The day had passed in a blur of parchment and ink, laughter mingled with stress, and the low hum of focused minds. Lennon sat in the middle of their circle on the library floor, surrounded by friends—Hermione and Luna to her left, Theodore and Lorenzo sprawled on their backs nearby, Angelina flipping through Transfiguration notes while Katie and Oliver compared answers.
Mattheo, of course, was right next to her, his thigh pressed against hers, their shared Charms book open between them. Every so often, she caught him watching her—not in a distracted way, but like he was studying her the way she studied spells: slowly, deliberately, memorizing each detail.
He hadn't said much all day, but his fingers kept brushing hers, his eyes holding something heavy behind the usual spark. Lennon hadn't pressed. She liked the way he looked at her like she was his whole world—because to her, he was.
By late afternoon, everyone was exhausted. Quills dropped. Scrolls were rolled up. Backs were stretched and yawns echoed through the aisles of ancient books.
"Okay," Theodore groaned, rubbing his face. "I need real food before I start chewing on my textbook."
"Agreed," Lorenzo said. "I'm pretty sure this much studying is illegal in some countries."
As the group began to gather their things, Mattheo touched Lennon's arm gently. "Can you meet me after you clean up? Don't go to dinner yet."
She tilted her head, curious. "Why?"
He gave a crooked half-smile, eyes softer than usual. "Just… meet me. Theodore will walk you. Promise?"
"Promise," she said, trying not to grin.
As the others filtered out, Lennon stopped by the Gryffindor Tower for a quick shower, pulling on a clean jumper and brushing through her damp curls. She didn't know what Mattheo had planned—but the butterflies in her stomach were relentless.
The dungeons of Hogwarts were quiet—eerily so—as Theodore led Lennon through the stone corridors, her hair still damp from the shower she'd rushed through. Her heart beat a little faster with every step. Theo had said Mattheo was planning something "special," and the last time he said that, she ended up flying over the Forbidden Forest on a broom with no saddle.
This time, though, she could feel it in her bones—whatever Mattheo had planned, it was going to be different.
"Where are we even going?" she asked, tugging her sweater over her damp shoulder.
"You'll see," Theo smirked, exchanging a look with Lorenzo who followed just behind, hands shoved in his pockets and grinning like he knew a secret.
Theodore stopped just outside the dorm door he shared with Mattheo and Lorenzo. He turned to Lennon, smirk still in place.
"Okay," he said. "Promise not to freak out."
"What—why would I—"
He pushed the door open.
Lennon stepped inside—and her breath caught.
The dorm room had been transformed. Candles hovered gently in the air, their flames soft and golden, casting a warm glow over everything. A handful of enchanted rose petals drifted lazily above the beds. The scent of cinnamon, pine, and something unmistakably Mattheo filled the air. And there—shirtless, slightly flushed, and visibly nervous—stood Mattheo.
But the magic cracked in an instant.
Because Pansy was there too—standing dangerously close to him, hands on his chest, eyes locked on his like she hadn't just made the biggest mistake of her life.
"What the hell—" Lennon froze.
Mattheo immediately shoved Pansy away, stepping back like her touch had burned him. "Get off me!"
But it was too late.
Lennon's heart dropped. Her stomach twisted as tears stung her eyes. She turned on her heel without a word and bolted out the door.
"Lennon!" Mattheo shouted, but Theodore blocked him.
"Stay here," he snapped. "You've done enough."
Mattheo's jaw clenched. "She walked in at the wrong time—Pansy forced herself on me—"
"I saw it," Lorenzo snarled at Pansy. "You desperate, delusional—"
"Oh, please," Pansy sneered. "Like she deserves him. He doesn't belong to her."
Mattheo stepped forward, eyes blazing. "I am hers. I'll always be hers. You knew that."
She recoiled, but the damage was done.
Meanwhile, Lennon tore down the corridor, barely registering the voices shouting behind her. Her chest ached, tears hot and blurring her vision as she ran blindly—and slammed straight into someone.
"Whoa—Lennon!" Harry's arms steadied her. He was with Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Dean, Seamus, Angelina, Katie, Luna, Neville, and Oliver—all on their way to meet her and Mattheo for dinner.
"Lennon, what happened?" Hermione asked, concerned.
Lennon couldn't speak. She just shook her head, wiped her eyes, and took a step back—
But Mattheo's voice came, urgent and breathless behind her. "Lennon, wait."
She turned, still teary-eyed, arms crossed tightly in front of her chest. "Why was she touching you?"
"I didn't let her," he said, out of breath. "You have to believe me. I was setting everything up for you. For us. And she—she showed up and threw herself at me. You saw me push her off."
"You were shirtless," Lennon said, voice cracking.
"I was changing," he said, stepping closer. "Because I wanted to look right. Because I was about to do this."
He dropped to one knee in the middle of the corridor.
Gasps rang out behind her.
Hermione's hand flew to her mouth. Seamus and Dean whispered something that sounded like "no bloody way," and Luna actually started crying.
Mattheo pulled a small, intricate box from his pocket. When he opened it, a ring gleamed inside—gold and silver twisted together like vines, holding a ruby and emerald side-by-side. Gryffindor and Slytherin. Lion and serpent. Them.
"I was planning this for a while now" he said softly. "I wanted you to walk in and find the candles and the music and me waiting for you. And then I'd say something perfect—but now I just need to say it."
Lennon stared, breathless.
Mattheo looked up at her, kneeling in front of everyone, completely unafraid. "I love you, Lennon McCauley. You've changed me. You've made me braver. More human. You are everything I never thought I deserved. And I want to spend every moment proving I do. Will you marry me?"
For a moment, no one breathed.
Then Lennon's face broke into a teary, shocked smile—and she whispered, "Yes."
Mattheo stood and slid the ring onto her finger. She threw her arms around his neck, laughing and crying at once, and he held her so tightly she could feel his heart pounding against hers.
Their friends erupted behind them.
Hermione burst into tears, clutching Ginny and Katie like a proud sister. Angelina squealed. Ron looked like he might faint, but still clapped. Luna beamed like the stars had aligned.
"Of course you're inviting us, right?" Ginny demanded between hugs.
"You better let me help with the decorations," Hermione added immediately.
"I want to give a dramatic speech," Seamus grinned.
"Don't you dare," Dean warned.
"I call being the cool uncle," Oliver said with a wink.
"You're all invited," Lennon laughed, voice thick with emotion. "Every single one of you."
Even Harry, ever the quiet observer, stepped in and gave Mattheo a firm nod. "You did good, Riddle."
Mattheo exhaled, arms still around Lennon. "She makes it easy."
But just behind them—leaning against the corridor wall, arms crossed, face thunderous—stood Pansy.
"You're all acting like it's some kind of fairytale," she spat. "He didn't even ask for permission—"
"I don't need yours," Mattheo snapped. "And I sure as hell didn't want you there."
"You ruined it," Lennon said, finally turning to face her, calm but clear. "You tried to ruin everything. But you didn't. You lost."
Lorenzo stepped beside Pansy with a warning glare. "Try something again and I'll hex you into next year."
"She'll never be part of our story," Theodore added. "Let her sulk."
Pansy didn't say another word. She spun on her heel and stormed off, her footsteps sharp and bitter as she disappeared into the Great Hall.
Mattheo turned back to Lennon, brushing a tear from her cheek. "Still want forever?"
She smiled. "More than ever."
Hand in hand, ring sparkling between them, they made their way back toward the Great Hall—where the magic continued.