elwilliamsgf

Ignoring Mattheo Riddle might be the most difficult thing I have ever done.

Not that I would have any reason to ignore him…

Neither of us have spoken to each other since the Potions incident. That was 2 weeks ago. I caught his eye in the great hall multiple times. I also may or may not walk out without finishing my meals. It's not that I'm actively avoiding him. I am just trying to lessen the capability of him talking to me at all. In all honesty I have got to learn how to be more subtle, I'm afraid I'm worrying Hermione. 

“Yes Mione I am perfectly fine, and no I have not taken any potions recently. Who do you think I am?” I eye her with my brows furrowed. Honestly, a potion to ease my nerves might help me drastically these days. However I am more than capable of handling situations like a big girl. 

Sometimes. 

“That still doesn’t explain why you disappear randomly or leave in the middle of our conversations-” I stop walking and stand directly in front of her, cutting her off. “Look I appreciate the concern but I’m going to be late for Defense and I would not like to spend detention with Lupin again.” I sigh and place a hand on her shoulder. “Look I’m sorry I know I have been avoidant it. It's nothing you did- I just have a lot on my mind. Ill see you during dinner.” With that I turn on my heel and walk towards the dungeons before she can even respond. 

My mind has constantly been on alert. Always checking to see who could be lurking behind me where I wouldn’t be able to see. Okay yes I can see how it may look like I am running from my problems but, there was a clear misunderstanding that day in potions. There's honestly no way that Mattheo Riddle is my– 

“Sorry.” the mutter leaves my lips the second my body collides with another. I look up once I realize that the other person hasn't responded. 

Oh. 

Dark brown eyes meet my own. His gaze is intense and… angry? At me? I certainly hope not! I haven’t done anything to the man at-

“You’ve been avoiding me.” He tone direct and his eyes never wavering one bit. I instinctively take a step back. “I- I beg your pardon?” I stammer. 

Merlin get a grip!

“Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about” He takes a step forward. My eyes practically bulge out of my head at his boldness. Not knowing what else to expect I stand there frozen. “You know it's been kind of amusing, seeing how easily I can get you to evacuate my personal vicinity in seconds, well amusing at first now it's just..” He doesn't finish his sentence and holds my gaze. 

“I-I don’t know what you're talking about- I have to get to class-” “Defense against the dark arts?” He cuts me off “I’m going the same way so you wouldn’t mind if I walked you there?” He asks. His gaze has shifted now. He's not hostile or direct, he's smiling or is that a smirk? I can’t bring myself to look at his face again so I just nod. 

I turn on my heel and walk away trying to walk faster than him. However the man is 6 feet tall and all legs so that is hardly helping my case. “So how long do you plan on keeping this up” He asks. I look over at him briefly before clearing my throat. “Keep what up exactly?” “This whole, I don't know what you're talking about bullshit” He says his voice dark. My face heats up with embarrassment. “Thats just it, I don’t know what-” “Look just save it okay, if I’m such a terrible person that you can’t even bring yourself to admit that you might even possibly have the chance to be my soulmate then fine. But don’t stand there and lie to my face when we have the exact same scar on our wrist.” His words are harsh but the glare he sends my way is worse. 

My chest feels tight and I suddenly feel like an awful person. I don’t get a chance to respond before he walks into the classroom and takes a seat with the Slytherins. I swallow hard and smile softly at Harry before lowering myself into the seat next to him. I put my head down and sigh. It's only 9 and I have already made a fool of myself.

“So, Riddle giving you a hard time about being his soulmate?” Harry whispers in my direction. My eyes shoot open and I quickly turn to look at him. “What?” I exclaim. “Oh come on don’t tell me Hermione's right about you being in denial.” “She told you?! She knows?!” I exclaimed, mortified. 

“Why’s it such a bad thing? I mean yeah he's… the son of Voldemort but he's long gone. I made sure of that. Aren’t you being a bit too judgemental on his behalf” Harry says looking at me with the look like he knows more than me. A look that makes me so angry. 

I let out a cool controlled breath. “This has nothing to do with his father.” I whisper. “Yeah? Then why do you sprint out of a room any time he even looks in your direction." 

“Thats not- this is different okay. Matt- Riddle is not someone who should be interested in me” I say. “Thats completely out of your control now” Harry states. I sigh and realize hes right. “OH merlin i’m- oh i messed up” Harry nods in return. 

