I found myself in the Great Hall, surrounded by the familiar presence of Hermione and Ron as we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast. However, the tranquility of the moment was abruptly shattered when Ron's gaze shifted towards the entrance, his expression filled with surprise and curiosity.
"Why is Riddle coming our way?" Ron's voice held a tinge of concern.
My eyes widened, a mixture of apprehension and worry filling my mind. Yet, I managed to maintain my composure as I continued to observe Ron and Hermione. In a hushed tone, I inquired, "What do you mean he's coming our way? Is my sister with him?"
Hermione shook her head, her expression reflecting a mix of sympathy and caution. "No, but both of you should try to be civil. He means something to her."
Dani and Mattheo had been in a relationship for three long years. However, their relationship had taken an unexpected turn, resulting in a heartbroken Dani right before the start of summer. The reasons behind Mattheo's sudden departure remained a mystery to both Dani and me. I had never held a favorable opinion of him or the company he kept, but Mattheo Riddle stood out as someone I particularly disliked. The countless nights spent consoling Dani as she tried to pick up the shattered pieces of her heart were emotionally devastating. Witnessing her endure such pain was an experience I hoped never to relive.
Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted my thoughts, sending a wave of mixed emotions through me. "Hey," Mattheo's voice resonated from behind me. "Mind if I join you guys for a few minutes?"
I turned around, meeting Mattheo's gaze, and after a moment's hesitation, I nodded with reserved acceptance. "Sure, go ahead."
As Mattheo took a seat among us, I braced myself for the upcoming interaction, unsure of what awaited us in these seemingly innocent moments. "Thanks. So what are guys up to?"
I shake my head, feeling a mix of frustration and curiosity. "How about we skip to the part about why you're talking to us?" I direct my gaze towards Mattheo, who wears a mischievous grin on his face. An inkling of suspicion creeps into my mind, and I can't help but question his motives. "Did my sister send you or something?" I snap, my voice laced with skepticism.
Mattheo turns on the bench, meeting my gaze directly. There's a determined glint in his eyes as he speaks. "Look, I get it. You don't like me. I can't say that I'm particularly fond of you either... but I want to change that."
His unexpected words catch me off guard, and I look at him with a mixture of confusion and surprise. Why would he even want to change our dynamic? I swiftly dismiss the thought, determined to maintain my reservations. "You may have managed to earn my sister's trust, Riddle. But I don't trust you," I assert, my tone firm.
He responds with a slight smile, his voice carrying a hint of understanding. "You don't have to trust me, Potter. But the truth is, we're on the same side."
I can't help but scoff in disbelief. "I highly doubt we're on the same side," I retort, my skepticism clearly apparent.
Hermione, who has been quietly observing the exchange, speaks up with curiosity lacing her voice. "What do you mean we're on the same side?"
Mattheo's attention shifts towards Hermione, his eyes fixed on her. "I think you know what I mean, Granger," he replies, his voice measured and composed. Then, his gaze returns to me, and he continues, determination evident in his voice. "Look, I understand your protectiveness over your sister. I actually value that trait in you. But you'll never fully grasp the depth of love I have for her. And that's precisely why I want to start making things right between us."
I narrow my eyes at him, my skepticism mixing with a tinge of anger. "Love you have for her? Wasn't it you who ended things with her right before summer? That's some kind of love if it had her crying all night."
As the words leave my mouth, I can feel the tension between us escalating. Mattheo's expression softens, and his eyes hold a hint of remorse. "You're right, Potter. I made a mistake. I hurt her, and I regret it deeply, but I did it to protect her."
Mattheo's commanding presence looms over me as he rises to his full height, piercing my gaze with his intense eyes. "If you're not willing to mend things on my behalf," he begins, his voice filled with an unyielding determination, "then do it for Dani." The weight of his words hangs in the air, urging me to consider the consequences of my actions or inaction.
