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Lillian Black
THE GREAT HALL was a lively scene during dinner, on the first day back at Hogwarts. I sat at the Slytherin table next to my best friends as sixth years. I watched in amusement as the first years were being sorted into their houses. As a young boy squirmishely sat on the small stool in front of the whole school, Professor McGonagall placed the sorting hat on his head. The hat was so big, and the boy so small, the hat nearly covered his eyes. I remember the feeling, sitting on that same stool with the raggedy old hat on my head, years ago. It felt like yesterday.
"A Black." The sorting hat laughed darkly to itself. "It's been years since I've sorted one of you. You're like your father, no doubt. Smarter, though. In Gryffindor, you'd do many great things, yes. Or, Hufflepuff would do too."
The hat went quiet for a few moments, as though unable to make up its mind. "No... better be, Slytherin!"
As the Slytherin table burst into applause, I smiled excitedly, happy it was over.
"Slytherin!"
The Slytherin table was rowdy with applause, as the little boy shly made his way off the stool and over to our table. I smiled at the boy, clapping as he was the last to be sorted from the group of first years. I sat back down in the middle of Theo and Pansy.
I suddenly noticed Draco sitting down across from me, having snuck in during the end of the sorting ceremony. My eyes flickered across the hall to Harry Potter, who was just now walking in as well. He held a ball of cloth up to his nose, which was covered in blood.
I opened my mouth, ready to question the blonde boy about what happened, when Dumbledore loudly tapped a silver spoon to his glass drinking goblet.
"Very well! Congratulations, first years. I have no doubt you will find your house to be your new home..."
"Wake me up when this is over," Pansy whispered into my ear, "Have you noticed he says the same bloody speach, every year?" She asked, rolling her eyes.
Dumbledore seemed to notice her gossip, as his eyes lingered on her for a few seconds. I propped my elbow on the table, resting my chin in the palm of my hand as I covered my mouth in an attempt to hide my building laughter. Pansy noticed and kicked my ankle under the table, causing me to wince.
"I am pleased to announce two new changes to our staff. Professor Snape has kindly volunteered to take the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts," there were a few whistles from the Slytherin table, earning dangerous glares across the hall from Snape.
I felt disappointed Snape was the new DADA teacher, remembering when Remus Lupin was our professor two years ago. I didn't know it then, but Remus was and remains to this day, one of my father's best friends. Naturally, he's my godfather too.
I've always felt Snape had it out for me. But, no DADA teacher could be worse than that Umbitch.
Dumbledore went on, "You will find that Potions has been filled by a long friend of mine, Professor Horace Slughorn."
I could hear Blaise's stomach grumble from across the table, and Theo had his head in his hands next to me. Enzo appeared half awake as well. They all looked eager to be doing anything other than sitting here, listening to Dumbledore babble on. I wondered what was taking so long, wanting to start the feast. Dumbledore looked nervous, almost. Then again, he was strange in his own way, as he slowly started to smile while announcing his next news,
"Now, now. I know you all are anticipating this wonderful feast. Before we begin, I have one more announcement to make. Please be welcoming to our new sixth year student, who needs no sorting. I know you will be understanding of why."
"His name, is Mattheo Riddle."
My heart couldn't help but sink at that name. Riddle. Voldemorts son. I felt a wave of goosebumps on my skin at the thought of him.
The doors to the great hall swung open. The tall boy with dark brown hair walked into the great hall, already wearing a Slytherin tie. Dumbledore began to clap along with a few other professors, naive first year students in every house, and of course, the Slytherins.
Draco, Theo, Blaise, and Enzo stood while the table erupted in whistles and claps, perhaps louder than they had for the first years.
"I told you mate." Enzo bumped Theo's shoulder, which caused him to lightly bump into me.
"No, I already knew." Theo argued back.
"You two knew?" I shot them both a worried glance, but they both grinned and shrugged in response.
Pansy tugged on my skirt below the table to grab my attention, as Mattheo began to make his way to our table.
I stayed sitting as Mattheo came over. The boys greeted him as if they've been best mates with him for years.
Mattheo leaned across the table in my direction as he shook hands with Theo and Enzo. Our eyes connected for a moment. His brown eyes were so dark, almost black. The seconds felt like minutes, as I studied how his eyes weren't as dark as they had appeared just moments before. Instead, they looked like a watercolor, of the softest, lightest, and deepest browns.
In a second, they were dark again, as he looked away.
Everyone finally sat back down. That's when I was able to get a better look at him. Merlin. I could see Mattheo's face clearer now, and noticed a few scars across his face and neck. His hair and a few curls in it. He was turned to Draco, and it sounded like they were talking about their summers. His jawline was sharp, and...
I forced myself to stop taking in his features as each table filled with food. But, I wasn't nearly as hungry as before.
I tuned out my best friends, who were talking to Mattheo. Even as I looked down at my near empty plate, I could feel his gaze on me from across the table. My cheeks felt hot, and I wanted to tug at my lose tie that suddenly felt suffocating.
I started to feel angry. Sitting across from me was Voldemorts son. The son of the man I hated most, with all of my heart, my soul, with a burning passion. It was only a few short months ago that my father was almost killed, by Bellatrix Lestrange. Voldemort was there at the end of the fight, before Dumbledore stopped it all. Everything bad in this world happens because of him.
"I'll see you guys later." I said, standing up from the table. Everyone turned their attention to me.
"What about dinner?" Theo asked.
"Don't forget about tonight!" Pansy shouted as I ignored their questions. I shot her a nod before leaving the hall, and going to the one place I could be alone.
9¾☾⋆☆↯⚯ϟ⏃
A/N First chapter! Hopefully it's not too short, just introducing Mattheo and a bit to Lillian's back story. I'll try to keep descriptions of Lillian's appearance to a minimum, if you prefer Y/N stories. More Mattheo x Lillian in the next chapter. Let me know your thoughts or ideas!
