Emerson Wilmore was an exemplary Ravenclaw student, known for her unwavering dedication to academics and an unyielding moral compass. However, things took a twisted and deviated turn in her life after her boyfriend, Cedric Diggory, was murdered by L...
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The quiet echo of footsteps echoed through the dimly lit halls, broken only by the occasional whisper of Enzo, Theo, and Olivia behind them. She caught snatches of their conversation—words like kiss and finally—mixed with bursts of stifled laughter. Emerson's sharp eyes didn't miss the glint of coins changing hands between Theo and Olivia, while Enzo gave Theo money with a glum look.
Her chest tightened with irritation. She shot them a glance over her shoulder, raising an eyebrow in silent rebuke. Olivia noticed and mouthed, sorry, though her grin suggested she wasn't sorry at all. Emerson rolled her eyes, trying to suppress the blush threatening to creep up her neck. She knew exactly what they were discussing; their bet about her and Mattheo.
But she refused to let them distract her. Shaking her head, she quickened her pace, her focus narrowing to the boy walking a few paces ahead. Mattheo's tall frame moved with tense precision, his hands buried in the pockets of his robes.
His usual swagger was muted, replaced by a tense rigidity that made him seem miles away. Determined, Emerson quickened her pace until she was walking beside him.
"Mattheo," She said, glancing up at him.
He didn't look at her, his jaw tight and his expression cold, almost detached. The cold wall he had built between them was palpable, making her stomach twist. Still, she pressed on.
"Are you okay?" She asked, her voice laced with genuine concern.
His response was curt, his tone sharp enough to sting. "I'm fine."
The two words hung in the air like an unspoken barrier, but Emerson wasn't deterred. She exhaled slowly, trying not to let his icy demeanor push her away. Instead, she exhaled. "I missed you these past few days," She admitted shyly. "I'm – I'm glad to see you."
That seemed to break through the armor, if only slightly. Mattheo's step faltered, and he finally looked at her. His dark eyes were unreadable, but the hard edges of his expression softened just a fraction. He didn't smile but the surprise on his face told her he didn't expect her words. It was enough for Emerson to know she'd gotten through to him.
Before he could answer, a sharp voice echoed down the corridor, slicing through the tension like a blade.
"RIDDLE!"
The venom in the shout made Emerson's stomach drop. Both she and Mattheo turned towards the sound, and her breath caught when she saw Harry storming toward them, fury blazing in his green eyes.
"Harry?" She asked, confused, though she already knew. The raw pain in his expression said everything.
Mattheo tensed beside her, his posture shifting into one of defence. His hand shot out, grabbing hers and pulling her slightly behind him. He placed himself squarely between Emerson and Harry without question, while Olivia, Theo and Enzo stopped in their tracks and watched the scene unfold.
