The Serpent & Hawke | Mattheo Riddle | Enemies to lovers

Part 43 - Sleeping with the enemy

Lyanna's POV

"Completely and utterly disgraceful!" Snape's voice ricocheted off his classroom walls, each word dripping with disgust. "And I thought you'd all have the sense to know better!"

Snape sent all the Slytherin students that took part in the brawl to his classroom, to continue berating.

"It wasn't us that started it, Professor!"

Enzo shot up from a desk, his bruised face contorted with indignation.

Theo grabbed his sleeve, yanking him back down with a warning look.

"McLaggen planned it, cornered us he did! They used the silencing charm so no one would hear us."

Another Slytherin called out, his voice thick with barely contained rage.

I winced as the nurse's wand probed the back of my head, magic tingling as it worked to seal the wound.

Dried blood had matted my hair into stiff clumps.

Astoria's hand found mine, squeezing gently.

Her face was a canvas of purple bruises and shallow cuts, but her eyes blazed with defiance.

Mattheo stood at the front, hands stuffed in his pockets, shoulders rigid with tension.

"You saw how he was acting in the Great Hall." He said, his voice eerily calm though I could hear the fury simmering beneath.

"It's your fault this shit show happened." Sebastian surged to his feet, pointing an accusing finger. "Just do us all a favour and leave."

"You fucking leave!" 

Corrina snapped, rising to stand beside Mattheo.

The gesture of solidarity surprised me.

The classroom erupted into yet more chaos — half the Slytherin students defending Mattheo, the others calling for his expulsion.

I watched his jaw tick as he absorbed their hatred, seeing the moment he started to consider it.

The thought of him leaving, walking straight into Voldemort's hands, made my blood run cold.

"Will you all shut up!"

The words burst from me before I could stop them, powered by fear and frustration.

Every head turned, and I fought the urge to shrink under their collective gaze.

"We're all on the same side here, whether some of you believe it or not." I continued, swallowing hard against my dry throat. "We can't be doing this. Kicking off at each other over who's to blame." I stepped forward, drawing strength from somewhere deep inside. "I'll tell you who's to blame — Voldemort. Not, Mattheo." I finished softly, meeting his eyes across the room.

A ghost of a smile touched his lips, warming his eyes for just a moment.

"She's right."

Corrina backed me up.

"It's us against Voldemort...As for McLaggen. He's just as scared as we are."

She threw me a smile — this girl I'd once envied now standing as an ally.

The world was changing faster than any of us could track.

"As touching as this all is." Snape drawled, his voice cutting through the moment like a blade. "All of you will be restricted to the castle for the next two weeks. That means no leisurely strolls in the gardens."

"Professor, what about Quidditch?" Enzo protested, looking stricken.

"Again, Mr. Berkshire, I'm afraid I don't care about your precious Quidditch." Snape snapped. "You'll all be serving detention with me for the next week as well, so bring your ink pots. I expect one hundred thousand lines between you all."