I Got Addicted To A Losing Game - Mattheo Riddle

⤑ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 2: ʜᴏᴡ ᴇᴠᴇʀɢʀᴇᴇɴ ᴏᴜʀ ɢʀᴏᴜᴘ ᴏꜰ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅꜱ

As the first rays of sunlight crept into the room, softly lulling Esme from her slumber, a wave of frustration washed over her. Except, a strange sense of gratitude accompanied her irritation. 

With a resigned sigh, Esmeralda pushed herself off the bed and moved towards her packed bags leisurely. 

Her fingers fiddled with the zippers as she performed a final check over her belongings. Feeling satisfied that she had everything needed, Esme turned back to the tangled mess of sheets. Carefully arranging the bedding to be neater.

Esmeralda went on to tidy the rest of her room meticulously. Even though there was little to clean in the first place.

As the morning progressed, the tranquility was shattered by the distinctive groan of hinges, a warning that her grandmother had left her room. Esme knew it was only a matter of time before Walburga barged into her room. 

All she could do was hope that Walburga would be in a rare, good mood.

Choosing to ignore that the prospect of a peaceful interaction with the woman was far from common. 

Their relationship had always been strained.

Esme braced herself for the inevitable, drawing in a breath in the hopes of steadying herself, searching for the strength to face that woman who appeared to bask in making every moment a battle.

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Esme navigated her way through the tight walkway between the compartments, searching for her close-knit group of friends. 

Relief washed over her as she spotted them, Theodore sat beside the window, his usual enigmatic expression giving nothing away. Beside him was Lorenzo, chatting to Blaise beside him, his features portraying amusement. Pansy and Daphne sat opposite, engrossed in conversation. And finally, beside Pansy was Draco Malfoy.

The second Theo caught sight of her, his face lit up and practically jumped from his seat. 

In the blink of an eye, he had his arms wrapped tightly around her, engulfing her in a welcoming hug. Esme reciprocated without hesitation, her arms wrapping around him just as tightly.

Their embrace lingered, stretching out as neither Theo nor Esme wanted to let go of each other. But eventually, with reluctance, they separated.

Theo turned back to the rest of the group, sitting back in his previous spot, ensuring that there was room for her to sit beside.

Esme settled into the seat, a small sense of peace and hope washing over her. The tension Esme had been dealing with for the last few days slowly disappearing, the group around her serving as the reminder Esme needed that she wasn't alone.

The time on the train slipped by with startling quickness, but Esme was hyperaware of her uncharacteristic silence. 

She attempted to blend into the background, hoping her friends wouldn't notice the unusual demeanor she was showing. 

But it was clear from the way Theo's gaze lingered on her, he'd picked up on her silence.

Esme could sense his concern, even as he remained to silently gaze at her. Apprehension washed over her, knowing that Theo could discern her inner turmoil by just a glance, and his unspoken concern only amplified this unease.

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At the dawn of their fifth year, Esme felt comfort in the familiarity of returning to the same dorm arrangement with Pansy and Daphne.