„Oh, my dear..." (Mattheo Riddle ff)

how their last year began...

P.T.

„Listen. I don't want to be here either." Mr Portlin sighed. „Really, I could imagine much more exciting things than stalking two lovey dovey teenagers in their school." 

I chuckled softly. „I think I like you, Sir. You seem very down to earth and sympathetic."

„True." Mattheo said. „Why is someone like you even working for the fucking ministry?" 

„Ah... Family expectations." Mr Portlin shrugged. 

He was the one the ministry had sent to Hogwarts to keep and eye on the guys, Snape and me. A rather young officer of the law enforcement department. He was tall, lanky and had a bush of black curls on his head. His uniform suit never seemed as neat as it was usual for ministry people. That just made him a little more likeable. 

„Listen, you two. I know, everyone has already told you this like, a hundred times, but just stay out of trouble. Do your school stuff, do your Quidditch, don't draw even more attention to yourselves, and we won't have a problem. Makes my job here easier too."

I nodded slowly. „Yeah, sure. But no promises."

„We'll try our best." Mattheo quickly chimed in, pulling me towards the classroom. „Thank you, Mr Portlin."

Mr Portlin just chuckled as he looked after us, before leaning against the wall outside again as we entered the classroom. 

„That one feels less like a stalker..." Mattheo muttered as we sat down at our table. It felt like the whole classroom was watching us. 

I mean, we've had the whole of Hogwarts starring at us before, when we started dating last year. Back then, it had been envy and wonder. Now, everyone looked at us with worry and nervousness. Fear even, from the younger students. Angry looks from the Gryffindors especially.

The ministry people and cold looks from the teachers didn't really help anything.

„Weasel is looking at me like I killed his mother." Mattheo whispered.

„Whoever paired our classes together for this lesson is trying to provoke a war or something..." I gave back. „If Granger keeps looking like that, I'll hex her mouth close."

„Penny..."

„What? I'm just saying..."

„No."

I rolled my eyes. „But..."

„Love, no. Don't."

„Damn. Look at you, Mr responsible."

Mattheo smirked faintly at my jab, though his hand found mine under the table, fingers curling tight around mine like an anchor. He always did that when the atmosphere got too sharp, too heavy. A reminder. We were together.

Professor McGonagall entered, sweeping the classroom into silence with one sharp look. She hesitated, just a second, when her gaze landed on us in the back row. Not hostile. Not warm either. Just... tired.

„Transfiguration partners are as usual. Open your text books to page 214." she instructed, her voice cold.

The shuffle of books and quills filled the room. Normally, I would have teased Mattheo for never actually having his book with him, but today he did. Neat but well-worn copy. The absurdity of Mattheo Riddle actually carrying a textbook nearly made me snort.

Instead I leaned in, whispering just for him: „Look at you. Teacher's pet already."

He shot me a sideways glare, lips twitching. „Say that again and I'll prove how much of a pet I can be, love."