The Lestrange Legacy

It's Nothing.

He keeps going, steamrolling right through any silence I leave for him.

'You want to know why I've been quiet? Because I'm exhausted. Because being around you lately feels like walking on a minefield. One second you're here, the next you're a mystery wrapped in a pretty cardigan, and it's honestly just draining.'

My mouth opens, but nothing comes out. 

He shrugs. 'You want honesty? Fine. You kiss or fuck whoever you want. Fred, Mattheo, the bartender, I don't care. It's not like you ever actually let people in anyway. We're just... here. Watching the show. Waiting for the next thing you won't talk about, you fucking bitch'

I flinch before I can stop myself.

His words land exactly where he means them to.

Felix stares at me for a second longer. His expression doesn't soften. If anything, he looks disappointed. Not just in me. Maybe in himself too.

'I don't want to fight with you,' he says quietly. His tone entirely different now. 

'You don't?' I exclaim. 'Well if you feel such terrible things about me, why do you even want to be friends?'

He shrugs, and I swear that small movement makes my blood boil.

'You're impossible.' I sigh.

He looked at me and for a second, but quickly closes his eyes and says, 'Forget it.'

My mouth opens, but before I can throw something back, someone else speaks.

'Back off.'

We both turn.

Mattheo stands at the edge of the alley, his posture calm but coiled. His eyes are darker than usual, stormy, locked on Felix like he's prey.

Felix scoffs. 'Oh, this guy. Of course. Here to defend your territory?'

Mattheo doesn't answer. He just steps forward.

'This isn't your business,' I say quickly, stepping between them.

'He's got no right talking to you like that,' Mattheo mutters.

Felix laughs. 'Oh, I'm sorry, are you her guard dog now? Bark when I get too close?'

'Felix, shut the fuck up,' I hiss, but it's too late.

Mattheo doesn't respond with words this time.

He punches.

Felix stumbles back, hand to his jaw, completely stunned.

'Mattheo!' I shout.

But he's not done.

Another sharper hit, aimed lower. Felix recovers just enough to try and shove him back, but Mattheo is already on him again, fast, brutal. His hands curl in Felix's shirt and slam him against the wall with a crack that makes me flinch.

'STOP!' I yell. 'Stop it! Get off!'

They're both shouting now, but Mattheo's voice cuts through, colder, louder.

'You don't get to fucking talk to her like that, ever.'

'Mattheo, STOP!' I scream, wand already in my hand.

He doesn't.

I don't hesitate.

'Depulso!'

The spell hits him square in the chest and knocks him back into a barrel.

Felix is coughing, face red, hand pressed to his side. He looks shocked more than anything. Not scared. Not even angry.

Mattheo stays on the ground, still breathing hard, wiping blood from his mouth like it's an inconvenience.

'That was amazing,' he says between shallow breaths, grinning like he's just had the time of his life. 'You should join a duelling club.'

Felix glares at him, wincing as he tries to sit up straighter. 'You're a psychopath.'

Mattheo shrugs, still smiling. 'Takes one to know one.'

'You attacked me.'

'You insulted Rosa.'

'You're insane,' Felix spits. 'You don't get to hit people just because they say something you don't like.'

Mattheo rolls his eyes. 'I hit people because they deserve it.'

'Oh, I'd love to see your little moral compass.'

'Stop it. Both of you!' My voice is louder than I meant.

Felix coughs again. Mattheo watches me like with an expression I can't read.

'I told you to stop,' I say, voice shaking slightly. 'You didn't listen.'

Mattheo stands up slowly, dusting off his sleeves like this was all just a minor inconvenience.

'I listened eventually.'

'After I sent you flying across the alley.'

He shrugs. 'Still stopped, didn't I?'

I clench my fists, trying to stay calm.

Felix wipes the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand. His knuckles are scraped. His eyes are dark.

'You had nothing to do with our little discussion. You had no right to intervene.'

'You're right,' Mattheo says casually, tilting his head. 'But it was fun.'

I blink at him. 'Fun?'

'You think I followed you here to be polite?' he asks. 'Because I didn't. I saw someone hurting you. I acted. Simple.'

'That's not simple. That's violence,' I say.

Mattheo just looks at me.

And then he walks off. Just like that.

No apology. No further explanation. Just gone.

Felix coughs again, and I finally kneel beside him. I reach for his arm and he doesn't pull away this time.

'You're bleeding,' I say quietly.

He looks at me, finally looks at me.
'You didn't have to save me, you know. I said some really hurtful things to you just now. I don't deserve your help.'

'Yes you did,' I sigh, 'But you made your point loud and clear and I think it's better to keep each other at a distance. However, that's no reason for me not to help you get to the infirmary.' 

'Wait- no Rosa. I didn't mean it like that I just-.'

I raise my eyebrow, 'You just what?'

Felix pauses for a moment. Opening his mouth like the words are lingering on his tongue. 'It's... Nothing.' He sighs. 

'Yeah, because it's always nothing.' I sigh.