“He was so… upset I brushed him off countless times” I mumble my eyes wondering over to their table. He's sitting next to Lorenzo Berkshire who's talking to a blonde Slytherin girl. 

Professor Lupin finally walks in and begins class; however my thoughts are far away from the classroom. 

The next hour drags on despite my misery. Every sound, the scrape of a chair, the scratch of a quill, even a Hufflepuff’s sneeze kept averting my eyes back towards the group of Slytherins in the corner. Every whisper or laugh coming from the table makes me wonder if Mattheo is still speaking in the same way he spoke to me earlier. 

Merlin. I think I hurt his feelings. 

He’s never spoken to anyone the way he spoke to me. Well not that I’ve seen. 

My stomach churns in knots at the thought of hurting him. I mean, yes, he had been rude- extremely rude, arrogant and very confrontational! But regards to that. He thought I was ashamed of him. I feel a tightness in my chest at the realization. I mean how can I tell him that I’m not ashamed instead I’m fucking terrified of him. 

My empathy for Mattheo’s feelings have clouded my judgement. By the time Lupin dismisses us, I’ve been determined to fix this mess I have caused–and I am fucking terrified. 

I swallow hard, gathering my parchment and books and nearly tripping over my bag in the process. Harry snorts, “graceful.” “Quiet” I mutter. “So I can fix this right?” I ask, swinging my bag over my shoulder. Harry pauses, putting his books away. He lets out a sigh and turns to me. “I won’t tell you what to do but just..do what you feel is right” I cross my arms over my chest and give him a grimace. “Some shit philosophy you’ve got, Potter.” He swats me with his parchment, “you asked me!” He calls out behind me as I make my way out the classroom. 

I can definitely do this, I mean what's the worst that could happen? 

Standing in the far corner of the corridor is the group of Slytherins. Mattheo stands at the center of them, one hand in his pocket. To his left Theodore Nott says something, earning a laugh from Lorenzo. 

I don’t get very far before his dark eyes meet mine, unreadable and genuinely petrifying. I clear my throat, interrupting Theodore. “Riddle, may I speak to you?” My voice coming out embarrassingly soft. Lorenzo’s grin widens. “Ooh what do we have here?” 

Mattheo doesn’t even spare him a glance. “No.” 

I blink. 

“No?” 

“No, im busy” He shrugs. 

The group of Slytherins surrounding us goes silent. My face burns and I nod softly. “Right, sorry to interrupt” I turn swiftly and walk away as fast as possible. Sparing myself more embarrassment as my eyes sting as I round the corner. 

Holy shit that was actually so embarrassing. What a dick! But I was mean to him…but that was rude! But I also hurt him too. 

My mind spirals and I furiously wipe my cheeks. Angry at myself for crying over a man who's spoken less than 4 sentences to me. 

By the time I'm sitting in the great hall for dinner, I’ve determined that I deserve it. Drowning in my own misery I try to focus on what Ron is saying but it's difficult to focus since he’s speaking with his mouthful. “Please chew before you speak Ron” I sip my Pumpkin Juice as he sends me an apologetic smile. 

“So guessing from your silence.. and your mood, I suppose your apology didn’t go well” Harry speaks up. I sigh, “I don’t want to talk about it” I grumble into my mashed potatoes. “Can we be shocked that your apology didn’t end well? You practically ran at the sight of him for what? 2 weeks and when he speaks to you, you act like he’s delusional.” Ron speaks absent mindedly as he picks chicken pieces off his drumstick. “RON!” Hermione hisses. 

He finally glances up seeing Harry’s panic-stricken expression, Hermione's face of rage, and my own look of misery. “Oh it is as awful as I thought” I exclaim putting my face into my hands. 

“Well under a brief explanation– yes, but we know you are… a very anxious girl” Hermione explains slowly. I give them all a look of despair before standing. “Oh give me a break” I grumble before stumbling out of the benches. 

While walking to my dorm I decide that the next time I see him I’ll apologize, properly. 

Later that evening, I find myself walking towards the dungeons. This is not because I’m desperate to apologize. I am mature and owning my mistakes. There is a difference. 

