Reflections - Mattheo Riddle

You May Go

Mattheo's expression hardened, and his eyes shifted over to Alex. "and you don't find it weird that she had decided to just come to Hogwarts now?"

Kirra nodded, understanding Mattheo's apprehension. "I don't really know what to think right now, but she seems to not even know who I am and I don't really want her to find out about all that past stuff so we all need to keep it under wraps and not let anything slip out."

Mattheo nodded slightly, but he seemed skeptical. "So if she really is your niece, you don't want her to know that?"

Kirra shook her head, "it would only put her in danger. If she really is related to me, nobody can know okay? I'm gonna tell Theo and J, along with anyone else who knows about Emily to not talk about it around Alex... this is the best way okay?"

"alright little badger," Mattheo said softly. 

As they returned to the lesson, Kirra couldn't help but feel grateful for Mattheo's support. The discovery of her niece's presence at Hogwarts had brought unexpected challenges, but knowing that she had friends who cared made facing those challenges a little easier.

"Wood lice," said Kirra promptly answering the teachers question, making it seem as if she hadn't just been at the back of the class talking to Mattheo and not actually paying attention. However, she got the answer right which explained why what Jasper had taken for grains of brown rice were moving. "But fairy eggs if they can get them."

"Good girl, take five points. So whenever you need leaves or wood from a tree in which a bowtruckle lodges, it is wise to have a gift of wood lice ready to distract or placate it. They may not look dangerous, but if angered they will gouge out human eyes with their fingers, which, as you can see, are very sharp and not at all desirable near the eyeballs. So if you'd like to gather closer, take a few wood lice and a bowtruckle — I have enough here for one between four — you can study them more closely. I want a sketch from each of you with all body parts labeled by the end of the lesson."

The class surged forward around the trestle table. Kirra joined the group huddled around the table, grabbing her sketchpad and quill. As she observed the bowtruckles and listened to Professor Grubbly-Plank's instructions, her thoughts were still on her sister, Alexandra. She couldn't shake off the curiosity and unease surrounding Alex's sudden appearance at Hogwarts.

Jasper, Theodore, and Mattheo gathered around Kirra, each of them trying to focus on the task at hand. Jasper leaned over, concern on his face, "You seem a bit distracted, Kirra. Something on your mind?"

Kirra shot him a small warning look, then subtly glanced at Alex who wasn't far from them, who was engrossed in studying a bowtruckle. "Later, Jasper. Just focus on the sketch for now."

As the group sketched and labeled the bowtruckles, Mattheo couldn't resist teasing Jasper. "You better make sure your drawing skills match your dueling skills, Jasper, or Professor Grubbly-Plank might be disappointed."

Jasper shot Mattheo a glare but continued sketching in silence. Theodore, always the calm one, chuckled at their banter. "Let's just get this done, and then we can talk about whatever is bothering Kirra."

The group worked efficiently, each contributing to the detailed sketches. Kirra, however, found it challenging to concentrate. Her mind was still grappling with the mysteries surrounding her family. The revelation that her niece was attending Hogwarts added a layer of complexity to her already tumultuous life.

As the class progressed, Kirra tried her best to set aside her concerns and focus on the task. The sketches turned out well, capturing the intricate details of the bowtruckles.