As he turns to depart, a sudden realization seizes him, prompting him to halt in his tracks. His eyes drift back to Hermione, who sits there with a book clutched in her hands. A mischievous grin creeps across his face, reflecting a sinister pleasure. "Oh, and Granger," he utters, his voice laced with a hint of malice, "that book you got there... It's a good one. Actually, Draco enjoys that one quite a bit." His words, loaded with implications, unleash a wave of curiosity and concern in Hermione's mind.
Without hesitation, Mattheo leans down, swiftly snatching a piece of Ron's toast from his plate. He brings it to his lips, taking a bite with an fearless flair. The act seems to be a final display of dominance before he walks away, leaving us to process the gravity of his words and actions.
Ron, perplexed and bewildered, shifts his gaze from Mattheo to Hermione, seeking an explanation for the cryptic exchange. "What on earth does that mean?" Ron inquires, his voice tinged with a mix of confusion and apprehension. The sudden mention of Draco and the enigmatic connection to the book leaves Ron puzzled.
I turned my gaze towards Hermione, curiosity brimming within me. "What on earth does that mean?" I inquired, eager to unravel the enigma before us.
Hermione, wearing a perplexed expression, shook her head in response. "Honestly, I haven't the faintest clue," she confessed, her voice tinged with a hint of unease. "But I must admit, the mere sound of it doesn't sit well with me."
Over the next few days, Dani and Riddle seemed to be constantly around us, becoming more involved in our activities. The courtyard had become our gathering spot, and on this particular day, we found ourselves there again. Dani sat on the grass, engaged in conversation with Malfoy and Parkinson, while Hermione sat on one of the benches, engrossed in a book. Riddle stood with Ron and me, listening attentively as we lamented about our lack of dates for the upcoming Yule ball.
Mattheo, observing our conversation, offered a suggestion, "I could give you some advice if you'd like?"
I dismissed his offer with a shake of my head. "Thanks, but I don't think we need your advice," I snapped in response.
"Harry!" Dani's voice rang out, breaking the tense atmosphere. "Just take the goddamn advice. There are only two weeks left until the Yule ball, and both you and Ron don't have dates."
I glared at Dani, taken aback by her forceful tone, but she simply winked at me mischievously. Ron, breaking the silence, spoke up, "Sorry, Harry... But I kind of want the advice."
I rolled my eyes, feeling a mix of annoyance and curiosity. With a sigh, I shifted my gaze toward Mattheo, my eyes conveying my reluctant agreement. "Fine. What's your advice?" I asked, hoping that maybe he had some insight that could help us out of this predicament.
"Wow, this is going to be quite an interesting turn of events," Pansy exclaimed with a mischievous smile, her excitement evident. Dani couldn't help but join in the laughter, sharing in the anticipation that hung in the air.
With confidence, Mattheo declared, "Watch and learn, boys. Watch and learn." His eyes scanned the surroundings until they settled on a vibrant flower bed. Plucking a few blossoms, he carefully arranged them into a small bouquet. He approached Dani, gracefully kneeling down to her level, his voice filled with sincerity, "Danielle Potter, would you do me the tremendous honor of accompanying me to the Yule Ball?" Dani's face lit up with joy as she accepted the delicate flowers, her voice filled with genuine happiness, "I would love to."
Ron couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief. "That's not fair, though. You two are already dating," he protested, feeling a twinge of envy.
Mattheo straightened up and turned to face Ron, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "You make a valid point, Weasley," he conceded, his eyes scanning the area. It was then that he noticed Hermione, sitting in the distance. He then looked down at Draco, who was observing the unfolding scene with an air of indifference. A mischievous idea formed in Mattheo's mind. "Draco, why don't you seize this opportunity and invite Granger over there to join you at the Yule Ball?" he suggested, a playful glimmer in his eyes.
Draco's gaze snapped up to meet Mattheo's, a killer glare directed at him. "Are you kidding me?" he retorted, his tone laced with irritation. I glanced over at Ron, noticing a slight flush creeping onto his cheeks.
