Enchanted Chaos (Mattheo Riddle)

Chapter 16: Confronting shadows

The air in Hogwarts felt heavier as the secrets of the hidden room loomed over Y/n and Mattheo. It was as if the castle itself was aware of the darkness they had uncovered. Whispers of ancient magic seemed to follow them, and the tension among their group was palpable.

That morning, the Slytherin common room were unusually quiet. The usual banter and laughter were replaced by hushed conversations and worried glances. Something was coming, and everyone could feel it.

"Are you ready for this?" Mattheo asked Y/n as they walked toward the library. His hand was warm in hers, but she could sense the unease beneath his calm exterior.

She nodded, trying to project more confidence than she felt.

"We don't really have a choice, do we? We've come this far. We can't back down now."

Mattheo squeezed her hand, his jaw clenched.

"You're right. But just know that whatever happens, I've got your back."

"And I've got yours," she replied, meeting his gaze with determination. "We'll get through this together."

When they arrived at the library, they found Pansy, Draco, Blaise, and Theo waiting for them. Pansy looked up from the ancient text she was poring over, her expression serious.

"We found something."

"Finally," Blaise muttered, running a hand through his hair. "But I doubt it's good news."

"It's not," Pansy confirmed, her voice grim. "The journal we've been studying—it's not just a guide to the hidden room. It's a fucking trap."

"What do you mean, a trap?" Draco demanded, leaning in closer to see the journal.

"The room itself," Pansy explained, her voice low, "it's designed to test those who seek its secrets. And the more we delve into it, the more dangerous it becomes. The magic in there... it's ancient, twisted. It's meant to pull us in and test our loyalty to each other, to see if we'll betray one another for power."

Theo scoffed.

"Great. So, we're basically screwed."

"Not necessarily," Mattheo said, his tone resolute. "We just need to be careful. We know what we're dealing with now. We stick together, trust each other, and we'll get through this."

"Trust, huh?" Draco said, his voice dripping with skepticism. "That's a lot to ask in a place like this."

"We don't have any other choice, do we?" Y/n shot back, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "If we don't trust each other, we're already doomed."

Draco stared at her for a moment before nodding slowly.

"You're right. We're in this together. No turning back now."

They spent the next few hours devising a plan, mapping out the hidden room's known traps and discussing possible countermeasures. But as the day wore on, the weight of their situation became increasingly apparent.

"How did we even get into this mess?" Blaise asked at one point, slamming a book shut in frustration. "We're students, for Merlin's sake. We're not supposed to be dealing with this kind of shit."

"Welcome to Hogwarts," Mattheo said dryly. "It's not exactly the relaxing school experience they promise in the brochures."

Pansy chuckled despite the tension.