Veiled Sorrows

"You've got that right," Theo said. "No offense meant to your sister, but I don't trust anyone outside of our House. And I might not like all my fellow Slytherins, but I'll still watch their backs. We don't have anyone else to rely on besides our fellow snakes."

    Well, it certainly was a candid try - Willow found it humorous though. The young witch didn't try to befriend those outside her House but she had come to like a few of the students. The most unlikely of friendships. " Do you really not like hanging with other Houses~? " She spoke, a bit of a tease.

    " I don't blame you, most of them can be annoying~ " Though she adored being a Slytherin, her blood status made her an outsider in her own House. " I'd say keep yourself open to nice people - you never know when you could use a helping hand. "

    " I don't think you'd have a problem with Mr. Gaunt becoming egotistical. The only time I've seen him speak up is when he's angry. Threatens to tell his father is someone gets on his nerves. " She chuckled to herself, thinking of the last verbal fight she had to break up between the Slytherin boy and a Ravenclaw. " I'm glad to see that you can keep them in line though. Mr. Sallow is always getting into trouble, even moreso lately. "

    And at the mention of the Yule Ball, Willow simply shrugged. " I am sure the professors will try their best so no casualties happen, but everyone is warned of the dangers before they put a name into the goblet. " She explained, though shared the younger girl's worries. If it was someone she cared about that was picked, Willow might have raised hell. " But the wizarding world is full of dangers, from what I've experienced. "

    " I don't think you'd have a problem with Mr. Gaunt becoming egotistical. The only time I've seen him speak up is when he's angry. Threatens to tell his father is someone gets on his nerves. " She chuckled to herself, thinking of the last verbal fight she had to break up between the Slytherin boy and a Ravenclaw. " I'm glad to see that you can keep them in line though. Mr. Sallow is always getting into trouble, even moreso lately. "

    And at the mention of the Yule Ball, Willow simply shrugged. " I am sure the professors will try their best so no casualties happen, but everyone is warned of the dangers before they put a name into the goblet. " She explained, though shared the younger girl's worries. If it was someone she cared about that was picked, Willow might have raised hell. " But the wizarding world is full of dangers, from what I've experienced. "

    A warm hand gently rubbed circles on her back. His lips planting a tender kiss on the top of her head. ❝ I smelled it. ❞ He confirmed in a whisper. Smelling her hair, the same scent he smelled from the potion. No doubt about it. And even while he had a passionated hatred for the potion and those who use it, at least it comforted him knowing that he got one thing right.

    ❝ Have I ever told you how much I like the scent of hyacinth? ❞ Among other things he picked up from the potion, the flower was the one thing that stuck out the most to him. Even if it was a very light scent. He wasn't sure if it was her perfume, shampoo, or something Willow likes to eat. But it's his favourite.

    Gently squeezing her in his arms, followed by another kiss on her head. ❝ Should we go somewhere? Take a walk or do you prefer to just have a quiet afternoon in the common room? ❞ Standing here in the hallway would grab attention from other students or professors at some point. That's the last thing they both need right now.

    Willow's pale cheeks flushed scarlet at the mention of her perfume, tentatively taking a lock of her hair to smell it. The flowered scent was something her mother had given to her when she was young - so it came as a surprise when Mattheo correctly identified it. " You really did smell it... " She murmured, embarrassed, but it soothed her mind a little. Dark eyes peered up at his face, her expression softening with her smile.

    " If we escaped to the common room, wouldn't your friends make fun of you for sucking up to a prefect~? " She laughed lightly, her hands against his chest so she could see his face clearly. " Actually, there's something I want to show you. My sister actually put it together so it's a bit embarrassing, but you might enjoy it. "

    Her gaze further narrowed at his confession - to never put her precious sister in danger. Willow chose to trust him - breaking it would prove to be foolish if he had any sense. The silence continued, Willow's pointed stare trying to unravel any doubts she may have had for the Slytherin.

