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THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS rattled along the tracks, weaving through fields and valleys, the clouds outside growing darker as the train hurtled further north. you sat alone in a compartment, excited yet trying to keep your nervous thoughts in check. staring out the window, you barely noticed when the door slid open, letting in two boys who would soon change everything.
mattheo riddle slouched in first, his dark curls untamed and his gaze immediately locking on you with curiosity. he had a devil-may-care smirk even then, one that practically said he was daring the world to mess with him.
"mind if i sit here?" he asked, already sliding in opposite you before you could respond. "every other compartment's packed with the kind of people i don't care to associate with."
before you could get a word in, another boy stepped in quietly - a tall, slender figure with sharp blue eyes that seemed to notice everything, from the wrinkle in your robes to the casual way mattheo was already making himself comfortable. he didn't ask to sit; instead, he raised an eyebrow at mattheo, giving him an expression that seemed both annoyed and familiar.
"i leave you alone for five minutes, and you've already found a friend?" the boy's voice was dry, with a hint of sarcasm that would quickly become one of his defining traits. he slid into the seat beside mattheo, crossing his arms and leaning back.
you cleared your throat, trying not to laugh at the banter between them. "so, you two already know each other?"
the second boy nodded, giving mattheo a sideways glance. "unfortunately. theodore nott," he added, extending a polite hand your way. "apparently, mattheo here got himself cursed by a sentient piece of furniture within ten minutes of stepping into the train. i saved his life, so now he follows me around."
mattheo gave him a nudge, rolling his eyes. "we were destined to be friends, theo; admit it. besides, you needed me to balance out all that stick-up-your-robe attitude you've got."
theo ignored him, looking back at you. "and you are?"
"yn yln," you replied with a smile, still a bit thrown by the intensity of both boys' personalities. "it's my first year here, too."
"lucky us," mattheo said, winking. "looks like the three of us are already the highlight of this train ride."
and somehow, sitting there in that cramped train compartment, you knew he might just be right.
the great hall was buzzing with anticipation, every first-year watching as names were called out and destinies decided. your heart raced as professor mcgonagall called your name, and with one look at mattheo and theo, you stepped up to the sorting hat.
"slytherin!" the hat declared, and as you glanced over to the green-and-silver table, you spotted theo and mattheo grinning, already seated. somehow, knowing they'd be there made everything feel less intimidating.
