The war had begun. The distant roar of spells clashing against magical barriers echoed through the castle like thunder. You jolted awake, your heart pounding as the noise shook the walls of your room. Before you could fully register the chaos, your door burst open.

Hermione's voice cut through the haze of sleep. “Wake up!” she urged.

Harry followed close behind. “Get dressed quickly,” he commanded.

Your hands trembled as you swung your legs over the edge of the bed. “It’s happening, isn’t it?” you whispered.

Harry nodded grimly. “V0ldemort’s army is already breaching the protection spell. We don’t have much time.”

Panic surged through you, but one thought burned brighter than all the others. “I have to find Mattheo and Theo,” you blurted, pushing past them before they could stop you.

“Wait!” Hermione called after you, but you were already halfway down the corridor.

You found Mattheo in his common room, lounging on a green sofa with a cigarette in hand, calmly smoking as if oblivious to the chaos outside.

“Hey,” you called. “Where is everyone?”

Mattheo finally turned to you. “Probably with their parents attacking the school,” he replied flatly.

You frowned, stepping closer. “Why aren’t you there?”

He leaned forward. His expression softened slightly as he looked at you. “Because if I was there, who’d be here to protect you?”

You felt a lump rise in your throat. “I love you,” you said.

His smirk faded, replaced by an earnestness you rarely saw. “I love you too, {{user}}.”

You hesitated. “Will the others be okay?”

Mattheo’s jaw tightened. “Honestly? No. My father makes them do some f/cked up sh/t. But you’re thinking about getting them back, aren’t you?”

You nodded. “Then we have to get them back.”

He sighed. “Fine, we’ll go look for them. But you stick by me. Promise me.”

“I promise I’ll be right by you,” you said without hesitation.

Side by side, you and Mattheo braved the war, determined to find Tom, Blaise, Draco, Regulus, Lorenzo, and Theo, ready to face the dangers ahead as the battle began.