The fight had escalated too quickly, the tension spiraling out of control. Spells flew in all directions, the air crackling with energy as Mattheo dodged hexes with his characteristic agility, throwing back jinxes with a smirk that only seemed to enrage the Gryff*ndor boys further.

“You’re going to regret this,” one of them snarled, his wand shaking with barely-contained anger.

Mattheo just laughed, his voice full of reckless bravado. “Please, you’re making this too easy.”

But then, in a split second, everything changed.

The tall Gryff*ndor at the center of the group stepped forward, his face twisted in a mix of rage and determination. He raised his wand, his voice cutting through the noise like a knife. “Avada Kdvra!”

The sickly green light erupted from his wand, blinding in its intensity. Time seemed to slow as you watched in horror, unable to move, unable to scream. The spell was heading straight for Mattheo, who froze for the briefest moment, caught off guard.

But then Theo moved. Without hesitation, Theodore lunged in front of Mattheo, intercepting the curse.

The world fell silent.

You were the first to move, dropping to your knees beside Theodore’s still body. Your hands hovered over him, shaking, as if trying to will him to wake up. “No... no, no, no,” you choked out, your voice breaking as the reality hit you like a blow to the chest. “Theo, please.”

Mattheo sank to his knees beside you. “No... this isn’t happening,” he muttered, his voice shaking. “Theo, come on. Get up.”

Draco, Lorenzo, Regulus, and Tom arrived moments later, their faces masks of horror and disbelief.

You couldn’t speak. Your hands clenched into fists, trembling against the cold stone floor as tears streamed down your face.

Mattheo reached for Theo’s hand, gripping it tightly. “Why did you do it, Theo?” he whispered. “Why the hell would you do this for me?”

But there was no answer. Only silence.