"But to see her, I'd go through the gates of Hell with a smile on my face."
(Includes Theodore Nott, Tom Riddle, Mattheo Riddle, Lorenzo Berkshire and Draco Malfoy.)
Veronica Valdez has just heard that her father has got a new job offer. She does no...
As soon as I slammed the door I apparated. Mattheo's voice had been so concerned it brought me chills. Mattheo and Tom had been away this morning because Voldemort had ordered them to be at the Riddle manor to hear the news. In the call Mattheo didn't tell me what they'd heard but he told me to hurry there. I knew the news wouldn't be pleasant. I opened my eyes and waited for the spinning in my head to go away before opening my eyes. The familiar oak tree was standing in front of me, as well as the bridge I had just recently walked over with Veronica. Veronica. I remember how she clung to me like a scared puppy. It was adorable, but when she cried out and alerted the spirits I was about to shit my pants. I should've made it clearer that she had to stay completely silent. It was pure luck they didn't attack. I also remember the scared face she made and her trembling voice as she spoke to me. I felt so, so bad. I walked over the bridge, keeping an eye on the red dots. I'd done this so many times before I didn't even feel scared anymore, though I knew I needed to be careful. One small noise was all they needed to figure out you were a disturber who needed to be eliminated. Eliminated and turned into one of them. The large house Tom and Mattheo call home towered over me. It reminded me of the Malfoy manor, except it was bigger. Bigger and much more dangerous. Voldemort had definitely made sure all the security precautions were bulletproof. Nothing could ruin his plans. Honestly I'm a bit worried about Tom. He's Voldemort's eldest son, which means he's the heir. He's the next dark lord. I know he's very much capable of having his own—and others—back, but he's still one of my best friends. It's weird to think that one day he'll be my Lord. Not Voldemort, Tom. I'll be working for him. I only hope he won't forget our friendship and turn into a stranger. I push the door open and step inside, taking the hood of my robe off. The familiar walls full of portraits—all people from the Gaunt family—and the old dark wooden doors met my eyes as I walked down the first hallway. When I turned left I came across the same hallway I had the moment with Veronica. I was so close to kissing her that day. Goddamn it Theodore. Everything reminds me of her these days. I'm so fucked. She's living rent free in my head, her name is carved into my brain. And into my dick.
"Theo?" Mattheo's voice caught me off guard and I got snapped back into reality. Mattheo's head peeked from a room as his hand gestured me to come inside. I walked towards him quickly, happy that there is no death eater meeting today. Those days the hallways are full of witches and wizards Voldemort is almost playing with. They're nothing but puppets to him, and I'd be the same if I wasn't friends with his only sons. "What's going on?" I asked with a worried frown as Mattheo closes the door behind me. It's an empty study room with a sofa and a desk. The window opens a beautiful view into the well-taken-care-of garden with a comparatively large pond surrounded by water plants. There are a few black ducks swimming in it with their ducklings. Mattheo stared at me with an expressionless face before turning to Tom who was sitting on a leather armchair next to the window. He wore a suit with the jackets buttons open and was manspreading his legs. He looked like he was in distress, running his hand through his usually so neat hair. "Tom. Do you want to explain?" Mattheo asked his brother. Tom looked up and ran his tongue against his cheek before turning his head. His eyes wandered around the room before settling into me. I've never seen him so... messy. "Father has arranged something," He started with his usual flat tone. I bit my cheek, keeping my eyes on him as I waited for him to continue. "He's spoken with V's father, and they've arranged a marriage between us. The wedding will happen when she turns 18."
My stomach dropped. My jaw dropped. My heart dropped. My eyes stayed on him as I pondered is he's joking or not. But Tom never jokes. My blood ran cold and my pulse increased so much I thought my heart might beat through my chest and fall to the ground where anyone could step on it. Stomp on it. Smash it into pieces. That was happening right now. "You're not serious," I started, my fists clenched and un-clenched themselves. "Are you?" Tom said nothing, just stared at me with empty eyes. I knew he was. He was dead serious. My fists clenched for the last time and I felt the need to punch him. Or not him, necessarily, but punch anything. The wall. The furniture. The two guys in front of me who happen to be my best friends. "Theo, man, I know th-" Mattheo started but I raised my palm in front of me as a sign that now was not the time. He went quiet and looked at me with sympathy in his eyes. Mattheo knew how much this was affecting me. I'd been talking to him about Veronica for a long time. Long before this summer even happened. I'd had my eye on her since I was in my fifth year. I never made a move on her because I thought it was just a small crush and because we wouldn't even have anything in common and because she was a bit young and because I was a deatheater and because and because and because. When this summer happened and I heard I'd be spending almost every day with her, I was over the moon. I was a bitch towards her, I admit that, but I didn't know how else I could express my emotions. No one ever taught me. I still don't know. "I'm gonna go now because if I stay, respectfully, I will punch both of you out of anger," I stated and turned my back on them, leaving the room quickly. When I finally got outside and felt the cold air hit my face, I prepared myself to let it out. As soon as I'd get over the bridge to somewhere I couldn't hurt anyone or anything, I'd let all of my resistance to control my emotions go. I basically ran over the bridge, not giving two shits about the spirits, to the other side of the river. I reached the oak tree and pulled my wand out. The first spell flew into the forest, exploding there. It harmed the trees trunks and sent some of the rocks flying. Another spell, same effect, larger damage. Another spell. And another. And another... "FUCK!" I shouted, throwing my wand away. I brought my fist painfully hard into the trees trunk. The strong emotions I was feeling numbed almost all of the pain, and I continued. Continued until my knuckles on both hands were bleeding. Continued until I could almost hear the bones in my hand crack. Continued until...
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Someone's hand touched my shoulder. The hand grabbed me and spun me around. The hand belonged to Mattheo. I had almost no time to react as he pulled me into a hug, which I didn't resist. He wrapped his arms around me and pat my back as I felt my tears flow through my eyelids. If it was anyone else than Mattheo, I would never cry even in this situation, but he is my best friend. I'd trust him with my life and I know he'd trust me with his. We stood like that for a long time, just hugging each other. To be honest, I think it's the longest hug we've ever had. There were no usual sarcastic comments, just Mattheo's voice occasionally saying "It'll be okay".
If someone would ever ask me what I'm the most thankful for, the answer would always be Mattheo. I repeat: always.
________________________________________ A/N: Hello loves, All the people who are here for Theo are probably horrified rn, but don't worry, he's still the main love interest. This is just a not-so-small obstacle in between Veronica and Theo :) Remember to vote and comment if u liked the chap, it motivates me sm to update quicker for u!! Love u all x