    " ...Fine. Make sure that you inform me when you're going out - with or without Apple. I don't need the other prefects catching on about this. " She let her arms fall down to her sides once more, pursing her lips as she mulled over things. " I like you, Sebastian. So don't betray my trust. "

❝ I  never asked  you  to protect  me . ❞  To jeopardize  her  life  for  the  sake of  his,  something  he’d  never  demanded . It  was  the cure  all  he’d ever  wanted ;  it was  the  ceasing of  this  overgrowing fear ;  the  fear of  his  twin  dying .   Already  ebbing away  into  nothingness, already  fading  out -  why  couldn’t  Apple  understand  how  it was  ?  No . Instead ,  she  cried . She  cried  and for  a  moment, he  thought  he’d do  the  same.  Exhausting .  It was  all  exhausting ; to  be  eaten by  this  anger was  exhausting,  to  be arguing  with  everyone was  exhausting ,  to be  losing  hope , to  be  losing  everything ; it  was  all exhausting .

    She hung her head when he mentioned her protection. Did he think she was doing it to impede him? Did he think that her concern was an annoyance? Silently, the brunette rose to her feet - wiping her tears with the back of her hand. No, she wasn't going to cry anymore - her chest was hurting too much to even think about it. Their screaming, her sobs, her body felt like it was going to break down at any moment.

    Bloodshot brown eyes fixated on his form, a flurry of things she could say coming to her mind. No - she couldn't let herself get swept up by emotion again...

    " Sebastian. " Her tone wavered with all the grief from earlier straining her voice. " I know you never asked for me to protect you but I try my best because I consider you precious to me. I couldn't tear my eyes from you the moment we met. " The brunette admitted, taking a deep breath before she continued. " But the further you sink into that darkness, the more unrecognizable you become to me... And maybe it's my own selfish thinking, to assume I meant as much to you as you do to me."

    " I don't mind...putting myself in danger for you. Because all you had to do was smile at me and I would have forgiven any transgression... " Apple wrung her hands together, the shaking of her hands hard to see without stepping closer. " You lash out and say the most heartbreaking things to me then expect me to believe that you care for me. I don't... I... "

    Her gaze fell to her feet once more. " You put me in turmoil, Sebastian. That's why I thought... I don't know. " She shook her head, the thought too confusing to process. " Nothing I say will matter anyway. "

    At the mention of the Slytherin girl, Apple's expression twisted in disgust - not hiding her disdain for the broom-flying witch. " I think the dead will rule the world long before I befriend Imelda. " She shook her head like the name itself was disgusting. " She never takes her losses with grace. "

    And as he brought up Poppy once more, the young witch's expression softened somewhat. " Well, Poppy and I get along swimmingly, so we thought to go to the ball together. She's thankfully taken it upon herself to block off a few people I didn't wish to ask me to the dance. "

    ❝ Ouch— The lack of faith you have in me hurts, Inkling. ❞ He clutched the fabric over his chest, dramatizing a reaction. Though he couldn't have seen himself as a professor before now, the idea actually doesn't seem so bad in his eyes. ❝ Have I ever mentioned hating children? I don't find them as obnoxious if I have some form of authority over them. ❞ Perhaps it's something that needs to be considered. If not an Auror, he could try to aim for a position as a Professor. It genuinely didn't sound too bad of an option.

    ❝ You just watch, love. I will make this a plan B. ❞ Mattheo grinned her way, throwing an arm around her shoulders.

    ❝ And at least, if I go for a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, I wouldn't have to directly deal with the Amortentia potions, but Unforgivables instead. ❞ And that is somehow better. Mattheo would really much rather deal with the Imperio Curse, than a life-altering potion.

    " I wouldn't say it's a lack of faith~ I'm just more skilled than you~ " She openly teased him, pausing as they came to the edge of the Forbidden Forest before she straightened her shoulders and walked in with him. Willow was always willing to break the rules - but it was the first time she'd come with a boy.

    " You never mentioned hating children, but even with authority - they'll push your buttons~ " The young witch giggled, reminded of times were she had to break up fights among the 1st years.

