All Over Her

Chapter 33: Do We Have a Deal?

Having to avoid eye contact with Mattheo is usually easy but now that he's seen more than my face I feel like circumstances have changed.

    "Cas are we gonna talk about it?"

    "Uh.. yeah I think we should stir the mixture a little more."

    "Not about the stupid potion, about what happened."

    "I don't think now is the time Mattheo."

"When will be the time? You've been avoiding me all weekend."

"No I have not." I grabbed the wooden spoon that was slowly sinking into the cauldron and continued to stir.

"I can't just act like we didn't happen."

I held my breath, "I didn't know you were sentimental about that stuff."

"It's not what we did, it's who I did it with."

I paused momentarily, letting myself breath slowly. I didn't want to talk about this

right now. I don't even think I can look at him. I'm scared that if I do... all those feelings will just come back. I just want him out of my head.

"Mattheo, just last week you were calling me a slut to your friends and now you're trying to discuss an us?" I tried to hide my annoyance but I'm afraid the look on my face gave well enough away.

"I didn't mean what I said..." He whispered towards the end.

That annoyed me further, "You didn't mean it when you called me a slut? You didn't mean it when you told me to go suck off a Weasley? You didn't mean the years of calling me names just because we fucked one time?"

I heard a small gasp behind me. I've been told that I tend to raise my voice when I'm upset and right now is no exception. I looked back to the potion, trying to act as if nothing happened at all. I still felt eyes on me, judging me.

"WOOP!" A random voice yelled out which I found a bit funny despite the circumstance.

"Can you all mind your business or something?" Mattheo called out.

He directed his attention back to me.

"Listen, you don't need to be my friend. You don't need to be my anything. Just let me take you on one date. After classes I'll pass by your dorm. One date is all I need and I'm fully sure you'll change your mind about me."

His voice sounded genuine, a bit desperate as well. I didn't fully understand what

his deal was really. Why this sudden need for me? Why now? Why the change of heart? I was tempted.

"And if my mind doesn't change?" I said, focusing on his deep brown eyes.

A softness fell onto his face, "Then I'll leave you be."

I stared at his eyes, then his lips. They were soft. I remember all too well how they felt. How in that moment I felt relieved. Relieved that he had me all to himself. That I could feel my lips on his. That we were somehow different people than who we actually were. I let myself go that night. So despite all internal debate, only one thing could properly be said.

"You're on." I said, putting my hand out.

"A handshake? Aren't we way past formalities?" He smirked.

"That may be true physically, but in all other aspects we haven't even reached a hug." I pushed my hand out more.

"You're lucky I'm feeling nice today." He grabbed my hand.

"Must be a fluke I see." We shook.

The class finally ended and I hung back a small sliver of time so that I could

double check that today's assignment was as perfect as it could be. When I confirmed it, I was stopped.

"Miss Black, may I have a word?" Slughorn called my attention.

My immediate thought was that he was going to reprimand me for the show Mattheo and I threw.

"Yes sir?" I held onto my books tightly to let out my nerves but I felt as though my face said enough as I felt my mouth droop subconsciously into a frown.

"You're in no trouble with me Miss Black, quite the opposite really."

I let out a small exhale, my grip on my books unmoving though.

"I know I don't seem like the most attentive of professors but I have been

watching all of you the whole term and I must say, I am by far impressed by your skills."

I want to say I'm shocked but I also remember that I have some random used book that gives me all the correct methods and steps but he doesn't need to know that part.

He continued, "I have something of an exclusive club here at Hogwarts, the Slug Club. The members are picked by myself and I wanted to extend an invitation to you."

    "Wow, Professor, I'm honored." I smiled widely. I might not have everything together, but at the very least I'm well off academically.

"I'll be having dinner after hours in my quarters with all of the other members. I'll leave that as a surprise but in case you're nervous I have extended your sister an invitation as well."

"Thank you sir, truly." I nodded my head down.

"I'll be delighted to see you there! Have an excellent rest of your day."

I walked out of the class basically forgetting my recent ordeal until I was once again stopped.

"I felt it best to deliver this in person this time." It was Mattheo, parchment in hand.

"Your stalking saga continues?"

"Is it stalking if you want me around?" He lowered his face to mine.

"Here." He handed me the parchment.

It was rolled up... black tie around the page.

"The black tie? The letters? It's been you?"

"Yeah."

"But I've been getting these since the beginning of term?"

He nodded.

"And the necklace? It's-?"

"From me, yes."

"But you-"

"Acted like I had no clue? I didn't want you to know."

"But why now?"

"I wanted you to know I'm serious about this. I've fancied you for a while now, and

I know what you think of me. That is something of no one else's fault but my own. But I just need you to know you're someone I've never ignored."

I instinctively grabbed my necklace, fidgeting with the charm. He looked down at my necklace, gently taking my hand off and holding the charm in his hand.

"All that the parchment says is see you at eight." He put his hand back to his side.

I was at a loss for words. I wasn't sure who I had hoped my secret admirer was, but never did I expect him. What made me even more shocked was that I was relieved it was him.

"See you at eight then." That felt like such an out of body experience. I watched him walk away and my initial thought was; What am I gonna tell Ziggy and Harry? I wish I had an answer book for the rest of my life.