Broken Bonds

Chapter 24

The early morning light filtered through the windows of the Slytherin common room, casting long shadows on the stone walls. Y/N sat alone, her mind racing with the weight of recent revelations. The room felt too quiet, too empty without the usual banter and laughter.

She stared at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes red from a sleepless night. Pansy's death and the truth about Mattheo's role in it haunted her thoughts. The knowledge was like a heavy stone lodged in her chest, making it hard to breathe.

*How could I have been so blind?* she thought. *I was right there, and I didn't see it. I need to fix this.*

Determined, Y/N marched out of the common room, heading straight for the Gryffindor tower. She had to speak with Draco and Mellony, and she needed to explain her decision.

As she entered the Gryffindor common room, the atmosphere was tense. Theo and Blaise were engaged in a heated discussion about their next moves. Mattheo sat in a corner, his face unreadable, while Draco and Mellony sat apart, deep in conversation.

Y/N took a deep breath and stepped forward, catching the attention of everyone in the room. Her voice was firm but laced with an underlying sorrow.

"I need to talk to you all," she said, her gaze shifting between Theo, Blaise, and Mattheo. "I've made a decision."

Theo frowned, clearly puzzled. "What do you mean, Y/N?"

Y/N's voice wavered slightly. "I can't support Mattheo anymore. Not after everything I've learned. My mom and Pansy—Pansy died because of him. I can't ignore that."

Blaise's eyes widened in shock. "What are you talking about?"

Y/N looked down, struggling to keep her emotions in check. "It's true. Mattheo was involved, and I can't stand by him knowing what he's done."

Theo's expression hardened, his disappointment evident. "So, you're just going to abandon us? After everything?"

"It's not about abandoning you," Y/N said, her voice rising in frustration. "It's about doing what's right. I owe it to my mom and Pansy to fight against the person responsible for their deaths."

Blaise shook his head, clearly upset. "You think this is easy for us? We're trying to protect Mattheo from the same people who killed our friends!"

"I understand that, but I can't be part of that anymore," Y/N said, her voice trembling. "I'm going to join Draco and Mellony. They're fighting for the right reasons."

Theo's face was a mask of anger and sadness. "So you're just going to leave us? After everything we've been through?"

Before Y/N could respond, Draco and Mellony walked over, their expressions a mix of hope and skepticism.

"You're really sure about this?" Draco asked, his voice cold but curious. "You're joining us now?"

Y/N nodded, her eyes meeting Draco's. "Yes, I am. I know it's not going to be easy, but I need to make things right."

Mellony gave Y/N a small, encouraging smile. "I'm glad you've come to your senses. We need all the help we can get."

Mattheo stood up, his face a mask of pain and anger. "You're just going to turn your back on me?"

Y/N met his gaze with a pained expression. "I'm not turning my back on you. I'm trying to do what's right. You need to face the consequences of your actions."

Mattheo's fists clenched at his sides, but he remained silent, his eyes filled with a mixture of regret and frustration.

Theo and Blaise exchanged a look of defeat. "Fine. If you're going to do this, we can't stop you," Theo said bitterly. "But don't expect us to just sit back and let this go."

Y/N nodded, feeling the weight of her decision settle on her shoulders. She turned to Draco and Mellony, ready to join their side, but the tension in the room remained palpable.

As they left the Gryffindor common room, the air was thick with unresolved emotions. Y/N could only hope that her decision would lead to a path of redemption, even if it meant facing a future fraught with more challenges and heartache.

Back in the Slytherin common room, Mattheo sat alone, the weight of his friends' departure heavy on his shoulders. His eyes were filled with a mix of anger and sadness, realizing that the bonds he once held dear were now frayed and broken.