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rose-of-the-grave · 6 days ago

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The Great War: Chapter 10

Pairing: Mattheo Riddle x Reader

I know this is kind of short but the next chapter is going to be really long and it didn't feel right making it one, even larger chapter. I hope you like it! As always I'm the author (please don't repost <3)

Masterlist. Series Masterlist. Read on Ao3

Warnings: crying, watching the sunset, occamy, almost kiss

Word Count: 1657

Description: On the last night before of winter holidays, Y/N and Mattheo have a talk while watching the sunset.

Taglist: @sylveryfire, @dundunmin, @nicoleeblossom, @whoreforfictionalmen18, @lafrone, @lovemiss-vale

The air was buzzing with anticipation as the handful of students who remained on the grounds counted down the days until their friends and classmates returned. The new year had passed the night before with little celebration. Snow continued to fall, coating the castle and the grounds in a thick white blanket. Anyone who dared to venture outside for some wintery fun was bundled in layers.

Shouts echoed through the air, some fourth year boys throwing snowballs around while chasing each other through the courtyard. From high above Y/N watched over them, a sinking feeling in her stomach. Her friends would be returning soon. This entire break had felt like an escape from everything, including her mission, but now it would be time for the lies to return. She wondered if perhaps it would be better to simply say she had become friends with Pansy again so it didn’t look suspicious whenever she snuck off. That train of thought was quickly cut off by the sound of Dumbledore in her head telling her that it was of the utmost importance that she never tell her friends.

She picked up her quill, dipping it in ink. One of the many assignments over break was due in two days. Most of the homework she had already finished out of pure boredom but she still had a short essay to write on a fantastical creature of her choice. After some deliberation she had chosen to write about an Occamy. They were a serpentine creature that was a cross between a bird and a serpent. Occamies were some of the most beautiful creatures, at least according to the description. They supposedly could grow to fifteen feet long and their eggs were made of pure silver. The lack of information gave some freedom for her essay, allowing her to speculate more than she could have with other creatures.

As the sun descended once more, shadows were cast across the parchment. With a quick lumos the room lit up. After a good fifteen minutes she sighed, setting down her quill. She had written four sentences. Normally she would have put it off until the day before but everyone was returning early in the day tomorrow. Knowing her friends there was a very high chance Ron hadn’t even started any assignments and Harry had barely started.

Despite it all, she pushed off of the table.

The Great Hall was sparsely filled, the Christmas decorations falling short of concealing just how empty it was. The tree itself towered over all who ate there, Professor Flitwick’s ornaments glinting in the firelight while magical snow fell from the ceiling.

Y/N sat at the Slytherin table with Pansy, Mattheo, Theodore, and a handful of seventh years she didn’t really know. Their conversation was lively despite the pauses to eat their dinner. The feasts over holidays were always delicious. The sun’s dying light refracted through the windows of the Great Hall, casting streams of colored light.

“You want to do something after dinner?” Pansy asked, aware that it was the last true day of break.

Y/N took a bite of food, pausing to think for a moment, before saying, “Actually I was thinking I might go up to the Astronomy tower to watch the sunset.”

“Oh, okay.” Her friend nodded, turning her attention to Theodore who sat there quietly, deep in thought, “Theo, are you busy tonight?”

“No?”

“Good, you’re helping me with something.”

The Italian sighed but didn’t protest. Y/N glanced between them before standing up, dinner finished. “See you all later!”

As she began to walk away she missed Pansy shoving Mattheo, pointedly looking at Y/N. He rolled his eyes, “You’re a meddler.”

“You love that about me.” She replied with an impish grin, “And I didn’t hear you complaining earlier.”

The Slytherin boy took her unsubtle hint and jogged to catch up with Y/N.

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Darkness fell over the castle, the last remnants of light slipped below the horizon, casting a shadow over the castle and all who lived there. In a tower, far away from the rest of the castle’s inhabitants, sat two figures whose outline was illuminated by the moon. What had started as an escape from dinner to watch the sunset had led to something else. Something quiet and unassuming yet tangible.

Y/N gazed out across the Great Lawn, seeing nothing but black. She had one knee pulled to her chest, the other dangling into the void. Her companion sat beside her, his feet also dangling over the edge of the stone. Mattheo leaned on the metal railing, his eyes unfocused, searching.

“Do you ever wonder what your life would look like if you weren’t here?”

He glanced over at her. “Hm?”

“Like if you weren’t a wizard and you had no idea any of this existed.”

Mattheo paused before he shook his head. “There’s no point.”

“I think I’d like not being a witch.”

