Adeleine Potter: The Shifting Shadows, Draco fanfic

Part 14

I made my way to the stands, resigning myself to watch the game from the sidelines after Draco benched me. It stung, but there was nothing I could do about it now. The sky was a perfect shade of blue, the crisp autumn air tinged with the scent of leaves and the excitement of the game. Gryffindor was our opponent today, and the tension was palpable as the players soared through the air.

Finding a spot with Pansy, I settled in to watch. My gaze instinctively sought out Harry, and when he flew close by, I waved. He gave a brief nod in return, his focus elsewhere, but I knew he appreciated the gesture.

Pansy and I cheered for Slytherin, our voices lost in the roar of the crowd. The game was fierce, the players a blur of green and red, but my attention kept drifting to the row in front of us where Mattheo sat—with Daphne. I couldn't help but narrow my eyes at the sight. So much for him not liking her.

I leaned forward, unable to resist the urge to comment. "So, you're fond of Greengrass after all?"

Mattheo turned slightly, a smirk playing on his lips as he looked up at me. "I never said I didn't like her. I merely asked who actually does. And if I recall, you answered Draco."

Daphne's head snapped up at the mention of Draco, her interest piqued. "Malfoy?" she drawled, a smug smile curling her lips. "I knew he hadn't forgotten those nights with me." She winked at me, her eyes glittering with malicious amusement.

My pulse quickened, anger flaring in my chest. "Who can't seem to keep their legs closed?" I shot back, matching her smirk with one of my own.

Daphne's eyes darkened, and she made to rise, but Mattheo caught her arm, pulling her back down onto the bench with a casual force that belied his nonchalant demeanor. Daphne glared at him but stayed seated, a quiet storm brewing in her expression.

As the game continued, Harry flew by again, and this time I couldn't ignore Mattheo's muttered comment. "Someone should jinx his broom."

"What's that supposed to mean, Mattheo?" I demanded, turning to face him fully.

He shrugged, not even bothering to meet my gaze. "A Potter needs to learn a lesson. But since he'll likely meet his end in the Tournament anyway, I won't have to dirty my hands."

His words struck me like a physical blow, my mind racing back to the memory of my own broom accident. The realization hit me like a cold wave, and I stared at him in horror.

"You... you were the one who did that to me, weren't you?" I whispered, my voice trembling as the truth settled in.

Mattheo's eyes glinted with a dangerous amusement as he looked me up and down. "If you'd like, we could pick up where we left off," he said, his voice low and suggestive, nodding toward the direction of the changing rooms.

"You're insane! You tried to kill me!" I shouted, drawing the attention of Pansy, Daphne, and several others around us. The annoyance of the crowd was evident, but I didn't care.

"Come with me," Mattheo ordered, grabbing my arm and pulling me toward the exit.

"Don't touch me," I hissed, jerking my arm out of his grasp.

He released me immediately, his expression softening just a fraction. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to overstep," he said, his tone unexpectedly sincere.

I walked ahead, leading the way to the changing rooms, my mind a chaotic swirl of emotions. Once inside, I spun around to face him, my frustration bubbling over. "You don't want to get close, you save me from Blaise, but then you try to kill me? Are you messing with me?"

"Try to see it from my perspective," he replied, his voice tight with the stress he was clearly trying to conceal. "I come here, my first real chance at living, and then I see you. Adeleine Potter. One of the two reasons my father has lost his mind and makes my life a living hell."