Oh, Merlin, Riddle

{18: Butterflies}

I won't have of it. It's already Breakfast, and Mattheo isn't to be found. I fell asleep on the common room couch just waiting for him, but he hasn't shown himself. I would have known. Even Draco and Alex admitted that he hasn't shown himself. He's driving me crazy.

"He'll pitch up soon, Ribbons," Pansy said as I kept my eyes on the great hall doors. "Do not worry."

"He vanished after the pirate period yesterday," I sighed, looking at her. "Where on the grounds of heaven has he been?"

Astoria sighed. "He'll pitch up sometime, I'm sure of it."

I nearly scoffed, but kept myself quiet. If Riddle was going to pitch up, he's going to get one hell of a fist through the face, for sure.

-----

Staring at the stars, I followed to look down at my wand, twirling around in between my fingers.

Mattheo did this, so it's probably not that hard, right?

I closed my eyes, lifting my wand, before taking a deep breath. Then I did as he did. I whispered his name, while giving my wand a flick. Then, slowly I opened my one eye, but I saw nothing.

Then I did it again. And again.

When I did it the fourth time, I sighed, feeling like I ought to just give up. And I did, until I stood up and turned around.

In front of me floated a butterfly. One with dark green wings, with long black edges to the bottom of them.

Then it flew down the clock tower's stairs. I didn't hesitate to follow in a rush.

It flew awfully quickly, and for some reason through the most unseen parts of the castle. I had barely been in any of them.

When I ran around the hundredth corner, I realized that it was leading me in confusing circles. Clearly not because it didn't know where Mattheo was, but because it was following where Mattheo went.

Eventually I ran out of breath, dropping against a wall. Just as I did, the clock echoed, alerting Hogwarts that it was midnight.

I took that as a sign that stupid Riddle didn't want to be found.

But then the butterfly returned. I scurried to my feet, just to see it flying away again.

This time I followed, and I didn't stop.

At last it stopped, resting on a door handle beneath the stairs to the Astronomy classrooms.

And then it vanished.

I dropped my wand into my pocket, before gently turning the doorknob.

And there he was. Sitting on a chair in the middle of an empty room, with his back to the wall.

I frowned.

"So you're hiding in the janitor's closet?"

He jumped up and stumbled around to meet my heavily breathing body close the door, before sitting on the ground with my back against the door.

"Really? A bed is more comfortable, you know?"

He looked at me with wide eyes. "How did you possibly find me?"

I steadied my breath, before retrieving my wand. As I closed my eyes I took a deep breath before whispering his name and giving my wand a flick. And so the green butterfly appeared.

His face lit with surprise as I opened my eyes. "Copycat."

I smiled. "My butterfly is prettier."

He laughed, giving a nod. "Right. One butterfly."

I looked around the empty room. "Do who are you avoiding? Me, my dad, your dad, or yourself?"

He looked at me silently.

"Or maybe you're scared of commitment."

He scoffed. "Right. No. It's not that."

"Then why have you been missing for two days, Riddle?"

"I'm going back home in two weeks," he said, making me frown.

"We'll of course. It's winter holiday."

He sighed. "No. I'm going home, for good. I'll finish my year there."

Looking at him, I knew he was serious. I couldn't even smile or laugh. I sat emotionless.

"I'm becoming my dad's minion, Ribbons. Then I'm out of the picture."

I nodded, showing no emotion. "Two weeks, huh? Anyone know?"

He shook his head.

"My dad?"

He shook his head.

"Snape?"

He sighed. "No one knows, Ribbons. Actually- you're not supposed to know."

I nodded, standing up from the floor, before stepping in front of him. He didn't move.

"What did you reply?"

"What?"

"What was your reply the night I asked you why you didnt love me?"

He sighed. "I'm sorry, Ribbons. I can't."

"What did you say?" I begged.

"I'm sorry, Ribbons. I can't."

"Fuck you!" I suddenly yelled, hitting him in the chest. "Why?"

"I'm sorry about this."

"What-"

He lift his wand to my temple, before whispering sorry. Then I blacked out.