He snorted. “And not be able to do magic? Or play quidditch?”

Y/N laughed, “I’m not saying I wouldn’t miss it. “ She bumped her shoulder against his, the contact leaving her arm tingling despite the cold and their many layers. “But not having to deal with all of this? You know, the war.”

“I’m sorry, there’s a war going on right now? Quick, get your wand out!”

She sighed, “You know what I mean. Everyone is terrified, families are going into hiding.” She gulped, “Sometimes I just want to imagine a world without this.”

Mattheo leaned back onto his elbows, her back turned to his face. “I know what you mean.”

“Yeah, I guess you do.”

They both fell silent. Y/N’s mind was still focused on her parents. She missed them, now more than ever. Every Christmas she would go home and celebrate. Of course she would usually stay with the Weasleys for part of the break but her favorite part of the holidays was making hot cocoa and watching old Christmas movies. She and her mom would bake cookies while dancing to Christmas tunes that her dad would always say were overplayed but still mouthed the words, a grin on his face. Just the three of them, a happy family.

Work at the Ministry always got busy around holidays but they always found time and now she didn’t know when or if she’d see them again. Tears began to gather in the corners of her eyes. Just as one was about to roll down her face she wiped it away, turning to look out at the sky, studiously avoiding Mattheo’s gaze. Her body shook with the force of containing her sobs, her eyes screwed shut as if that would stop the tears from falling. The last thing she needed was to be crying in front of him.

“Hey.” A hand brushed against her back, Mattheo sitting up. “Are you okay?”

Y/N turned further away from him but it was of no use. His hand soothingly rubbed circles on her back, the sensation calming her. She hesitantly turned back around, careful not to make eye contact.

His other hand gently reached up to her cheek, wiping her tears away. “Hey, come here.” He folded her into his side, his arms wrapping around her shoulders as she buried her face in his shoulder. She gasped for air as he softly rubbed up and down her spine. “It’s okay. You’re okay, I’ve got you.” As her breathing eased she slowly realized just how close they were. Her nose was buried into his jacket, the faint scent of leather and what she presumed was cologne were oddly comforting.

His chin rested on top of her head, both arms wrapped tightly around her shivering body. After a few minutes she pushed off of him, wiping at her eyes.

“Sorry about that.”

“Don’t be.”

Y/N finally looked up at him. “Thanks.” She murmured.

He shrugged before leaning back onto his elbow while she distracted herself by gazing up at the sky. With the sun gone the stars had become visible, shining brightly thanks to the lack of industrial activity polluting the sky. She searched among the constellations for the few she was familiar with. Once, when she and Draco were kids he told her all about the different stars and constellations his family was named after. He had been so excited to share what his mother had shown him. A small smile formed on her face at the memory before fading away again.

“It’s so beautiful.” She murmured, eyes tracking the movements of the stars against the backdrop of the night sky.

Mattheo’s voice echoed from behind her, a rough quality to it, “Yes, it is.”

Y/N glanced over her shoulder, his eyes already looking at hers. Her breath caught in her throat at the familiar twinkle in his eyes. The ever present infuriating smirk was replaced by a soft smile. He looked less like a fallen angel and more like a boy she liked. She wasn’t quite sure who moved first but she suddenly was so close to his face that she could see every crinkle by his eyes, the hint of warmth in his brown eyes. The faint scar on his nose bridge, bone white against his skin.

“The stars.”

He leaned in, “Those too.” His hand came to rest on her knee, his body leaning closer to hers. Their lips brushed against each other, light as a butterfly wing. She sucked in a sharp breath, snapping out of it.

“We can’t do this.”

His face turned to stone, every remnant of longing vanishing. “Right, of course.” He pulled away like she had struck him and stood up. Y/N gazed up at him, an apology on her tongue but he turned away, walking away from her. As she watched him leave her on the top of that tower only one thought echoed in her head.

What have I done?

Chapter 11>> (coming soon!)

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rose-of-the-grave · 2 months ago

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The Great War: Chapter 8

Pairing: Mattheo Riddle x Reader

This is long, so hopefully that makes up for the wait? January hit me like a freight train so thanks for the patience and I hope you like it ☺️ Also if you're named Cyrus I sincerely apologize. As always I'm the author (please don't repost) <3

Masterlist. Series Masterlist. Read on Ao3

Warnings: Mattheo listens to The Smiths, he never had a proper childhood, "princess", Pansy and Y/N are bffs, Mattheo's middle name reveal(I know there's already a hc for it but I had an idea for the story), Mrs. Parkinson mention, flashbacks, bookstore, ice skating mentioned, idk what else

Word Count: 5648

Description: With everyone gone Y/N goes Christmas shopping with Pansy and gathers intel along the way.

