My Sweet Killer | Mattheo Riddle x Reader x Draco Malfoy

Chapter 1. A new boy

Late August air in London was thick and suffocating, so humid with the excessive rains and heavy with the traffic fumes that it was almost too heavy to inhale, too toxic to breathe in.
A platform 9 3/4 was different this time - usually filled with laughter and friendly banter, it was almost silent. Instead of cheerful chirping of the first-years, the station was filled with whisper and worried glances. It was not a happy occasion as it was supposed to be - parents were not pushing their children outside of a comfortable nest foreseeing exciting adventures, they were clinging onto them with all the fatherly love they had in their hearts, they were ripping the kids off their chest, like a band aid, leaving a wound of anxiety to bleed open. Lord Voldemort was on a hunt, The Death Eaters were wandering around freely, and the most terrible things were making it to the Daily Prophet.
"It will be alright, mother, I promise," a snow-white-haired girl squeezed her mother's forearm, as she noticed her dainty features tense. Danielle turned her head to see what caused her mother such distress. She smiled faintly and gave a slightest wave to a silver-haired boy accompanied by his parents, all dressed in black. Seeing her boyfriend gave her quite a relief, even though their parents were radically against their relationship. Danielle struggled to understand the reasoning behind their sudden loathing for each other. Since the early childhood, Danielle spent most of her holidays and summers at Malfoy Manor, since her own mother, Celeste Poesy, was too busy running their family business in France and Quebec. Draco Malfoy had been her best friend forever, and, eventually, the romantic feelings grew between the two. After their fourth year, Danielle had been filled with so much pride and happiness to disclose their relationship to her mother. Madame Poesy always used to tell her daughter that she would never marry a serious man with such attitude; and here he was - disgustingly rich, well-mannered, pureblooded, and, oh Merlin, handsome boy. What better counterpart could you wish for your daughter? Yet, when her mother first heard about their romance, her face darkened, her lips formed a thin line, as she hissed: "Forget about it, ma cherie. That boy is a trouble. If I see any letter from him, you will be on your way to Ilvermorny the next day."
Surprisingly for Dani, Draco's father, who she thought always treated her well, was not less mad about their relationship than Madame Poesy. Since the whole drama erupted, Danielle had never stayed over at Malfoy Manor anymore, nor had Draco stayed at their Provence Chateau. However, it did not stop them at school, there was nobody to tell them who to love there. Of course, going through the summer without a single letter from your loved one in the times so dark was draining, a wave of relief washed over Danielle as she saw her grey-eyed sweetheart.
As their parents approached each other for a cold greeting, Danielle studied the boy's face. He changed. His face was slimmer than ever, with sharp jawline and sunken cheekbones, eyes so dim he barely looked alive.
"You okay?" Danielle whispered.
"Totally," he responded, without even looking at her and grabbed her bag. "I will see you on a train."
As a girl was about to turn say goodbye to her mother, she realised that Madame Poesy was having a heated argument with Lucius Malfoy a few feet away. It was almost unbelievable how loud the whisper could be.
Unwilling to interrupt, Danielle gave a timid look to Mrs.Malfoy and nodded in farewell.
As she turned around to walk away, a steady hand caught her shoulder.

"Danielle," Mrs. Malfoy locked her eyes with the girl's. "Take care of him, darling. He is going through a lot now," she smiled softly.

"I will, Mrs. Malfoy," Danielle nodded empathetically.

A ride to Hogwarts felt more like funerals, with Draco almost silent, except for some obnoxious comments about Hogwarts, cutting off any Blaise's attempt to clear the air. Understandably, although out of Azkaban, Draco's father was still under trial and could go back to jail at any given point. Closer to arrival, his behaviour started to feel almost paranoid.

"Wait for me outside," he commanded when they arrived, and Dani picked up her bag and followed the rest of the students out of a carriage.
Just a few minutes later, Draco showed up, fixing his black suit. "Come," he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and landed a kiss on her pale cheek. A proud smirk bejewelled his tired face, a smirk that Danielle knew way too well - the i-have-done-something-terrible-but-i-don't-regret smirk.