Matteo Riddle x Reader

10.

Y/N allows her friends to fret over her, almost grateful all she has to do is sit still.  Pansy and Daphne don't leave a single part of her face or hair untouched, making sure everything is perfect.

"Alright, I think you're done," Daphne smiles, stepping away to admire her work.

"Finally," Y/N let's out an exhausted sigh.  She looks at herself in the mirror, smiling, "You guys did a wonderful job".

"We know.  Now go to your prince charming," Pansy giggles, shoving her out the door.

Matteo is awaiting downstairs in the common room, talking with Blaise, who will also be attending.  Blaise will be going with Astoria, as friends of course.  Matteo glances up, doing a double take at Y/N entering the room.

"Wow," he says breathlessly, not letting Blaise hear him.

When Y/N approaches the two, grinning from ear to ear upon seeing Matteo's reaction, the boy takes her hand, placing a kiss to the back of it.

Blaise rolls his eyes, not amused by the display of affection, "Come on you two, let's go".

The four enter the party a little early, with Slughorn wanting everyone to mingle casually before they have the formal dinner.  Before they enter the main room, Y/N's breath hitches, grabbing Matteo's hand and pulling him back suddenly.

"What's wrong?" he asks confused.

"Sorry, I just-I wasn't ready to face Harry.  Oh no, he and Hermione are coming this way," Y/N's eyes widen, panicking.

Glancing behind them, Matteo sees the two wizards approaching.  Harry's eyes are set on Y/N, not in a harmful way, but he knew Y/N just didn't want to speak to the famous boy.  He probably wanted to apologize for what he did to Draco last night.  Matteo isn't going to give him the satisfaction of forgiveness. 

"Do you trust me?"

"What?" Y/N looks back to Matteo.

He grabs her face in his hands, "Just yes or no, do you trust me?"

"Yes of course.  What does-"

Before she can ask her question, Matteo's lips connect with hers.  Her body immediately relaxes into his, kissing back.  She feels him smirk against her lips.  Matteo opens one eye, glancing to see if Potter got the message.  Harry stops dead in his tracks, his mouth slightly ajar.  He frowns, quickly returning the way he came with Hermione.

Once he is sure Potter is gone, Matteo pulls away from Y/N. leaving her breathless.  Her face is red from blushing, a wild smile on her face.  But then she returns to her senses, trying to shake the butterflies in her stomach.  He only did that so Harry wouldn't mess with her, and following with the plan to keep him distracted.  And she would be a fool to think otherwise.

"Are you coming?" Matteo snaps her out of her thoughts.

"Yes, sorry," Y/N shakes her head, taking the hand he has out stretched for her.

The two sit beside each other at the massive table, conveniently across from Harry and Hermione.  Harry and Y/N lock eyes for a brief second, before she quickly averts them.  She then connects with Hermione, who she has missed so much.  As she is about to give a small smile, Matteo places his hand on her thigh, leaning in to whisper.

"They are the enemy, remember".

As the night goes on, the various students make their introductions.  Matteo was growing slightly nervous, having to think of a lie about his father.

"Well-I don't know him very well.  I spend most holidays with the Malfoys," Matteo says.  It really wasn't a lie.

Y/N glances to Harry, seeing his eyes narrow ever so slightly.  From dating the boy for a year, she knows what he's doing.  He's thinking, forming suspicions of Riddle.

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Y/N doesn't sleep that night, feeling alone, being reminded of the coldness in the room when she is not wrapped in Matteo's arms.  After tossing and turning for quite some time, she gives up.  She heads to the astronomy tower, relieved to find it empty.  Placing her hands on the railing, she stares out at the stars.

"I was hoping I would find you here eventually," a voice startles her.

Y/N spins around, pressing back against the railing, "Harry..."

"I'm not going to hurt you.  Believe me, I feel terrible about Malfoy.  I just want to talk, like we used to".

Y/n watches him closely as he moves to stand beside her.  But he doesn't look at her, merely staring out.  "What do you want to talk about?  And you should know I won't answer everything".

"Do you hate me?" He asks first, a little too eagerly.  "Did you just use me?'

"What?" she turns her body to him now.  "Harry I never hated you and I never will.  But yes...I was using you.  If anything, I should be asking you if you hate me.  I deserve it".

"I don't...Is that why you left me for Matteo?"

"I didn't leave you for Matteo," she laughs slightly.  "I'm not who you think I am, Harry, surely you have realized this by now.  But it hurt me too much to keep hiding things from you".

"Then why are dating him?  Are you just using him like you did with me?"

"I wasn't aware this was going be an interrogation of my love life," Y/N says playfully.  Harry glances at her, attempting to crack a smile, but she can see all he wants is answers.  "I'm not dating him.  If anything, he is using me.  Things are...complicated between us".  When Harry doesn't respond, she sighs, knowing he is wanting more of an explanation, "He saved my life.  That's all I can say".

"Was what he said about his father during dinner true?"

"Mostly, yes".

"Have you met his father?"

Y/N sucks in a breath, not liking where this is going, "I have".

"Have I...met his father?" Harry looks to her, searching her face.

Y/N's eyes widen, glancing at Harry.  All she sees when looking in his eyes is hurt.  She quickly averts her gaze to the floor, "I think you know the answer".

"You said Matteo saved your life...from what?"

"His father," Y/N whispers.

"Are you safe?  I just want to know you're safe," Harry says, slight desperation in his voice.

Y/N looks up at him, a small smile on her face, knowing that he cares, "Yes, I think.  Matteo wouldn't let anyone hurt me, not even his father".

Harry gives a curt nod, "I'm sorry about all the questions...I just needed to know".

"You don't need to apologize.  It's understandable that you want answers, and you deserve to know everything.  I'm sorry that I can't give them all to you.  Just please...be careful".

"What?" Harry furrows his brows.

"Be careful.  You know what's coming, Harry.  We all do," Y/N envelops him in a hug.  "I'm sorry if I hurt you, but please know I had no intentions of hurting you".

"I know," he whispers, returning the hug.

She releases him, letting the boy begin to walk away, "Harry.  Can you please tell Hermione that I miss her?"

"Of course.  Only if you answer another question".

"Harry, I can't-"

"Were you ever able to produce a Patronus?"

The question stuns the girl, not expecting it, "Yes".

"What memory do you use?"

"That's two questions," Y/N jokes.  A bittersweet smile forms on her lips, just thinking about the memory, "When we had our snowball fight with Ron and Hermione".