    " Defense Against the Dark Arts? " Willow mulled over the title as they stepped over tree roots - following the dark path deeper into the forest. " That would be a very handsome title for you~ I might have a crush on a professor if you took on that role~ "

    ❝ No, I'd rather not get anyone else involved. It might get your sister in trouble. ❞ He sighed. Perhaps he should just leave it alone. Move on. Like he always has. The fact that he is alive still is pretty amazing, so he should hold onto that fact alone. And besides, he's got plenty of reasons to work as hard as he can to push through these hardships. Even if it kept him up at night.

    A hum. ❝ I've heard whispers of the Room of Requirements. Did not think it was real, but I suppose Hogwarts has plenty of strange secrets that are yet to be discovered. ❞ He wondered if he simply never thought of needing a space of his own, away from prying eyes all the time. The room never appeared before him because his heart never called for it. His heart needed something else entirely. Something the room probably could not provide.

    ❝ Are you certain she wouldn't mind? ❞ Still, the idea of a temporary escape did sound very nice. A room nobody else could enter? Might be exactly what Mattheo needs to clear his mind for a little while.

    " Trouble is Apple's middle name at this point. But I do mean it though - maybe... we should be more careful. It's a bit heartbreaking to see you like this, Mattheo. " Willow admitted with some reluctance, not wanting to make the situation worse but wanting him to know that she couldn't sit idly by when he was hurt like this. She shook her head as she continued on, leaving her words hanging for him to consider.

    " Every corner I turn, I learn something new about Hogwarts. Apple certainly wasted no time - but I believe a Professor showed her the room. " She eyed him as they continued walking, Willow acting as a buffer between him and anyone that might chance upon them. " I'm sure she won't mind us there - as long as you are with me~ I've helped decorate so there's plenty of places to sit and relax. The Vivarium is a nice place as well. "

    ❝ I can work with black and gold. ❞ A confirmation with a nod. He wasn't too difficult to work with when it came to formal attire. As long as it's nothing crazy. But on top of that, he trusted that Willow wouldn't make a fool of him. As often as they joke and play around, she would not do him dirty.

    The Slytherin chuckled, arms folded across his chest. ❝ Goodness, Inkling. It is as if you didn't know that I like you. ❞ Is he easy to please? Maybe. But he's always had mixed feelings about the Yule Ball and how much drama it can cause if you don't ask the right person to go with you.

    But that means he needs to find a suitable . . . suit. He doesn't necessarily have anything in the luggage he brought with him. It is good excuse to visit Hogsmeade again. ❝ Any other special requests? ❞ He teased with a grin, leaning over to her.

    " Well, I can't just assume that everyone falls in love with me~ " She teased lightly, her gaze softening as she let out a small bubble of laughter. At the mention of requests, Willow hummed - reaching up to straighten Mattheo's collar. Her first dance with a guy she liked - it was weird to think about. When was the last time she danced? Probably at Apple's debut party... And that certainly was a disaster. " I may have one~ But maybe you wouldn't be able to fulfill it, would you~? "

    " I just want the night to be memorable. It's my first Yule Ball~ " She had only come to Hogwarts in her 5th year, alone with barely any English. " Need any help picking out something to wear, Mr. Darcy~ ? "

    ❝ Good to know that I can piss you off by just staring at other girls. ❞ Oh, he will definitely make use of that. Just for the sake of riling Willow up. It may be mean, but he does like getting a reaction out of people. Especially those he likes. — The same cannot be said for Willow's sister, it seems.

    He let out a soft hum as he reached out to put some food on his plate. Some baked potato wedges and chicken will do just fine for now. ❝ She doesn't? Any idea why? — Perhaps I've looked at her strangely before. ❞ Sheer curiosity. Mattheo honestly doesn't care much for Willow's little sister. He's heard what kind of a menace she can be, and it's not the type he'd want to be associated with either.

    " She's been stuck to my side since the day she was born. " The young witch sighed softly, picking through her food. With the stress lately brought about by her sister and her duties - eating her favorite foods or just in general was difficult. " Probably thinks you're going to steal me away~ She has this whole idea in her head that once she inherits the estate and father dies, I will come live with her for the rest of my life~ "

    " She's just a silly girl with silly ideas. Don't take her dislike of you to heart. " She bumped his shoulder with her own, the corners of place lips curled into a smile. " But I will warn you that she will do her best to mess with you. "

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