingly pleased with itself. "She's got that quiet, steady energy. Like a tree that's seen some things."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "I am going to bite him."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Theodore sighed heavily. "Fine. Juniper it is."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ He reached out, his fingers brushing against your ear, and you flinched before you could stop yourself.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Theodore's hand paused. "She's jumpy."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "She's just getting used to us." Mattheo's hold adjusted, careful and firm. "She'll warm up."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ The door to Snape's office loomed ahead.

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ "The common room should be empty by now," Draco said, shifting Dewdrop in his arms. "We're not going to want an audience for this."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Blaise nodded. "Agreed."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Lorenzo laughed as Sapphire thumped against his chest. "An audience? This IS the entertainment."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ Mattheo glanced down at you, his expression unreadable. "Come on, Juniper. Let's get you settled."

‧₊˚♡˚₊‧ And just like that, the five boys—and four furious, embarrassed, incredibly unlucky girls—headed for the door.