“I was being selfish” I whisper under my breath as I round a corner. I grimace, “No too formal. Okay, I’m sorry for being-” 

“You alright there?” I nearly jump out of my bones as I yelp in surprise. Fred Weasley stands leaning against a suit of armor smiling with amusement. “Talking to yourself in these dungeons is generally a bad sign.. given the history.” He raises his brows with a smile plastered on his lips. “I’m fine!” I say too quickly my brows furrowing defensively. 

“You look terrified” “I am not terrified” he quirks his head to the side analyzing me. “Constipated?” He asks. My eyes widen and my face heats up “what?”. He bursts into laughter but before I can defend the little self dignity I have left. Something slams against my ribs hard enough to knock the breath from my lungs. 

I gasp doubling over. In that exact moment a sharp pain erupts across my nose and hand. I tremble as I cup my nose, pulling it back briefly. My fingers and palm are covered in blood. Fred’s expression drops immediately. “What happened?” His frantic voice cuts me from my daze. 

Mattheo. 

My head immediately turns towards the path to the dungeons. My legs are moving quickly before I even can process the fact that I am running. Gasping and being shot with phantom punches I finally make my way to the Slytherin commonroom. There's a group of students surrounding the entry way. I shove my way through the shouting students and freeze. Mattheo is holding another boy pinned against the stone wall, fist drawn, blood caked on his knuckles. The slytherin 6th year pinned against the wall lunges and punches Mattheo’s ribs. A sharp pulsing pain erupts on my side, choking a gasp from my lips. 

“Mattheo!” 

His fist stops midair, His head snaps in the direction of my voice. The second his eyes land on the crimson red covering my face his demeanor shifts instantly. The expression of pure rage vanishes from his face and the room falls silent. I feel liquid dripping onto my lips. I raise my hand beneath my nose and am startled by the amount of blood on my fingers. 

Mattheo looks murderous again– just not at me. He exhales sharply, stepping back from the slytherin boy who tumbles to the floor. He storms towards me, grabbing my wrist and yanking me forward. “Move.”

He drags me through the crowd, out the corridors, and into an empty classroom. The door slams behind us leaving a beat of silence. 

“What were you doing here?” He demands. I stare at him, “are you serious?” my brows furrow. “You’re bleeding.” He steps closer analyzing the injuries on my face that closely mimics my own. “You were fighting!” I exclaim making him take a step back. He pauses, running a hand through his curls. I look down at my bruised and bloody hands as they tremble. “I came to apologize.” I swallow hard. He pauses, “what?” 

“I came to apologize for avoiding you. For…lying. For embarrassing you.” I feel my throat constrict, “I was selfish” , my voice soft and wavering. His eyes burn onto my trembling form listening to every word I have to offer. I continue apologizing before I lose courage. “I thought if I ignored it, it would go away, but it didn't. Then, this morning you looked so upset and I realized how awful I’ve been. My face heats up and my eyes sting. 

“oh fuck me” I whisper beneath my breath as tears spill down my cheeks. “Sorry,” I mumble, swiping my fingers over my face. “My face hurts.” I mumble. “Don’t apologize for crying” he steps closer. His fingers grip my chin gently tilting my head up. “You’re still bleeding” his breath hitting my face as he inspects my injuries. My eyes lock onto the cuts littering his skin, “I’m aware” I mutter. 

He steps back, dropping his hands from my face. “I forgot.” “What?” I ask. “When I was fighting.” His eyes flick from my ribs, then back to my face. “I forgot you’d feel it too.” The guilt in his voice makes my chest ache. “It’s alright” “No– it isn’t” he says, his voice tight. Before I could respond he steps forward and takes my hand, gently this time “Come on.” 

I silently follow him, not even bothering to pay attention to where I was being taken. Every step is agonizing pain to my ribs. We enter a doorway and I lift my head meeting Madam Pomfrey’s form. She takes one look at us and closes her eyes, letting out a loud sigh. I’d honestly laugh if I wasn’t in so much pain. 

“Shes bleeding.” “Yes, Mr. Riddle I can see that, and you are two. Now take a seat both of you, before I lose my mind quickly, quickly.” Madam Pomfrey fusses, shooing the two of us to a nearby bed. With the wave of her wand the blood is cleaned off my face. She shoves a vial of potion into each of our hands.

