Purée

Devil

### Chapter: Fractured Trust

"You've gone lower than bedrock," I muttered under my breath as I trudged up to my room. Venessa was already sitting on my bed, a picture of tension and resolve. "Come here," she said, standing up with a quiet determination.

I closed the distance between us, wrapping her in a warm hug. "I'll deal with your dad. It's between me and him," she whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with conviction. I pulled away, meeting her gaze with a mixture of concern and frustration.

"No, no, that's not happening. Especially now that I've pissed him off more than I have in years. Best if you're not nearby," I said, my tone firm. "Do you need time at the tree?" she asked, her voice softening.

I shook my head, smiling despite the tension. "I'm here for you. Not really here, here—Hogwarts here," she clarified.

"I know," I replied, pulling her back into a hug. "I'm glad you're here," I whispered into her hair.

"Whoa," she said, pulling away as she noticed the trophies displayed around the room. "You actually won something?" she asked, sounding genuinely surprised.

"Don't sound too shocked," I said with a playful smirk.

"Second place? Could've done better if you'd had the right coach," she teased, her tone light but appreciative.

"Oh, wow. Miss Confidence is blazing out," I nudged her, amused by her boldness.

"You still need a coach apparently," she shrugged, examining the trophies with curiosity. "In what? How to tell an insane student to sit down?" I asked, my eyebrow raised.

She pointed at one of the trophies. I glanced over, puzzled. "Quidditch?" I asked, confused.

"Now you're getting it," she smiled.

"Yeah, no, that's not happening. My great-great-great-grandfather was staunchly against that thing," I explained, pointing at the trophy. Just then, my dad walked in, his expression a mix of curiosity and irritation.

"Why isn't your son in Quidditch? Bad parenting. You should let him pursue his dreams," he said, his voice carrying an edge of disappointment.

I facepalmed, exasperated. "..."

My dad stood in the doorway, looking as perplexed as ever. "Join Quidditch," Venessa's last words echoed as she disappeared from the room.

"You did see that, didn't you? And I'm not going crazy?" I asked, turning to my father with a mix of bewilderment and hope.

"You're not going crazy," my dad said, surprising me. "And your mother is downstairs. We'll talk about the girl down there."

Did he just agree with me? What the hell is going on?

### Chapter: An Unlikely Conquest

The next morning, I set out with a determined stride, catching up with Mattheo as he walked down the hallway. "Okay, so I have an idea..." I jogged to keep pace with him.

He glanced over his shoulder with a skeptical look. "You're still on about Quidditch? Just give it up."

I rolled my eyes, annoyance bubbling beneath the surface. "You're joining, and you can't just keep avoiding it. Come on." I grabbed his arm and pulled him towards Draco and Blaise, who were standing nearby.

"Would someone on this planet make Mattheo join Quidditch?" I demanded, plopping him down into an empty chair. I moved behind him, looming as he glanced up, a mix of annoyance and resignation in his eyes.

"Enough. Shut the fuck up about it," he snapped, his patience clearly wearing thin.

"No," I shot back. "You've got trophies in your room and you don't even care about them. I'd be thrilled if I had any."

"Mhmm, you used the word 'if,' but you haven't, so shut up about it," he retorted, pointing at me with a cigarette.

I took the cigarette from his hand and gave him a firm look. "No, I'm not going to stop 'mothering' you until you join."

"She's got a death wish," Draco interjected, his tone a mix of amusement and concern.

I turned to Draco, "Tell Mattheo to join Quidditch."

Draco looked down at Mattheo, who was scowling up at him. "Don't you fucking d—" I cut him off by placing my hand over Mattheo's mouth.

"Why don't you shut up and let others speak, right Draco?" I asked, giving Mattheo a firm look before turning to Draco.

Mattheo's eyes met Draco's in a plea for rescue. "I c-can't. He'll kill me..."

Draco gave up and spun away, rolling his eyes. "Got that right," Mattheo said, his voice muffled under my hand.

I rolled my eyes and slid onto Mattheo's lap. "Now he can't move. Ask him."

"You really think you're going to stop me?" Mattheo laughed, a mix of frustration and amusement in his voice.

"Oh, I don't think. I know," I said, leaning back comfortably against him.

"Join Quidditch, Matty," Blaise added with a chuckle.

I didn't move, even as Mattheo attempted to shift me off his lap. "Do that and I'll tell everyone you have a crush on me. Touch him, and I'll say we're dating. Your choice," I offered with a sly grin.

"Go ahead. They'll just think you're crazy," Mattheo said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

I turned around to face him. "By the way, what's with the attitude lately? Always by my side, protective... Want me to continue?"

"I'm not stopping you," he said, his voice edged with a mix of irritation and something else I couldn't quite place.

"Mhmm, sure. So, Quidditch?" I asked, smiling broadly.

He rolled his eyes, defeated. "You bitch."

I laughed as he moved me off his lap, shaking my head. "Worked, didn't it? Better go and get your uniform."

He looked back at me, his expression softening slightly. "Unless you want me there with you? Aww, how sweet," I teased, but he only gave me a brief smile before walking away.

I burst out laughing, shaking my head. "Should call him Mr. Lover Boy... Quidditch Mr. Lover Boy? Glaring Mr. Lover Boy?"

"We get it, think in your head," Tom interjected with a dry tone.

I glanced over at him, still smiling. "I think 'Matty' suits him."

"Ha ha, very funny," Tom said sarcastically, though a hint of a smile tugged at his lips.

"What's up?" I asked, sensing something off about him.

"Nothing..." he replied, but his tone was evasive.

"Tom, I asked what's wrong. Don't lie to me," I pressed, noting his reluctance.

He sighed, looking pained. "Remember my crush?"

I nodded. "Hermione Granger?"

"Yeah, well, the dickhead"—he nodded towards Draco—"stole her. Now they're dating."

I was taken aback. "So, Draco and Hermione?"

"Yep," Tom confirmed, his voice tinged with frustration.

"Damn," I said, trying to process the news. "I'm sorry, Tom."

He gave a curt nod, his gaze distant. "Yeah, well, it is what it is."

I placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You know, if you need to talk, I'm here."

He offered a small, appreciative smile. "Thanks, Venessa. I just need some time to sort things out."

I nodded understandingly. "Take your time. We all need a break from the chaos sometimes."

As Tom walked away, I turned back to the group, feeling a mix of satisfaction and concern. The day was shaping up to be full of unexpected turns, but at least Mattheo was finally on board with Quidditch. Maybe some things were starting to fall into place after all.