as the world caves in; mattheo riddle

"I see the way he looks at you, Amora Marie. The eyes don't lie."

~~~

"Baby, I'm going to miss you so much," Pansy says, her arms wrapped tightly around me. 

I laugh softly, hugging her back just as tightly. We just got off the Hogwarts Express and are now waiting for our parents. The bustling sound of students lugging their trunks around, reunions of parents with their children filling my ears. 

"Pans, we only live a few minutes from each other." I giggle in her ear. 

She pulls away from the tight embrace, hands still gripping my arms as she faces me. 

"Oh, but it's not the same," she pouts, "I'm not going to be seeing your beautiful face every day. Plus, who is going to keep me sane while dealing with my crazy family?"

"Trust me, I get it." I huff, "I'm going to miss you too, baby. But I'm only a short broom ride away if you need anything." 

Her expression softens, a small smile growing on her lips as she pulls me into another short, tight embrace before letting go. She spots her parents slipping through the entrance to the platform, muttering a quick goodbye before heading in their direction. 

As much as I was looking forward to break, I was going to miss seeing my favorite people every day. I just have to remember that it's only a few weeks. Though I did absolutely dread the family aspect of Christmas break. A few days, that it. I only have to deal with them for a few days. 

"Thought you were going to leave without saying goodbye?" Theo's voice chimes in behind me. 

I turn around to face him, a big grin plastered on my face. I wrap my arms behind his neck in a warm embrace as he wraps his arms around my waist. 

"Merlin, I wouldn't dream of it." I tease, whispering in his ear. 

Theo's arms feel warm and familiar around me, like home in a way I don't always know how to explain. He lets out a small chuckle, holding onto each other for a long moment before finally pulling away. 

"What ever am I going to do without you, Theodore?" I question, looking up at him with a sad smile. 

"Oh, you'll be lost." he smirks, "But don't worry, it'll be over before you know it." 

I roll my eyes in a playful manner, shaking my head softly at him. 

"Hm." I hum, "That is if I survive this weekend with my grandparents." 

His lips curl into a small sympathetic frown, knowing all too well about how it feels to have family members like that. He has also gotten too many glimpses of how my grandparents treat me. 

"Shit, I'm sorry, Amora." he says, his voice full of sincerity. 

I shrug, trying to downplay how much I dreaded the encounters, but I can feel the weight of my words hanging in the air. Like I said before, just a few days, that's all I had to endure. 

If I don't lose my bloody mind by then. 

"It's alright," I sigh, "Nothing I haven't done before, right?" 

He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, giving me an all-knowing smile. His expression was soft, giving me a source of comfort that only he was capable of. 

"Haven't we both." he chuckles, "But I will be there to bail you out in a second, you know that." 

I nod as I peer up at him, my smile returning.