Bound By Blood.

ch.52~Easy there.

"I didn't mean to ruin the moment. You need to know that.  

It was fucking eating me alive."

Translated Recovered Correspondents between Death Eater Mattheo Riddle, to Order Member Alexandra Brooks, 2003. 

Hogwarts, 1997.

Mattheo.  

School was becoming insufferable. 

With the knowledge of everything happening, and not knowing exactly when... I felt like I had to always hold my fucking breath. 

I tried to enjoy the last moments of this place. 

As much as I complained about it through the years... I liked it here. 

I felt at home. 

More than I'd ever had at the manor. 

I felt like I could be a kid, and I knew I had to soak that all up now. 

Because in a moments notice, there would be no quidditch practice, arguing over which house party to go too, or how to fuck with the Gryffindors. 

There would be no fucking school. 

So, I grabbed the pack of cigarettes off my end table, and headed to the astronomy tower. 

As I made my way through the familiar halls, the ache of impending finality settled deeper into my chest. A burst of laughter floated through the courtyard, breaking the heavy silence that had enveloped me. 

I paused, glancing around, but the noise seemed to hang in the air without a source.

For a moment, I dismissed it as my mind playing tricks on me, focusing instead on the echoing footsteps leading me to the Astronomy Tower. 

Just as I was about to turn the corner and enter the next hall, all my thoughts were interrupted by a sudden collision.

Brooks came barreling into me, her laughter ringing out like vibrant bells through the empty space. 

It was genuine laughter, unlike anything I'd ever heard from her. 

When I looked down, I was greeted by a wide smile that lit up her face, so radiant and sincere that it took me completely off guard.

A smile I'd never seen her wear. 

I don't think I've ever seen something this beautiful. 

I instinctively reached out to catch her before she tumbled to the ground, our bodies colliding softly in a surprising mix of warmth and spontaneity. 

"Easy there, Brooks!" I said, trying to play it cool, but the sight of her in such a carefree state was catching me off guard.

For a heartbeat, she just stared at me, her eyes sparkling with mischief and joy. 

The laughter bubbled up again, even louder than before, and it took me a moment to realize that she was laughing at the sheer absurdity of our encounter.

"Of course it's you!" she gasped, clearly amused, as she tried to regain her composure. "You have to help me, they're coming!"

Her words tumbled out between fits of laughter, and suddenly, it was the only sound I wanted to hear.