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Tuesday, 4th of September 2001
The remainder of the day passed in a relatively uneventful manner, with no additional detentions being handed out. However, Matilda's mind was preoccupied with the looming prospect of her Saturday detention. The thought of it lingered like a dark cloud over her otherwise manageable day.
As she sat through dinner in the bustling Great Hall, her thoughts were a million miles away. She barely registered the animated conversations of Maxine, Pansy, Tessa, and Rebecca, who were engaged in their usual banter.
Their voices mingled in a backdrop of lively chatter, but Matilda's focus remained firmly on the upcoming detention.
Occasionally, she would surface from her thoughts to contribute to the conversation. For instance, when Tessa, having just finished her meal, turned to her and asked, "So what exactly did you get detention for, Milly?"
Matilda sighed, setting down her knife and fork with a touch of exasperation. "For being a couple of minutes late. It's honestly ridiculous," she began, her frustration evident.
"I mean, me? The top student in our class, getting a detention? God, I really can't stand Professor Snape."
Her impassioned rant was met with an unexpected silence. The lively buzz of conversation came to a halt, and all eyes at the table were suddenly fixed on Matilda. Her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and self-consciousness.
"What is it?" she asked, her voice betraying her confusion and growing discomfort.A throat cleared behind her, and the air seemed to grow colder.
"Ahem..." Professor Snape's voice was unmistakably recognised as he stood tall and imposing behind her. The sudden shift in the atmosphere was palpable. Matilda's heart sank as she turned around, meeting the steely gaze of her professor.
"May I see you for a moment, Ms. Lively?" Snape's voice was measured but carried an unmistakable edge of formality.
Matilda's face flushed an even deeper shade of crimson, and she felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her stomach. The weight of the situation pressed down on her as she stood up, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. She exchanged a brief, uncomfortable glance with her friends before following Snape out of the dining hall.
The corridor outside seemed to stretch endlessly before her, the distant echoes of dinner fading away. Matilda's mind raced as she followed Snape, her thoughts a turbulent whirl of anticipation and dread.
The silence between them was thick and uncomfortable, punctuated only by the faint echoes of students still chatting and eating behind them.
As they stepped outside into the cool evening air, Matilda broke the silence with a hesitant, "So...?"
Professor Snape regarded her with his usual inscrutable expression, though there was a hint of something more serious in his eyes. "So, I have a favour to ask of you," he began, his voice carrying a weight of importance.
Matilda nodded, bracing herself for whatever request was coming next.
"Mr. Riddle has been struggling academically over the past year, and his performance has yet to show any significant improvement. Given your position as the top student in your class—something you've quite clearly demonstrated—I'm requesting that you consider tutoring Mr. Riddle."
Matilda's instinct was to refuse immediately. She opened her mouth to do just that but found herself hesitating. Instead, she glanced down at her feet, feeling the weight of the professor's expectation, and then met his gaze once more.
After a moment of contemplation, she sighed and said, "Fine."
Professor Snape's expression softened just slightly, though it remained predominantly stern. "Excellent. We will finalize the arrangements on Saturday after detention."
Without another word, he waved a hand in a dismissive gesture, signaling that their conversation was concluded.
Matilda watched as he turned and walked away, his robes billowing behind him. She turned back toward the Great Hall, the looming prospect of her new responsibility and the upcoming detention settling heavily in her mind.
As she re-entered the bustling hall, her friends' concerned and curious looks met her, but she offered them only a weary smile.
Matilda resumed her seat at the table with her friends, her mind still preoccupied with the unexpected conversation she'd just had with Professor Snape. As she settled in, Rebecca's inquisitive gaze met hers.
"Are you in trouble?" Rebecca asked, her voice tinged with concern.
"What happened?" Tessa chimed in, her curiosity evident.
Maxine, meanwhile, watched with a look of intrigued detachment, her eyes flickering with unspoken questions.
Matilda sighed, trying to maintain a semblance of composure as she picked up her knife and fork. "I'm fine. I just need to tutor someone, that's all."
Maxine, leaning back in her chair with a disinterested air, commented, "Boring."
The others quickly shrugged off the matter, turning their attention back to their own conversations. Their lack of genuine concern and the superficial nature of their responses left Matilda feeling a pang of isolation.
In that moment, Matilda couldn't help but wish for a different kind of companionship. She longed for friends who truly listened, who cared enough to engage deeply with her experiences. She yearned for friends who would share her passion for reading, who would sit beside her in quiet understanding or spirited discussion. More than that, she wished for friends who actively sought her presence and valued her contributions, who needed her as much as she needed them.
She gazed around the table, her heart heavy with the unspoken longing for meaningful connections. The laughter and chatter of her peers felt distant and hollow, a stark contrast to the warmth and depth she craved.
a/n..
sorry for the short chapter it's sort of a filler (if you will) . please lmk how your enjoying the book so far. also am i moving to quickly?
also i have a tiktok account where i post edits of this fanfic so please check it out !!
