The Riddle of Us *Mattheo x Reader*

Chapter 20 Unexpected Dates

A/N: play this when the girls start getting ready, only If you want :)

QoC:"As best friends,"

"The Yule Ball," Snape began, his voice as smooth and cold as the dungeons themselves, "is a tradition held at every Triwizard Tournament. It is an opportunity for students to... demonstrate a modicum of decorum, to prove they are not entirely feral."

A ripple of murmurs passed through the Slytherins. Snape's eyes narrowed, silencing them instantly.

"It is not," he continued, "an excuse for childish giggling, shrieking, or the sort of inane behaviour I've come to expect from Gryffindors." His lip curled slightly on the last word.

He paced slowly along the front of the room. "The ball will take place on Christmas night, in the Great Hall. Students in fourth year and above may attend... and are expected to know how to conduct themselves. Formal dress robes are required. If you cannot be bothered to present yourself respectably, you would do well to remain in your common room."

A few smothered laughs broke out in the back; Snape's glare froze them mid-breath.

"For some of you," his gaze lingered briefly on the boys, "this will require finding a partner. I suggest you begin sooner rather than later, unless you wish to scrape the bottom of the cauldron."

His robes billowed as he turned away. "Dismissed."

The moment Snape swept out of the room, the silence he'd left behind shattered into a low buzz of conversation.

Theo Nott leaned back in his chair with a smirk. "So... who's everyone asking?"

Pansy immediately tossed her hair. "Obviously, I'll be going with someone worth showing off. Not that it's any of your business."

"Translation," Blaise drawled, "she's still hoping Draco will take her."

Draco, seated across from Y/n, didn't even look up from straightening his cuffs. "Dream on, Parkinson."

Y/n snorted quietly, but stilled when she caught Mattheo looking at her from the corner of his eye. His expression was unreadable — not the smirking, sarcastic Mattheo she was used to, but something else.

Theo caught the glance and grinned. "What about you, Y/n? Anyone in mind?"

She shrugged, aiming for casual. "Not particularly. Why? Offering, Nott?"

The table laughed, but Mattheo's jaw flexed just slightly.

"Oh, come on," Blaise said, leaning forward. "Don't tell me none of you have thought about it. This is the Yule Ball. Big night. Lights, music, dancing—"

"And awkward sweaty palms," Theo interrupted. "Romantic."

Pansy rolled her eyes, then shot Y/n a sly look. "If she doesn't have a date yet, someone better ask before she gets snapped up."

Y/n smirked, trying not to glance at Mattheo. "We'll see."

Mattheo said nothing, just reached for his bag and stood as if the conversation didn't interest him. But Y/n noticed the way his shoulders were just a little tighter than usual as he walked out.

Y/n noticing grabbed her bag and followed her best friend.

"Mattheo wait up" she called.

He stopped and turned, "Yeah?"

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"The library, I have a load of homework" he replied casually.

"So do I, can I come with? I can help you study for your Intro to Magical Medicine test" she offered.