Always and forever- Matteo Riddle

After finishing my cigarette, I forced myself to stand, ignoring the lingering tremble in my hands. My cheek still burned, but I didn't bother checking the damage. I already knew what I'd see.

I needed to get out of this corridor. Away from the echoes of his voice, away from the weight pressing down on my chest.

With slow, measured steps, I made my way back to the Slytherin common room, keeping my head down as I moved through the castle. I didn't want to run into anyone—not like this.

When I finally reached the common room, the familiar green glow of the lamps did little to ease the exhaustion pulling at me. The moment I stepped inside, the low hum of conversation died.

Draco, Mattheo, Theo, and the others were all there, waiting. The moment they saw me, their expressions darkened.

Mattheo was the first to move, pushing off the couch, his eyes locking onto me like he already knew something was wrong. "What happened?" he asked, voice sharp with barely contained anger.

I hesitated, swallowing hard. "Nothing," I muttered, moving past them toward the fireplace.

"Don't lie," Draco said, stepping in front of me. His gaze flickered to my face, his jaw tightening. "He hit you, didn't he?"

I clenched my teeth. "It doesn't matter."*

"Like hell it doesn't," Mattheo snapped, his fists curling at his sides.

The others exchanged tense glances, their faces unreadable, but I could see the fury simmering beneath the surface.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I just... I don't want to talk about it right now."*

Theo exhaled slowly. "Then don't. Just sit down before you fall over again," he muttered, nudging me toward the couch.

I didn't argue. I was too tired. I sank into the cushions, staring into the fire as the others sat around me, silent but present.

The warmth of the fire flickered against my skin, but it did nothing to melt the cold that had settled in my chest. I sat there, silent, staring into the flames while the others watched me carefully, waiting for me to say something—anything.

Mattheo was still tense beside me, his leg bouncing with restless energy. Theo leaned back, arms crossed, his jaw tight with barely contained frustration. Draco sat across from me, his fingers interlaced, his expression unreadable. The rest of them were quiet, but the air in the room felt suffocating with unspoken words.

After a long moment, Mattheo finally broke the silence. "I swear to fucking God, if he ever lays a hand on you again—"

"Mattheo," I cut him off, my voice quiet but firm. "It doesn't matter."*

"It does," Draco said sharply, his voice laced with an edge of something I couldn't quite place. "You're my sister. I should have never let you go alone."*

"Like you could've stopped him," I muttered bitterly.

Draco flinched slightly but didn't argue.

"I just need to move on," I said, exhaling shakily. "It's done. He's gone. I don't want to sit here and talk about it all night."*

Mattheo let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Then what do you want?"

I hesitated, staring at my hands for a long moment. "I just... I just want to forget for a while," I admitted.

Theo leaned forward slightly. "And how do you want to do that?"

I looked up at them, forcing a small smirk. "Got anything strong?"