Unaware {M.R.}

twenty-five

Zoe's POV

Thursday.

"Maybe I'll see you after class?"

I looked up at Mattheo and smiled.

"Or maybe after dinner. We can watch the stars in the Clock Tower."

I shook my head. "I'm sorry, I can't. I have club."

He frowned, and only then I realized I never really quite told him about club.

"What club?" he asked.

I shrugged. "Just some silly club I'm in. We're training spells that they're not teaching us in class. We're about twelve maybe thirteen people."

He looked interested. "Any slots open? Sounds fun."

I giggled. "I'm sure there's a slot open. You can come with tonight and you can see if you like it."

He smiled, nodding. "Sounds like a deal."

We parted at the entrance of the great hall after he planted a kiss on my forehead.

I went inside, sitting down beside Mary.

"So what's that about?"

"Nothing," I whispered back at her. She laughed.

"This homework is ridiculous," Joe complained.

"Herbology?" Dorcas asked as she pulled it closer.

"So tonight's still on?" Alex asked.

I nodded. "Yeah. Same place. I rearranged the tables last week Thursday night after you left."

Mary smiled thankfully.

"Oh, and Mattheo is joining."

All their eyes fell onto me.

"What?" Alex frowned. "Mattheo as in the arsehole who has been picking fights with every major Slytherin?"

I nodded.

"What are you two even?" Dorcas asked.

"Good friends," I smiled.

Joe scoffed. "Oh please. He has been walking you to every other class this entire week. He's sitting beside you in every class you have together; and he's been keeping an eye over you like a hawk."

I scoffed. "He's not. Come on guys. Just- He's gonna come tonight. Maybe he can really be of help-"

"Dud ya'll hear about Saturday night's party?" Aria asked as she dropped down beside us.

"What party?" I asked, my head jolting her way.

"Zoe invited Mattheo to club tonight."

Both our heads turned to Alex, and a scoff left my lips.

"Really?" Aria questioned, sounding unexpectedly excited. "That's great!"

"No, Aria," Joe 'corrected'. "Nothing about it is great. He's been around Draco and Theodore quite a lot; and we don't know a single thing about him."

"Really, Joseph?" I laughed, turning to him. "What about Alex and Mary? We didnt even know them, but here they sit!"

"That's different," he argued. "Both their parents were in the OTP, yet we don't even know Mattheo's last name."

"And that bothers you?" I laughed.

"Alright, Joe," Aria said, making him look at her. "We'll see how tonight goes. If it goes bad, he's out, if not, he's in."

"I like that plan," I said, before looking at Joe again. "You think you'll be able to refrain from being a dick?"

"Now I'm the dick?" he asked, seeming amused. "A large word coming from you."

"Stop it!" Aria bit. "Grow up, seriously."

I stood up, holding my bag over my shoulder again. "Right, I'll make that my cue. I'll see you guys later. I have Astronomy to get to."

Mary sighed. "Zoe, don't-"

"It's fine," I said, before looking at the others. "I'll see you guys tonight."

I made my way out of the Great Hall, and towards the Astronomy tower.

At first I thought I'd get there peacefully, until I noticed a Slytherin robe not so far behind me. Yet, I didn't know who it was.

They're probably also in the Astronomy wing.

When I came around a corner, I bumped right into someone. We didn't stumble back, but they dropped some books.

"Oh Merlin, I'm sorry," I said as I bent down, helping pick up their books.

"Zoe, right?"

I looked up to meet a smiling Arcturus. I smiled back.

"Arcturus, hi."

As I stood up, I handed him his books. "How's Seventh year treating you?"

He playfully rolled his eyes, and that made me laugh.

"I have to go, but it was nice seeing you."

I nodded. "Good seeing you too."

When he passed me, I watched him walk away, just to groan at the sight of Theodore.

"Zoe, can we talk?"

"I'd rather not," I said, turning around and walking on.

He jogged to walk beside me, but I tried my best not to bother myself with him.

"Zoe, come on!" He sounded frustrated with me, for some reason. "Please."

Just there, I stopped in my tracks, giving him enough time to step in front of me.

"Begging me now, are you?"

"I'm not begging," he sighed. "Look, I just- Mattheo is trouble."

A laugh slipped from my lips. "Mattheo?" I questioned in disbelief. "Are you serious? He's trouble? No shit-"

"I mean for you," he interrupted. "Mattheo is trouble. You don't know him-"

"I sure as he'll know him a lot better than you!" I yelled, suddenly making him cover my mouth with his hand as he pushed me against a wall.

I looked at him in disbelief.

"Be careful, Zoe. That's all I'm asking."

Then I filled with confusion. Why the fuck does he lately care so much? Is he mental?

"Please promise me you'll be-"

Suddenly he was plucked off of me and shoved aside. I gasped in relief as I saw Alex shove Theo.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?"

"Leave it, Alex," I ordered, making him look at me in confusion. "Just fuck off, Theo."

He pushed Alex off of him, gave me another begging look, before walking off. Alex turned to me, shocked.

"What happened?"

I sighed, fixing my bag on my shoulder. "Theodore warned me about Mattheo. Just not really gently."

Alex looked at Theodore, then me again. "We'll do be careful around him."

I scoffed. "Right; you too."

He sighed. "We don't know him, Zoe. Just be careful, please."

"He's not a monster," I defended, looking at Alex. "He has a temper. That's it. Get over it, Alex. He's not some death eater who is out to solve their Lord's wishes."

"Zoe, I'm just saying."

"I know," I said, before looking at children passing us. "I'm sorry that you two got into fights, but Mattheo is actually really sweet. He has a heart."

Alex gave a nod, before we heard the bell ring. We parted, and I made my way to Astronomy.

[1045 words]