Faer • Mattheo Riddle

8.0

I sat beside Pansy in the courtyard, the crisp early afternoon air filled with the scent of autumn leaves and the sounds of laughter and chatter drifting from students milling about. 

The sun peeked through the trees, casting playful shadows on the ground, and for a moment, I felt a flicker of normalcy in the chaos that surrounded us. 

Pansy and I were deep in conversation, discussing the latest rumors swirling around Hogwarts with the Golden Trios antics, when I caught the familiar sight of Draco, Blaise, Theo, and Lorenzo making their way toward us.

"Look who it is," Pansy said with a grin, nudging me playfully. I felt a smile creep onto my lips as I turned to watch the boys approach, their usual cockiness evident in their strides.

As they arrived, Blaise ruffled Pansy's hair, eliciting a mock protest from her. "Stop it, Blaise! You're ruining my look!" she exclaimed, pretending to swat him away. T

he boys laughed, and the atmosphere felt lighter, almost carefree.

Draco settled in beside me, casually draping his arm around my shoulders.

 The warmth of his touch sent a shiver down my spine, but I quickly reminded myself to keep my distance emotionally.

 Pansy shot me a teasing look, and I rolled my eyes, trying to mask the fluttering sensations in my stomach. 

I liked Draco, but I kept telling myself it was only physical. I couldn't like him more, even if I ever wanted to.

"Did you hear about the Hufflepuff party tonight?" Theo chimed in, his grin stretching from ear to ear.

Lorenzo leaned in, eyes sparkling with mischief. "They might look all innocent, but trust me, they know how to throw a rager. I've seen them get completely wasted. They have good shit"

"Yeah, and I know a couple of them have managed to sneak in some enhancements for the night," Blaise added, his voice low and conspiratorial. 

"Should be stellar, right?"

I hesitated, biting my lip as I weighed my options.

 A party sounded like a welcome distraction from the heavy reality pressing down on us. 

But could I allow myself to have fun, even for a few hours? 

"Alright, I'll go," I finally said, deciding to embrace the moment and let myself enjoy a brief escape. No cracks in my armor would be allowed though.

Draco's grip tightened around my shoulders, his thumb brushing against my arm, and I glanced at him.

 A smile danced on his lips, something genuine and warm. It was a small comfort in an increasingly complicated world. 

Pansy caught my eye, her expression playful, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her antics.

 At the same time in the corner of my eye I was acutely aware of Mattheo approaching, his presence somehow distinct from the others. 

The casual banter between Blaise, Theo, and Lorenzo faded into the background as I tried to gauge Mattheo's mood, but there was an intensity about him today that made me uneasy.