sunlit meadows, winding brooks ✮ slytherin boys

chapter ten // knight of cups

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February 24, 1995

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          Mattheo tiredly rowed himself across the Black Lake early on Friday morning. The wintery air was crisp and cold, it felt refreshing. It was so frigid out; Mattheo couldn't believe the lake hadn't frozen over. His tan skin had developed goosebumps from the chilly air and his curls kept falling into his face from the wind, but he didn't care. It made him feel calmer, almost free. A feeling completely different from what he'd experienced over the past few weeks.

          Mattheo had spent the last few weeks locked away in the Riddle Manor for Christmas break. The Manor made him feel like he was constantly suffocating. He was always dressed up at home. Bellatrix said it was "to look presentable for your Father", but his father was dead and had been for a long time; it was sickening that she still treated it like he was here. Dinners with family sucked too. He couldn't stand Bellatrix, let alone Draco and Lucius. It felt incredible to be home—his real home.

          He put a hand in the lake to feel the chilly water against his skin. Sucks to be a champion, Mattheo thought, continuing to row the boat ahead. He was almost in the middle of the Black Lake when he spotted watchtowers, filled with people and anchored into the deep, dark waters. As he drew closer, he noticed a familiar-looking girl. Her thick, wavy hair was in a ponytail and tucked away in a wool hat. Layers of clothing covered her tan skin, and her deep brown eyes were fixed on him.

          "Good morning, Mattheo!" Sitra called as she leaned over the side of the watchtower, watching him row the mahogany boat to the side of it. She extended a hand to help him onto the platform, her body shivering.

          "Morning, Sitra," Mattheo said groggily while grabbing her hand. He grunted as she pulled him up onto the platform. Mattheo slung his arm around her and rubbed her shoulder, trying to warm her up. "Hey, where's Evangeline?" Mattheo turned his head to look at Sitra, their faces inches apart.

          "Now that you mention it... I have no idea. I'm sure she just slept in late, she wouldn't miss Cedric's task for the world," Sitra reassured, causing Mattheo's face to turn into a scowl.

          Of course she wouldn't, Mattheo thought. He was glad someone was protective of her but he hated that it was Cedric. Cedric was so touchy, even more so with her. It enraged Mattheo. He didn't want another man taking advantage of her, hurting her. He couldn't fathom that they were "just friends".

          Sometimes Mattheo wished he was "just a friend".

          Mattheo's thoughts were suddenly disrupted by the sound of Dumbledore's booming voice through the loudspeakers. "Welcome students... to the second task!" Dumbledore's energy was exuding through the microphone, it was obnoxious at this time of morning. "Last night, something was stolen from each of our champions, a treasure of sorts," Dumbledore explained, which made Mattheo's eyes widen. He knew what the "treasure" was.

          Prior to loading himself onto a boat this morning, he overheard Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom talking. He recalled Harry asking about Hermione and Ron, explaining he hadn't seen them since they'd been trying to figure out the task in the library the night before. He hadn't seen them since they were underwater. They were the treasure.

          And so was she.

          Mattheo looked beneath the surface of the dark, freezing waters, and there she was. Her angelic blue eyes were closed, and her tan skin had turned pale from the cold. Sirens surrounded the "treasure", protecting it so the champions couldn't get to them so easily. They were barely audible, but to Mattheo, their songs sounded just like her. The only difference was, their ethereal beauty could not compare to hers. No siren could ever lure Mattheo into their trap—except for her.

          Shit.

          Before Mattheo knew it, his legs were taking him to the edge of the platform. He was about to plunge into polar waters for her. He was on the verge of diving into a pit of swarming sirens for her. He would do anything for her.

          "Mattheo! What on earth are you thinking?" Sitra grasped the sleeve of his jacket and attempted to pull him back, but he was too strong, too determined. Theodore and Lorenzo saw what was happening and stepped in to help restrain him.

          "I'm not leaving her down there to drown," Mattheo said, trying to shake them off of him.

          "She's not going to drown, Mattheo! Even if Cedric doesn't reach her in time, the professors wouldn't let anything bad happen to her!" Sitra yelled at him, still struggling to pull him away from the icy lake behind him. But Mattheo was driven. He was still fighting their hold.

          "Mattheo, why are you still resisting?" Sitra screamed, trying to get him to rationalize what he was about to do.

          "Because I'm in love with her and can't bear to see her get hurt again!" Mattheo stopped resisting then. Everyone stood there like statues, unable to process his admission. Cheers broke out around them, and the group turned their attention to the water. It was Cedric and Evangeline.

          Evangeline was gasping for air as Cedric swam her towards Mattheo's platform. Cedric grabbed her by the waist and lifted her onto the platform before using his arms to pull himself up. Cedric collapsed onto his back on the platform while some of his Hufflepuff roommates wrapped Evangeline in a towel. She grabbed another towel to wrap around Cedric, then hugged him tightly and kissed him on the cheek.

          Mattheo could no longer stand to watch. He hated that her wet blonde curls were in his face and her soft hands were running through his hair.

          I should've thrown myself into the lake and let myself drown.