Delicate - Mattheo Riddle

our home

mattheo and I spent the day together, as it was close to the weekend. It felt reminiscent of a first date as we strolled around.

Hogwarts had recently become somber, as Voldemort's influence grew stronger. This cast a shadow over the spirits of all individuals, particularly Mattheo and the Slytherins.

I had noticed draco become quite depressed lately, numb if you will. he wouldn't hang out with our friend group anymore and would spend his free time in his dorm room, alone.

Mattheo and I were strolling back to his dormitory at approximately 11:00 when we caught sight of Draco hurrying to reach a certain destination.

he was speedwalking down the hallway, sweat dripping down his forehead as he stared at the floor.

he adjusted his tie and caught his breath as he continued his pace.

"malfoy?" my voice softened when he looked up at me.

"oh, hi." his adam's apple bobbed as he gulped.

mattheo inquires with a perplexed expression, "what's wrong?"

"nothing, i'm- nothing." he shook his head. "seriously, just couldn't sleep." his fists tightened into balls.

I momentarily released mattheo's arm to approach draco and gain a closer perspective. "where are you going?"

his eyes were bloodshot, and he looked like he was going to throw up.

"i'm fine. go to bed estelle." he cleared his throat and walked off again.

my hair shifted a little when I turned to face mattheo. he was still looking in the way draco had ran off too.

"let's go." he murmered. grabbing my wrist as we bolted down the hallway to find draco.

that was mattheos best friend, and if he was in trouble, I was willing to help.

adreline pulsed through my veins as we sprinted. just before reaching a corner in the hallway, he abruptly halted as we caught sight of draco entering the room of requirement.

I stepped forward just before mattheo yanked me back by my neck.

"wait for him to come back out." he uttered without glancing at me, his gaze fixed on the opening.

I nodded, swallowing.

we waited for a few minutes before we heard footsteps, it was more than just draco.

mattheo yanked backwards and dragged me into a storage room.

I was going to say something, but he clapped a hand to my mouth.

we both heard voices.

"good job draco, your father would be proud." it was the same dark, witchy voice.

bellatrix.

mattheo recognized it too and stepped out of the closet.

"mattheo stop!" I whispered.

"stay here." he planted a kissed on my forehead and closed the door behind him.

I bit my lip and tried to listen harder for more conversation.

"mattheo! wondeful you're here. it's time for draco to finally prove himselves to us." bellatrixs voice was low and almost a whisper.

"what do you mean?"

"dumbledore." a hiss punctuated the words spoken by the male voice.

draco appeared to be at a standstill.