Cigarettes [Mattheo Riddle]

five

the chaos had happened on thursday, and i found myself spending friday and saturday in hogsmeade with luna. we both went there alone, sneaking out, because luna is surprisingly rule-breaking.

we entered a small dress shop, called madam evergreen, what i think was madam malkin's sister.
there were gowns everywhere. ball gowns, princess dresses, pencil dresses, everything. colour coordinated and fabric coordinated. i felt so cosy and comfortable.

i was immediately drawn to a  dress. it complimented my eyes, and my hair. it was a ball gown. it was beautiful, with feathers everywhere and little embroidered flowers.

"hello, dear." i heard a sweet, gentle voice call. and a woman, as i expected - similar-looking to madam malkin, but with ginger hair.
i smiled.
i asked for the price, and she said it was five galleons. luna's mouth dropped but i calmly handed over the bag of coins. she isn't adjusted to my wealth yet. i clearly don't seem like my family.

with the beautiful dress in it's paper bag, we headed secretly back to the castle.

of course, the first thing I instinctively did was try it on. luna was in awe. i see why, i looked beautiful. imagine what mattheo would think- no. he hurt cedric.

the ball. the ball. it happened saturday night. and today was saturday night.

                                       - - - -
i carried the front of my dress, bundled in my sweaty palms. my hair was curly, i let my natural curls through again. i had diamond jewellery on. feeling like a goddess, i walked gracefully and carefully down the steps. i saw cedric, with cho. he looked untouched however. i saw mattheo, skulking in a corner, and he looked up and seemed struggling to take me in. i laughed quietly to myself.

i entered the ball and heads turned. i walked in, and saw blaise.
he was smiling at me kindly. "you look beautiful, blaire."
"thank you, and you look pretty good yourself."
i felt bad, as i was sort of using him in a way, but i knew that he was sweet and i could simply friend-zone him. as much as it would hurt him.

we stood together in the crowd and watched the champions go first. i cheered neville on, and he smiled at me warmly.

then the rest of us were taking to the dance floor. i bit my lip. blaise took my hand gently. "may i?" i nodded and advanced to the floor.
we entwined our hands, his hand comfortably on my waist, and we were dancing. i could here cheers, and in a glance saw mattheo looking envious, all by himself.
then, in the blink of an eye, i was no longer in blaise's hand, but in mattheo's rough hands. i looked up at him and smirked and continued the dance. i rested my head on his chiseled shoulder, and he rested his head on mine.
then i heard a deep, raspy voice in my ear whisper, "it was amusing seeing you try to anger me."
"oh really?" i playfully retorted. then mattheo was gone, and i found blaise.
"where did you go, blaire?" he seemed worried.
"sorry, i walked away, i forgot the dance."
"it's okay, don't worry. do you remember it?" he smiled. i nodded.
he spun me in circles with my hand alone, and i smiled at him. he was lovely.