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.
I lifted my head slightly, looking over at Theo. "Wait... is my first Quidditch match tomorrow?"
Theo smirked. "Yep. You nervous?"
I groaned, running a hand through my hair. "I completely forgot. Bloody hell."
Mattheo chuckled beside me. "You'll be fine. You're a Malfoy—flying's in your blood."
"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, but my stomach was already twisting. I knew I was good, but this was my first official match. And with my parents watching? The pressure was unreal.
Pansy nudged me. "Don't stress too much. Just go out there and win."
I scoffed. "Oh, is that all? Great advice, Pans."
She rolled her eyes. "I try my best."
Theo leaned back on his elbows. "If you're really that nervous, we could sneak into the pitch tonight, get some practice in under the moonlight."
I raised an eyebrow. "Are you just looking for an excuse to break the rules?"
"Absolutely," he grinned.
I laughed, shaking my head at Theo before glancing around at the others. "Alright, but seriously—who are we playing against?"
Blaise smirked. "Ravenclaw."
I groaned, leaning back against Mattheo. "Great. So I get to deal with a bunch of strategy-obsessed nerds who actually think before they play."
Theo chuckled. "Pretty much. But that just means you have to outfly them. They might have brains, but we have you."
Pansy rolled her eyes. "Honestly, with how fast you are, I doubt their Seeker will even see the Snitch before you've already caught it."
I huffed. "I hope you're right. Last thing I need is my dad breathing down my neck if we lose."
Mattheo nudged me. "Don't worry about Lucius. Just go out there and do what you do best—kick ass."
I smirked, feeling a little better. "Fine. But if we lose, I'm blaming all of you."
As the evening stretched on, the warmth of the sun and the steady hum of my friends' voices made my eyelids grow heavy. I didn't fight it—I just let myself relax against Mattheo's shoulder, his presence grounding me.
I barely registered the way his arm shifted, adjusting to my weight as I got more comfortable. His scent—smoke, cinnamon, and something uniquely him—was oddly comforting.
"She's out," I heard Theo mutter, his voice distant.
"Can you blame her?" Pansy whispered. "It's been a long day."
I felt Mattheo shift slightly but didn't move away. If anything, he let me settle even more into him, his fingers absentmindedly tracing small circles against my arm.
I wasn't sure how long I had been asleep, but I woke with a jolt, my chest tightening as the remnants of my nightmare clung to me. My breathing was uneven, and I could still feel the phantom sensation of water filling my lungs, even though I was safe, dry, and surrounded by my friends.
I forced myself to take a slow breath, trying to steady my shaking hands without drawing attention to myself. The last thing I needed was for them to notice.
"You awake?" Mattheo's voice was low, close to my ear.
I nodded quickly, keeping my expression neutral as I rubbed my face, pretending I was just groggy. "Yeah... how long was I out?" My voice was hoarse, but I masked it with a yawn.
"A while," Theo chuckled. "We were starting to think we'd have to carry you back."
I gave a small, forced laugh. "That would've been embarrassing."
Pansy smirked. "Guess? You were out cold."
I rolled my eyes but didn't argue. I focused on stretching, making it seem like I was just stiff from sleeping instead of trying to shake off the leftover panic still clinging to me.
Draco finally stood, brushing off his clothes. "We should probably head back soon. You do have your first match tomorrow."
Right. My first match. I latched onto that thought, using it to push everything else away. "Yeah, yeah, let's go."
Mattheo stood up and stretched before holding out a hand to me. I hesitated for just a second before taking it, letting him pull me up. My legs were shaky, but I ignored it.
As we walked back to the castle, I kept my eyes ahead, doing everything I could to act normal. But I couldn't shake the feeling that Mattheo's gaze lingered on me just a little longer than usual, like he had noticed something was off. I just hoped he wouldn't ask.
