In the Shadows (Mattheo Riddle)

Chapter 13

I don't remember falling asleep, but I was the first one up. Just how I liked it. I was able to take my time getting ready, have everything in order just how it should be.

I made my way down to the common room, fixed my self a cup of tea and cozied up with a book, while I awaited the crowds.

About an hour later, everyone made their way down. They looked rough. I guess I missed some celebrating last night.

"Muggle Studies anyone? Please say yes anyone! I hate that class!" Enzo exclaimed.

"You're in luck" I reassured him, "and its actually quite an interesting class, to see how they live its fascinating"

"Its repulsive, but I'm with you two" Mattheo growled.

Fucking fabulous! Whoever made our schedules must really have it out for me.

"alright lets go you two then" Enzo made his way to the door, and we reluctantly followed.

They all hated muggles, thought it was dirty blood, and that we were the superiors, I thought they were closed minded and entitled.

We took a table, towards the back of the room, and listened to Professor Burbage go on and on about the world outside of our world. She then went on to to explain our first assignment. Family trees, a neat art project they make muggles do, out of markers and colored paper, writing our families names as the leaves. My mother told me of hers, in our world they took up a whole wall. The pictures moved. Many people on my family tree had been burned out, out of anger.

Suddenly, Mattheo got visibly worked up. I could easily see why he wouldn't want to do such a project, I mean with his father and all, but this was a different type of anger.

When class was dismissed he stormed out, there was no catching up to him.

" I wonder what sunshines problem is" I laughed to Enzo

"well I could imagine he has zero interest in the class, on top of this stupid assignment we now have to do" he then turned to looking at me "speaking of which-"

"Yes enzo, ill have it done by tomorrow night for you" I rolled my eyes back at him

"You truly are the best Amelia" he said, with a half hug.

I swear I don't know what these boys would do without me.

When we got to the common room there was no sign of Mattheo. I was worried. I don't know why, his anger just seemed extreme for a stupid coloring project.

"Im going to get started on our trees, see you later!" I said, dismissing my self towards to dorms. I couldn't help but wanting to go check on him. I didn't care for his anger, I cared for the repercussions. I knew what it was like to come from a horrible family, but this was more than that.

I got all the way up to his door, and stood there for a moment. Why was I here? Why did I want to check on him? But I barged in anyway.

He stood, back towards the door, his arm raised above the window with his arm rested on it. "Go away" he mumbled with his raspy voice.

"i just wanted to make sure you were okay, you stormed out rather quick" I said, softly.

He now turned to face me, "do you want to share why you give a fuck, malfoy?" He spat back at me.

"Quite frankly, I not sure I do. I'm just letting you know ill do it for you, so you don't have to get your panties in a twist, Riddle" I said mockingly.

"And how the fuck are you going to do that?" He snarled, nastily. "What do YOU know about my family? Besides my father, tell me, who the fuck are you going to put on my leaves?" I've never seen him this worked up.

"i mean" I was stumbling over my words "i could, I mean you could give me a quick over view, I'm already doing Enzo's, its not a big deal." I couldn't understand.

"You know nothing!" He was now screaming "I know nothing! I have no fucking leaves, so why don't you turn around, get the fuck out and go color your big fucking tree!" He stood there panting.

I didn't know what to do. One thing I knew is, I shouldn't leave. I knew he was a troubled boy, but I wanted to know how troubled.

"Why the fuck are you still standing there? GO!" He screamed, pointing at the door.

"Im not leaving until you tell me why you're this worked up over a stupid project!" I was now going back at him, by his face I could tell hasn't happen often in his life.

"It is none of your fucking business, this stupid fucking class! Its none of the professor or anyones business where the fuck I came from or who I am related to! No one gives a fu-" his voice cracked, and he turned away.

Did I just break riddle? With out even trying? I didn't know what to do, so I ran towards him and threw my arms around him.

I felt his arms reach around my waist, squeezing me tight, his face buried in my neck, sighing of relief to be held. I imagined this was new to him, to be comforted. to be heard. I placed my hand on the back of his head and put my fingers through his hair. "Its okay, its okay" I repeated to him, backing up to take a seat on his bed, still holding him tight.

We laid there, in the same position we just were. Its head in my neck, his arms still tight around my waist, our legs tangled in each others.

Moments passed, with nothing being said.

Why did he let me see this side of him?

Fuck.

I finally broke the silence, "What is it Mattheo?"

He looked up at me, with blood shot eyes, he looked like a normal boy. No dark past, no evil father, just a sad boy.

"I don't like to talk about my family, with who my father is. my mother" he stopped for a second, let out a deep breath, then continued "from what I know my mother was a good person. She met my father at a recruitment party, she didn't even know what it was for. They fooled around. He had no clue who she was. She was muggle born. Once he found out she was pregnant, and a mudblood, he locked her in the basement of his manor. And took her life the second I was born."

I was shocked he had just opened up to me like this, this was deep. Very deep. I had no idea why he let me know this information.

"You cannot tell a soul, you have to swear to it. If anyone finds out my mother was a mudblood, it would be war." He pleaded.

"i won't tell a soul Mattheo" I swore. Stroking the back of his head.

I stayed next to him for a while. I thought he had fallen asleep. I went to get off his bed.

"Amelia" he whispered. He never called me by my first name.

"Yes?" I questioned

"Stay a little longer please?" He said pulling me back down.

And so I did. I laid there, with the boy I swore I hated, in silence, tangled up in each other.