Boundless | Mattheo Riddle

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐞 (𝟐)

Olympia Malfoy

Sebastian's hand was still wrapped tightly around mine as we weaved through the crowd toward the train, his thumb brushing slow, careful circles on my skin, as if he let go, I might disappear.

Maybe a year ago, I would've clung just as tightly.

Now?

Now I just felt... restless.

"Come sit with me?" Sebastian asked, flashing that familiar lopsided grin, the one that used to make my stomach flip.

Before I could answer, I heard the unmistakable shriek of my name.

"Ollie! Over here!"

I turned and spotted Pansy Parkinson waving from a train compartment like she was summoning her court, Daphne and Astoria Greengrass flanking her on either side like handpicked royal guards. Behind them, Blaise, Theo, Enzo, and of course, Draco, were already draped over the seats like they owned the place. Which, in a way, they did.

Pansy's eyes narrowed when she saw Sebastian's hand in mine. "Hey, we're catching up, not babysitting. Hand her over, Sallow."

Sebastian stiffened a little, but I gave his hand a gentle squeeze and pulled away with an apologetic smile. "I'll find you later, I promise. Save me a seat at the feast?"

He looked like he wanted to argue, then thought better of it and just nodded.

I turned before the guilt could settle in and ducked into the compartment. I tossed my bag into the overhead rack, and before I could even sit, Pansy practically launched herself at me.

"Finally," she groaned dramatically, arms looped around my neck. "If I had to spend one more summer pretending Daphne was enough to keep me sane, I'd have hexed myself."

Daphne rolled her eyes. "You're welcome to my company, you cow."

I laughed and sank into the corner seat, tucking my legs up beside me. It felt like slipping into a worn jumper, frayed, imperfect, but still warm.

Blaise gave me a lazy grin from across the aisle. "Missed you, Mini Malfoy."

I groaned. "Still clinging to that nickname? It's been six years."

"Tradition," Enzo said, chucking a Bertie Bott's bean at my head.

I caught it without thinking and popped it in my mouth. Immediately regretted it.

Spinach. Disgusting.

Theo leaned forward, elbows on knees, his eyes sharp and just a little too observant. "So... how's the perfect boyfriend?"

"Still breathing, unfortunately," Pansy muttered under her breath.

I ignored her and shrugged. "He's good. Sent me more postcards than a cursed owl over the summer."

Draco, who'd been quiet until now, finally spoke, voice low and flat. "You don't have to date someone just because he sends you letters, Ollie."

I met his gaze across the compartment, steady and unbothered.

For a second, everything went still. The train whistle screeched outside, cutting through the tension like a knife.

Then Blaise let out a low whistle. "Ah, sibling trauma. Love that for us."

The moment cracked, and everyone laughed, even Draco. He leaned back, smirking like he hadn't just taken a swipe at my love life. Classic.

I curled deeper into my seat as the train started moving, the hum of it soothing and familiar. Outside the window, trees blurred past in gold and green streaks.

Pansy launched into the latest gossip. Apparently, Millicent Bulstrode cursed off her own eyebrow trying to change her hair colour, and Theo and Enzo argued about Quidditch stats like they were planning for war.

It was so easy to fall back into this rhythm. Too easy.

But beneath the teasing and laughter, I could still feel it. That hollow ache in my chest. The one that never really left.

The one that whispered: you're still waiting for someone who's not coming back.

⋯

Hours passed. The sun dipped low, and the train finally started to slow. Outside, the scenery darkened, the trees replaced by flickering lanterns as we neared Hogsmeade Station.

I stretched, the air in the compartment thick and warm from too many bodies.

Draco grabbed my bag without me asking. Quiet, but weirdly gentle. His version of an apology, maybe. Or something close.

We shuffled out into the corridor, joining the usual madness of students cramming into their robes, dragging trunks, shouting over each other. I lost sight of Sebastian in the chaos.

Didn't stop me from looking, though.

Cool night air hit as we stepped off the train, sharp against my skin. Lanterns bobbed along the path ahead, guiding us toward the carriages.

Theo draped an arm over my shoulder like it was second nature. "Stick with us," he murmured, like he already knew I would.

And I did. I always did.

We piled into one of the carriages, laughter echoing from inside as Enzo tried to top his last story. The thestrals snorted and pawed at the dirt. Most couldn't see them, but I noticed the glance Draco gave the empty harness and the way his jaw tightened slightly.

I settled in between Astoria and Theo, the sway of the carriage rocking us gently as we began our climb toward the castle.

And then it appeared.

Hogwarts.

The towers stretched up into the deep violet sky, lit from within like a painting. My chest twisted at the sight.

Home.

Even if it didn't always feel like it. Even if parts of me still felt scattered, waiting, aching, wondering.

I leaned my head against the cold glass, my breath fogging the window.

Maybe this year would be different.

Or maybe I'd finally figure out how to live with the emptiness.