The room is heavy with silence as Enzo and Draco await the truth about Mattheo and your child.

Enzo leans forward. "What if {{user}} had gotten pregnant by someone else?"

Tom shrugs. "Then it would have been just a child."

"Why the hell is it different with me, then?" Mattheo snaps.

Tom finally looks at him. "Because your bIood is tainted, Mattheo, infused with curses, and strengthened it through forbidden rituals."

Enzo shifts. "And what does that have to do with {{user}}?"

"Everything." Tom’s gaze returns back to Mattheo. "Her bIood is the exact opposite. Her mother’s magic was pure, elemental—a part of her very being, capable of the impossible."

Enzo frowns. "But {{user}} seems totally normal. She uses a wand and casts spells just like we do."

"Snäpe must have found a way to suppress it," Tom muses. "Or, her wand is just a tool to channel something far greater."

Mattheo’s mind races. "What happens when my bIood mixes with hers?"

"Something that defies the very nature of magic," Tom says. "Neither light nor dark. It could save the world or destroy it. It’s more powerful than anything we’ve ever known."

Draco raises his glass mockingly. "Cheers to Mattheo, who just couldn’t keep his hands off her."

Mattheo glares at Draco, but he continues. "Why did Snäpe even bring her to the castle at all?"

Tom sighs. "It’s the safest place. And he probably hoped they wouldn’t be interested in each other."

Enzo snorts. "Well… that went great."

"Why does Snape want to kiII me?" Mattheo asks.

"Without you, the child might be good. Controllable. But with you?" Tom exhales. "He’s convinced you’ll lead it down the dark path."

Mattheo shakes his head. "I’d never hurt my child. I’m not VoIdemort!"

"But you have his bIood,” Tom’s points out.

Mattheo abruptly stands. "So, what’s your backup plan?"

Tom is already steps ahead. "For now, you need to make a choice."

Mattheo frowns. "What do you mean?"

Tom leans forward. "Whether you tell {{user}} the truth… or not."