Boundless

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟖 - 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐨'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The Slytherin common room was alive with the buzz of laughter and music. Near the fireplace, which crackled warmly despite the summer heat, I stood with my friends in a loose circle, our conversation flowing as we drank Butterbeer in our goblets.

Theo leaned casually against the mantel, his eyes flickering with interest. Draco stood with a smug smile playing on his lips. Blaise, ever the picture of cool detachment, sipped his drink thoughtfully. They were all looking at me, and I felt more animated than usual, which was saying something.

"Alright, Mattheo," Theo began, his tone teasing but curious. "We've been dying to know. What's the story with you and Stella?"

I glanced around the room, making sure no one else was listening, and then gave a half-smile. "Well, it's not exactly a secret anymore, is it?" My eyes flickered to where Stella stood, talking with a group of girls.

Draco raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "It's not just that you went on a date with her. It's S we're talking about. Half the school thought you two hated each other."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "It's a bit more complicated than that. We've always had this... tension, you know? But it turns out it wasn't all negative."

Blaise leaned in, his expression one of mild interest. "So, what changed? How did you go from hexing each other in class to... this?"

Taking a sip of my Butterbeer, I gathered my thoughts. "Honestly, it was kind of a gradual thing. We kept getting paired up in Potions, and at first, it was just a lot of bickering. But then we started talking more, and I realized she's not what I expected."

"Not what you expected?" Theo echoed, clearly intrigued.

"Yeah," I nodded. "She's smart, ambitious, and she doesn't take any nonsense from anyone. Including me. I think that's what I like about her the most."

Draco snorted. "So, you like her because she doesn't let you get away with anything? Sounds like a match made in heaven."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help grinning. "Something like that. She challenges me."

Blaise tilted his head, considering this. "And how does she feel about you? I mean, we all know you're not exactly a walk in the park, either."

I shrugged, a touch of vulnerability slipping through my confident facade. "I think she likes that I'm honest with her. We don't have to pretend around each other. It's... refreshing."

Theo clapped me on the shoulder, a rare show of camaraderie. "Well, good for you, mate. Just don't mess it up. Stella's not the forgiving type."

I laughed. "Trust me, I know. I'm doing my best."

Draco raised his goblet in a mock toast. "To Mattheo and Stella. May you both survive each other."

As we clinked our goblets and shared a laugh, the moment was interrupted by a sudden hush that fell over the immediate vicinity. I glanced up to see Sebastian striding towards us, his face darkened with a scowl.

Sebastian stopped a few paces away, glaring at me. "So, it's true," he spat, his voice dripping with disdain. "You and Stella? Really, Riddle?"

I held his gaze, refusing to be intimidated. "Yeah, it's true," I replied evenly. "Got a problem, Sallow?"

Draco, sensing the tension, moved slightly to position himself between us but didn't intervene. Theo and Blaise exchanged wary glances, ready to step in if things got out of hand.

Sebastian's eyes flashed with anger. "Of course I have a problem with it. You and Stella hated each other at the beginning of the year. This... this is a joke."

I felt my temper rising. "It's not a joke, Sebastian. People change."

He took a step closer, his fists clenching at his sides. "People like you don't change. You're still the same manipulative bastard you've always been. And Stella—she's too good for you."

I laughed, a cold sound that seemed to echo in the now quiet common room. "You're one to talk about being good for her. Like you were some paragon of virtue."

Sebastian's face reddened. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know exactly what it means," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "I know what you did to her. Real classy, Sallow," I spat, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

Sebastian's jaw tightened, and before I could react, he lunged at me, throwing a punch that caught me on the jaw. Pain exploded in my head, but it only fueled my anger. I tackled him to the ground, and we grappled, fists flying.

Draco and Blaise quickly tried to pull us apart, but Sebastian and I were locked in a furious struggle. I could hear shouts and gasps from the surrounding students, but my focus was on the fight. Sebastian's insults and the betrayal he represented were all I could think about.

Just then, a familiar voice cut through the chaos. "Stop it! Both of you, stop!"

I felt a pair of hands pulling at me, and I looked up to see Stella standing there, her face pale with worry. She was next to Draco, who had been trying to pull me off Sebastian. For a moment, everything else faded as I saw the concern in her eyes.

I hesitated, my breathing ragged, and then slowly released my grip on Sebastian. He pushed himself up, wiping blood from his lip and glaring at me with pure hatred. But he didn't move to attack again.

Stella stepped between us, her voice trembling with anger. "Sebastian, you need to leave. Now."

Sebastian looked like he wanted to argue, but something in her tone made him think better of it. He shot me one last venomous look before turning on his heel and storming out of the common room.

Stella turned to me, her eyes still wide with worry. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, touching my jaw gingerly. "Yeah, I'm fine."

Draco and Blaise let out breaths they'd been holding, and Theo stepped forward, his expression a mix of relief and annoyance. "Well, that escalated quickly."

Stella looked between us, her concern shifting to frustration as she slapped my bicep. "What were you thinking?"

I sighed, rubbing my arm. "I wasn't. I just... I can't stand him. Especially after what he did to you."

Her expression softened slightly, and she reached out to touch my arm. "I know. But fighting isn't going to solve anything."

I nodded, feeling the weight of her words, my hand covering hers. "You're right. I'm sorry."

Stella gave me a small, reassuring smile. "Just... promise me you'll be careful. I don't want to see you get hurt."

I squeezed her hand gently. "I promise."

Seeing the horror on her face when my hands were on Sebastian made me question if Stella would stay by my side.

She could stand up for herself—hell, she's stood up to me all year—but she's not a fighter. She doesn't grasp the anger that consumes me.

As I gaze into her eyes now, all I see is her innocence, and it hits me: I'll never be good enough for her. I'll never treat her right.