All The Lies You Tell - MATTHEO RIDDLE

Chapter 1

Mattheo Riddle

How would I even begin to describe him?

We were never friends. Not even close. We maybe shared a glance or two. Maybe even a few words in potions class, but certainly nothing more. He was a stranger to me, but not unheard of. Everyone knew Mattheo Riddle, son of Tom Riddle. Better known as the dark lord. He had a reputation at Hogwarts, and not a good one either. He had detention with Snape at least once a week. He would get into fights and put hair dye in the girls shampoo. He was mean and rude, but not senseless. You didn't mess with him and he didn't mess with you.

That's how it was with him and I. Yet I always felt weird around him. Like he had a hatred for me. Which was odd because he didn't know me. I always felt his eyes on the back of my neck, making hairs stand on end. And when we did speak he never looked me in the eye. Not the way he did with everyone else. Although he was unlike his friends. He never joined in when Draco and Blaise taunted me about my blood status. Or tried to steal my homework the way Crabbe and Goyle used to.

He was different. Which is why I was so dumbfounded when Professor Mcgonagall asked me evaluate him.

"Are you crazy?", I bellowed. "You want me to analyze him?"

Mcgonagall stood up straighter and crossed her arms in a smooth but warning way.

"I'm sorry", I gulped, scratching my neck. "I just don't see how I'm the right fit for this task".

"Hermoine you're smart, talented and strong. You're almost at my level when I was your age. I don't see how you wouldn't be the perfect fit for this task", Mcgonagall noted calmly.

I swallowed trying to think of what to say. She can't be serious? Thinking I would be the best person to look after Mattheo. I hardly know him.

"I hardly know him", I revealed, crossing and uncrossing my legs.

I looked around the large office that used to belong to Dumbledor. I shifted slightly getting a look at the paintings. The old wooden desk has been replaced by a stronger one. Mcgonagall has arranged stacks of books and papers towards the right side and a globe on the left.

"Which is exactly why you would be perfect Hermoine. You hardly know him therefore your opinion wouldn't be biased", Mcgonagall stated causing me to look up and meet her eyes.

"You want to work in the ministry, yes?" She continues. "Would this not be a great learning opportunity?".

She's right. It would be very good for me. Do I really want to evaluate Mattheo? Would he even want my help? Especially after what he's done. It can't be that hard. Just a few days of talking and I'll be done in no time. It will be as if nothing has changed.

"Alright", I say finally.

Mcgonagall looks pleased. I do not share her joy.

"Tell me what I must do".

Mcgonagall goes on to explain how after the second wizarding war he was found hidden in the Malfoy manner and brought in front of the wizard council. Who then argued whether he should be tried as an adult or let off due to manipulation by his father. He was pardoned, but not without consequences. I was angry. He should not have got it so easy when so many others perished because of him. I am reminded again how I was forced to suffer at the hands of his mother. Voldemort may have influenced it, but nobody made Mattheo get the dark mark. And nobody made Mattheo murder all those people.

Mcgonagall says he's currently being held in a cell underneath St. Mungos, hospital for magical maladies and injuries. I am to go in and ask him a series of questions over 4 days. Then I am to deem whether he should be allowed to return to hogwarts for his last year.