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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Later that night, Mattheo sat slouched on his bed, the cigarette from earlier burning slowly between his fingers. It left the bitter tang of smoke hanging in the Slytherin dorm. The dungeon air was already damp and heavy, but it never bothered him. The entire encounter with Amycus still played on a loop in his head. He couldn't help but think about way she looked at that little Hufflepuff girl, like she was worth the whole world.
Theo sat across from him, legs stretched out lazily, his tie undone and shirt hanging open by a few buttons. He always looked like he belonged in places like this, as if nothing could rattle him. Mattheo already filled him in on the full story from start to finish with Ariel, Amycus and Emerson, and Theo barely reacted at all. He flicked his wand, sending one of Mattheo's discarded socks hovering across the room, just to break the silence.
"So," Theo drawled. "You nearly strangled Amycus in the corridor. You picked a fight with Emerson. And, you adopted a first year Hufflepuff. Big day for you, Riddle."
Mattheo exhaled smoke in a harsh laugh, running a hand through his curls. "I didn't adopt Ariel," He refuted quietly. "She was alone. Amycus had her cornered. Emie... She shouldn't have been there. I told her to stay out of it. And what does that girl do? She throws herself between Amycus and a kid like she's immortal."
Theo cocked an eyebrow. "Funny how that keeps happening."
Mattheo exhaled through his nose, half amusement and half frustration. "She doesn't bloody listen to me. I told her to stay out of it. But no, she had to step between Amycus and Ariel like it was her job. Reckless doesn't even begin to cover it."
Theo snorted, setting his wand aside on the bedside table. "Sounds familiar. I think I've seen that look on your face before. Oh right, every single time she opens her mouth when she doesn't listen to you."
"Don't fucking start, Theo."
"You're wound up so I'll excuse the attitude," Theo noted flatly, folding his arms. "But you didn't hex Amycus. You didn't rip him apart like you usually want to with anyone who even breathes wrongly in Emerson's direction. Instead, you followed her lead and comforted the girl. Merlin's sake, Mattheo, are you aware you actually let a first year hug you?"
Mattheo shot him a look, but Theo only smirked faintly.
"You should've seen her," Mattheo muttered, almost to himself. "Kneeling down, talking to Ariel like nothing else mattered. Like Amycus hadn't just tried to torture them both. And Ariel... She wasn't afraid. She trusted Emie like she'd known her for years. Stupidly brave, stupidly... Sweet."
Theo tilted his head, studying him in that way he always did, as though he was cataloguing Mattheo's weaknesses. "And you're not just talking about the Principessa anymore. You're worried about both of them."
"I told you not to start, Theo," Mattheo snapped, though his voice lacked the usual venom. "Of course I'm worried about Ariel as well. She's eleven. First-Year. And Amycus—," His words cut off, his teeth grinding together. "He'd break her for sport."
