Magic and Mistrust ~ Mattheo Riddle

14

I put my head down on my desk. I'm so tired of all this. I hate Riddle.

"Hey," I lifted my head to see James. "Happy first day back from break."

I groan.

"It's not that bad."

"That's what you think."

"I thought you hated breaks."

I just look at him, not answering. I didn't want to admit it.

"I guess I did show you how fun it could be." He smiles to himself.

"Whatever," I mumble as Dash and Annie rush into class late.

I smile at them and before we could say anything, Professor Reid speaks.

"Okay, welcome back everyone." She greets us, "Put your wands away."

Dash, Annie and James place their wands in the middle of the table and look at me. I pull my wand out of my pocket and add it to the pile.

Annie smiles. I guess I finally trust my friends.

She leans closer to me, looking at our professor to make sure she didn't get caught. "You coming to the party tonight?"

I look at James and think about it. It could be fun and I needed to get my mind off things.

"Of course I am. I'll meet you at your dorm."

~

I walk to my next class. Today was going to be a long day. I was so used to being free and hanging out with James all day, that classes have become so boring.

Someone blocks my path. Mattheo.

"Get out of my way, Riddle." I spit.

"Or what?"

"I'll push you down the stairs."

"Is that a threat, Cromwell?"

"Did it sound like a compliment?"

He doesn't move, his arms crossed. I push him, making him stumble. He has to stop getting in my way.

He grabs my sleeve, making me turn around as I try to leave. I open my mouth in shock and try to kick him. He closes the space between us, not leaving any room to make it effective.

"Is that all you got?" He breathes.

"I didn't come here to fight you, idiot," I push him into the wall, and he grabs my arms, flipping our position. I push him away, "Ugh, Get off me,"

"You're just like everyone else," He spits, "It's infuriating,"

"I didn't say I was different," I roll my eyes.

"You were different." He says, "Until you realised who I was,"

"I don't have time for this." I turn and leave, I admit I was surprised when I saw his face but I wasn't particularly nice to him. I wasn't nice to anyone, why did he think it would be different for him?

"Madelyn wait."

My body stiffens at my name.

"I'm not my father. I'm not him."

"I know."

"Then why do you act like I am,"

"Sometimes you act..." I trail off, not being able to say the sentence out loud. I look away, unable to meet his gaze.

He steps a hesitant step forward, searching my face for an answer.

"Madelyn, please." He pleads, "I'm not asking for you to forget everything I've done, I'm asking you to see me for who I am,"