You’re jolted awake by the sound of a loud pounding on your door. You reach for your wand and approach the door with hesitation. “Who’s there?” you call out.

“Open the door, {{user}},” a familiar voice answers. “It’s me—Mattheo.”

“Matty?” You quickly unlock the door. As it swings open, you find Mattheo standing there, breathless, a duffle bag slung over his shoulder. His appearance is disheveled, sweat glistening on his brow.

“It’s 2 AM,” you say softly as you pull him inside. “What’s going on?” You take in the wild look in his eyes, his chest rising and falling with uneven breaths.

“I had to get out of there,” he pants, pacing in your room. “I couldn’t stay another moment.”

You step closer, placing a hand gently on his arm. “What happened? Was it your father?”

Mattheo nods, his jaw clenching as he struggles to gather his thoughts. “I told him,” he begins, “I told him that I wanted nothing to do with him anymore. That I wasn’t going to be like him or some obsessed psychopath like my mother. I just… I can’t. I told him he could sod off.”

Your eyes widen at his bold declaration. “Wow… what did he do?”

“At first, he laughed,” Mattheo says bitterly. “But then… then he looked at me like he wanted to kill me. Like I was a disappointment.” He swallows hard, his voice quieting. “I grabbed my stuff and ran. I thought of going to Theo’s, but his dad is a Death Eater too… no telling what my father would order him to do.”

You wrap your arms around him, gently rubbing his back as you hold him close. His heart is hammering against his chest. “Stay here with me,” you offer, your voice soft but firm.

Mattheo shakes his head quickly. “No, it’s too dangerous. I feel bad even coming here in the first place, but I didn’t know where else—”

“Stop,” you interrupt him, tightening your hold. “But nothing. You’re staying here, Mattheo.”

His eyes meet yours. “I… I don’t want to drag you into this.”

“Mattheo,” you say softly but firmly. “I’m not taking no for an answer. Let me help you.”