The Serpent & Hawke | Mattheo Riddle | Enemies to lovers

Part 25 - The Dark Lords son

Lyanna's POV

I walked beside Astoria as we made our way to Hogsmeade, the crisp winter air nipping at our cheeks.

My heart raced at the thought of seeing Mattheo again, and I struggled to keep my composure the closer we got to the village.

Thursday evening lingered in my mind - our excursions, the intensity of our conversations, the vulnerability we'd shared.

We'd barely managed three hours of sleep.

The thought of him leaving that morning had left an unexpected ache in my chest.

After sharing stories of our haunted pasts, I felt a strange, genuine connection to him.

It was as if we'd discovered we weren't so different after all, both carrying scars that went far deeper than skin.

As we approached Hogsmeade, I spotted Pansy leaning against a bricked wall, her compact mirror in hand.

She snapped it shut as we neared, her sharp eyes immediately assessing us.

"Took you two long enough." Pansy spat, her tone dripping with impatience.

Her gaze raked over my body, lingering on my carefully chosen outfit.

"...Nice skirt." She muttered, the compliment sounding as if it had been forcibly extracted from her.

"Thanks." I replied, mustering a smile that barely reached my eyes.

Determined to maintain civility, I added. "I like your boots."

Pansy's lip curled slightly. "I hate these boots, they hurt like hell."

With a dramatic flick of her hair, she turned, leading us up the main street of the village and I fell into step behind her.

I've been trying with Pansy, I really have.

She's not an easy person to talk to unless she likes you, and she certainly didn't like me.

But she's making an effort, first for Enzo's sake, and now for Astoria's.

Which, in some aspects, shows she's at least capable of being a good friend.

"The boys are in the Black Hound." Pansy informed us, her nose wrinkling in distaste. "The Three Broomsticks was packed, there's some stupid quiz going on, it's filled with Gryffindors." She turned to Astoria, a knowing smirk playing on her lips. "Theo's been eagerly waiting your arrival, so much so he's on his third pint already."

Astoria rolled her eyes, a faint blush colouring her cheeks.

"Cut it out." She muttered, but I could see the pleased glimmer in her eyes.

Pansy's attention snapped to me, her gaze sharp and calculating.

"Have you told your new bestie?" She asked, her voice laced with mock sweetness. "Theo kissed her sober at the Dungeon party the other night."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"This is big...Why didn't you say anything?" I asked Astoria, trying to keep my tone light.

Astoria's face flushed a deeper shade of red.

"Because it was nothing!" She protested, her words tumbling out in a rush. "It was barely even anything, he went to kiss my cheek when I arrived, I got confused and he kissed my lips by mistake."

"And they looked deep into each other's eyes and-" Pansy mocked.

"Give over, will you!" Astoria pushed Pansy's shoulder, but there was no real anger behind the gesture.