Matteo Riddle x Reader

8.

After two excruciatingly long hours of dress shopping, Y/N is finally satisfied with one.  She looks at herself in the mirror one last time before facing Theo.

"What do you think?"

"You look just as good in that one as you did all the other ones," Theo rolls his eyes, resting his chin on his hand.

"Mhm," Y/N returns the eye roll, going behind the curtain to change.  She emerges dressed in her own clothes again, this time heading to the register to check out, "I can't help but think he's merely using me for something".

"What do you mean?" Theo rubs the tiredness out of his eyes.

"There's no way Riddle actually fancies me," Y/N pushes the shop door open, being greeted by a gust of cold wind, hit in the face by snowflakes.

"I mean, he's saved your life from his father.  Can you imagine how difficult it must be to stand up to the Dark Lord, father or not?" Theo reasons.

"But he didn't need to do that," Y/N shakes her head.  "Especially then, I thought he simply hated me.  I didn't even know who he truly was then".

"Maybe he's not as bad as you think, Y/N.  Like I said, just give it a chance, especially now you kind of have to," Theo glances over her shoulder, a smirk forming.  "Speak of the devil".

Y/N knew who he was talking about, but still turned to look regardless.  They lock eyes immediately, before she glances down to his lips, finding the famous smirk.  Her face heats up, and her stomach gives a small jolt.  His eyes remain on her and only her. 

"Find something nice, I assume?" Matteo stops in front of the two.

"After trying on about fifty dresses," Theo scoffs, clearly tired from the shopping session.  "She's all yours now, Riddle".

"She has been," Matteo's smirk grows wider, if possible.  He takes the bagged up dress from Y/N's hands, "Let's go get some butterbeer".

Before Y/N can argue, Matteo heads in the direction of the three broomsticks, with the dress.  She pouts slightly, wanting to get on with her schoolwork, but supposes she can try to do some over butterbeer.  She takes her seat while Matteo gets their drinks.  When he returns, he places himself in the seat across from her.  She watches him for a moment, taking time to study him.

"Yes?" Matteo furrows his eyebrows, curious.

"Why did you save me from your father?"

"I already told you," the boy sighs.

"And it doesn't make sense.  We hated each other, and as far as I know, you still do," Y/N huffs.

"Would you quite assuming I'm exactly like my father?" Matteo grits his teeth, finally growing annoyed of all the questions.  "I know it may be hard to believe, but I have feelings too.  I have compassion and care for people.  For some odd reason, you happen to be one of them".

"I-sorry.  I know you aren't like him...I just don't understand why you treat me like this out of everyone else, especially when all we do is argue.  There must be a reason, right?  That you're just using me for something?" Y/N speaks quickly, starting to ramble.

"I'm not using you!  Believe me, a smart girl like yourself would have seen through me and figured it out by now if I was.  I was born to be a pawn in his game.  He used my mother to provide him with a child, just so the cycle can continue and he can use me like he is now.  That cycle will stop with me," Matteo speaks sternly.

Y/N eyes widen slightly, this being the first time he's ever mentioned his mother, "Where is your mother, Matteo?"

"You are just a girl who peaked my interest, and right now, whether you like it or not, we are tied to each other.  Maybe one day when someone kills my father, the spell will break.  But as of now, you aren't getting rid of me," he dodges her question.

Y/N, once again stunned by his words, freezes, "Do you want your father gone?"

Matteo stares at for a second, his face hard and remaining neutral.  Y/N supposes that gives her his answer.  She hesitates, wanting to apologize for asking so many questions, ones she's sure could get him in a lot of trouble.  Before she can, he changes the subject, still dodging her question.

"How is your task going?  Any updates?"

Y/N watches him for another second, slightly hurt that he doesn't trust her with such information.  She breaks their intense eye contact, shifting her gaze to the table, "Not much has changed.  Draco is the one who's been in there constantly, while I've been trying to figure out how to fulfill the other side of the task".

Matteo's hard face softens, just for a brief second, before returning to an unreadable, neutral state.  He knows she doesn't want to do any of this, and to make it worse, it is partially his fault that she is.  

"We just traded ideas," Y/N says, realizing he isn't going to respond.  "Draco will focus on the...you know what, while I look more into the cabinet this week".

"You're running out of time," Matteo now frowns, resting his hands neatly folded on the table.  "What was the last object that made it through?"

"That apple," Y/N winces.  "It made it back whole though.  I'm going to try a bird this week".

"Someone please help!" a girl runs into the Three Broomsticks.  "Something is wrong with Katie, she's been bewitched or something!"

The room goes silent, no one sure what to do.  Y/N and Matteo lock eyes, having a hunch as to what happened.

"What ideas did Draco have?" he leans in, whispering.

After a quick scan of the room, she finds Draco standing near the entrance of the pub, fear written all over his face.  Observing his eyesight, Y/N sees Draco locking eyes with Harry.  Of course Harry is suspicious of him, he has every right to be.  The blonde boy quickly spins on his heel, exiting.  Y/N stands, wanting to go to him and find out what he did.  This causes Harry to look in her direction.  The two stare at each other for a moment, pain written all over the boys face.  Y/N only snaps out of her gaze when Matteo grabs her hand, pulling her back down.

"If you go after him, Potter will get even more suspicious," Matteo flares his nostrils.

At first, Y/N thought he was just being jealous.  But she knows he's right.  The Golden Trio exit the Three Broomsticks, presumably to find Katie Bell to see what's wrong.  Y/N lets out a small breath, trying to conceal her anxiety in front of Matteo, who she very clearly pissed off with all her questions.