𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙍𝙏𝙇𝙀𝙎𝙎 | mattheo riddle

24 | an offer

"Need me?" Layla scoffs. "Whatever the fuck for?"

"Why are we just ignoring the fact that her chair just appeared out of nowhere!?" Enzo exclaims.

"Berkshire is right." Mattheo says. "We know of your powers."

"Oh fuck." Layla smacks her forehead, rubbing her face in regret.

"Don't worry love, it wasn't your fault. We've known way before then." He sniggers.

"What was the point in capturing me then!?" She asks. "If you already knew of my powers, then what the fuck was that for!?"

"Just needed to make sure we got the right person." Dylan says.

"And to give the right impression of us to you." Mattheo adds.

"The right impression!? What, so that was all about fucking deterrence!?" Layla shouts.

"More or less." Liam tells her. "A scare tactic."

"Okay but weren't you like fearful I'd tell someone?"

"As soon as we joined the school, you knew for sure you couldn't tell anyone... because you had a feeling that we know something about you that we shouldn't. You didn't want us to tell anyone of your secrets." Mattheo explains.

"That much is true. But my secret is out now, yes. I do possess the powers that were passed down through my family bloodline."

"But that's not the only secret, is it?"

"I don't know what you're on about." Layla says through gritted teeth, becoming more agitated by the second.

"Whatever you say, Daphne."

"I- what did you just call me?"

"Yeah, what did you just call her Riddle?" Theodore asks, along with the other boys looking at him confused.

"She knows the reason." Mattheo smirks.

My middle name. Daphne. But only my father called me that... how would he know that!? None of this makes sense!

It seems like he knows things I've never fucking told anyone, and if I'm being totally honest:

It scares me.

"Continue with your confession." Layla gulps. "Why do you need me?"

"Your powers. It'll help us with our mission."

"Mission? I'm not helping you dodgy fucks with anything! Especially involving my powers."

"Here us out first angel." Theodore says softly.

She sighs and then nods.

"Continue."

"We're here for revenge. Revenge against The Order - and before you get confused, let me tell you this - this has nothing to do with my father. My father is dead. He tried to complete his goal but he failed, that's his problem. But what I'm here to do is completely different."

"You mean what we're here to do." Blaise corrects him.

"We're here to exploit The Order of the Phoenix for their corruption. They're not good people Layla." Mattheo says.

I already know this.

My parents.

They were part of it, and they definitely were not good people. I've seen it all. I've seen what they've done.

To other people...

And to me.

"That's coming from a bunch of death eaters. You know how stupid this sounds to me?" Layla states.

"Yes, we know. But let us prove to you how evil most of The Order is. They claim they're against the Dark Lord and all, and yes they might be - but they are just as bad - if not, worse. They do horrible things, unimaginable things." He explains.

"Like murdering our parents." Enzo states, with no expression across his face at all, only coldness.

"They- murdered your parents?" Layla asks.

"Mine, Thedore's, Dylan's and Liam's." Enzo tells her.

"I- I'm sorry but I don't know what to say."

"Our parents weren't evil, Layla. Yeah maybe some of our fathers were death eaters but our mothers never did anything wrong." Dylan tells her.

"That's not even the worst of it." Mattheo tells her. "Listen, Lopez. You're nothing special. It's your powers that are special and we need them. So you either come with us now, and we'll show you their brutality, if you need us to prove it to you, or we go and tell the whole school of your powers."

"I don't need it to be proven to me."

"And why's that?"

"That's for me to know." Layla tells him. "But give me time to think. I'm sorry for what happened to your parents, and I do believe you... to an extent - but that's only because I can't fully trust you. You murdered Seamus Finnigan and he was innocent!"

"That wasn't technically our intention. It's a long story." Liam tells her.

"A story which I really do not want to hear right now. Give me some time and let me think about your offer."

"Fair enough Lopez." Mattheo shrugs. "Keep in mind everything we've said though. It's time to pick which side you're on."

"I'm not on anyone's side, nor will I ever be. I have trust issues - you should know that."

"Note taken." Theodore sighs. "Our goal is justice, Layla. Not power. Please remember that."

"I will. Now, I'm going to free you but if any of you dare to lay a hand on me, you'll be dead within seconds. You got that?"

"Loud and clear princess." Mattheo responds.

With a wave of her hand, the ropes begin to untie, the chairs disappear, and the boys stand up, shaking their arms and legs after being tied down for quite a while.

She then conjures up a ladder for them to climb so they can leave through the trap door exit. Draco goes first, and the boys hurriedly leave, wanting to get some fresh air after being stuck in that stuffy room for so long.

Mattheo leaves last, stopping at the base of the ladder, turning to look at Layla.

"Yes, Riddle?"

"Damn it sounds good coming out of your mouth." Mattheo mutters.

"What was that?"

"Nothing love. You keep thinking, and get back to me as soon as you have an answer."

"And what if I... just you know. Don't? And leave you with no answer?"

"Then prepare for another bloody knife fight. I told you before, I won't hesitate to let things get messy."

With that, he climbs up the ladder, leaving Layla stood there in a trance.

Holy shit.