Moon Dust | Mattheo Riddle

Chapter 30: The Yule Ball

Nova picked up the ends of her dress, feeling the weight of it in her hand as she turned toward the mirror.

Her dress was an ivory colour, flowy and whimsical, sheer like a bathtub of silk. Patterned flowers coated it, splintering from the sweetheart neck line and falling down to the middle of the dress. She pulled one of the loose sleeves onto her shoulders, pivoting the weight around the dress before Magnolia shook her head and came toward her, adjusting it correctly and pulling the hair clip from her hair. The silver, constellation one Mattheo got for her birthday.

Nova frowned.

"It doesn't go with the dress Nove," Magnolia complained, fixing the brunette's hair back in place.

"But I like it," Nova said, jutting out her bottom lip.

"It hides the flowers," Magnolia sighed, adjusting the alignment of flowers in Nova's hair. Then, the Hufflepuff pulled back, placing a hand on her chin as she studied her masterpiece with a grin.

"Let's go take Diggory's breath away then."

Nova blinked, suddenly feeling the urge to throw up, or hide away in bed but unfortunately, that wouldn't bode over well with the rest of the night. She took in a deep breath, shakily exhaling it before nodding and grabbing Magnolia's hand, letting her guide her to the common room.

Once they got downstairs, Cedric was already waiting for them, his back turned as he adjusted his tie. With a quick clear of Magnolia's throat he spun around and widened his eyes, glancing at Nova with his mouth parted.

She pulled her lips together, looking over at Magnolia, who tapped Cedric's arm motioning for him to pass over his corsage. That seemed to knock him out of his daze, he found his bearings again and stepped forward, placing the fancy bracelet on her wrist.

"You look incredible," he whispered, leaning down toward her. She released an awkward breathy chuckle in return, glancing down at the ground, or anywhere else but her friends face.

"You guys are so cute. I might die," Magnolia cooed, placing a hand to her heart. Cedric chuckled at her sarcastically. "Who is your date anyway."

Mags clicked her jaw, feigning a sigh as she shifted her dress. "I knew I forgot something."

"You forgot to get a date?" Nova asked, giving her a sceptical look.

"Between getting you two together, and sorting out... you know George and Amélie, plus Quidditch and helping this idiot with the competition. There hasn't been much time for me time."

Cedric hummed, elbowing her softly. "Don't blame me. You had plenty of time on your hands, you just didn't want another date."

The pink haired girl rolled her eyes in response, sticking her tongue out. "Well you can come with us," Nova enthused, smiling coyly as they both turned to her at once.

Magnolia chuckled, "nah, I don't want to impose on your date." She grabbed Nova's cheeks, squishing them together. "How else are you gonna fall in love, get married and have his perfect little golden babies."

With that she stepped out of the barrel-shaped doors, leaving Cedric to sigh awkwardly while Nova blinked in alarm and pulled him out of the common room.

-

"I swear Matt, you throw one more thing at me and I'll have Father come here and—" Draco's voice was cut off by the sound of a shoe flying through the air. He ducked, letting out an angry shrill noise as it hit the wall behind him and pounced, but Blaise grabbed him before he could reach Mattheo.

"What's gotten into you anyway? why are you in a mood?" the blonde boy huffed, pushing away from his friend and fixing his suit with a dramatic grumble. Mattheo snarled at him, lying back on his bed with his legs crossed as he stared at the ceiling.