VERDANT OUTCASTS | cedric diggory

²¹ | guilty verdict

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE,
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When Katarina first realized she'd managed to break into Mattheo and Theo's inner circle, she hadn't quite grasped what she was signing up for. It's barely been a day since her little "initiation," but now, the first Monday of February, she has begun to face the reality of her actions.

Mattheo and Theo are glued to her side like two guard dogs, each one constantly a step behind or right next to her. Wherever she goes, either one or both are there. In every class they share, one of them claims the seat beside her without question. Even after classes Katarina doesn't have with them, she finds them waiting for her right outside, leaning against the wall or lurking in the corridor like sentries on high alert. It's as if she's the most precious— or possibly the most volatile— thing in the castle.

By mid-morning, Katarina is starting to feel the strain of being in their orbit. The way Mattheo and Theo have practically appointed themselves her personal entourage is exhausting. They don't just hover; they scrutinize. Mattheo, especially, seems to notice everything— every eye roll, every sigh, every flicker of frustration.

During Charms, Mattheo catches her eye from across the table, quirking an eyebrow as if to ask, Are you okay?

She glares back, annoyed.

At lunch, they take up their posts on either side of her, crowding her into the corner of the Slytherin table. It's suffocating.

Katarina pushes the food on her plate around, willing herself not to snap at them. She realizes that keeping up this facade means not only pretending to tolerate them but actively playing along, even when it grates on her nerves.

Isadora and Seraphine have also noticed the boys' behavior, though the latter does far worse of a job at hiding her irritation.

"Why are you here?" Seraphine, settled across from them, spits.

Mattheo doesn't miss a beat, unfazed by her hostility as he tears his toast in half. "Because we're Rina's friends?" He replies, raising an eyebrow.

Enzo, who has now joined Theo's side, leans in, whispering something that sends both of them into quiet laughter, further riling Seraphine. Her eyes flick over to them, narrowing before she turns her attention back to Mattheo.

"We're Rina's friends too," she says through gritted teeth, leaning forward. "And unlike you, we were actually trying to have a private conversation with her."

Mattheo's doesn't budge, making no move to leave. His lips curve into a smirk, tone dripping with mock innocence. "Oh, yeah? Guess it's not so private now."

Isadora rolls her eyes but keeps her silence.

Seraphine, on the other hand, has no patience left to spare. She leans forward once more, her voice dropping to a harsh whisper as she locks eyes with Mattheo. "I mean it, Riddle."

Mattheo meets her gaze. "Funny, I don't remember you being the gatekeeper of Rina's conversations." He casually tears another piece of toast, stuffing it into his mouth.

Seraphine's grip tightens on her fork, and for a second, she looks ready to snap. But instead, her glare settling on Katarina as if to silently ask, Are you really okay with this?