Boundless

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 (𝟏𝟕)

Olivia

I never realised how difficult leaving Hogwarts would be until Mattheo was the one I had to leave behind.

Draco and I were packed, our trunks ready, our winter coats draped over our arms, but we weren't moving. Not really. Not fast enough. Because every time I took a step toward the door, Mattheo pulled me back. And every time he let me go, I was the one reaching for him next.

I couldn't help it.

I wasn't ready to leave.

His arms tightened around me, one hand gripping my waist, the other tangled in my hair, holding me against him like he could keep me here if he just held on tightly enough. His breath was warm against my temple, his lips brushing the spot just below my ear, whispering words that only made it harder to go.

"Stay," he murmured, voice low, rough, something almost desperate hiding beneath it.

I closed my eyes, inhaling the scent of him, the spice of his cologne, the warmth of his skin. "I can't."

His fingers flexed at my hip, like he was fighting the urge to drag me back into his bed, into his arms, anywhere but away from him. "I don't want you there," he muttered, jaw tight. "Not in that house. Not with them."

I knew what he meant.

I wasn't going home. Not really. Home hadn't felt like home in a long time. Not since the Death Eaters took it over, not since my father had been locked in Azkaban, not since every corner of that place had become a reminder of what we had lost.

What my mother had lost.

Draco sighed from where he stood by the door, rubbing his temples. "If you two take any longer, we're going to miss the train."

I ignored him, lifting my chin to meet Mattheo's gaze. His dark eyes burned into mine, filled with something I couldn't name but felt deep in my bones.

"I'll be fine," I promised, though I wasn't sure how true that was.

His lips pressed into a hard line. "And if you're not?"

I swallowed. "Then I'll come back to you."

Something flickered in his expression, something like relief, but it wasn't enough. Not for him. He wasn't convinced, wasn't satisfied, wasn't ready to let me go.

So he kissed me again.

It wasn't soft, wasn't gentle. It was hungry, desperate, filled with everything we hadn't had time to say. My fingers curled into his jacket, holding him there, letting him take what he needed, what we both needed.

"Liv," Draco groaned from the door, exasperated. "Seriously, we need to leave."

Mattheo ignored him, breaking away just enough to rest his forehead against mine. "Come back to me."

I smiled softly, brushing my lips against his once more. "Always."

With a sigh, I finally—finally—pulled away, my fingers trailing down his arm before I forced myself to step back.

Mattheo didn't move as Draco and I walked out the door. He just stood there, watching me go, jaw tight, hands clenched into fists at his sides.

And as I disappeared down the corridor, I felt the weight of his eyes on me.

Like a promise. Like a warning.

Like he was counting down the days until I was back where I belonged.

The second we were out of earshot, Draco let out an exaggerated sigh and gave me a look that was far too smug for my liking.

"So, you and Riddle are back together," he said, shoving his hands into his pockets as we made our way down the halls toward the carriages.