"Oh, I'm dead serious. You still haven't found a date yet," Mattheo insisted, extending his hand to help Draco up from his position. Draco rolled his eyes in annoyance, his glare intensifying as he locked eyes with Mattheo. "Fine, I'll do it," he grumbled begrudgingly.
As Draco contemplated his impending mission, a sense of determination glimmered in his eyes. "Just so you know, I'm going to make you regret this later," he threatened Mattheo, his voice filled with a mix of irritation and determination.
Mattheo simply responded with a devilish grin, his eyes dancing with excitement. "We shall see about that," he taunted, his playful challenge hanging in the air, leaving the outcome to be determined.
Our collective gaze remained fixed on Draco as he gradually approached Hermione. Dani, unable to contain her curiosity, voiced the question that echoed within all of us. "Mattheo, what are you up to?" Her inquiry directed the attention of our group towards Mattheo, compelling him to respond with an innocent shrug. "Oh, nothing, love. Just testing a theory I have."
Taking a seat beside Dani, he tenderly brushed his lips against hers, and I averted my eyes, sensing the tension building in the air. In that fleeting moment, I caught sight of Ron clenching his jaw, a visible testament to the emotions simmering beneath his surface.
Hermione
As I casually flipped the page in my book, engrossed in the world of words and stories, a figure caught my attention. I lifted my gaze and was met with the unmistakable sight of Draco Malfoy walking towards me. Suppressing a sigh of annoyance, I couldn't help but shake my head in exasperation. "What do you want, Malfoy?" I inquired, not hiding the edge in my voice.
To my surprise, Draco halted right in front of me, his signature smirk playing on his lips. "Well, Granger," he drawled, his tone filled with a peculiar mix of confidence and uncertainty, "I was wondering if you'd like to go with me to the Yule ball?"
My eyes widened in disbelief, convinced that this must be some kind of twisted joke. "Is this a joke? This has to be a joke," I blurted out, struggling to comprehend the unexpected proposition.
Draco rolled his eyes, a hint of annoyance flickering across his face. "No, Granger, it's a genuine question," he retorted, his voice tinged with a touch of sincerity.
Caught off guard, I found myself contemplating his offer for a brief moment. The curiosity within me compelled me to consider this unexpected turn of events. As my thoughts wandered, Draco couldn't resist his curiosity about the book that had captured my attention. Swiftly, he reached out and snatched the book from my grasp, flipping through its pages until he found the one I had left off on. A blush crept onto my cheeks as his eyes scanned the words, seemingly engrossed in their meaning.
"...No man or woman alive, magical or not, has ever escaped some form of injury, whether physical, mental or emotional. To hurt is as human as to breathe..."
"The Tales of Beedle the Bard," Draco murmured, a touch of reverence coloring his voice. Surprisingly, he didn't even bother to glance at the cover before identifying the book.
"How...?" I began, unable to hide my astonishment at his familiarity with a piece of literature that I held dear.
He interrupted me, his voice a whisper now. "I've read this story a million times. It's one of my favorites," he confessed, a glimmer of unexpected depth shining in his eyes.
I couldn't help but express my genuine surprise, "I didn't know you liked to read."
Draco handed me back the book, his gaze locked with mine, ensuring that I didn't lose my page. "There are many things you do not know about me, Granger," he replied, revealing a side of himself I had never expected.
Nodding slowly, I felt a mixture of confusion and intrigue tugging at my thoughts. For reasons beyond my comprehension, I felt an unexplained urge to say yes to his proposal. "Alright," my voice wavering slightly, "But I'm only saying yes because I know that Dani wants us all to be friends. So yes, I'll go to the Yule ball with you."
Draco's eyes narrowed, studying me with a hint of skepticism. "I'm surprised you want to associate yourself with a Slytherin," he remarked, his voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and amusement.
Meeting his gaze head-on, I lifted my chin defiantly. "Like you, there's a lot of things you don't know about me," I retorted. A small smirk formed at the corners of his lips, leaving a sense of ease between us.