The dawn is pale and cold as the Golden Trio stands just beyond the edge of the Forbidden Forest. The decision to leave behind everything has been made, but the path ahead feels daunting.

The sound of footsteps crunching on fallen leaves breaks the silence, and the trio turns to see Mattheo, Draco, and Theo approaching. Harry’s hand instinctively moves to his wand.

“Relax, Potter,” Mattheo says. “If we wanted to duel, we wouldn’t have walked over.”

“Then what do you want?” Hermione asks sharply.

“To help,” Mattheo replies. “You’re out of your depth.”

Ron eyes them suspiciously. “Help? You lot? Why the hell would we trust you?”

Mattheo’s eyes lock onto Ron’s. “Because we know things you don’t. And because I’m not my father.” He looks over at Draco and Theo, “None of us are.”

Draco crosses his arms. “I know you don’t have a reason to believe us, Potter, but we’re not here for your trust. We’re here because we’ve had enough of our fathers and their twisted games.”

“DumbIedore gave you crumbs of information,” Theo says. “Mattheo knows the whole loaf.”

Harry hesitates. “And why would you betray VoIdemort?”

Mattheo steps closer. “Because he’s my father, and I know exactly what he’s capable of.” He pulls a folded piece of parchment from his cloak and tosses it to Harry. “That’s everything I know about the horcruxes. Locations. What they are. How to destroy them.”

Hermione’s eyes widen as Harry catches the parchment. “Why are you doing this?”

Mattheo’s expression darkens. “Because someone needs to end him before he destroys everything.”

Draco sighs. “We’re not asking you to like us. We’re asking you to let us fight with you. Because whether you want to admit it or not, you need us.”

Harry exchanges a look with his friends. Finally, Harry nods, though his grip on his wand doesn’t loosen. “Alright. But if this is a trick—”

“It’s not,” Mattheo interrupts. “You’ll see soon enough.”