Dusk and Desire - A Mattheo Riddle Story

The Start of Their Future

The Great Hall was abuzz with an anxious type of energy as every student in Hogwarts watched Nora Rosier walk into breakfast wearing her Quidditch robes and carrying her Firebolt. It was well-known throughout the campus that she'd spent all morning preparing for the match versus Gryffindor—waking at dawn to practice again and again with the Slytherin team's best-beater and their captain. Though the school was split on whether they'd be clad in green or red, one thing could be agreed on: they all cheered for Nora. The idea of a Hogwarts student going directly to the professional leagues was too big of a deal, even for petty house rivalries. As she walked between the long aisles, she listened to their chants.

"You can do it, Nora!"

"Show 'em what Slytherin is made of, Rosier!"

"Go, Nora!"

"NORA... NORA... NORA!" Her head swam as she listened to it all, the voices all blending into one another. Her stomach felt like a small hurricane was trapped inside of it, the waves of anxiety threatening to overtake her until she drowned in the nerves, confined in—

"There's my girl," a warm, deep voice said. And just like that, the water receded. Nora no longer felt like she was drowning because Mattheo was there to keep her afloat.

He slipped his hand in hers and led her down to their usual spot. Ever since Nora and Mattheo had gotten back together, she'd begun sitting with his friends. Aditi was only ever with her half the time—Nora sometimes felt like a parent who had partial custody over their child the way she shared Deets with her boyfriend so much—so it was nice to have a place where she knew she could go. Plus, Mattheo liked eating with her in his lap so often that it appeased him too.

His friends had gotten used to seeing them together, though that didn't mean she and Mattheo were always nice. They bickered just as often as they kissed. Most mornings, Nora had no idea whether she would be spending breakfast eating in his lap as he kissed her neck or if she'd be on the other side of the table while Enzo tried to hold her back. They seemed to be the ones providing entertainment on most days.

Slowly, Nora started to become friends with the other girls in the group. She liked Enzo's girlfriend, Cass, the best but Aria Berkshire and Astoria and Daphne Greengrass were both nice too. Perhaps after they'd all graduated, they'd all be great friends. Nora wasn't sure what her life looked like after graduation. Today was the day that determined it all.

No pressure or anything...

Mattheo kissed her cheek before loading up a plate with various meats and lots of toast. "You need protein and carbs for your big day," he said before sweetly setting the plate down in front of her.

Nora scoffed before taking a bite of bacon. "What are you, my father?"

"You know, funnily enough, Astoria and I thought we heard someone screaming the word 'Daddy' from Riddle's room last night..." Draco snarked before a roll hit him square in the head. "You fucker!"

"Don't fuck with Nora on her big day," Mattheo said with a voice that meant business and a grinding jaw to match it. This wasn't the first of the threats he'd dolled out this week. One of the Gryffindor chasers landed themselves in the Hospital Wing for taunting him earlier. It would seem this match was to be less friendly than their first in the year.

Oh Merlin, what if I break my leg again? Nora thought with horror as she remembered what happened in the last match versus Gryffindor. Her face paled.

"Draco, be nice to Nora," Astoria said sweetly. "Please? For me?"

The blond boy immediately melted in her hands. "Of course, my love. Anything for you."