𝗯𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙤 𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙡𝙚

2 - 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘐𝘵?

*EMMA'S POV*

Summer break has come to an end, and today marks the first day of my sixth year at Hogwarts. Thrilling, isn't it?

I wake up earlier than usual, hoping to steal some extra time to prepare myself, both physically and mentally, for the day ahead. The thought of returning to Hogwarts fills me with a strange mix of dread. Sure, I love the castle, the bustling corridors, my friends, but there's an underlying discomfort at the thought of what the year will bring, boring classes, nagging professors, annoying first-years, and worst of all, Mattheo Riddle.

When I was younger, I lived to be liked. I was the sweet girl, always smiling, always eager to please. I thrived on the compliments and the validation that came with being the "good girl." My world revolved around being that person everyone loved and admired. I needed that validation like I needed air.

But then Mattheo came along and turned my world upside down. From the moment we first met, he treated me with nothing but disdain. I couldn't understand it, why did he hate me so much? And for the longest time, I didn't know how to handle it.

Mattheo was always around, too. He was Theo's best friend, so avoiding him was impossible. I tried to endure it at first, brushing him off,telling myself it didn't matter. Until I finally built up the courage, I stood my ground and threw his words right back in his face. And as my hatred for him grew, so did the distance between the girl I used to be and the girl I had become. Now, here we are, enemies locked in a never-ending battle.

I check the clock on my bedside table, 8:00 a.m. It's time to go. I drag myself out of bed, pulling on my school uniform with little enthusiasm. I glance in the mirror, forcing a smile, but it looks just as fake as it feels. "You can do this, Emma," I whisper to my reflection. "Just survive the day."

After gathering my things, I head downstairs, searching for Theo. I find him in the backyard, lounging on the grass with a cigarette dangling between his fingers. "Seriously, Theo? It's 8 a.m., and you're already smoking?" I ask, my voice laced with irritation. He looks up at me with a lazy grin, blowing a cloud of smoke into the crisp morning air.

"There's never a wrong time to smoke, Emma," he replies nonchalantly, taking another drag.

I roll my eyes and reach down to tug on his arm, trying to pull him to his feet. "Whatever. Let's just go. We're going to be late."

He snorts, stubbing out the cigarette in the grass before lazily getting to his feet. "Like I give a shit," he mutters under his breath, but he grabs his bag and follows me back inside.

We arrive at the station just in time to meet up with Pansy, Blaise, Lorenzo, and Draco. The platform is buzzing with activity, students and parents bustling about, the familiar whistle of the Hogwarts Express echoing in the background. For a brief moment, I feel a twinge of excitement, a flicker of nostalgia for the first time I boarded this train, so full of hopes and dreams.

But then reality sets in, and I remember why I'm dreading this year. Mattheo. He usually doesn't bother with the train, preferring to show up at Hogwarts with a more extravagant entrance. After all, he's Riddle's son, too rich, too important to be seen with the rest of us. A small part of me hopes that this year will be no different, that maybe I'll have a few hours of peace before I have to deal with him.

But, of course, nothing ever goes the way I hope.

As we're chatting near the train, I catch a glimpse of a familiar figure out of the corner of my eye. My heart sinks. Of course, he had to come. It's like the universe is playing some cruel joke on me. The only time I can spend with my friends without his constant presence, and Riddle has to ruin it. Just like always.

Mattheo strides over to us, exuding that aura of arrogance he wears like a second skin. His eyes lock onto mine, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. God, I hate that smirk. It's like he knows exactly how to get under my skin, and he enjoys every second of it.

"Good to see you again, Nott," he drawls, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

I plaster on the fakest smile I can muster. "Sorry, I can't say the same, Riddle," I reply, matching his tone.

He scoffs, his expression hardening into a look of disdain before he turns on his heel and gets on the train. I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. At least I don't have to sit with him.

As the train begins its journey to Hogwarts, I find myself sitting with Pansy, Blaise, and Lorenzo while Draco, Theo, and Riddle occupy a compartment a few rows in front of us. I lean back in my seat, trying to relax, but it's impossible to ignore the undercurrent of tension that Riddle's presence has stirred up.

Pansy and Blaise, however, seem blissfully unaware of the dark cloud hanging over my mood. They've been flirting non-stop since we boarded the train, their banter filled with cheesy pick-up lines and exaggerated winks. It's honestly ridiculous how obvious they are, yet neither of them seems willing to acknowledge what everyone else can see, Lorenzo and I included.

Lorenzo catches my eye and rolls his, clearly just as fed up with them as I am. "They've been at this since third year," I whisper, shaking my head in disbelief. "How have they not realized they're in love with each other yet?"

He chuckles softly, leaning in so Pansy and Blaise don't hear. "Who knows? Maybe they're both too stubborn to admit it. Or too blind."

We share a look of mutual exasperation as Pansy and Blaise continue their ridiculous game, oblivious to the world around them. It's almost enough to distract me from the gnawing sense of dread building in my chest. Almost.

After what feels like an eternity, the train finally begins to slow, signaling our arrival at Hogwarts. I've never been so relieved to reach the castle. Spending the entire journey watching those two lovebirds flirt has been exhausting. I scooch over in my seat, getting ready to stand up, but just as I do, something catches my foot.

Before I can react, I'm stumbling forward, arms flailing as I try to catch my balance. A burst of laughter erupts from behind me, and I don't even need to look to know who it is. Mattheo. The bastard tripped me on purpose.

"Mattheo, you are such a jerk," Pansy snaps, reaching out to grab my arm and steady me before I faceplant on the floor.

He just laughs, a cold, heartless sound that grates on my nerves. Without even a backward glance, he strides off the train, still chuckling to himself. I flip him off as he disappears into the crowd, my hand shaking with the effort to contain my rage.

I can't deal with this anymore, and it's only the first day. How am I supposed to survive an entire year of this?

"Fuck. My. Life," I mutter under my breath, following Pansy and Lorenzo off the train. The towering silhouette of Hogwarts looms in the distance, a place that once felt like home. Now, it feels like a place where I'll have to fight to keep my sanity intact.

And the worst part? I'm not even sure if I can.