It’s the second to last day of school, and you stop by Mattheo's room for dinner. As you enter the room, you are surprised to see that he hasn't packed up a single thing.

"Ready to go?" Mattheo asks.

"Uhm, yeah," you reply, looking around. "When are you going to start packing?"

He shrugs. "When I get around to it."

"Do you need help?" you offer.

"No, I got it," he says a bit defensively.

"What's wrong, Matty? I know you," you press gently.

He sighs and closes the door, leaning against it. "I'm just not in a rush for summer vacation, okay?"

"Why not? I, for one, can't wait to go ho...home..." Your voice trails off as the realization dawns on you. Home for Mattheo meant a whole summer with Voldemort. "I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it," he mutters, looking away.

You stand in silence for a moment, the weight of the situation settling between you. "What if you come and stay with me and my family for the summer?" you suggest softly.

Mattheo chuckles, a hint of bitterness in his voice. "Yeah, like your parents would go for that."

"Let me at least see what they say, okay?" you urge, stepping closer and placing a hand on his arm.

He looks at you, a flicker of hope in his eyes quickly masked by doubt. "You really think they'd agree?"

"I don't know," you admit, "but I have to try. You don't have to go back there, Matty. Not if there's another option."

He sighs again, running a hand through his hair. "Alright," he says finally, his voice quiet. "But don't get your hopes up."