The Slytherin common room was cold and quiet as you made your way to your dorm. You’d been searching for Mattheo all day after the truth about his Dark Mark had spread like wildfire through the school. When you pushed open the door, you found him sitting on your bed, his head buried in his hands.

He looked up briefly, his red-rimmed eyes meeting yours, before quickly turning away. His sleeve was already pushed up, exposing the mark burned into his pale skin. “You shouldn’t be here,” he muttered, his voice hoarse.

You ignored him and walked closer, sitting down beside him. “Mattheo, talk to me,” you said, your voice soft but insistent.

He let out a bitter laugh, his hand shaking as he gestured to the mark. “What’s there to say? Everyone saw it. They know what I am now. A Death Eater. My father made sure of that.” His voice cracked, and he dropped his head again.