5. gone

The days that followed were heavy and silent. Talwyn buried herself in routine- classes, studying, meals with her friends- but the moments between stretched endlessly. She hadn't spoken a word to George since the night by the lake, hadn't so much as looked at Mattheo since their explosive argument. It wasn't easy, especially with how present they both seemed to be. But she tried. Merlin, she tried.

Every time she walked into a room and felt George's eyes on her, she looked the other way. Every time Mattheo entered the common room, she left. Theo didn't push, didn't pry, he seemed to know she wasn't ready to talk. At least not yet.

She told herself it was better this way. Distance made things simpler. Cleaner. And yet, every night she lay awake in bed staring at the ceiling, wondering what would've happened if they hadn't been interrupted. If she'd let herself feel, just for a moment, something soft. Something hers.

It was halfway through breakfast in the Great Hall, just as Talwyn was beginning to feel like she could breathe again, that the owl arrived.

The dark bird swooped down in a blur of feathers, landing directly in front of her plate and extending its leg. Tied there was a letter, elegant parchment, her family's seal pressed into the wax.

Her blood ran cold.

She didn't need to open it to know who it was from. The moment she touched the letter, she felt it, like frost creeping across her skin.

She looked up for a moment, locking eyes with Theo who was across from her. She could tell her knew who it was from too. He reached out, rubbing her hand softly as encouragement.

The seal cracked with a soft pop. She unfolded the parchment slowly, eyes scanning the words with growing dread.

~

Talwyn,

I've been made aware of your recent behavior at Hogwarts. I trust I don't need to remind you what is expected of a daughter in this family, nor how deeply disappointing it is to hear of your indiscretions.

You were sent to school to uphold the Nott name, not to tarnish it by consorting with blood traitors and disgracing yourself in public. You've made it clear you are either unable or unwilling to conduct yourself appropriately in the environment provided.

As such, arrangements are being made for you to return home by week's end. You will continue your coursework from here under the supervision of a tutor. Until further notice, your time at Hogwarts is concluded.

Do not test me again, Talwyn. You've already pushed farther than I would have tolerated from anyone else.

-Father

~

Talwyn looked up, locking eyes with her twin again. Her throat felt tight, chest aching with a mix of dread and defeat. A single tear traced silently down her cheek, and without saying a word, she extended the letter to Theo with trembling fingers.

He took it slowly, his brows already furrowing as he unfolded the parchment. His eyes scanned the contents, jaw tightening more and more with each line he read. His lips parted slightly, as if to speak, but no words came. Instead, he read it again, slower this time, like he was desperately trying to find something he'd missed, some alternative meaning hidden in the cold, clipped words.

But there wasn't one.

:۞:••:۞:••:۞:•✧◈✧•:۞:••:۞:••:۞:

GEORGE'S POV:

It had been over two weeks. Fourteen days of silence. Fourteen days since Talwyn disappeared like she'd never been there to begin with.

No scowls in the corridor. No sharp-eyed glances over her shoulder in Potions. No late-night appearances in the library. It was like the castle had swallowed her whole and moved on like she didn't matter.

But George noticed. Every second.

He shoved his hands deep in his pockets, standing near the Slytherin common room like he had any right to be there. He didn't, and the passing glares from green-clad students reminded him. Still, he waited until he saw them- Theo and Mattheo, walking side by side, mid-conversation, the usual dark cloud between them.

He stepped out in front of them.

Theo stopped short. Mattheo didn't, he brushed past George with a shoulder bump hard enough to be intentional.

"Where is she?" George asked, eyes locked on Theo.

Theo's expression shuttered instantly, like a door slamming shut. "What are you talking about?"

"Talwyn," George said, louder now. "Where the hell is she?"

Mattheo turned around, arms crossing lazily over his chest. "What, miss her already? Bit clingy, aren't you?"

George ignored him. "She's not in class. Not at meals. Not in the tower. No one's seen her. And you two-" his eyes narrowed, "-you know."

Theo's jaw flexed. "She's not here."

"No shit," George snapped. "Why?"

"She's at home," Theo muttered. "Studying. Father's orders."

George stared at him. "What? Why the hell would he pull her out now?"

Mattheo scoffed. "Because you couldn't keep your hands to yourself."

George turned on him. "You think this is funny?"

"No," Mattheo said flatly. "I think it's pathetic. She's out there paying the price while you're here acting confused."

George took a step forward, but Theo held up a hand, stepping between them.

"Don't start," Theo said sharply.

"She didn't even say goodbye," George muttered, voice lower now. "Not a note. Not a word."

"She didn't want to," Theo said, expression unreadable. "Didn't see the point."

"What's that supposed to mean?" George's voice rose again.

"It means," Mattheo said, stepping back in, "she made a choice. And it wasn't you."

That hit like a slap. George felt the heat rise in his chest, but he didn't move.

Theo's face shifted for just a second- regret, maybe, or guilt. "She was trying to protect you. Merlin knows why."

George laughed bitterly, shoving a hand through his hair. "Right. Because disappearing and pretending none of it mattered, that's protection?"

"She's afraid, George," Theo snapped. "Afraid of him. Afraid of what she's becoming. And yeah, maybe afraid of dragging you down with her."

Mattheo scoffed again. "He was already down."

That did it. George shoved past Theo, closing the distance between him and Mattheo. "Say that again."

"Back off," Theo growled, pulling George back by the collar. "This isn't helping."

"She's not fine, is she?" George asked, quieter now, looking at Theo. "Don't lie."

Theo's silence said enough.

George's hands dropped to his sides, the weight of it all pressing down. "If you talk to her... just... tell her I asked."

Mattheo rolled his eyes and turned away.

Theo didn't promise anything. Just stared after him as George started walking off, shoulders stiff and fists clenched like he was holding himself together with sheer will.

The silence left behind was thick and suffocating.

"She still thinks about him," Theo muttered.

George was still close enough to hear, he stopped for a moment, not hard enough for them to notice, before continuing to walk

If she still through about him, about them, he wasn't giving up. He couldn't.