We made our way back to the castle, the air cool and crisp as we walked in silence, everyone absorbed in their own thoughts. The sounds of the lake's waves lapping gently against the shore were replaced by the crunch of leaves beneath our feet. I kept my focus ahead, trying to ignore the nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach.
I was more than ready to get inside, away from the quiet that let my mind wander. At least inside, I could pretend everything was fine for a while longer.
Once we reached the castle, we parted ways to head to our respective dorms. I felt the familiar weight of exhaustion pulling at me, but I couldn't seem to shake off the anxiety that had settled over me. I had hoped the fresh air and the distraction of being with everyone would help, but the nightmare still clung to me, the memories of what happened feeling just as real as they had that day.
When I got to my dorm, I immediately tossed myself onto the bed. It was still early, but I was already drained. The room was quiet, and for a moment, I thought I could just close my eyes and forget everything.
But of course, I couldn't.
I reached for my cigarettes, the familiar ritual offering some comfort, and took a deep drag, letting the smoke fill my lungs. It wasn't a solution, but it was something. The anxiety didn't disappear, but it dulled just a little.
I heard the soft knock on the door, and before I could get up, it creaked open. Draco stepped inside, his usual stern expression softened by concern.
"You okay?" His voice was quiet, and for once, he didn't sound like he was just trying to provoke me.
I didn't answer immediately. Instead, I just stared at him, trying to figure out if he was really asking or if he was just doing this out of some kind of obligation. I didn't feel like talking, but I knew that look—he wasn't going to leave until I said something.
Finally, I let out a breath, trying to force a smile, though it felt more like a grimace. "I'm fine. Just tired."
He didn't seem convinced, but he didn't press it. Instead, he walked over to the bed and sat down, keeping a bit of distance. "If you ever want to talk, you know where to find me."
It wasn't much, but it was more than I had expected. I nodded, though I didn't feel ready to share anything. Not yet.
After a few moments of silence, Draco stood up and walked toward the door. "You'll be fine, you know. You've always been able to handle things."
His words hung in the air as he left, the door clicking softly behind him. I sat there for a while, just letting the silence settle around me, the weight of everything slowly creeping back.
Tomorrow was the match. Tomorrow, I had to be strong.
I just wasn't sure how to get there.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror for a while, the dark circles under my eyes almost mocking me. I wasn't sure if makeup could cover up how exhausted I felt, but I gave it my best shot. I applied a light foundation to even out my skin tone, some concealer to try and hide the dark circles, and a bit of mascara to make my eyes look more awake. It wasn't perfect, but it would have to do.
After I finished, I stood for a moment, breathing in deeply. It was a new day. I couldn't keep hiding from it.
I grabbed my bag and made my way to the Great Hall, trying my best to act normal, to not let anyone see how much I was struggling. When I entered, I found my friends already seated. The chatter and laughter filled the air, and I made my way over to them, forcing a smile as I sat down.
They all greeted me with their usual warmth, but I could feel their eyes on me, as if they could tell something was off. I didn't say anything about it though, I didn't want to explain, didn't want to burden them with it.
I just hoped that today would go by quickly, and I could manage to get through it without anyone noticing how much I was breaking on the inside.
The conversation quickly turned to the Quidditch match, and despite everything going on in my head, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement. The match was just an hour away, and I could feel the adrenaline building as everyone talked about it.
"Are you ready for it?" Mattheo asked, his usual playful grin on his face as he glanced at me.
I nodded, though part of me was still distracted by the weight on my chest. "Yeah, I guess I'm ready. Just hope we win."
"Of course we'll win," Draco chimed in, looking far too confident, as usual. "We've got the best players."
I smiled weakly, trying to match their enthusiasm, but my mind kept drifting back to the restless night I'd had. Still, there was something about the match that made me want to push everything aside for a while, to focus on something that felt real and tangible.
"So, who are we playing against again?" I asked, not entirely sure myself, but hoping someone would fill in the details.