Taglist: @sylveryfire, @dundunmin, @nicoleeblossom, @whoreforfictionalmen18, @lafrone, @lovemiss-vale

There she stood at the station, waving goodbye. Ever since she broke the news they had been asking her how she planned on meeting her parents without leaving on the train. Somehow she managed to convince them that Dumbledore was going to disapparate her off school grounds to a portkey. They had been so supportive of her decision not to come, once they realized why.

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“Wait, what?” Ron said.

“Y/N, come on! We’re all going to Grimmauld Place! Everyone’s going to be there.”

“I know, I know. My parents want me to come meet them wherever they are currently hiding out. They are only getting more and more anxious about my safety.”

“But Hogwarts is safe? We have Dumbledore, what more could they want?” Harry said.

Before she could respond, Hermione chimed in, “A lot of parents are concerned. War is on the horizon, everyone is on edge. Especially people who will be expected to join him.”

“Right.”

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The thestrals had already left when she started heading back but she didn’t mind going for a walk in the snow. The path to the castle was a long one but hopefully the views would be worth it. Hogwarts was magical at Christmas time.

Up ahead the castle loomed, snow covering its towers. Even from here she could see the handful of students staying for holidays playing in the snow, casting spells that sent snowballs careening at their friends. The Great Lake had iced over, the shiny surface reflecting the rays of the sun beaming down through the clouds.

Snow clung to her boots and to her coat, a chill seeping through her thick layers. When she reached the entrance she shook off the snow before walking into the warmth. The halls felt haunted from the lack of students milling around. Laughter from outside was repelled by the stone. Even the ghosts had vanished. Each flicker of a light set her on edge and it was still early in the day. She was completely alone and yet there was a presence looming over her, whispering in her ear.

Determined to not let imagined voices scare her she kept a measured pace. She was a Gryffindor and Gryffindors do not yield. When she finally reached the entrance to the Common Room it disappeared. Almost as if it was never there and yet she couldn’t help but look over her shoulder at the predictably empty hallway. A candle flickered out a floor below, catching her attention. A stairway dislodged up above, startling her. It groaned as it shifted from one landing to another. Shaking her head she hurriedly entered the safety of the common room.

After a few hours of being curled up on her bed reading she finally heard a few people shuffling in from having dinner. Her stomach grumbled. It was not the first time that it had done so since she got back.

Sighing, Y/N tumbled off her bed and grabbed a coat to pull over her t-shirt and jeans. A few strands fell into her face, obstructing her view of where her boots were. She shoved them behind her ear. Pulling on her boots she walked out of the room and down the empty staircase. The sounds of voices carrying through the doors of other years.

The sound of her boot heels clicking against the floors echoed against the stone walls setting her on edge. It wasn’t long before Filch would be out on the hunt for stragglers out at night. Without the map she had no hope of avoiding him. Or any teachers for that matter.

The castle was chilly, a draft causing her to pull her jacket closed. She already dearly missed the warmth of her bed all nestled under her blankets. Y/N loved the winter, especially Christmas, but the cold was a different story. Casting lumos, she followed her wand’s light past the Great Hall to the kitchen. It had been ages since they had last visited.

“Meow.”

At the sound of a cat purring she whirled, heart in her throat. Mrs. Norris sat right at the corner, calmly staring dead into her soul, waiting for her master. That damn cat was always getting students in trouble. Not before long she heard Filch’s voice calling for his cat. She tickled the pear and stepped inside the kitchen. She pulled the painting closed shut as softly as possible.

Slowly turning around she found fifty pairs of eyes on her, blinking owlishly.

Awkwardly waving, “Hey. I don’t suppose any of you happen to have some leftovers from dinner?”

Most of them turned back to cleaning and cooking but a handful of them led her over to some plates filled to the top with food. There was a bit of everything, chicken, grapes, pudding, mashed potatoes, and more. Grabbing a plate she put some grapes, a bit of chicken, and a brownie.

“Thank you!”

Nodding gratefully she moved to leave the way she came, pressing her ear to the painting to make sure Filch wasn’t right outside. Y/N carefully pushed it open, stepping out of the kitchen and closing it behind her.

“Having a midnight snack are we?”

She jumped, her soul leaving her body for a split second. Turning to face him she glared at his amused face. He began to laugh.

Balancing the plate in one hand she slapped his arm with the other. “That was not funny!”

“Oh, it was hilarious princess.” He chuckled at her indignant expressions, nose all scrunched up.

