The Riddle of Us *Mattheo x Reader*

Chapter 22 End of and Era

QoC:"thats my sister, and if you do anything riddle I'll slit your throat in your sleep, personally"

The second task passed with almost no drama, Potter got second and Diggory got third, it looked like Hogwarts was going to have a winner this year it was just hard to tell which one.

The third task was now approaching and fifth years where stressing about OWL's Y/n had never been so thankful to be younger.

Her cat, Poppy, had been trained in delivering short distance letters, so she could communicate with others in the castle that she might not have classes with.

She had recently been using her too communicate with Hermione especially sense her cat crookshanks and Poppy got along well.

On the other side, her owl Merlin, full name Merlin S'Beard Malfoy, yes granted she'd named her when she was all of eight years old and couldn't change it now, but she didn't mind it, she still found humor in her eight year old self's naming capabilities.

Merlin dropped an envelope in her lap, probably just something from a family member.

From The Malfoy Manor

Dear Y/n Malfoy,

We have been made aware that the forthcoming Third Task of the Triwizard Tournament will contain... complications beyond the ordinary. Be on your guard at all times, and pay particular attention to Mattheo Riddle. He is not to be trusted.

Exercise caution, Y/n. Your safety is paramount.

— Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy

Weird. Her parents had hardly ever cared about her. If anything, their letters had always been distant, polite, and usually about family reputation, not her wellbeing. So why now? Why suddenly warn her about the Third Task, why suddenly tell her to stay away from Mattheo Riddle? They'd never cared who she hung around with before.

It unsettled her, but it also annoyed her. Because if there was one thing Y/n Malfoy hated, it was being told what to do—especially by parents who'd hardly lifted a finger for her. And the idea of staying away from Mattheo? No. Not a chance.

So she went to find him.

It was Sunday, the last quiet day before the chaos of the final task. If Mattheo wasn't sleeping like the dead, he was usually draped across the common room sofa like he owned the place. Except when she checked the common room, he wasn't there.

Naturally, she climbed the staircase up to the boys' dorms. She always loved the fact that girls could enter the boys' dormitories, but not the other way around—it felt deliciously unfair.

"Oh—hey, Theo," she said, nearly colliding with Theodore Nott.

He raised a brow. "Hey? What are you doing up here?"

"Looking for Mattheo," she admitted. "Do you know which dorm he's in?"

Theo smirked. "Mine. Draco, Blaise, Matty and I all share."

"Matty?" she giggled, clapping a hand over her mouth.

Theo rolled his eyes. "I'm going to breakfast. You—go find your boyfriend."

"He's not my—" she started, but he was already gone. Huffing, she rolled her eyes and pushed on to their dorm.

She should have knocked.

"JESUS BLOODY HELL, WOMAN!" Mattheo shouted as she pushed the door open. He yanked his curtains shut like they were his last line of defence.

"Sorry! Sorry, sorry—are you decent?" she squeaked.