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SLIGHT NSFW WARNING!
THE SLYTHERIN COMMON ROOM was a sanctuary of dark elegance, bathed in the eerie green light of the fire flickering in the grand fireplace. the flames cast long, twisting shadows across the stone walls, illuminating the serpent motifs that curled around the pillars and ceiling. the room was nearly empty at this hour, save for the faint whispers of the portraits and the distant hum of the black lake overhead. it was the perfect setting for secrets and schemes - an atmosphere thick with the smell of burning wood, and something darker lurking beneath the surface.
you sat curled in one of the deep leather armchairs near the fire, a heavy book resting on your lap. your fingers absentmindedly traced the embossed spine as you pretended to read, though your thoughts were far from the pages in front of you. the firelight danced in your eyes, reflecting the intense focus that had earned you a reputation in slytherin. you were known for your sharp wit and fierce independence, traits that had often put you at odds with your housemates. but it wasn't just your intelligence that set you apart - it was your ongoing rivalry with mattheo riddle.
mattheo riddle, the son of the dark lord himself, was infamous within the halls of hogwarts. his presence was a constant shadow in your life, a source of both irritation and something more complex that you refused to acknowledge. he was seated at the far end of the room, partially hidden in the shadows, his sharp profile illuminated by the dim light. his dark curly hair fell into his eyes as he leaned back in his chair, a picture of brooding confidence.
he was as much a mystery as he was a menace, his dark eyes always seeming to see through everyone around him. his mere existence seemed to challenge your own, sparking a rivalry that neither of you could fully explain. it was more than just a clash of personalities; it was a battle of wills, a constant push and pull that left you both on edge.
you didn't look up from your book, but you could feel his gaze on you, as tangible as a touch. it was a sensation you had grown accustomed to over the years, and one you had learned to ignore - mostly. tonight, however, the tension in the air felt different, charged with an undercurrent of something you couldn't quite place.
the silence of the common room was broken by the rustle of parchment as mattheo shifted in his chair. you finally allowed yourself to glance up, meeting his eyes across the room. his gaze was intense, almost challenging, and you felt your spine straighten instinctively. there was something infuriating about the way he looked at you, as if he knew all your secrets and was just waiting for you to slip.
"you're awfully quiet tonight," mattheo drawled, his voice smooth and taunting. "studying for once, are we?"
you raised an eyebrow, refusing to rise to his bait. "unlike some, i don't need to flaunt my intelligence at every opportunity."