Blood boiling she whisper yelled. “Don’t call me that!”

With a smug smile on his face he plucked a grape off her plate and tossed into his mouth, his eyes never leaving hers. A wolfish grin on his lips that she was definitely not looking at.

She yanked her plate away, shielding it with a hand. “Hey! Hands off! Get your own.”

“But yours taste better.”

“Fuck off.”

She stormed off, him calling after her, “See ya princess!”

Not turning around she flipped him off, coat swishing behind her.

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Hedwig’s snowy white wings beat against the wind, her soft coat of feathers blending into the flurries. The only touch of color was the red ribbon tying a letter to her ankle. Hermione had sent a letter almost immediately after arriving at the Burrow, filling her in on Harry’s conversation with Remus about the Unbreakable Vow and Snape. Now she wasn’t quite sure what to believe. The Draco she knew wasn’t capable of that but the Draco she knew was long gone. And then there was Pansy. She had been hiding something that day. What, she did not know, but it seemed odd considering that Katie Bell found the cursed necklace only a few minutes later.

As much as she trusted Dumbledore, she also knew that Snape was never quite trustworthy. And yet every time they suspected him of something they were wrong. Dead wrong. But then, the same was true of Draco in second year.

Y/N wrote back immediately, voicing her concerns. If Harry was right, if Dumbledore’s judgement couldn’t be trusted, then they all were doomed.

As if on cue, the sky darkened. Clouds covering the dim light of the sun that had been fighting to be seen. She tightened her grip on her jacket, shielding herself from the gust of wind blowing in her face. Scanning the horizon before her, she closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. The scent of snow and pine needles overwhelmed her senses.

She turned away and headed down the stairs, the sound of her boots against the stone was the only sound. A dark figure on a far off tower moved, drawing her attention. Even from so far away, she knew who it was. With every footstep that brought her nearer to him, the more she could hear. The familiar melodies drew her attention. She had prepared for this.

“...And if a double decker bus crashes into us…”

“I love The Smiths.”

The music came to a halt. The only sound was the wind whistling through the distant trees.

“What?” He turned to face her with his brown eyes and a face that seemed wary. It was laughable really. She was skilled but he was the son of Voldemort. His very name inspired fear. And if that didn’t do the trick then the stark resemblance he bore to his mother was more than enough.

“I said ‘I love The Smiths’.” She walked over to where he sat. “‘To die by your side is such a heavenly way to die’. ‘There Is a Light That Never Goes Out’? It’s my favorite.”

Y/N crouched to the ground, fully expecting him to get up and leave but instead he scooted over to give her room to sit. Without saying a word he unpaused his music player, Morrissey’s voice filling the space between them.

Leaning her elbows on her bent knees she glanced over at the boy next to her. Before he could catch her she faced forward, staring out into the distance. The tower overlooked the Black Lake, the iced over surface a shiny reflection of the trees surrounding it and the clouds above. Storm clouds were rolling in, bringing with them a promise of rain that would soon freeze into snow. The rumbling of thunder echoed through the castle. Sitting so near to him she could feel his arm brush hers ever so lightly through her coat. The warmth calling to her. But she couldn’t, she shouldn’t.

Exhaustion filled her weary bones, her eyes struggling to stay open. But here she was. Sitting next to the enemy while listening to music, completely at peace with each other’s presence. She didn’t want this to end. Not now when she was finally making progress. They weren’t about to braid each other’s hair and spill their deepest, darkest secrets but he was letting her sit here when usually he sat alone. She felt like jumping for joy.

He pulled out a cigarette and the lighter that she had completely forgotten about. It had been sitting in that bottom drawer, or so she thought, until she checked one day and it had vanished.

She chuckled, “I always wondered where that thing went.”

He lit the joint before pocketing the lighter, the tip of it sitting right by his mouth. She very quickly shifted her gaze up to his eyes that sparkled in amusement.

“I’m surprised you kept it.”

“Well what else was I supposed to do? I didn’t want anyone to stumble across it. It could be cursed!” She retorted.

“That still doesn’t explain why you didn’t turn it over to a teacher. You kept it.” He took a drag, the smoke drifting off in the breeze. He narrowed his eyes, “Admit it, you are just a little bit obsessed with me.”

“Me! Obsessed with you? Never.”

“Uhuh.”

“Nuhuh!” She shook her head.

“Oh, please. I see the way you look at me when you think I’m not looking.” He leaned in until his face was inches away from hers, every syllable punctuated. “Obsessed.”

