HIDDEN REFLECTIONS

TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

THEODORE'S POINT OF VIEW

On New Year's Eve, a heavy decision looms over me, one that I'm aware I'll regret for the rest of my life. I understand it's a necessary action, despite the inevitable pain it will inflict upon her. It's the only way to safeguard her from what lies ahead. If I don't follow through, all my efforts to protect her will have been in vain.

Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I fucking hate the person I've become. My hands clench into fists, as though it's ready to shatter the glass before me.

A meow pierces through my thoughts, and I meet Lu's gaze through the mirror. We lock eyes, and I grasp the message he's conveying.

❝She needs you,❞ I assert, desperation in my voice.

The black cat shakes his head in response, silently communicating, 'Not yet.'

I run my hands over my face, clutching my eyes shut. The weight of the impending actions and the knowledge I carry feels unbearable. I yearn to vanish, to escape from the reality that my father and my friends' parents are who they are. I wish I could erase the awareness of what's to come, longing to live a life of blissful ignorance akin to Mattheo and Draco.

I pause at my bed, retrieving the yearbook from last year. Over the winter break, I'd carefully devised a plan to make Leah distance herself from our group. The conclusion I'd arrived at was that she needed to witness the true colors of the people closest to her. The idealized image she holds of them had to be shattered, even if it meant inflicting emotional pain in the process.

Among the people closest to Leah in our group, Pansy and Mattheo happen to be the two individuals with the most pronounced drug and drinking habits. They're impulsive and often act without considering the consequences of their words and actions. Are they inherently bad people? No. Are they unquestionably good people? Also no. However, I recognize their potential to become better individuals with time and guidance.

I'm convinced that the plan will have its intended effect on Leah, even if the change won't happen immediately. She'll gradually start to distance herself, slipping away from our group. The impact of their words will echo in her mind like a broken record. Her recent behavior, lingering at the back during our visit to the Three Broomsticks and the way her enthusiasm waned, her eyes glazing over whenever Pansy or Mattheo spoke, serves as evidence that she's already on her way there. I'm merely providing the push she needs, even if it means she'll endure some scrapes along the way.

It will be worth it, it has to be.

❝What do you have there?❞ Pansy inquires with curiosity as I step into the common room.

My gaze sweeps across the room, taking in the familiar faces of my friends and a few other Slytherins. The common room is relatively calm at this moment, not yet transformed into a raucous New Year's party. The atmosphere remains light, accompanied by the soft hum of classic New Year songs playing in the background. I can't help but anticipate Draco's eventual transition to some contemporary millennial tune blasting through the speakers.

Leah's absence hangs heavily in the air, and the book in my hand feels like a burden.

❝Where is everyone?❞ I query, my frown deepening.

Mattheo responds, his irritation and annoyance evident, his eyes practically aflame as he says, ❝the only person missing is Leah.❞

❝Right,❞ I acknowledge, pausing for a moment to consider if the words I'm about to utter are necessary. Ultimately, I decide they are. ❝I thought we were missing Aurora. You guys are close, right?❞ I inquire.