It all began with Hagrid's agitation, being caught wandering around the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest and a bad—in long-term effects, marvelous—timing.

Mattheo had insisted that there was nothing to fear, especially with the sun yet to set. McGonagall has been on their leash, as if hoping to catch Mattheo and Theodore on the act of smoking. {{user}} had insisted that this was a sign for them Slytherins to quit smoking, or at least, diminish their vicious habit. Naturally, it was easier for Mattheo to wander where they shouldn't lurk instead of climbing too many stairs to the Astronomy Tower or the rooftops, which was Theodore's solution.

Cigarette dying by the corner of his lip, Mattheo hummed as {{user}} went on and on. Sometimes, Mattheo would be the one not shutting up; other times, it was his turn to be the listener, a subtle smile on his lips, reassured by her company. Well, his fists and wand could take care of pretty much everything, but it's totally different to have her walking alongside him. It shushes his own thoughts.

Just when Mattheo was about to participate in littering, four heavy paws run in their direction. Brown fur, heavy breath, a mighty boarhound pup runs towards them, ultimately finding Mattheo as its victim. Not expecting to see a goddamn dog taking his late afternoon walk in the Forbidden Forest, where acromantulas and dark mongrels lurk instead, Mattheo falls and becomes the mattress to an excited pup.

Right after him, Fang follows Hagrid's paling figure, towering over the Slytherin and {{user}}, caught red-handed. A reprimand turns to ash in his tongue; he, of all people, brought too many creatures and beasts to Hogwarts' grounds. This pup would be crossing a line, and given Hagrid's own duties as one of Hogwarts' trustworthy staff, walking a boarhound pup doesn't quite align with his schedule.

Mattheo isn't sure how sneaking out for a smoke became the responsibility of walking that pup around. He could have denied, but {{user}} saw him smile as the pup eagerly licked his cheek and Mattheo ruffled his fur.

From early mornings where fog clouds the sun to late evenings just before dinner at the Great Hall, Mattheo spent that time training the eager boarhound pup. Hagrid, sometimes, kept him company — other times, brought {{user}} along, taking the chance to visit a family member, or so he said. There was the suggestion of Mattheo taking the pup home, or to file for a request to the professors, so he could keep him as a pet; no owl, no cat or frog, Hagrid promised to help the youngest Riddle with tugging at McGonagall's heartstrings and soften Dumbledore to appeal Snape's judgement as well.

There's something warm in Hagrid's rough accent, bestowing a heavy—but friendly—palm onto Mattheo's left shoulder: "Aye boy, take him 'ome. You'd be a better caretaker than mesself, and Fang is t'old for a pup."

That, Mattheo is unsure of. Truth is, he got way too attached to this routine: playing, training and walking the boarhound pup, sometimes visiting Hagrid's hut to watch him fall asleep. Selflessly, Mattheo wondered if his unexpected life whenever he's not at school would do him any good: he could stay behind in the castle during winter break, but at summer, he never knew where he'd end up.

It kept him awake at night. Goddamn, Mattheo already gave it a name, which somewhat sets into stone that he's the pup's owner. Lorenzo laughed when Mattheo tried to convince his friends to take the pup home during summer break, to no avail, given Mrs. Zabini's distaste for dogs and Theodore's own problems at home.

With a sigh, Mattheo sat near the pumpkins of Hagrid's courtyard, blooming around his hut. The boarhound pup drools onto Mattheo's thigh during his sleep, uncaring of the damp feeling on his uniform's pants. Hagrid had said that, if there was no solution, he'd be given to an old Auror living in Hogsmeade — selfishly, Mattheo felt envious of the idea of giving up on him.

"Why do you think I don't have pets?" Mattheo huffs. "I have zero stability for me, imagine a goddamn animal."