She leapt to her feet, hands on her hips. “Oh yeah? Well how about the way you seem to show up wherever I go. Stalker much?”

He scoffed, standing up as well. “Rich words from someone who just so happened to come across me here. Don’t think I haven’t seen the way you follow me around from time to time. You’re spying on me!”

“Am not!”

“Are too!”

She rolled her eyes in an attempt to disguise how hard her heart was pounding or how she had just noticed how close they were standing. His face was mere inches from hers. Here she was, thinking she had been getting away with it. Her entire mission was compromised. There was no way she was going to keep this up if he had clocked her so quickly. But then again.

She cocked her head to the side, “If you’re so convinced that I’m following you, why haven’t you reported it, hm?”

He shrugged, “Maybe I like the attention.” And then the bastard winked at her, finally taking a step back.

Her nostrils flared slightly. He was the most aggravating boy she had ever had the misfortune of meeting. She hated the side of herself that he brought out, the side her friends saw so rarely. She was quiet, observant. She was the girl who blended into the background while her friends got the attention. She was not the girl arguing with a boy she hated on top of a tower. She was not the girl who lied to her closest friends.

The sooner she could be that girl again, the better.

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The blaring of her alarm shocked her out of a deep slumber. Light cascaded through the window curtains indicating that it was time to get out of bed. It was all so strange with no grumbling from the others. The empty beds surrounding her own left her feeling like a piece of driftwood in the ocean, adrift with no sign of help. Her blankets failed to stave away the chill seeping into her bones. Her eyes fluttered shut, desperate for much-needed rest.

That wasn’t in the plans for her unfortunately. Y/N had promised to meet Pansy after breakfast to go shopping. Exams had loomed over her, tearing away her energy, leaving her unable to think about the rapidly approaching holidays. She hadn’t gotten her friends a single gift.

Y/N reluctantly flipped her blanket off of her body, shivers immediately wracked her body. In an attempt to stay warm she quickly pulled on some clothes and prepared for the day ahead of her. If she was lucky a heating charm would do the trick. Walking to the village was normally something she did with Harry, Ron, and Hermions. It was a weekly ritual. But she couldn’t refuse when Pansy asked this of her, she needed their friendship. It was her only hope.

She grabbed her bag, stuffing money and her notebook in it. Without even a glance at the letter from Professor Dumbledore she laced up her boots, fastened her coat, and tucked her hair beneath a wool hat her mom had given her a couple years back. It brought her comfort whenever she thought about her parents on the run. They would probably be in South America right now. It had been five months since she arrived home to nothing but a note that floated to the ground at her feet. It had been the final nail in her coffin. She was well and truly alone.

When she turned around the corner and began to walk down the staircase she spotted Pansy by the bottom. She was an island in the middle of Y/N’s tumultuous sea.

“Pans!”

The girl turned around, her skirt twirling around her knees. “Y/N! Hey.”

She smiled, “Hey.”

Pansy had come prepared, albeit fashionably so, with her thick pairs of tights beneath her skirt as well as the multiple layers of shirts combined with a fur-lined jacket. She wore leather boots with high heels that easily added four inches to her height. Her short, black hair was tucked underneath her matching fur-lined hat, the ends sticking out from under it. Dark red lipstick coated her lips and her dark blue eyes were framed with smokey eyeshadow. Then there was Rose with an old pair of boots, two pairs of leggings layered on top of each other, a sweater, and a coat. She wasn’t wearing any makeup. Before she had felt perfectly presentable but now she had become all the more aware of her flaws.

“You look really pretty.” Y/N breathed.

The girl’s lips curled up in a smile but her eyes did not reflect it. Giving a quick perusal of Y/N’s outfit, she smiled “You look really good too.” Y/N barely resisted the temptation to scoff. “Are you ready?”

“Of course!”

Pansy linked her arm through Y/N’s, dragging her out of the castle walls and into the courtyard. A thick blanket of fluffy, white snow covered the stone with not a foot track in sight. Every step was arduous. The snow clinging to their boots with each step until they reached the covered bridge across the river.

“You know,” Pansy said, “I always underestimate how difficult it is to walk in the snow.”

Y/N laughed, “It might have something to do with you wearing heeled boots.”

“Beauty is pain, right?” Suddenly she went silent before Y/N heard an “Ow! Shit!” Whirling around she spotted her not far behind, laying face down in the frigid snow.

Shaking her head, she began to trudge over to her. “You okay?”

A pair of piercing blue eyes glared up at her in mock anger, “Do I look like I’m okay?”

