Delicate - Mattheo Riddle

dumbledores army

Christmas Break flew by like a train. Suddenly me and Enzo were on our way back to Hogwarts. I was in no mood to talk to Mattheo. Hell. He probably still didn't know the true story. Why would he want to know?

I layed my head on Enzo's shoulder as we sat with the rest of the slytherin guys.

All except for Mattheo. I'm pretty sure he stayed back at Hogwarts anyway.

I tried my best to stay happy when I was with my dad. And I was.

I love my dad with all of my heart. But most nights I would just cry myself to sleep thinking about Mattheo.

I loved him so much and it wasn't even my fault he ended things.

I knew he didn't care about me as much as I did anyway.

I tried to sleep against his shoulder. But all I did was close my eyes. My brother was my favorite person.

That would never change.

I know everyone was worried about me but they couldn't do anything about it.

Neither could I.

None of us talked the whole train ride.

Every once in a while a tear would fall down my cheek. I'd wipe it quickly, but I knew deep down, he wasn't going to ever be with me again.

We finally got back to Hogwarts. Just in time for Christmas dinner.

I was feeling anything but jolly. Enzo sat beside me the entire dinner and comforted me.

Even though the thought of food made me sick, He forced me to drink some tea so I didn't completely starve myself.

I looked at the Slytherin table out of the corner of my eye.

No sign of Mattheo.

It worried me.

I tried to remind myself that I didn't need him in my life. But life without him left a gaping whole in my heart.

Only he could fill.

The entire week went on and no sign of him. I asked around but not even the teachers knew what had happened to him.

One Saturday I couldn't take it anymore and turned to Dumbledore. I stopped him in the hallway.

"Professor, please I-" He stuck his hand out to hold my breath.

"Follow me Elle." He took me back to the entrance to his office.

"Sherbet Lemon." He stated and the staircase began to rise. He carefully stepped on trying not to step on his robes. I followed.

"Have you ever had one of those? Very sweet." I smiled slightly.

He opened the door and allowed me into his large office with all the moving portraits of previous headmasters.

"Ms. Berkshire?" I gazed my focus towards him quickly.

"I presume I know why you wanted to speak to me? You want to know where he is." He didn't have to say a name. I knew who he was talking about.

"Yes, please." I begged.

"I am sorry to inform you I don't know, I am still trying to figure it out myself but I assume it had something to do with his father. He went to his mothers home for Christmas break." My heart dropped. My stomach twisted and my brain went fuzzy.

"What? Is he ok? What happened? Why-"

"Slow down please. I wish I could answer all your questions. I really do. I'm not sure myself. I'm not sure he's ever coming back." Those words made my entire life leave my body. Mattheo was my life.

"We must trust him that he will be able to protect himself."

"Hes a death eater." I whisper.

"Ms. Berkshire-"

"He works for him. I should've known he would go along and fight with his father."

"Ms Berkshire! That is not true."

"How do you know? How could anyone. How could I have known." I continued to ramble on when a whole group of people burst through the door. Including Harry and Cho Chang.

"Harry? Whats going on?" He had a fuming face not daring to make eye contact with Cho. Which was odd, because I thought they were an item up till now. All kinds of different ministry people barged in including Umbridge.

"Ms. Berkshire I do not believe this concerns you, you may go." Dumbledore asked me.

"This has to do with one of my bestfriends, I'd rather stay." I was still extremely puzzled.

"This confirms everything I have told you from the beginning Cornelius. This contract clearly states 'Dumbledores Army'." Umbridge began.

Oh no.

Harry, Hermione, Ron and I all organized a class where we would practice the dark arts in the Room of Requirement. In which Harry would teach us.

I had gone to most sessions but the last few weeks I've skipped them and slept instead. Everyone understood. Clearly Umbridge found out about this due to Cho Chang. I never trusted that bitch.

"No professor! He had nothing to do with it! It was me! Tell them Elle!"

"Yes! Yes! It was all us! Dumbledore had nothing to do with it!"

"Most noble of you Elle, Harry to shield me. But the contract clearing states. 'Dumbledores Army'" I looked at Harry. Fear lingered in his eyes. I gave Cho a look and gazed back at Dumbledore.

"That settles it then. We will escort Dumbledore to Azkaban."

"WHAT NO!" I yelled.

"You will keep quiet! Ms. Berkshire! Wouldn't want another situation on our hands." She looked down at my scarred hand. It was almost a warning but I wasn't going to let her scare me anymore.

Before I knew it Dumbledores Phoenix flew above his head. He put his hands together above his head. He vanished before our eyes. I was happy he managed to escape from going to Azkaban. But I knew what this meant.

-

Harry, Ron, Hermione and I ,all watched Filch put up another plaque.

'Professor Dolores Umbridge has been appointed to headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy.'

This isn't good.

Mattheo I wish you were here.