Desire ~ Mattheo Riddle

6

Today is the first Quidditch game of the season, and it's all the tables talking about this morning. Enzo already has two bets on Slytherin, one of those with myself. I glance around the table, not seeing Draco anywhere around, nor Mattheo. The two of them have been somewhat distant. Lately, I only talk to Draco during our tutoring, but I'm almost caught up, so I'm not sure I'll be talking to him any time soon.

"Miss West, I need to speak with you," I hear Snape's voice drawl out from behind me. I inwardly groan but turn around and stand up. 

"Of course, Professor," I say respectfully, following him out of the great hall and to his office. He closes the door behind us and places a charm over the room to ensure no one listens. This confuses me some. I thought I was being brought here to talk about my last exam. 

"Miss West, have a seat. Do not utter a single word until you hear everything I say," Snape says very seriously, making fear bubble in my chest. I sit down in the seat in front of his desk.

"The Dark Lord has requested you be brought into his ranks to replace your father. I've informed Dumbledore of this, and he has requested you comply. He wants you to work as a double agent, such as myself. Tomorrow evening I will accompany you to Malfoy Manor to receive your dark mark and get orders from the Dark Lord. We will have to work on strengthening your Occlumency. You will attend lessons with me every week. Do you have any questions?" I blink in response, completely in shock of all of this. I slowly shake my head and stand up. I walk out of his office and back to the great hall. My heart is pounding in my ears as I walk in. I walk back to my previous seat across from Enzo and Jasmyn and sit down.

"Riah, are you okay? You look like you've seen a boggart," Lorenzo queries, looking over at me. I give him a tight-lipped smile.

"I'm fine," I say, and he eyes me suspiciously before turning back to Jasmyn. I feel eyes on my back and look around, finding Mattheo staring at me from the other end of the table. He had a furious glint in his eyes which quickly made me look away. I think I'm safe until I feel a hand grab my arm, I look up, and Mattheo's pulling me to stand. I stumble over my feet, trying to keep up with him as he leads us out to the courtyard, which is currently empty.

"No way in hell are you getting the Dark Mark." He spits out, and I cringe back in surprise.

"Damn it, Mattheo. Stay out of my head! And besides, it's not like I have a fucking choice. Who knows what would happen if I try to refuse." I reply, just as fiercely. His nostrils flare in anger, and he turns away from me, tangling his hand in his hair.

"I should've kept the bastard alive," He mutters out, and my eyebrows pinch together with confusion.

"What are you talking about?" I question him, and his shoulders fall as he turns to me.

"I killed your father, Sariah. But I should've kept his pathetic ass alive," He says, and I step back from him in shock. What's with everyone throwing curveballs my way today. 

"Mattheo, you can't just go around saying you've killed someone. Anyone could have walked by as you said that, and you'd be sent off to Azkaban," I chastise him, and he lets out a forced laugh.

"I don't understand you; I just told you I killed your father and all you're worried about is me being sent to Azkaban?" He asks rhetorically, and I shrug. I'm not upset about my father being killed.

"My father made my life hell and is the reason my mother is dead. I am grateful he's dead, and I hope he's suffering in the deepest pit of hell imaginable. And, of course, I'd be worried if you were sent to Azkaban. I happen to consider you my friend." I say stiffly, and he rolls his eyes. 

"Mattheo, I need to know what side you will stand with because we all know a war is coming," I tell him, and he stares down at me for a minute, an unreadable expression on his face. 

"I'm on your side, Sariah," He says, and I search his eyes for any hint of malice or untruthfulness. Finding none, I step forward and wrap my arms around him. He stiffly returns the embrace before we step apart.

"Then we'll need a plan," I say, and his jaw clenches as he nods his head. Before we can say anything else, students start filling the corridors and courtyard, signaling everyone is getting ready to head to the Quidditch pitch.

"We'll talk about this later. Come to my dorm tonight," I tell him before walking away from him, searching for Lorenzo and Jasmyn. I have to let them know what will happen so they won't hate me for bearing the Dark Mark. I see them walking out of the great hall and quickly grab onto their wrists, pulling them down the corridor to an empty closet. I pull them in and they both start protesting about being shoved in here.

"Shut up you two! I need to tell you something." I hiss out and they both go quiet and stare at me.

"I need you to just listen, Snape brought me to his office to tell me the Dark Lord wants me to join his ranks. Apparently, my father was a death eater, which makes sense now, but Snape is as well. He's a double agent though and he and Dumbledore want me to be a double agent as well. Mattheo and I are going to come up with a plan to figure this all out. I know this is a lot to spring onto you guys but I need you two by my side through this," I tell them, in near tears as they process everything I just spewed out. 

"Riah, you know we are always on your side. We trust you okay? If we can help in whatever this plan is you know you can count on us." Lorenzo speaks up and Jasmyn nods her head in agreement. 

"Yeah, what is it Luna called us in fourth year, the emerald trio or something wasn't it? The point is, we have your back all the way," Jasmyn adds and I give them both a smile before we head out and walk towards the Quidditch pitch. This whole thing feels a lot less scary now that I'm sure I have my friends by my side.