“Drink.” We obey in silence. Madam Pomfrey’s hands grip her hips as she glares down at the two of us. “Honestly you two, are you kidding me?!” I glance at Mattheo who's looking at his hands. “I’m sorry Madam Pomfrey” I say looking up at her. She sighs and shakes her head as she cleans up the empty vials. “Children, so young, and so utterly stupid” she mutters under her breath before drawing the curtains around us back and leaving to her office. 

The room goes silent. Mattheo sits beside me, elbows on his knees. After a moment he glances up at me. “You came to apologize.” He states, I nod. “And then cried on me.” “My face hurt.” He shakes his head, a smirk tugging his lips. I stare at him, “are you laughing at me?” “Maybe.” 

I narrow my eyes, then gently he turns his wrist. The scar that matches mine staring back at me. “Stop running from me.” His voice gruff. I swallow hard, “stop terrifying me.” He turns his head to me with a grin plastered on his face as he leans closer, 

“No promises.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mattheo has a way of pulling emotions out of me I didn’t even know I was capable of expressing to this extent. One of those being rage. 

“I don’t understand why you think this is such an issue?” He throws his hands in the air exasperatedly. My eyes widened, “fine, then if you can’t see why i’m so upset i’ll just leave!” I exclaim turning around. I don’t get far before a hand clamps around my waist, yanking me back. I tense feeling my back press against his chest harshly. His breath warm on my ear as he says, 

“You’re not leaving like this.” His tone is absolute and certain.

 “Mattheo let me go” I huff out a breath. 

Steadily trying to ignore the way his hands on my waist was making my stomach churn. A good kind of churn.The kind that coils low in my stomach—dangerous and familiar, like I already know exactly how this ends. It was inevitable. 

I feel his hands tighten on my waist briefly before swiftly spinning me around to face him. His smirk plastered on his face, he reaches gentle hands to the hair falling in front of my eyes and pushes it aside.

“Now why would I do that princess? We were having a conversation.” My eyes narrow “I’m done with the conversation, it's not going anywhere” My chest rises and falls rapidly. A little too fast, something he notices. 

I’m not certain if it’s from the anger still simmering under my skin… or something else entirely. Something heavier. Warmer. Dangerous.

His gaze drags—slow and deliberate—from my face down to my chest, then back up again, like he’s taking his time with it.

I suddenly feel too exposed, vulnerable even. “Yeah? Well you're not going anywhere either” He backs me up until the edge of his desk presses into me, stopping me short. A small breath slips out of me at the impact. 

“I told you I was done talking” My voice is dry and soft. He leans closer, his smirk from earlier and now gone replaced with a hungry expression. “Yeah I know that sweetheart, I’m done talking too” he whispers before crashing his lips to mine. I let out a hum of surprise being further pushed into the desk by the impact. His lips move frantically on mine, hungry and possessive.

The earlier argument left forgotten as his hands begin to travel from my waist to the underside of my thighs lifting me up onto the desk. He steps between my legs making sure they’re spread. 

His left hand cups my cheek gently while his right hand slides beneath the skirt of my uniform. My brows furrow. I feel his tongue invade my mouth, swirling over my own as I let out a hum. His hand beneath my skirt rose to the seam of my panties. I feel two fingers press into the damp fabric over my clit. I let out another whine as I feel him press harder. 

He releases my mouth kissing down my neck, “let me hear you make those sweet noises, princess” He hums against my skin. My mouth opens in a pant and I try to catch my breath as I feel his fingers rub the damp panties. A gasp escapes my mouth as I feel his hands push the fabric down harshly. Two fingers push through my wet slit and I clutch the back of his head. His mouth latches onto my neck and he harshly sucks the sensitive skin as his fingers work on my clit. I scrunch my eyes shut letting out a moan, “Mattheo” I pant his name like a prayer.  

He lifts his face with a determined expression, “yes, love?” he asks softly, stark contrast to his fingers rubbing harsh circles on my clit. “Pleas– please” I whimper panting. My head falling forward onto his shoulder. I feel his upper body rumble a chuckle. “Please what?” he asks his fingers, adding more pressure causing another moan to escape me and I clutch his upper bicep and lift my face from his shoulder. 

“Please– something. Do something–anything– Oh merlin” I whine, my eyes shutting as I throw my head back in pleasure. He basks in the sight before chuckling again and I feel a tender kiss land on my cheek. “Only because you asked so nicely, my angel” he murmurs against my cheek.