Y/N reached out a hand and helped her up. Pansy stood upright, brushing the snow off of her tights and skirt, the dust falling back to the ground like it had never been displaced. She kept on walking, Y/N not far behind, until they reached the crossroads. A sign post stood upright, icicles hanging down from the wood. One arrow pointed in the direction they had just come from, the other directed them forwards, to Hogsmeade.

Glancing behind them, Y/N spotted the familiar towers, covered in snow, that had been her home for five and a half years. So many memories were contained within its walls. So much laughter and sneaking around. She would miss it when they graduated.

“Come on, hurry up!” Pansy shouted from further ahead. Y/N smiled before turning and running to catch up.

“I’m coming!”

The two of them hurried along the path, eager to reach the warmth of the shops. A chill had penetrated through their many layers. Y/N’s toes and fingers had gone numb, no thanks to her gloves and thick socks.

Pansy blew into her hands, rubbing them together. “I can’t believe we haven’t run into anyone else.

“Yeah.” Y/N responded, realizing how alone they were. Her bag thumped against her leg with each step, weighing her shoulder down. She swung it over onto her other shoulder before continuing, “Maybe some people went earlier?”

Pansy hummed, changing the subject, “So, what are you planning on getting?”

“Oh, just some presents. I have a few that are on hold that I need to pick up but otherwise I’ll be browsing the store in case something catches my eye.” Y/N explained. “I got Hermione a book on the history of arithmancy.”

“Aren’t you taking that class?”

Y/N nodded, “We’re both taking it actually. I also got Harry this new pair of shoes that are designed to enhance speed. He keeps on saying he wants to be faster on the ground as well as in the air. Ron I wasn’t so sure about. Maybe something chess related? I’ll definitely get him some candy.”

“Right.” Pansy said.

“So what are you getting for the boys?”

“I honestly have no idea.” She sighed. “Draco and Theo basically have everything they need? It’s always tough buying them gifts when they will just buy themselves everything.”

“What about Riddle? Or Daphne and Millicent?” Y/N asked.

Pansy kicked at the snow in front of her, “Millicent is easy enough. I always get her something for her cats. And Daphne said she wanted a journal and some little trinkets.”

“And Riddle?”

Pansy paused, shifting from one foot to the other. “I don’t know…”

“How about some CD’s?”

Her friend gave her a slightly confused look, “What do you mean?”

“He likes music doesn’t he? You could give him a CD of a favorite band or something?”

“Okay, this is going to sound bad but I actually had no idea that he liked music.”

Flabbergasted, Y/N exclaimed, “Are you serious? Everytime I run into him he’s listening to music. Last week when I accidentally interrupted him up on the North Tower he was listening to The Smiths. He also, if I remember correctly, was listening to The Cure?”

“Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him listen to music.” Pansy gave her a puzzled look, like she was trying to figure something out. Her eyes scanned her face before continuing, “Then again, he and Theo along with Draco will hang out a lot together smoking and just relaxing. I’m not a fan of the smell so I stay away. It’s the same with Daphne and Millicent. Even Blaise doesn’t go out with them. It’s their ritual in a sense.”

Y/N filed away that knowledge for later. It may become useful. She had always wondered about Draco and Pansy after they stopped hanging out. All of a sudden they had a new friend group and Y/N had hers. Outside of Harry and Draco’s weird rivalry their paths had never crossed, even in class they kept to themselves. Now that she and Pansy were friends she got to see more of what their group was like but she was still an outsider looking in. She was still the enemy to most of them.

Bumping her shoulder against Pansy’s, “Now you do have something to get him.”

Her friend smiled back, bumping her shoulder into Y/N’s. “Guess so.”

Just when Y/N was about to comment on how long they had been walking she spotted the village’s welcome sign not far ahead of them. And just beyond the sign stood the stone buildings, snow hanging down from the ledges. The roads were well worn, the snow melted where people had packed it down. A few shops down stood the Candy Shoppe. On their way out she would stop in and grab Ron some of his favorites.

Pulling on her coat, Pansy pointed her attention towards the bookstore. The bell rang as they dusted the snow off of their clothes, shedding their outside layers in favor of the fire by the cafe. The chairs were old upholstered relics that had seen many years of students warming their feet while they sipped on their hot cocoa and read a book. Soft music played over the murmurs of shoppers browsing the collection of books.

The soft leather bound book covers are all neatly organized. Sitting on the shelves just waiting to catch the eye of a reader browsing for their next obsession. Y/N ached to scour the three floors of books. Somewhere among the other books was her next favorite book.

Sensing her friend’s restlessness, Pansy insisted, “Go. I’ll watch over our things.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes! I have some hot cocoa and a nice warm fire. I’ll be fine.”

