In the Shadows (Mattheo Riddle)

chapter 40

My tears started flowing again, not that they ever really stopped, but they were now at full speed again.

The pain in his eyes, was so hard to miss. He knew my stance, my beliefs. We've been friends since first year, he knew the resentment I had towards Draco for joining. Now I stood before him, bare, scared, shaking and branded.

"Amelia, I am so fucking sorry." I almost heard a crack in his voice, as he pulled me in for a deep hug. Him holding me this close, this tight just made me loose it more.

I felt his heart, beating a million times per second. You could almost feel his anger, radiating off of his body. I didn't blame him.

After a moment, he pulled away, he motioned his hand towards the tub, but I wouldn't let go of his hand. He took off his sweats, and climbed in the tub first, helping me in.

I sat in-between his legs, holding my Kees up to my chest. He sat behind me, combing through my hair, rubbing my back.

The silence was nice, it was comfortable. He knew no matter what he were to say, it wouldn't change anything. He washed my body for me, then turned me to face him. He cleaned the rest of the blood off my face, then reached for my arm.

"Water helps the stinging, give me your arm." He gently rubbed over it with a wash cloth. He wasn't joking. My arm felt like it was in flames, but this gave it momentary relief.

As he was washing it off, he began to notice the faint white scar that now appeared around my wrist.

"What is this?" He asked gently, trying to almost scrub it off with the towel.

"Stop scrubbing it. Its not going to come off." I whispered.

"What kind of scar is this?" He questioned, pulling it closer to examine it.

I was amazed he didn't know, "I made an unbreakable vow." I said, now looking him in the eyes for the first time tonight.

"To who?!" He automatically corrected his tone, "Vowing what Amelia?" He now asked, gently.

I stared into his eyes for a moment. "To your father." His eyes widened. "To stick by you, no matter what." I never broke my eye contact.

I seen his start to water, "Amelia, thats a very big vow, you know what happens if you break it." He sounded worried, yet amazed at my commitment.

"I know. It was a vow I was happy to make." I half smiled.

He placed his hand on he cheek, wiping my tears away with this thumb. "Thank you, Amelia. For loving me. I didn't think it was possible." He gently pulled me into his chest, and hugged me tight.