In an instant his fingers on my clit disappear and he falls to his knees before me. I pant looking down at him. He lifts my skirt and kisses up my thigh. His eyes swiftly meet mine just as his mouth reaches my dripping core. I let out a whine; my hands going into his hair. His tongue swirls over my clit before sucking it into his mouth. My eyes widen and I arch my back into his mouth. “Merlin, yes” I whine. One of his hands raises, two fingers resting on my lips. I take them into my mouth; sucking and swirling my tongue over them, I coat my saliva over his fingers with a gentle hum. His touch on my clit, still relentless. He removes his fingers from my mouth and inserts them into my core. 

Another moan leaves my lips at the dual stimulation. “Please don’t stop” I pant, shaking my head. I feel him smile against my clit and doubles down on his efforts. An impending feeling of bliss erupts lower in my abdomen as I arch into him. Getting closer his fingers move in a swift pumping motion. I tightly grip his hair pulling him impossible closer as the euphoric orgasm washes over with a cry. 

Mattheo doesn’t stop his pumping fingers or unlatch his mouth from my clit even after my orgasm subsides. I whimper squirming, “Mattheo” his name leaves my lips like a whine as I try to shift my body away from the overstimulation. He lifts his head from my pussy, his mouth glistening, his fingers still relentlessly pumping. He gives me that smirk. 

Jackass. 

“What’s wrong baby I thought you didn’t want me to stop?” He murmurs, placing gentle kisses on my inner thighs. A stark contrast against his touch on my core. “T’s too much Matty” The whine leaves my lips louder than intended as I continue to attempt to pull away from him. His free hand harshly grabs my hips pulling me forward. “C’mon baby you've handled more than this. One more, for me please” His voice chilling as he looks up at me, his tongue traveling over his glistening lips. 

In no time his mouth reattaches itself back to my puffy overstimulated clit. I let out another whimper feeling the familiar building in my abdomen. My entire body tenses as I prepare for the second orgasm to wash over me. A loud cry of his name leaves my lips as I gush all over his face for the second time. 

With a final lick from my slit up to my clit he pulls back falling back on his heels panting up at me with a familiar smile. His hand caresses my thigh tenderly, “Knew you could do it baby.” He stands and brings his fingers covered in my cum to his mouth and sucks; a satisfied groan leaving him. I watch him through tired hooded eyes. He steps closer, his hand lifting my face and his tongue invading my mouth as I taste myself on his mouth. 

I feel his hands grip my waist, his hips clashing with mine abruptly. His bulge pressing against my sensitive core. He pulls back just enough to whisper "I'm not done with you just yet” A yelp leaves my lips as he lifts me into his arms. My legs involuntarily wrap around his waist. He carries me to his bed, throws me down and I look up at him. 

He swiftly throws his shirt over his head. “Take off the skirt.” A stern command leaves his lips as his hands work on the buckle of his pants. My hands tremble and I remove the skirt, leaving me bare. I hear the sound of his trousers dropping, my gaze zero’s in on his long hard cock. He crawls up the bed stopping half way and gripping my hips. He turns me around onto my stomach in a flash, a chill breeze on my bare ass. 

His hand comes down and smacks my bare right cheek harshly making a soft yelp of surprise leave me. Definitely sure to leave a mark. His hands grip my hips and pull my ass into the air; my face stuffed into the mattress. I feel his hard cock line up with the sensitive flesh of my pussy. My face turns to the side and he inserts his cock, slowly with ease. His precum mixing with previous two orgasms. A groan leaves his lips while a gasp leaves mine. My hand comes up next to my face and grips the sheets; my body adjusting to his size. “Fuck princess, you’re tight” he groans. He slowly begins to move, pulling almost all the way out. His tip staying inside me before fully thrusting all the way back in. Another moan leaves my lips muffled into the mattress. 

He begins to pick up his pace, my eyes squeezing shut and tears soaking the sheets beneath my face. I feel him lean forward and grab both my wrists pulling them behind me. His thrusts become harder and more persistent. I cry out arching my back into him. “Fuck, you look beautiful like this; taking me so well doll” I whimper in response. 

His pace is increasing and pleasurable. I cry out as he bottoms out. "Does my girl like that? Getting fucked like this?" I feel his thrusts quicken, I whine out his name as his grip on my wrists being held behind my back tightens.

