The Riddle of Us *Mattheo x Reader*

Chapter 20 Unexpected Dates

"Okay" he sighed, but with a smile on his face.

The two walked to the library in a comfortable silence brushing shoulders.

—

December 19th.

"Y/n please I need help" pleaded Draco. He was currently begging for help on how to ask Pansy to the ball.

"Just ask her!" she practically shouted.

"I can't just ask her, then she'd definitely say no" he complained.

"Ugh, fine, mother and father approve then?" she asked.

"Of course, shes a Parkinson" he said quietly.

"Of course. How about..." Y/n tapped her chin, pacing a little. "We go big. Not Gryffindor-big, not fireworks-and-dancing-hippogriffs-big — tasteful Slytherin big. Elegant, calculated, impossible to say no to."

Draco narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Go on."

"You know Pansy loves attention," Y/n said. "So, you wait until the common room's full — but not chaotic. You get Blaise to 'accidentally' mention that you've been working on something special for a girl. Let it build. She'll be curious."

Draco tilted his head. "And then?"

"And then," Y/n smirked, "you 'casually' conjure a single enchanted rose. Not tacky. Classy. The petals shimmer Slytherin green. You hand it to her and say —" she deepened her voice into an overly dramatic imitation of him — "'Pansy, would you do me the honour of joining me at the Yule Ball?'"

Draco gave her a look. "You make me sound like a pompous idiot."

"You are a pompous idiot," she said sweetly and rolling her eyes. "But she likes pompous idiots. Especially ones with good hair."

"You think I have good hair?" he ased half surprised have joking.

"Only took three years but yes" she responded honestly.

He rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the hint of a smile. "And if she says no?"

"She won't. The entire common room will be watching — and you'll look like you just offered her the crown jewels. She'll say yes if only to keep the attention."

Draco considered this, then gave a slow nod. "Not bad, little sister. Not bad at all."

"Please. I'm brilliant." She grinned, already imagining the look on Pansy's face. "Just don't mess it up. If you trip over your words, that's on you."

—

Later that night

The Slytherin common room was buzzing that evening, filled with the usual low chatter and flickering green light from the lake outside.

Y/n sat curled into one of the armchairs, watching Draco pace near the fireplace. Blaise was positioned perfectly at his side, pretending to be in deep conversation.

"Ready?" Y/n mouthed.

Draco shot her a glare that said absolutely not, but gave the faintest nod.

Right on cue, Blaise's voice carried across the room. "So, this big gesture you've been working on... is she going to say yes?"

Every head within earshot turned — including Pansy's.

Draco straightened, putting on his best pure-blood-prince face. "There's only one way to find out." He flicked his wand with a graceful twist, and from thin air bloomed a single, perfect rose. Its petals shimmered an iridescent green, the glow soft but undeniable in the dim light.