Boundless

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟔

When Sebastian told me he'd have more time to spend with me after not making the Quidditch team, I didn't expect him to take it so literally.

For the past two weeks, I've barely had a moment to myself. Whether we were in my dorm or he was moving my things to his, Sebastian was always there. He even waited for me before and after classes, causing him to be late for his own.

The upside was that Sebastian's constant presence kept my stash safe. With him watching me closely, it was nearly impossible for me to sneak a hit.

By Thursday, we were all exhausted. It felt like our toughest classes and most grueling practices were all scheduled on the same day.

That evening, our group gathered in the common room, finishing the leftover alcohol from the weekend's party.

Out of boredom, Pansy suggested a game of truth or dare to lighten the mood. After some coaxing, everyone joined in.

The game started off innocently, but as we drank more, the real challenges began.

Aware of the risks, I knew I had to be careful. Choosing truth meant drinking Veritaserum, risking exposure of my secrets, especially with Sebastian's recent keenness. My safest bet was to stick with dares, though it felt risky.

When it was my turn again, Theo, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, called on me. "Little Stella," he said, smirking.

"Dare" I say confidently, it's not like I had many options. Theo pulled the cigarette from his mouth, amused. "I dare you to ghost."

Amidst whispers and exclamations from my friends, I walked over to Theo, took his cigarette, and sat next to him. I performed the trick flawlessly. Theo clapped, impressed, and the others joined in.

I noticed Sebastian wasn't celebrating. He leaned forward, tension in his posture. "Where did you learn that?" he asked coldly.

I shrugged and laughed it off as "just a party trick," but Sebastian wasn't convinced.

I handed the cigarette back to Theo and returned to my seat, but Sebastian's focus remained on me, waiting for a confrontation.

"Learn that this summer?" he pressed, his glare intense. "It's not that hard," I dismissed him, taking a sip from my cup. "When are you going to tell me what you did this summer?" he demanded.

I frowned at him. "Let it go, will you?" I replied sharply, wishing he would drop it. Our tension became apparent when the game paused.

Sebastian grabbed the Veritaserum and slammed it in front of me. "Drink it," he commanded. I scoffed, "It's not my turn."

"It is now. Drink," he insisted. Reluctantly, I took a sip, knowing it risked revealing too much.

"Where did you learn to ghost?" Sebastian asked again, eagerly. "Oxford," I blurted out.

His frustration grew. "Why were you at Oxford?" he pressed. I shook my head, biting my tongue. "You can't ask two questions; that's not the rules."

"Forget the rules," he shouted. "What the fuck were you doing in Oxford?" His voice rose, and I defensively yelled back, "I was at a party!"

"A party?" he scoffed, mocking laughter breaking through as he went to stand over me. I stood up reflexively when Blaise and Draco quickly intervened.

I stepped back as Pansy grabbed my arm, pulling me away. "You're pathetic, Stella," Sebastian accused, his anger boiling over.

That's when the last person I expected to intervene stood up. "Where the fuck do you get off yelling at your girlfriend like that?" Mattheo shouted aggressively, moving towards Sebastian.

"You're really going to defend Stella after everything you've done to her? Where were you when her father died, huh? Living it up with your daddy?" Sebastian taunted him, getting in Mattheo's face.

There was no response, only a swift punch that sent Sebastian reeling to the floor, clutching his jaw.

Mattheo then pounced on Sebastian, intent on continuing the fight. I watched in shock, my hand covering my mouth.

The others intervened quickly, pulling them apart as the room seemed to blur around me.

Sebastian was escorted by Draco and Enzo to the infirmary, battered and bleeding.

"Are you ok?" Pansy asked gently, noticing my distress.

"No, I'm not ok," I confessed for the first time, my voice trembling.

Pansy guided me back to my dorm. As I took one last look back, I saw Mattheo, his expression cold and unforgiving, his shirt splattered with Sebastian's blood.