Always and forever- Matteo Riddle

That evening, I found myself back in the common room, curled up in one of the chairs by the fire. The day had been exhausting—physically, mentally, emotionally. My body still felt tense, like I was waiting for something bad to happen.

The room was quieter than usual. There were a few students scattered around, but my friends were all gathered in our usual spot. I could hear Theo and Blaise arguing over a chess match, Enzo making sarcastic commentary, and Pansy laughing softly at them. Draco sat on the sofa, flipping through a book, but I could tell he wasn't actually reading.

Mattheo, who had been quiet most of the evening, sat in the chair beside mine. He didn't say anything at first, just pulled out a cigarette and lit it.

"You look like you're thinking too much," he muttered after a moment, exhaling smoke.

I smirked slightly. "When do I not?"

He huffed out a soft laugh, shaking his head. "Fair point."

I pulled my knees up to my chest, watching the flames dance in the fireplace. After a few moments, Draco spoke up from the couch.

"You staying in here all night?"

I glanced at him, then at the others. They were all watching me—not in a pressuring way, but in that quiet, concerned way they always did.

"I dunno," I admitted. "I don't really feel like sleeping."

Theo leaned back, resting his arms behind his head. "Then don't. Let's do something."

Blaise perked up. "Yeah, let's cause some trouble."

I raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

Mattheo smirked. "Oh, I've got a few ideas."

Mattheo's smirk was the kind that usually led to detention—or at the very least, something that would have Snape giving us all that disappointed glare of his.

"What kind of ideas?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Blaise leaned forward with interest. "Yeah, go on, mate. Let's hear it."

Mattheo flicked his cigarette into the fire before sitting up. "Well... we could sneak into the kitchens, steal some Firewhisky from Filch's office, or—" he glanced at me with a knowing look, "—break into the Astronomy Tower and set off some fireworks."

Theo grinned. "Oh, I like that last one."

Draco sighed, shutting his book. "Do you lot have a death wish?"

Pansy rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on, Draco. Don't pretend you don't love it."

I smirked at him. "You do always end up coming with us."

Draco muttered something under his breath but didn't argue.

Enzo clapped his hands together. "Alright, so fireworks in the Astronomy Tower it is."

I hesitated for a moment. A few hours ago, I had been barely holding myself together, but now... I kind of wanted the distraction. The idea of sneaking around Hogwarts, doing something reckless, actually felt like a relief.

"Alright," I said, standing up. "Let's do it."

Mattheo grinned. "That's what I like to hear."

And just like that, we were sneaking out of the common room, ready to cause some chaos.

The halls of Hogwarts were dark, only the occasional flicker of torchlight guiding our way as we made our way toward the Astronomy Tower. We moved quickly, trying to keep quiet—though that was difficult with Theo and Enzo whispering and shoving each other like first-years.