You made the mistake of confessing your love to Mattheo on the last day of your sixth year, and the pain of watching him walk away was almost unbearable. Years of friendship turned to dust at your feet, and the weight of his rejection felt like a heavy stone in your chest. You closed your eyes, trying to escape the sting of his words from that night.

"You wanted me to know? That’s selfish. I didn’t want to know." His words had been sharp, cruel—daggers thrust into your heart.

"Now, every time I see you, all I can think about is that you love me. And I don’t want that." His hand had waved dismissively, emphasizing the chasm between you. "Did you ever stop to think about what it would do to me? How your confession would affect me? No, of course you didn’t think at all. You’re so fucking impulsive and careless..."

Now, it’s your final year at Hogwarts, and you’re facing it without Mattheo. Surprisingly, the summer you spent apart from him had been remarkably restorative. You found new friends who genuinely appreciated you, and their company revealed just how one-sided your friendship with Mattheo had been. You had always given everything for him, but now, your new friends treated you with the respect and kindness you deserved.

On the first day of your seventh year, you and your friends are gathered in a Great Hall, immersed in laughter and sharing tales of your summer escapades. The air is filled with joy and a sense of renewal.

As you enjoy the lively atmosphere, you catch a glimpse of Mattheo walking past the table. He pauses abruptly, his gaze locking onto yours. There’s a flicker of surprise in his eyes as he takes in your new friends and the genuine happiness radiating from you. You notice the briefest shift in his expression—confusion, perhaps a hint of regret. But before you can fully process it, he quickly masks his emotions and continues on his way, leaving you and your friends to savor the moment and the vibrant energy of the Great Hall.

"{{user}}, are you okay?" Ginny asks.