Serpents don't love soft.

Raven Oakland was never supposed to stand out.

New school. New name. New rules:
Keep your head down, don't get attached, and never let anyone find out who you really are.

Slytherin makes that impossible.
Because Slytherin isn't just a house - it's a system.
Carefully balanced. Loyal to its own. Brutal to anything that doesn't belong.

And Raven?
She doesn't belong.
Not to them.
Not to the secrets buried beneath the castle.
And definitely not to Mattheo Riddle.
From the moment she arrives, he watches her like he already knows.
Like he's waiting for her to slip. He doesn't trust her. Doesn't like her.
Won't leave her alone.
Every conversation turns into a challenge.
Every glance lingers too long.
Every step she takes... he's already there.
And the worst part?
The more she tries to stay away- the more he pulls her in.
Because Raven isn't just hiding a secret.

She's hiding a bloodline that could destroy everything.
And Mattheo? He's getting too close to the truth. Too close to her.
"You're becoming a problem," he said quietly.
"Then stay away from me."
His eyes darkened.
"You don't get to decide that."