Matteo Riddle x Reader

11.

Y/N's hand trembles, holding her wand downward tightly.  Draco stands at her side, both of them staring ahead at the cabinet.

"Are you ready?" Matteo's voice brings her back to the present.

Y/N doesn't respond, keeping her eyes on the cabinet.  Matteo steps in front of her, blocking her view.  He gently places his hands on either side of her face.

"Y/N, look at me," he speaks softly.

Her eyes slowly shift from her obstructed view of the cabinet to him.

"Everything will be okay.  No one is going to hurt you".

She gives a slight nod, barely noticeable.  Matteo gives her one more reassuring look before opening the cabinet.  After a few seconds, a woman with dark, frizzy hair emerges, several men following behind.  Each of them dressed head to toe in all black. 

"Yes!" Bellatrix laughs manically.  "The Dark Lord is so proud of you all".  The woman heads straight for Y/N, causing her eyes to grow wide and flinch as she wraps an arm around the young girls shoulder, "Ah it's so nice to have another girl around who isn't my sister".

Matteo guides the other two students as well as the Deatheaters to Dumbledore's office.  Bellatrix makes it a point to destroy nearly everything she sees along the way.  Y/N feels as if she is being suffocated, barely able to breath due to the anxiety of the situation.

When they enter, Dumbledore stands calmly, as if waiting for them.  Y/N, Draco, and Matteo immediately hold their wands to the old man.

"Ah, what a delightful surprise," Dumbledore draws out slowly.  He pulls out his own wand.

Y/N reacts quick, "Expelliarmus!" 

The wand lands into her hand with ease.  From the corner of her eye, she sees Matteo give her an approving nod.

Bellatrix jumps up and down, clapping her hands, "Good job, Y/N!"

Y/N let's out a breath of relief.

"You don't have to do this," Dumbledore speaks softly.

"Yes we do!  Or he'll kill us," Draco spits, barely keeping it together.

"Ah, I do not believe Voldemort would kill his own son," the man's eyes settle on Matteo, before flicking down to somewhere unknown.

The boy winces, faltering for a second, "You would be a fool to think he cares about me".

"Come on!  Let's get this over with," Bellatrix scowls, growing impatient.

When all three children remain still for a moment longer, Snape comes in between Matteo and Y/N, his wand out and pointed to Dumbledore.

"Avada Kedavra".

Y/N starts to raise a shaking hand to her mouth.  Before a sob can scape her lips, Matteo wraps her into a hug, gently covering her mouth with his own hand.  This muffles any sound that threatens to escape.

"Not here," he whispers.  "You can't seem weak".  He's learned this hard way. 

He gently takes her hand, pulling her to follow the Deatheaters out of the castle as the chaos ensues.  

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Matteo hesitantly approaches the girl sitting on his bed in the Malfoy Manor.  Comforting people is most certainly not his strong suit.  

"What's wrong?" He asks, bending down to match her sitting form.

Y/N looks up at him, her eyes red from crying.  It's been several days since Dumbledore's death, signaling the start of the war.  Soon, Voldemort will advance on Hogwarts, trying to recruit bright and powerful students to join his side.