Always and forever- Matteo Riddle

For the rest of the day, we stayed by the lake. The others went swimming again, splashing around and dunking each other under the water, but I stayed on the grass, watching. It was easier to laugh at their ridiculous antics than to think about anything else.

Pansy shrieked as Enzo grabbed her by the waist and threw her into the water. Theo barely had a second to react before Mattheo tackled him under. Draco, of course, refused to partake in the chaos, choosing instead to float lazily on his back, acting far too superior for any of it.

I smirked, taking another drag from my cigarette. "You all look ridiculous."

"Says the one sitting on the sidelines like a fragile old lady," Theo called back, shaking water from his hair.

I rolled my eyes. "I prefer the term 'dignified observer.'"

Enzo swam closer to the edge. "You sure you don't wanna come in? The water's actually nice."

I hesitated for only a second before shaking my head. "I'm good here."

No one pushed me further on it, and for that, I was grateful. Instead, we spent the rest of the afternoon in easy conversation, occasionally stealing food from the basket Pansy had somehow smuggled out of the Great hall.

As the sun started to dip lower in the sky, casting everything in golden light, we stayed stretched out on the grass, still talking, still laughing. It was one of those rare moments where everything felt light, even if only for a little while.

Mattheo sat beside me, leaning back on his elbows, watching the water ripple. "So," he said after a moment, flicking his eyes toward me. "What's next on your grand plan to cause chaos?"

I smirked, taking another slow drag from my cigarette. "I don't know yet. I'll have to think of something good."

"That's dangerous."

"Oh, I know."

Theo threw a grape at me from where he lay beside Pansy. "You better not get us all in trouble again."

I caught it and popped it in my mouth, grinning. "No promises."

Draco sighed dramatically. "You lot act like you have nothing better to do."

"We don't," Enzo shot back.

The group dissolved into laughter again, and I leaned my head back against the tree, letting my eyes drift shut for a moment.

Mattheo didn't say anything when I rested my head on his shoulder, but I felt him shift slightly, getting more comfortable. His warmth was grounding, steady. The others were still talking, laughing, but for a moment, I just let myself exist in the quiet space between us.

"You alright?" he asked, voice low enough that only I could hear.

I nodded against him. "Yeah... just tired."

"Makes sense. It's been a long day."

We sat there like that for a while, just listening to the conversation around us, the soft lapping of the water against the shore, the distant chatter of students heading back to the castle.

Pansy smirked at us from across the group. "Look at you two all cozy."

I rolled my eyes, sitting up slightly. "Shut up, Pansy."

"I didn't say anything," she said innocently, though the knowing look on her face said otherwise.

Mattheo just chuckled, shaking his head. "You lot love to run your mouths, huh?"

"Always," Theo grinned.

I sighed, but there was amusement in it. I leaned back against Mattheo's shoulder again, ignoring their teasing. Let them talk. I didn't really care.