My real enemy / Mattheo Riddle

• WHAT BOUNDARIES •

As I sat there finishing my breakfast, the Great Hall slowly began to stir. A few students trickled in from free periods or errands, and the peaceful solitude started to give way to the usual buzz of the castle. It wasn't long before I heard the familiar echo of boots against the stone floor.

"Skipping class, are we?"

I looked up, and there he was. Mattheo Riddle, leaning casually against the entrance to the hall, his smirk firmly in place.

I groaned inwardly. "Do you follow me, or is it just a coincidence that you're everywhere I go?"

"Pure coincidence," he said with a grin, though his tone made it clear he didn't mind. "And I could ask you the same. Didn't take you for someone who skips."

I sighed, brushing a strand of hair out of my face. "I don't. Not usually. And I'm not in the mood for company right now, so if you'd kindly—"

He slid into the seat across from me before I could finish, snatching a slice of toast from the platter. "Relax, Potter. I'm just here for breakfast."

"Do you have to be here for breakfast?" I shot back, glaring at him.

He raised an eyebrow, taking a bite of the toast. "What can I say? I like your company."

I rolled my eyes, but I didn't push him away. Something about the way he acted, cocky yet calm made it difficult to stay annoyed. As we sat there, the noise of the hall grew around us, but our corner felt oddly insulated, like we were in our own bubble. For a brief moment, I let myself forget about my hangover, my regrets, and even the strange tension between us.

"Well," Mattheo said after a while, his smirk softening into something almost sincere. "At least you're eating. You looked like you needed it this morning."

"Ehh, thanks," I muttered, though I couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips.

He leaned back in his seat, his dark eyes studying me. "You should try smiling more. It suits you."

And just like that, the weight of last night came rushing back. The way he'd looked at me. The way I'd almost, no. I wasn't going to let my mind go there.

"Don't push your luck, Riddle," I said, standing and gathering my things.

His grin widened as he watched me. "Wouldn't dream of it, Potter."

As I walked out of the hall with Milo trailing behind, I could still feel his eyes on me, and for reasons I couldn't quite name, it left me feeling unsettled.

__________________________

The Slytherin common room buzzed with laughter and chatter as I was sitting in on one of the stone benches, surrounded by the familiar faces of my friends. Pansy was recounting some scandalous bit of gossip, her voice animated as Blaise egged her on. Enzo was flipping through a deck of enchanted cards, his easy grin lighting up the room, and Mattheo is leaned against the armrest of my bench, his dark eyes watching the scene with an amused smirk. This remind me of yesterday when he did pretty much the exact same thing but inside. I was starting to feel comfortable, like I belonged here. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw him. Harry.

He stood in the doorway, his expression tense and disapproving. His green eyes, so much like mine, locked onto me. I sighed, knowing that look meant trouble.

"Agnes," he called, his tone sharp.

The sourrondings fell into an awkward silence. Everyone turned to stare, the tension thick in the air. Mattheo shifted slightly, his gaze hardening as it flicked to Harry.

"Excuse me," I muttered to no one in particular, standing and brushing off my skirt.

I followed Harry out from the small yard into the halls of the castle, the sound of my boots echoing against the cold stone floor. Once we were a few steps away from the yard, he stopped abruptly and turned to face me, his arms crossed.