"Griffindor," Theo answered, his eyes glinting with excitement. "They've got a good team this year, but we've got this."
"Definitely," Mattheo agreed, his confidence contagious. "We're going to crush them."
We continued to chat, the conversation bouncing between the match and random bits of gossip. I could feel the energy in the room shifting, everyone buzzing with excitement about the upcoming game. For a moment, I let myself enjoy the camaraderie, pushing my worries to the back of my mind.
As the time drew nearer, we all stood up and made our way out of the Great Hall, heading for the Quidditch pitch. The air was cooler than usual, and the excitement in the air was palpable. Students were milling about, making their way to the stands or gathering in groups to cheer on their teams.
I tried to push the nerves aside as we walked together, but the flutter in my stomach was still there. It wasn't just the pressure of the match; it was the weight of everything else. I kept my gaze focused ahead, trying to ignore the gnawing feeling in my chest.
"Hey, you okay?" Mattheo asked, his voice low as he matched his pace to mine. His eyes flickered over to me, but I quickly looked away, not wanting to show him how out of sorts I really was.
"Yeah," I said quickly, offering him a tight smile. "Just nervous, you know? It's been a while since I've done something like this."
Mattheo's expression softened, but before he could say anything, Draco spoke up from ahead, eager to get to the pitch.
"We need to get to our spots. Let's go, no time to waste!"
The group sped up, and I found myself getting caught up in the rush of the moment. Once we arrived at the pitch, the sounds of the crowd filled the air, and the excitement was almost overwhelming. The game was about to begin, and for the first time in a while, I felt a tiny spark of something close to anticipation.
The match was about to begin, and I could feel the excitement buzzing in the air. As the Seeker for Slytherin, the weight of the match rested on my shoulders. The crowd was buzzing, and I could hear my friends—Mattheo and the rest of the Slytherin team—cheering in the stands. I tried to block out the pressure, focusing only on the game ahead. My eyes scanned the field, my heart pounding in anticipation.
The whistle blew, signaling the start of the game. My broom felt steady beneath me as I kicked off from the ground, shooting up into the air, my eyes immediately darting across the sky, searching for the Golden Snitch. The wind rushed around me, the sounds of the game fading as I concentrated.
The chasers for both teams darted across the field, passing the Quaffle back and forth as the beaters kept a wary eye on the Bludgers. I kept my eyes trained on the skies, knowing that the Snitch could appear at any moment. The Slytherin team was on top of things, our formation tight, our strategy precise. Still, my focus never wavered from the task at hand.
Suddenly, a glimmer of gold caught my eye—a flash of movement near the Gryffindor goalposts. My heart skipped. There it was.
The Snitch.
I pushed my broom into a steep dive, the wind howling in my ears as I raced toward it. I could hear the cheers of my friends behind me, Mattheo's voice among them, urging me on. My grip tightened around the broomstick as I cut through the air, my eyes fixed on the tiny fluttering ball. I could almost feel it within my reach.
But the Gryffindor Seeker, the one I was up against, spotted it too. We were neck and neck, both of us desperate to catch it first. The crowd's cheers intensified, echoing around the pitch as we zoomed closer. My heart raced in my chest as I focused on the Snitch, knowing that this was it—the moment that would decide everything.
Just as I thought I had it, the other Seeker lunged for it, trying to grab it out of the air. I swerved to avoid them, my broom pulling me dangerously close to the ground, but I didn't let up. The Snitch was still just out of reach, fluttering tauntingly in the air.
I pushed forward, my determination growing with each second. With a final burst of speed, I shot ahead, arm outstretched, fingers grazing the Snitch. And then, in a swift motion, I closed my fingers around it, catching it in my grasp.
The whistle blew, signaling the end of the game.
I pulled up, my heart pounding, my hands shaking slightly as I held the Snitch in triumph. The Slytherin side erupted into cheers, and I couldn't help but grin, the adrenaline coursing through my body. We had won.
