Shadows and Secrets

Breaking point

The stress of the Potions project had begun to weigh heavily on Lexi. Between the demanding coursework, the strained relationship with Enzo, and the constant friction with Mattheo, she was barely keeping it together. Her focus on the Draught of Living Death had consumed her, and she found herself staying up late into the night, her eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep.

Days passed, and Lexi's workload only seemed to increase. She'd skip meals, lose track of time in the library, and neglect her other classes. Her friends noticed her deteriorating state, but Lexi brushed off their concerns, determined to prove she could handle everything on her own.

One particularly grueling day, Lexi had spent hours in the library, poring over her notes and brewing yet another batch of the Draught of Living Death. She'd barely eaten breakfast, skipping lunch entirely, and was now too tired to focus on anything but the task at hand. Her hands trembled as she worked, and her vision began to blur.

The day wore on, and the castle around her seemed to spin in slow motion. Lexi's exhaustion mounted, her headache throbbing in time with her heartbeat. Her breathing came in shallow, uneven gasps as she forced herself to stay awake.

As she was measuring a particularly volatile ingredient, the room seemed to tilt dangerously. The edges of her vision darkened, and before she could react, her legs gave out. She collapsed to the floor, her head hitting the stone with a dull thud.

The library was empty, save for the distant rustling of pages and the soft crackling of a fireplace. Lexi lay unconscious, the papers and ingredients scattered around her.

Mattheo, who had been wandering through the library in search of a rare book, entered just as he heard the thud. He froze for a moment, his eyes widening as he saw Lexi on the floor, her face pale and her body limp.

"What the hell?" Mattheo muttered, rushing over to her. He knelt beside her, checking her pulse and her breathing. Relief washed over him when he realized she was still alive, but she was dangerously pale.

He hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do. He had never seen Lexi like this—vulnerable and completely defeated. Mattheo's usual aloofness faltered as he carefully lifted her head, checking for any signs of injury.

"Lexi," he said, his voice more urgent. "Wake up. Come on."

When she didn't stir, he took a deep breath and made a decision. He carefully lifted her into his arms, cradling her as he carried her out of the library. He moved quickly through the corridors, his usual arrogance replaced by a focused determination.

The hospital wing was relatively empty when he arrived, and he laid Lexi on one of the beds. Madam Pomfrey, the matron, looked up in surprise.

"Mr. Riddle! What's happened here?" she exclaimed, hurrying over.

"She collapsed in the library," Mattheo explained, his voice tight with worry. "She's been working too hard and hasn't been eating."

Madam Pomfrey immediately began to examine Lexi, her face taking on a serious expression. "I see. We need to get her stabilized."

Mattheo watched anxiously as Madam Pomfrey worked, administering a potion to help with her fainting and preparing a calming draught. The sight of Lexi lying there, looking so small and fragile, gnawed at him. He had never seen her like this, and it stirred something uncomfortable within him.

After what felt like an eternity, Madam Pomfrey finally looked up. "She's stable for now. She'll need rest and nourishment, but she should be okay."

Mattheo nodded, feeling a wave of relief. "Thanks, Madam Pomfrey."

Madam Pomfrey turned her attention to him, her expression softening slightly. "You did the right thing bringing her here. She's been pushing herself too hard."

As Mattheo stood by the bed, watching Lexi sleep, his mind was filled with conflicting emotions. He had never cared much for her well-being, seeing her as just another competitor. But seeing her so vulnerable had changed something in him.

Lexi's eyes fluttered open a while later. She looked around, her gaze finally settling on Mattheo, who was standing by her bed with his usual detached expression.

"Mattheo..." Lexi mumbled, confusion and embarrassment evident in her voice. "What are you doing here?"

Mattheo shrugged nonchalantly, trying to mask his concern with indifference. "You fainted in the library. I just brought you here."

Lexi's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble. I've just been really overwhelmed."

"Yeah, well, it's not my problem if you push yourself too hard," Mattheo said, his tone as dismissive as ever. "Just make sure you eat something and get some rest."

Lexi winced at his lack of sympathy but nodded weakly. "Thanks, I guess."

Mattheo gave a curt nod and turned to leave. As he walked away, he couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between them. The animosity that had always been there seemed to be tempered with a new understanding, but he wasn't ready to admit that to himself or to Lexi.