Moon Dust | Mattheo Riddle

Chapter 33: Amortentia

Nova dipped her quill into the ink pot on the corner of her desk, jotting down notes for her transfiguration homework. Across from her Hermione was reading at Magnolia's desk, flipping through the pages of one of her muggle books as she subtly threw over a few curious looks every now and then.

They were in Nova's new dorm room, opting for some peace and quiet while the others messed about in the Gryffindor common room.

Fading sunlight poured in through the open window outside, streaming through the yellow curtain in a golden hue. As Hermione peered up again, unintentionally letting out a loud questionable hum, Nova dropped her homework, raising a brow at her friend.

The curly-haired witch shrugged, widening her eyebrows in a nonchalant way as if it was Nova that was looking at her strangely, before turning back to her book. However, it wasn't long before she glanced up again.

"What?" Nova chuckled, reaching over and pushing Hermione's book down, forcing her friend to look at her. The younger girl let out a curious noise, then narrowed her eyes.

"You don't seem..." she started, twisting her head as she studied Nova's face. The Hufflepuff strained her expression in bemusement, blinking strangely.

"You don't seem like someone who'd just got a boyfriend."

Nova pulled a face. "What do you mean?"

With a sigh Hermione sat up from the desk, moving around it before plopping down on the bed behind Nova, who turned to face her, spinning around restlessly in her swivelling chair as she awaited an answer.

"Well... you don't talk about him... you don't purposely sit by him—"

"I sat next to him at dinner."

"Because you were already sat down, and he sat down beside you."

Nova blinked, pulling her lips to one side. "So..."

"So... it's just I'm surprised is all, I thought—well," Hermione let out a breath, glancing around her shoulder before shuffling closer, as if she was about to whisper a secret. "I had myself quite convinced you liked Mattheo."

The brunette's eyes widened, her pulse rising in the base of her chest as she suddenly swivelled around in her chair, looking down at her homework. "I don't know what would have given you that idea."

Hermione scoffed. "Try every interaction you two have ever had."

She reached out, grabbing the back of Nova's chair and slowly turning it to face her. "Look... do you even like Cedric?"

"Of course I do," Nova said instantly, frowning.

Hermione shook her head. "Yeah, but do you like like him?"

Chewing on the bottom of her lip, Nova stammered for a second, toying with the quill in her fingertips as Hermione let out a knowing breath.

"I love Cedric, I really do, but it's just—it feels weird. Everything's been so... sudden."

"You love him, but you're not in love with him."

Nova nodded, shyly and Hermione reached out to grab her hand. "You have to tell him."

"I don't want to hurt him," the brunette whispered, looking down at the ground.

Giving her hand a squeeze Hermione let out a sigh. "But the more you carry on like this, the more unhappy you're gonna be. Nova, you're only going to hurt yourself, and Cedric right alongside you. It's better to do it now, he'll understand."

"And if he doesn't?"

"Then tough luck," Hermione smiled, sympathetically. Nova blew out a breath, spinning around in her chair, moving in a full circle before she met the other girl's debating face again. She let out a whine, holding her head back as she awaited what else her friend had to say.