I flew over to the stands, where my friends were cheering the loudest. Mattheo's voice rang out as he pumped his fist in the air. "I knew you'd do it!" he shouted.
I landed gracefully on the ground, still holding the Snitch, feeling a rush of pride. "Thanks for the faith!" I laughed, looking over at my teammates, who were all rushing toward me, celebrating the victory.
It was a sweet win, not just for the team, but for me as well. I had come through when it mattered most, and the whole Slytherin team was behind me. We had done it.
The cheers from the stands still echoed in my ears as I walked off the pitch, the Snitch securely in my hand. The rest of the team swarmed around me, patting my back and laughing in celebration. I couldn't help but smile, feeling the adrenaline from the win still buzzing through my veins.
Mattheo was the first to reach me, his face lit up with a grin. "That was incredible! I knew you had it in you!" he said, pulling me into a quick hug. I laughed, feeling the warmth of his praise. It was one of those moments where everything felt right, where the pressure of the match had finally melted away, leaving just pure joy.
We all made our way back to the castle, the celebration spilling into the hallways as we walked. People congratulated us left and right, and there was a sense of pride in the air, especially from the Slytherins. We had pulled off an incredible victory, and I could feel the team's unity stronger than ever.
When we finally reached the Great Hall, the feast was already in full swing. I could hear the cheers of the other houses as they clinked their glasses in celebration. It felt like the whole school knew we had won, and the pride of it was inescapable. I couldn't help but feel like I had proven myself, not just as a member of the Slytherin team, but as someone who could take on anything life threw my way.
I grabbed a seat at the Slytherin table, Mattheo beside me, and we joined the others in the celebration. As the evening wore on, I relaxed, knowing I had earned my place among my friends and teammates. The tension that had been in the air earlier had disappeared, replaced with a sense of camaraderie and victory.
After the feast, I found myself sitting with Mattheo in the common room, the rest of the team scattered around, still buzzing from the match. We sat quietly for a while, both of us taking in the night and the excitement of the day. "You were amazing today," Mattheo said, breaking the silence. "You've got a real fire in you."
I smiled at him, grateful for his support. "Thanks," I replied softly. "It felt good... to finally win."
We sat in comfortable silence for a little longer, both of us content with the quiet and the shared understanding between us. The night was still young, and the victory was still fresh in my mind, but I knew that tomorrow would bring new challenges. For now, though, I was just going to enjoy the win and the company of the people who had my back.
Theo's voice broke through the quiet of the common room, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Why don't we throw a party?" he suggested, leaning back in his chair, a playful grin tugging at his lips. "You know, for the victory. A little celebration after all that hard work. What do you say?"
The idea hung in the air for a moment, and I could see the others looking between each other, all of them nodding in agreement. The excitement from the match was still palpable, and a party sounded like the perfect way to end the day.
Mattheo chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "I'm down. We could use some fun after all that flying around."
I smiled, feeling the thrill of the suggestion. A party sounded perfect—something to take the edge off and just let loose with my friends. "I'm in," I said, feeling the weight of the win lift even more. "We could use a little chaos after all that focus."
Draco, who had been quietly listening, smirked. "I'm not surprised you're all ready to party. Let's just make sure it doesn't get too out of hand."
Theo waved him off with a grin. "Don't worry, Malfoy. We're just here to have fun. No one's going to get too wild... maybe."
Everyone started to get up and gather their things, clearly ready to make it happen. I couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement. The idea of celebrating with them, letting off some steam, felt like exactly what I needed. A few drinks, some music, and a chance to forget about everything for a while.
"We should get the drinks," Theo continued. "And I know just the place for some snacks. I'll grab everything. You guys ready?"
We all agreed, and I followed them out of the common room, already feeling the shift in energy. The buzz from the match hadn't worn off, and now with the promise of a party, everything felt light and carefree. It was a rare moment of peace, and I was going to make the most of it.