Emerson Wilmore was an exemplary Ravenclaw student, known for her unwavering dedication to academics and an unyielding moral compass. However, things took a twisted and deviated turn in her life after her boyfriend, Cedric Diggory, was murdered by L...
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Emerson followed Mattheo up the winding stairs of the Astronomy Tower, her mind still reeling from the tense encounter with Draco. She tried to push her curiosity aside and focus instead on the faint sound of their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. She needed a break from the constant weight of her studies, and Mattheo, despite everything, seemed to know exactly how to distract her.
But no matter how hard she tried, the tension between Mattheo and Draco lingered at the edge of her thoughts. The replay of the conversation was nagging at her. What was that about? She wanted to ask him again, but something told her it wasn't the right time.
When they finally reached the top, Emerson came to an abrupt stop. Her eyes widened in surprise, her breath catching in her throat. All thoughts of Draco vanished as she took in the sight before her.
Laid out in front of them was a familiar woollen picnic rug on the ground, and beside it, a basket, clearly prepared in advance. The evening sky stretched out beyond them, stars beginning to twinkle against the fading light.
The sight of it immediately reminded her of the night they spent together on New Year's Eve where Mattheo set up the room in the same way. She remembered the hours spent together, sitting beneath the stars, talking, laughing and letting their defences finally fall. It was the first time they let their walls crumble, making way for the beginning of their unexpected and fractured friendship as they left behind the hostility and tension that usually defined their enemy relationship.
And now, here they were again, in the same places. Only this time, it felt different. They felt much closer, with something unknown yet palpable in the air between them.
Emerson turned to Mattheo, her heart racing in her chest. She was full of disbelief. He was standing just a few feet away with a small, genuine smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he watched her reaction. There was no smugness or teasing. He was quietly anticipating her reaction.
"You... You did this?" Emerson's voice came out as barely a whisper, still stunned. She blinked. "For me?"
Mattheo's smile widened slightly, and he shrugged casually, though his eyes gave away the warmth behind the gesture. "Yeah," He confessed, watching her reaction closely. "I figured you needed a break... Something to get you out of your head. You're too stubborn to take one unless I gave you a reason."
Emerson stared at him, still in shock. "But... How did you know I would even come with you? I almost said no back there. I was planning on spending the entire night studying."
Mattheo chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "I know you, Emie. Better than you think." He stepped closer, his presence suddenly making her very aware of how close they were. "You're stubborn, yes. But you're also smart enough to know when you need a break, even if you won't admit it to yourself. You just needed a little push."
