Always and forever- Matteo Riddle

Boggart

The second the boggart was gone, I turned and walked straight out of the room. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't stay there.

I barely registered Lupin calling my name as I pushed through the door and into the corridor. My breathing was shallow, my hands shaking uncontrollably. The walls felt like they were closing in on me, and I couldn't get the image out of my head—their faces, their laughter, their hands—

I stumbled to the nearest empty hallway, leaning against the cold stone wall, trying to ground myself. My head spun, and I squeezed my eyes shut, willing the memories away.

Footsteps echoed behind me. I knew someone had followed, but I didn't look up. I didn't want to see their pity.

My chest tightened painfully, and my vision blurred. My breaths came in short, rapid gasps as I gripped at my shirt, desperate to get air into my lungs. My whole body was trembling, my hands numb and useless at my sides. The walls felt like they were closing in, the floor tilting beneath me.

I barely registered the voice calling my name until a pair of hands gently grabbed my shoulders. I flinched violently, instinct taking over, but then I heard it again—soft, careful. "It's me, you're safe."

I blinked rapidly, my vision still swimming as I tried to focus. My chest ached from the force of my panicked breaths. Slowly, my eyes landed on the people surrounding me—Mattheo, Theo, Draco, Blaise, Enzo, Tom, Astoria, Pansy... all of them looking at me with concern. Professor Lupin stood nearby, his wand still raised, and I realized the boggart was gone.

My hands were shaking uncontrollably, and I tried to steady them against my lap. No one said anything at first, but their faces said enough. They had seen. They knew. The air in the room felt suffocating. I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice, but nothing came out.

Lupin crouched down beside me, his voice calm. "It's okay. You're safe."

Safe. The word felt foreign. I let out a shaky breath, my head dropping forward as I tried to ground myself. "I... I need to get out of here," I whispered.

Lupin hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright, but take a friend with you."

I didn't respond—I just stood up on unsteady legs and made my way toward the door. I felt someone's presence following me, but I didn't look to see who it was until I was already out in the hallway, leaning against the cold stone wall, trying to catch my breath.

It was Mattheo.

He didn't say anything at first, just stood a few feet away, watching me carefully. I wiped my face quickly, realizing my cheeks were damp. I hadn't even noticed I was crying.

"I didn't want anyone to see that," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Mattheo sighed, running a hand through his curls before stepping closer. "Yeah, well... we did." His tone wasn't harsh, just blunt. "And you don't have to act like it didn't happen."

I shook my head, hugging my arms around myself. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Alright," he said simply. "Then we don't have to talk. But I'm not leaving you alone right now."

I exhaled shakily and looked away. I didn't have the energy to argue, and maybe... maybe I didn't really want to be alone. So I just nodded, and Mattheo leaned against the wall beside me, silent but present.

I turned to him, narrowing my eyes. "I'm still mad at you, you know. Why are you even helping me?"

Mattheo scoffed, shaking his head. "Because, despite whatever fight we're having, I actually care about you. Shocking, right?"