The sound of boots pounding against the ground echoed through the darkened forest. You could hear them behind you, the cold breath of the De4th Eaters growing closer, their pursuit relentless.

Flashback

It had been a quiet night, listening to the murmurs of those the De4th Eaters had gathered around, the weight of their expectations heavy in the air, but you knew something they didn't.

They had always seen you as one of their own—one of them.

Theodore was waiting for you to step forward, to confirm what everyone thought.

Blaise had expected you to join, and yet you had let him down.

Regulus—his gaze was different. Almost a mix of admiration and pity. You knew he wanted to say something, to pull you back from the brink, but he said nothing.

There was a flicker of uncertainty in Lorenzo's expression when he saw you hesitate.

And then, Draco.

Draco’s eyes were the hardest of them all. "You're making a mistake," Draco had said, but his tone faltering, betraying the conflict inside him.

But it was Mattheo's look that had haunted you most.

He had stood at the back of the group, watching with intense, unblinking eyes. And as you turned your back on them, choosing the light over the darkness, you had seen it—a moment of hesitation in his eyes.

Now

You pushed forward, adrenaline coursing through you as the De4th Eaters closed in.

But then, there was a sound behind you—a flash of motion—and suddenly Mattheo was there, his hand gripping your arm with a fierceness you hadn’t expected.

“You’re not alone in this,” Mattheo said, his voice steady, despite the storm of conflict in his eyes. “I chose you. And I’ll stand by that.”

For a moment, time seemed to still. Mattheo had betrayed his family, his brothers, and his friends for you.

And in that moment, you realized just how far he would go. Just how much he had risked.

“Then let’s get out of here,” you said, your voice breaking the silence between you.