The Serpent & Hawke | Mattheo Riddle | Enemies to lovers

Part 26 - Upheaval of adolescence

Mattheo's POV

My head pounded and reeled, each throb a painful reminder of the chaos I'd unleashed.

I couldn't bear to look back, knowing the others were following behind, witnesses to my spectacular downfall.

The burning in my eyes intensified, and I blinked furiously.

What the fuck was I thinking? The question echoed in my mind, a relentless accusation.

Attacking my best friend, and for what? A girl.

No, not even that — for my own selfish desires, my own twisted ego.

Pansy's words, harsh and biting, replayed in my head.

Every syllable dripped with truth, each one a dagger to my conscience.

Lyanna's face flashed in my mind, her eyes filled with hurt and betrayal.

I had thrown it in her face, accusing her of kissing me while with Enzo.

The hypocrisy of it all made me sick.

How many relationships had I destroyed for my own pleasure?

How many lives had I carelessly upended simply because I could?

The common room door creaked open, revealing a group of students huddled by the fireplace.

Their eyes landed on us, widening at our disheveled appearance.

We must have looked like we'd been through hell — and in a way, we had.

Blaise, Malfoy's friend, stood and approached.

His face was grave, his normally confident demeanour subdued.

"Matt." He said, his voice low and solemn.

I didn't want to hear it. Whatever bullshit he was about to spew, I couldn't handle it.

I ignored him, pushing past towards the dormitories, seeking the solitude I craved.

"Matt, it's Corrina." He called after me.

I could hear the others halt behind me, their breath catching.

I threw him a look over my shoulder, mustering what little venom I had left.

"I don't care."

I spat, the words tasting like ash in my mouth.

"She's in the hospital wing."

Blaise persisted, his voice urgent now.

Something in my gut twisted, a premonition of dread I couldn't ignore.

"She's been cursed, Matt."

The pain in my head intensified as I turned to face him fully.

"What?" The word came out as barely more than a whisper.

Blaise swallowed hard. 

"I didn't see it, but Fiona and Katherine did." He nodded towards two girls on the couch, their faces ashen, eyes wide with shock. "She's in a really bad way...They're taking her to St. Mungo's for treatment."

My heart plummeted, a cold dread seeping into my bones.

Why would someone curse Corrina? Sure, she wasn't exactly a saint, but she had no enemies.

The sickness in my stomach intensified.

My eyes scanned the room, taking in the shocked faces of my 'friends'.