You leaned against the windowsill in your room, staring out into the black night. The moon hung high, casting a silver glow over the grounds of your manor. Your eyes caught sight of a few Order members patrolling below, moving quietly through the shadows in search of intruders. You looked away, lifting your gaze to the starry sky above, letting out a quiet sigh.

You were tired of being here. Tired of feeling like a prisoner in your own home. But there wasn’t much you could do—not with everything going on. Not with the looming threat of the Dark Lord hanging over your head. Just the thought of him sent a chill down your spine. It made you wonder where the two boys you loved most were.

Mattheo & Theo had slipped away months ago—right before things began to spiral. No word. No message. Nothing. You feared they might’ve gone to join the Dark Lord, but you didn’t want to believe it. Mattheo had always insisted he wasn’t in contact with his father. Theo said he didn’t want to follow in his father’s footsteps.

You were confused. Lost. Alone.

With a tired sigh, you pushed yourself away from the window and headed downstairs toward the kitchen. The manor was eerily quiet tonight, and something about it set you on edge. As you rounded a corner, you froze.

A cloaked figure stepped out of the darkness, wand drawn, Death Eater mask concealing his face. Your heart pounded in your chest as fear gripped you, but your hand was quick—you pulled your wand, aiming it with trembling fingers.

You fired a spell, but he deflected it with ease. You started backing up—only to crash into a solid body behind you. Panic shot through you. You whirled around, only to see another masked figure.

Before you could run, the first one grabbed your arms, yanking them behind your back.

“Stop!” you shouted, struggling, but his wand pressed against your throat, tilting your head back.

“Now, now, Bella… no need to scream,” came a familiar voice.

Theo.

The figure behind you chuckled lowly, & you knew that voice, too.

Mattheo.