Grinning excitedly, like a kid waking up on Christmas morning, Y/N began to sift through the selections.

When she reached the stairs and still had had no luck, she gave a regretful glance in Pansy’s direction, before cautiously climbing up the rickety staircase. The wood creaked underneath her, protesting. She imagined that it was at least four hundred years old judging off of how long this store had been open. Their collection spanned centuries. Some of these books were from before Merlin’s time.

Light filtered through the musty windows, casting shadows that danced on the wooden boards underneath her boots. In the distance a bell rang. Curious, she glanced out the window which overlooked the main street. Children played in the snow, throwing snow carelessly. Laughter rang in the air. Her heart clenched as her mind was bombarded with memories of playing in the snow without a care. A blond haired boy teasing her and a little girl with raven black hair standing up to him. Flashes of color while they played with powers that they were still unable to control.

“Y/N, Draco, Pansy!”

She and her friends ran to her mom who stood in the doorway.

“The three of you will catch your death of cold!” Her mom scolded them, fussing over their clothes. That was a long time ago. Back when fear wasn’t a constant shadow looming over her and her childhood friends still hung out with her.

Y/N shook her head, dispelling the memory, focusing on her present instead. Looking away from the window she continued her search for a book. Her eyes scanned for a familiar author but came up empty. Until out of the corner of her eye something caught her attention. It was the long-awaited sequel to a book she had read two years ago.

Reaching up for it, her fingers brushed the bottom corner of the binding. If she could just get her nails in on either side of the book she might be able to pull it out. She tried in vain. The book wasn’t coming out from its spot on the shelf, not without assistance. Y/N was about to whip out her wand when a hand came out of nowhere and plucked it from off the shelf.

“Thank…” The words were ripped from her throat when she saw who had helped her just now. She gave him a tight smile. “Thanks.” Before grabbing the book from his hands. She should have known he wouldn’t be so kind. Instead of handing the book to her he moved backwards, lifting the book out of her reach. Artfully dodging her every attack.

“I really expected better from you. Are you sure you’re a Quidditch player?” He teased.

Growling, she feinted left before diving right, stumbling over her own feet when he changed hands. She watched as he flipped through the book, pausing in the middle and began to read it aloud.

“As he lifted my hips…” He gave her a mocking look. “What on earth have you been reading?”

“It's. A. Romance!” Every word punctuated by yet another grab for the book, her last one was successful. He had become too stunned to do anything.

Finally in possession of her book again, she whirled around and marched towards the stairs leaving him standing in the middle of the bookstore. His dark curls ruffled from playing keep the book away from Y/N and his brown eyes glazed over, unseeing. His cheeks were just the tiniest bit flushed, a hint of pink dusting them. The Slytherin stood there like a statue, the world continuing to move.

After a minute, he followed behind her just in time to see her and Pansy walk out of the store arm in arm. He wondered if she had bought the book. The winter winds bit at his face when he finally exited the bookstore, two blobs of color walking towards Honeydukes.

“You know, I don’t think I’ve been here in ages.” Pansy exclaimed upon entering the famous candy shop. “My mother is always telling me not to have any candy.”

Y/N gave her an understanding look. Mrs. Parkinson had been a looming figure in her nightmares as a child. Her insistence on Pansy being the perfect child had made their home feel as cold as the Arctic, shivering at every draft, every glare thrown across the dinner table. The Parkinsons dealt in quiet fury and silent judgement.

“Well, you can have plenty of candy today.”

The Slytherin girl grinned. “I have wondered what some of these taste like. Is it true that Bertie’s Botts have every flavor? Is there really one that tastes like earwax?”

Y/N nodded. “There’s even one that tastes like vomit. Ron once got a furball flavored one. He kept on saying that Crookshanks must have had something to do with it.” She giggled at the memory of him spitting out the candy, running to the bathroom. The taste stayed for weeks according to him.

“Crookshanks?”

“Hermione’s cat.”

“Ah.” Pansy gave the box of Bertie’s a considering look, her fingertips barely touching the packaging as if it might bite her, “I think I’ll stick with chocolate frogs.”

She laughed, “Safe choice. Just make sure they don’t hop away!” Before walking over to the counter for a bag. The books in her satchel bumped her leg with each step. She was beginning to regret not asking them to be delivered to the castle.

The bell rang, signaling yet another child hellbent on a sugar rush big enough to put themselves into a coma.

“Mattheo!” Pansy voice rang out. So, not a kid wanting their weight in candy.

She turned around to see Pansy handing him a bag for candy while he shook his head.

