𝐅or the third time since September, Dumbledore gave his speech on mourning. He had tried to make Elina's death look like a simple accident, but Eden knew the truth. She was convinced it was murder. Everything seemed connected. Voldemort's questions on New Year's Eve, the death of the heirs. Everything pointed to Eden or Mattheo being next.

The redhead didn't listen to the Headmaster, she just wanted to get out of the chapel and cry. Theodore squeezed her hand and she squeezed it gently. Eden needed support. Discreetly, Mattheo took the other from under the bench and she felt a little better. A sob shook her body and Theodore planted a kiss on her cheek. She got up and followed the crowd to the cemetery where Elina was buried.

Theodore did not insist on staying with her and Eden was grateful. But when she heard footsteps behind her, she didn't have to turn to see who it was.

"They're dead," she said, staring at the grave. "Elina's parents. It says so in the obituary this morning." She turned to Mattheo. "These are clearly no accidents. Someone's after the heirs."

"I know," Mattheo replied. "Do you know where she's hidden the cup? Maybe you can keep it safe." He stood some distance away and Eden nodded.

"I know where it's hidden, it's safe." Eden took one last look at the grave before turning back. Mattheo followed her, standing in front of her to stop her.

"How do you feel?" asked Mattheo.

"I don't know, I think I don't realize yet," Eden replied. The redhead shivered; every night she had nightmares of seeing Elina again, her gaping throat and waking up with a start. Some people had even started saying that people were dying around Eden and that she shouldn't be approached. She walked around him and away, leaving Mattheo to mull over his thoughts.

"Eden, wait!" he called after a moment. Eden was already far away and stopped to turn around. Mattheo arrived, out of breath, but considering the way he smoked, that wasn't surprising. "Please let me make it up to you. I... let me make it up to you. Friday night, meet me on the roof, please."

Eden hesitated. She knew it was a bad idea, Mattheo had hurt her and she didn't want to feel that pain again. But she nodded, unable to resist, and walked away. She had to make a choice. Theodore deserved an answer and she waited until Friday to approach him during a French lesson.

Theodore took her to his dormitory and Eden was surprised that it didn't smell bad. The room was empty and she sat on his bed, taking out her things and looking at him out of the corner of her eye.

"Theodore, I..." Eden began.

"I know, Marks," Theodore replied. He smiled softly at her and Eden frowned, wondering what he was talking about. "You're going to say no, you don't want to go out with me. It's OK, you can't force people to like you."

"No, I... Theodore, I love you, I really do. But I also love another boy and I don't want to hurt you. It's not fair to make you wait and it's not right to choose between two people. I really love you, you've given me so much," Eden said, taking his hand.

"Do I have a chance?" he asked.

"A chance?" Eden wasn't sure she understood and she looked at him, trying to read his face, but she couldn't quite make it out.

"You said you love me, do I have a chance against this boy?" Theodore intertwined their fingers and Eden felt really bad. Seeing the tears in her eyes, Theodore moved closer and lifted her chin to kiss her.

"I'll wait for you as long as it takes," he said. He stroked her cheek and rested his forehead against hers. Eden loved him, she really did, but no matter how much she thought about it, her thoughts always ended up with Mattheo. She felt Theodore's lips against hers.

"Theodore..." she whispered his name and he smiled, coming to kiss her jaw.

"I love you, Eden. You have no idea how much I love you," Theodore's voice was husky and deep and Eden shivered. She pulled him against her and gave him access to her tongue. She should have pushed him away but she couldn't, so when he laid her down on the bed, she let him do it.

"I love you," she breathed softly. And she meant it. She did love him. Not as much as she loved Mattheo, but she did love Theodore. He smiled and kissed her neck. Eden sighed, undressed him and found herself naked as well. She took the time to look at him, caressing his warm chest, and Theodore took the time to touch her. He was gentle and tender, paying attention to her and Eden shivered.

"I want you so bad," Theodore admitted.

"I want you too," Eden replied. She wrapped her legs around his pelvis and he leaned in, planting many kisses on her warm bare skin. Eden felt her heart race and she lifted her pelvis, calling for Theodore's body. He sunk his eyes into hers as he penetrated her and she arched her back gently.

"You are so beautiful," he said. Theodore smiled at her and she kissed him, their tongues mingling in a gentle, caressing dance. He began to move gently, intertwining their fingers and gently squeezing her hands. The room seemed to warm as their bodies moved in rhythm and Eden closed her eyes, enjoying the sense of well-being.

Theodore reached for his tie on the floor and grabbed it before blindfolding Eden. The redhead shivered and a smile appeared on her lips.

"What are you doing?" she said, smiling.

"When one of our senses isn't working, we focus on the other sensations," Theodore said. Eden knew what he meant as he kissed her skin. Not seeing him gave it a new intensity and Eden felt goosebumps. She let him and after a moment he removed the tie and Eden discovered him again but in a different way, the tension had increased.

She climbed on top of him, leaving her hair on one of her shoulders, and kissed him, moving her pelvis against his. Theodore put his hands on her buttocks and then turned her over, taking the upper hand and accelerating, making her moan. Eden dug her fingers into his back and arched her back, feeling the pleasure building.

"Theo..." she sighed and looked at him. They didn't take their eyes off each other, mixing their moans until the door opened. Theodore swore and Eden grabbed the sheet to cover herself before widening her eyes at Mattheo. He froze as he looked at them, anger raging in his eyes.

"Mattheo..." Eden said. Theodore straightened up to put on some trousers and took a T-shirt for Eden to put on. Mattheo gave a little laugh that sounded like a mixture of sarcasm and anger.

"I've been waiting for you for half an hour and you're fucking Theo?" shouted Mattheo. Eden opened her mouth slightly, having forgotten about the appointment. Seeing that he was upset, Theodore stepped between them.

"Matt, calm down, we were studying and..." Theodore began.

"Studying? Studying, Theodore?" Mattheo clenched his fists and when Theodore tried to say something else, he punched him. Eden screamed and ran towards Theodore. His nose was bloody and she made him sit on the bed. She was startled when Mattheo hit the wall and she turned to him.

She wanted to explain, to reassure him, but Theodore needed care, she couldn't leave him. Eden winced at the sight of his nose as Mattheo left the room, slamming the door.

"I'm sorry," Eden said. Theodore pushed her hand away from his face and held it in his.

"That's him," he said. "The other boy is Mattheo." Theodore was no fool. It was the first time Mattheo had hit him and Eden felt the tears well up in her eyes, it was all her fault.

"I'm so sorry," she said, letting the tears fall. "I'm gonna... I'll fix everything, I'm... I'm sorry." Eden felt Theodore's hand on her cheek and he stroked it gently.

"It's nothing," he said. "He needs to be loved, Eden. I think I always knew he liked you, but I preferred to play the blind man. He needs you. Go to him."

"Theo..." Eden breathed.

"Go on, Eden, he needs you." Theodore smiled at her but his eyes were sad. Eden hesitated, then stood up and dressed before giving him one last look.

"I'm sorry." Eden set off in pursuit of Mattheo. She didn't know where he'd gone but her legs seemed to know because she climbed the stairs to the roof.