Moon Dust | Mattheo Riddle

Chapter 40: Precaution

It was barely light out when Nova woke up, or well, woke up isn't really the right term. She'd barely slept, she was just so full of restless energy, wriggling so much it was a surprise she never fell out of the bed.

There wasn't much space to transform in Grimmauld Place, especially not without people noticing. One giant black dog was one thing, but add a wolf into that equation and it would definitely be cause for concern.

Now that she was in Hogwarts, however, there was a whole forest she could explore. Her father would lose his wits of course, Nova wasn't supposed to go in the forbidden forest incase she ran into any dangerous beasts. But she could turn into a dangerous beast now, so really one little stroll every now and then couldn't hurt, it would probably do her some good.

After making sure Magnolia was still asleep, Nova crept out of the door, lifting her backpack over her shoulder. She'd need a spare pair of clothes later on, something warm to change into.

Nova headed toward the staircase, tip toeing past the house elves in the kitchen before making her way to the courtyard, which, at this time of the morning she expected to be empty. Though as she pushed open the double doors, she squinted in surprise.

"Theo?"

Mattheo was sat on one of the benches, pulling a cigarette from his lips. He had on a midnight black hoodie, that looked very warm and comforting as the cold air crept over Nova's bare arms—Despite it being early September, the cold always found a way to get to her. It was her own fault really, for thinking she'd be fine in a short sleeve t-shirt.

She wrapped her arms around herself, rubbing them for warmth as he glanced up, furrowing his brow.

The Slytherin boy stood up from the bench, taking another drag from his cigarette as his eyes traced her questionably, and with a hint of amusement.

"Nova? Where are you off too at this time in the morning?"

He leaned against a tree, awaiting an answer. Nova's stammered to think of one. "Ah," she muttered, pulling at the straps of her backpack. "Nowhere."

He hummed in response, putting out his cigarette under his foot. "Does nowhere just happen to be past those gates." He motioned to the end of the courtyard, where a pair of large silver gates led to the back fields of the castle, towards the forbidden forest.

A particularly cold breeze swept over Nova's shoulders and she couldn't help but shiver, looking up at him sheepishly. "Maybe."

He laughed, pulling his hoodie over his head and offering it out to her as he moved toward the end of the courtyard. "I get it Fido, sometimes you need to blow off a little steam."

Nova pulled the dark material up to her nose, turning to face him with a scrunch in her brow. "Theo..." she mumbled, frowning at the nickname.

Mattheo chuckled and pushed at the brass iron gates, holding it open for her. "Well? Are you coming?"

With a small smile, Nova put the hoodie on, adjusting the sleeves as they fell far past her wrists, then she jogged toward him, sending him a humoured look. "I hope you can keep up, Riddle."

"Oh Lupin," Mattheo grinned. "Was that a challenge?"

A giggle slipped from Nova's lips as he suddenly swept past her, winking over his shoulder before sprinting into the forest. She held onto her back pack straps then followed after him.

-

It didn't take long for Nova to catch up to Mattheo. In fact, she had to slow down for him, otherwise he'd have been left to trail after her by foot prints alone.