“Come on, try it.”

He sighed but took the bag. All three of them wandered around, Pansy taking a little bit of everything and Riddle inspecting it all but taking very little. The other kids who were all very excitedly yelling and having fun quieted when he got near, parting to give him room. Every last one of them.

Once they all had paid, they walked out of the store, the volume and energy returning as it became clear he was leaving. She wondered if it was the parents or if the kids all simply knew. Was it him they were scared of? Or his father’s image?

The walk back to the castle was much faster, the time accelerated by a discussion on how much they all disliked Professor Binns’ History of Magic class. The material itself was interesting but the class was boring.

“I can’t believe they’re making you take it all over again.” She shook her head. The only thing that got her through that class was Hermione.

“That’s what he gets for skipping and always getting detention.”

Riddle shrugged. “I’m no worse than Theo.”

Pansy laughed. “That’s not true and you know it. Unlike you, he actually passes his classes.”

“I pass my classes!”

“So you’re retaking History of Magic for shits and giggles?”

He elbowed her in the side. “Enough about school.”

“Fine, then let’s talk about how you are one detention away from being cut from the team.”

“Seriously?” Y/N asked. She knew he got detention a lot but was he actually at the limit for being cut Quidditch? Hermione had looked up the rule last year before Umbridge had taken matters into her own hands and it had been something like no more than ten detentions.

“Yeah.” His mouth curled into a scowl, his eyes darkening. “Snape gave me a warning yesterday. Apparently he will have no choice but to give my spot to some ‘promising’ third year if I keep this up.”

“Hmm, maybe you should actually start behaving then.”

“What, me? Behave?” He gasped, “Mischief is my middle name.”

Pansy snorted. “I thought it was Cyrus.”

He glared at her, “Shut. It.”

Y/N laughed, “Mattheo Cyrus Riddle?”

Riddle groaned, head tossed back in frustration. His forehead drawn tight, eyes shut. “My mother was obsessed with me having a middle name that followed the Black family tradition. Cyrus just happened to be her choice.”

“But Cyrus? Of all the star names she could have chosen she went with Cyrus?”

“And it has haunted me ever since.”

Pansy clapped her hands together, “Do the others know?”

“Draco and Theo do, but no one else.” He leveled her with a glare, his brown eyes turned to stone. Through gritted teeth he said, “And it will stay that way.”

She shifted backwards, breaking eye contact. Y/N kept walking, her bag pulling her left shoulder down. Sighing, she switched it over to the right shoulder and breathed a sigh of relief. While the two Slytherins kept walking beside her in silence, she rotated her left shoulder, the pain slowly vanishing.

A faint silver mist lifted from her lips with each breath. The cold air caused her lips to dry. Snow fell gently on her hair and lashes, blocking her sight. Lifting out a gloved hand, Y/N watched in fascination as little snowflakes softly landed on the wool fibers. The delicate designs, each different from the other, were stunning. She let out a soft puff of air in shock when her other hand was yanked, pulling her away from where she had been standing. Tearing her hand from his, she continued to walk alongside them, not meeting his gaze. Instead she pondered her plans for the next few days. Ice skating sounded fun but it would be dangerous to go alone. One crack in the ice and then she would be plunged into its icy depths.

“Hey Pans, would you want to go ice skating tomorrow?”

Her friend glanced over at her, smiling, “Sure! I haven’t gone in ages.”

“Really? We used to go all the time as kids?”

She shrugged, “We stopped.”

Y/N nodded to herself, images of them as kids skating over ice dancing in her memory.

“I’ve never been.” Riddle said.

Both girls gasped, exchanging looks before saying, “What?”

“How is that even possible?” Y/N asked.

“Draco’s parents were more focused on keeping me hidden. When I was eventually sent to live with Theo and his family, they lived in Italy so there wasn’t any place to go.” He lowered his voice, muttering more to himself, “Not that his father ever would have allowed it.”

“You should come with us.” Pansy said, “If that’s okay?”

“I’m sure Y/N would rather walk over burning coals, right princess?”

She gave him a disgruntled look before shrugging, “Sure, why not?”

A startled pair of brown eyes blinked at her in shock. She was just as taken aback by her own words.

The front door of the castle was now only a few steps away, the towers looming over them. Snow fell on them, the faint dusting sparkling in his hair.

“See you.” She pushed open the door, ignoring Peeves and his arsenal of water balloons, ready to douse the children already shivering from the cold. One of them went splat right behind her, just barely missing her.

Y/N was ready for a nice cold bath and some dinner.

Chapter 9>>

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