Snakes and Lions (Matteo Riddle & original mc)

Goodbyes

Matteo didn't show up to school for the rest of the year, which was about a week. But I still worried. I didn't know if my anxiety was caused by love or hatred. I didn't know if Azkaban awaited him or a life on the run, or the wrath of the ministry. But I wanted to talk to him. I wanted to hear what he had to say. I wanted to know what he was thinking about when he did everything that he did.

Harry had told me what happened in the graveyard. Matteo had killed Cedric. After the second command of his father. Harry said that there was coldness in Matteo's eyes when he did it, and I could imagine it - that was the sad part, that I could imagine Riddle doing that with his poker face.

We now stood in the great hall, Dumbledore about to give a speech. This was Hogwarts' funeral in memory of Cedric.

"Today we acknowledge a really terrible loss." Dumbledore said to the school, standing up. "Cedric Diggory was, as you all know, exceptionally hardworking, infinitely fair-minded, and most importantly a fierce, fierce friend. I think, therefore, you have the right to know exactly how he died. Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort."

This was only half true. He was murdered by Matteo Riddle, on the command of Lord Voldemort. I looked at Harry who stood next to me. My eyes went to the floor, purely sad about everything happening around me. Hermione placed her hand on mine, gaining my attention. She gave me a sympathetic look. She let my hand go, but I knew what awaited me from the rest of the students.

I told you so. That's what they would all say to me next year. They had told me Matteo wasn't a good person. They had told me he was wrong in all ways. But he wasn't... He couldn't be...

"The ministry of magic does not wish me to tell you this." Dumbledore continued. "But not to do so I think would be an insult to his memory. Now, the pain that we all feel... This dreadful loss reminds me - reminds us - why we may come from different places and speak in different tongues, our hearts beat as one. In light of recent events, the bonds of friendship we've made this year will be more important than ever. Remember that. Cedric Diggory would not have died in vain. You remember that."

After the last few days of tests and classes, the two visiting schools were about to leave. Everyone was saying their goodbyes in the courtyard, and I found Harry walking around the perimeter.

"How is it?" I asked him, gesturing to his arm.

"It's fine." He said. "I wanted to tell you something..." He started, but wondered where to start.

"I told you so, right?" I asked him.

"Sort of." He smiled, but it faded. "Are you okay?" His green eyes met mine, and his question was broad and meaningful.

I sighed, looking at the ground. "Not really. I... I don't know what to feel. Loss. Betrayal. Relief."

"Rage." He continued the list. I looked at him. "This year has been tough, but I hope you know that it's always been different at Hogwarts."

I smiled. "Next year is gonna be just as strange, right?"

"Totally."

Once all of the people had cleared out, Hermione and Ron found us.

"Do you ever just have a quiet year at Hogwarts?" Ron asked, laughing.

"No." Hermione and Harry answered in sync.

"Everything is going to change now, isn't it?" Hermione asked after a moment.

Harry looked at her seriously. "Yes."

"Promise you'll write this summer." She said to us, lightening up. "All of you."

"You know I won't." Ron said.

Hermione turned to me and my brother. "You guys will, won't you?"

"Yeah," Harry said. "Every week." And scoffed. We laughed.

And so the year had finished. It seemed to have gone by fast, but looking back, I had made the most meaningful connection of all that year - one with Matteo. I may have felt loss, betrayal and relief, but most of all, I felt empty. I felt empty without him. I wanted to see him. I wanted him to tell me what was happening. I wanted to feel his forbidden lips on mine, and his strong hands on my hips...

But I knew that it would be ages, if not forever, until I got what I craved from him. He was absent, and had things to sort out. He was a murderer know, after all. I should have been repelled by that. I should have...

∼ the end of part 1 ∼

∼ the author here! Thank you so much for reading part 1 of snakes and lions, this is my second story on wattpad and I would really appreciate a follow :) ∼

∼ at the time of writing this, I just published the third chapter for this story, and I am working on part 2 of this story which will be published on this same story, so stick around ∼

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