𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐀 ,, 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐨 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐱 𝐟𝐞𝐦!𝐨𝐜

𝐄 𝐈 𝐆 𝐇 𝐓

Tuesday, 4th of September 2001

Matilda returned to her dormitory that night, reflecting on how, for two consecutive evenings, she and Mattheo had found themselves engrossed in their books in the library. It was a curious but pleasant routine that had developed between them.

Friday, 7th of September 2001

Now, with just one day left until their scheduled detention, Matilda had made a point of ensuring she was thoroughly caught up with her potions work.

She was determined to avoid any further trouble.

On that Friday evening, Matilda decided she needed a break from her academics. A walk around the school grounds seemed like the perfect way to clear her mind. She carefully tucked her wand into the pocket of her robe and grabbed a small notebook along with a portable quill.

As she made her way outside, the crisp evening air greeted her, invigorating her senses. She wandered for about fifteen minutes, enjoying the serenity of the grounds, until she stumbled upon a picturesque spot near the Quidditch pitches. The setting was idyllic—an expanse of grass that rolled gently and offered a view of the pitch's towering goalposts silhouetted against the twilight sky. It was perfect.

Matilda settled herself comfortably on the grass, her notebook resting on her lap. She flipped open the book to an empty page and began to write, letting her thoughts flow freely. Words about her mother, Savannah Lively, filled the pages as memories and reflections spilled from her mind. Time seemed to slip away unnoticed. What felt like only a few moments turned out to be two hours.

As the sky darkened, Matilda closed her notebook with a soft sigh, her mind still swirling with unfinished thoughts. A glance at the moonlit sky made her realize she had long since passed curfew. Her heart raced slightly as she considered the possibility of getting caught. Though she had not completed all she wanted to write, she knew it was time to head back before she drew unwanted attention.

Matilda's eyes widened in disbelief as she caught sight of Mattheo emerging from the shadows.

"What the hell—" she gasped. "Are you seriously stalking me, Riddle?"

Mattheo took a step back, a look of feigned innocence on his face. "In your wildest dreams, Lively," he retorted, his voice dripping with disdain. With practiced nonchalance, he discreetly slipped a piece of parchment into his pocket.

"Whatever, just move," Matilda snapped, her patience worn thin.

Mattheo's confusion was palpable. "What's with the attitude?" he sneered, genuinely puzzled by her reaction.

"Just get lost, would you?" Matilda shouted, pushing past him with an abruptness that left no room for argument.

With her head bowed, she trudged away, letting her steps guide her through the labyrinthine corridors of Hogwarts. Her destination was unclear; she simply followed her feet wherever they led her, needing to escape the confrontation.

Mattheo, left in her wake, slumped onto the spot where she had been sitting moments before. He retrieved the piece of parchment from his pocket with a sigh of resignation.

"Mischief managed," he murmured, casting a quick charm with his wand to conceal the evidence of his earlier presence. As the enchantment took effect, he watched the ink disappear into thin air, his expression a mixture of frustration and satisfaction.

In the dimly lit common room of the Slytherin dormitory, Mattheo Riddle slouched into one of the plush armchairs, staring broodingly into the flickering fire. His friend Draco Malfoy lounged on the opposite side of the room, engrossed in a game of wizard's chess, but Mattheo's demeanor was impossible to ignore.

Draco, sensing something was off, eventually looked up from the board and raised an eyebrow. "You've been unusually quiet tonight. What's bothering you?"

Mattheo hesitated, drumming his fingers on the arm of his chair. "I, uh, need to talk to you about something."

Draco's interest piqued, he set aside his chess game and leaned forward. "Sure, what's up?"

Mattheo shifted uneasily, his thoughts tangled. "It's about Matilda Lively."

Draco's expression turned curious. "Book freak? What about her?" Draco snickered.

"I don't know, Draco," Mattheo said, his voice tinged with frustration. "I think I might be catching feelings for her."

Draco's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You're kidding, right? The same Matilda Lively who's always buried in books and never part of the usual Slytherin crowd?"

Mattheo nodded, his gaze fixed on the fire. "Yeah, that Matilda. I mean, I don't even know how it happened. It's just... every time I see her, I feel this weird pull. It's like, when I'm around her, I can't think straight."

Draco looked skeptical but intrigued. "So, you're saying you've developed a soft spot for someone who seems completely outside your usual type? That's quite the twist."

Mattheo sighed deeply. "It's more than just being 'outside my type,' Draco. It's like she's managed to get under my skin in a way I didn't expect. We've spent some time together in the library, and honestly, I've been thinking about her a lot. And it's not just because she's different. It's more about how she makes me feel when I'm around her."

Draco leaned back, his fingers steepled in thought. "I didn't realize you were so taken with her. What's the plan? Are you going to pursue this?"

Mattheo shrugged. "I don't know. It's complicated. She's a part of the group that's somewhat... distant from the usual Slytherin dynamics. I mean, she's not exactly in our inner circle, and I don't even know if she feels the same way. Plus, there's the whole issue of our academic rivalry."

Draco chuckled, shaking his head. "Sounds like you're in a bit of a mess. But hey, if you're serious about this, maybe you should just talk to her and see where it goes. It's better than sitting around and stewing over it."

Mattheo looked at Draco, his eyes reflecting both anxiety and determination. "Yeah, you're right. I guess I need to figure out if this is something worth pursuing or if I'm just caught up in a temporary silly crush."

Draco gave a reassuring nod. "Well, whatever happens, you've got to be honest with yourself and with her. You've got nothing to lose by being straightforward."Mattheo offered a grateful smile. "Thanks, Draco. I guess I'll just have to see where things go."As Draco returned to his chess game, Mattheo sat back, contemplating his next move. The flames in the hearth danced, mirroring the tumultuous emotions churning within him.