Bound By Blood.

ch. 4~ ill remind you.

"The only one reckless is you, Riddle. I didn't forget your little stunt. You picked your side. Stay there."

Recovered translated correspondents between Order Member Alexandra Brooks, to Death Eater Mattheo Riddle, 2004.

Hogwarts, 1997.

Mattheo.

"What I want to do to you..." She leaned in closer, "isn't legal Riddle,"swerving me and grabbing her drink off the table, "And you're not worth going to Azkaban over."

I raised an eyebrow as she leaned in closer, her voice low and menacing. I couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement at her words.

She was definitely not afraid of me, and I liked that.

I watched as she grabbed her drink off the table, her eyes never leaving mine. I could see the tension in her body, the way she was coiled like a spring ready to snap.

I knew that I had pushed her to her limit, and that was exactly what I wanted.

I leaned back, a smug smile spreading across my face, "Oh, I'm shaking in my boots, Brooks."

I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm, trying to provoke her further. I could see the anger simmering beneath her surface, and I knew that I was getting under her skin.

But to my surprise, she didn't take the bait. Instead, she seemed to collect herself, her expression softening into a look of calm determination. "You're not funny, Riddle," I spat. "And you're not worth my time." She turned to leave.

"Oh, Brooks," I called after her, "I think you're making a mistake." my voice dripping with mock disappointment.

"My biggest mistake would be entertaining you any longer, Riddle." She yelled over her shoulder, throwing up a polite finger and finding her way back to her friends.

I watched as she walked away, my smile growing wider as I realized that I had actually gotten to her. I hadn't expected her to be so calm and collected, but it was clear that I had pushed her to her limits.

I turned back to the table, feeling a sense of satisfaction wash over me.

I had always known that Brooks was a tough  to crack, but I had finally managed to get under her skin.

She barely fought back.

I walked back to my own friends, but as I looked around, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. It was as if something was off, something that didn't quite add up.

I sighed, feeling a sense of frustration wash over me. I had always been a master of manipulation, but now it seemed like everything was going wrong.

Fuck, no.

Why did my eyes keep going back to her.

I scoffed, trying to shake off the feeling.

What was it about Brooks that was getting under my skin?

She was just a challenge, a game to be won, at best.

And yet, I couldn't help but feel a spark of attraction towards her.

I pushed the thought aside, focusing on my friends instead. We were laughing and joking, enjoying the party, but my mind kept wandering back to Brooks.

To Alexandra.

I felt like I was losing my grip, I didn't get affected by anyone.

But as I looked around at my friends, I couldn't help but feel a sense of restlessness.