Another whine leaves my lips, my oversensitive pussy clenching around his cock. “I know- fuck I know almost done princess” He groans. His thrusts become punishing  sporadic at this point. Non-stop moans and groans leave my lips at every thrust. I feel him still inside me and he groans loudly as I feel him cum erupt hot spurts into my pussy. He thrusts his cum deeper before slowly releasing my wrists letting them fall weakly on the bed. He grips my hips tights and leans over me planting tender kisses to my neck. I feel his length inside me begin to soften. “Did so well for me baby” He mumbles. 

The dungeons were cold, well colder than usual. 

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I read the potions instructions. “Pair up and work diligently, if your potion isn’t completed perfectly by the end of class, detention.” Snape's eyes crossed the class. I looked to my right and smiled politely at Hermione Granger who happened to be seated next to me. She looks fairly confident which made my stomach turn in knots. “Surely we won't be getting detention today” she says before standing to grab the ingredients. I walk over to grab a cauldron swiftly making my way back to our work station. 

“Does this even make any sense to you? I’m sorry I probably won’t be much help” The words leave my mouth softer than intended, eyes averting from the parchment to Hermione’s determined face. “You can. Stir” She hands you a mixing spoon.

“Stir? That's it?” I ask taking the spoon as she organizes the ingredients. “Yes, that's it” I hesitate before nodding, “Okay, yeah stirring I can do.” 

Hermione dives into her work measuring precisely and trying to focus over the noise. It was quite loud in the dungeons today. Specifically from the left side of the classroom where a group of slytherins were working. 

The group of Slytherins argue about which ingredient is first. “No you git! The chives go in before the cinnamon!” “Why would the chives go first when the instructions-” I tune them out as my eyes focus on a very specific Slytherin the center of the yelling, 

Mattheo Riddle. 

Even from across the room there was something about him, something off. Perhaps it was the fact he is the son to the dark lord, or something else. Surely he's intimidating but he's also sharp. Sort of as if he doesn’t belong in the same space as everyone else. Like he was something you didn’t want to look at for too long. 

Unfortunately, I had. 

For one very brief terrible second - we made eye contact. 

My head snapped back to my cauldron so fast it was almost painful and my face involuntarily scrunched into a look of disbelief. 

Dear Merlin, what is the matter with you?! Why are you looking at him anyways? He definitely thinks you’re a creep, or even a weirdo. 

I didn’t know him much, had never actually even spoken to him. He’s surely not someone I’d sit and have some tea to catch up on our lives with. I didn’t need to know someone to know they were dangerous, and Matteo Riddle-

“Stir” Hermione’s voice snapped me back to reality. “Right, of course” I grab the ladle and begin stirring, maybe a bit too eagerly too. Trapped inside my own mind and wanting to focus on literally anything else. 

The argument to my left was persistent. However this time I refused to lift my head or even show any acknowledgement. 

I tried not to listen. 

I tried to ignore the way his eyes had felt when they met mine. Dark, heavy, and cautiously aware. 

I tried not to think about him at all, which meant I was entirely thinking about him too much. So much so that I didn’t notice the potion thickening. 

Or bubbling. Or rising. 

“Uh I think-” Hermione started. 

It was too late.

The potion Surged upwards, spilling over the edge of the cauldron. A splash of the burning liquid hit my hand.

“Ah-!” 

I immediately jerked my hand back with a sharp hiss as the pain was instant. In that exact moment I heard another hiss echoed from the left side of the classroom. 

I froze. 

The room went silent and I looked up, my face with an expression of horror and fear. My heart is pounding so hard I can feel the thump in my ears. 

Mattheo Riddle stood rigid, his jaw clenched, and his left hand gripping the right. Similar to mine. 

“What the hell..” Theodore Nott muttered inching closer to get a better look at the injury. 

“Riddle, what are you doing?” Draco Malfoy snapped.

However, he wasn't listening to them. He was entirely focused on the injury to his right hand. Looking at it as if he didn’t understand. Like it didn’t make sense. Pansy Parkinson stepped closer, grabbing his wrist. “Why is your hand blistering?” she demands. “You didn’t even touch anything-” 

My breath caught and I looked down at my own hand. Red angry blisters appeared across my skin. 

No, no this can't be. It has to be a mistake. 

Against every instinct in my being telling me not to, I lift my head and look back to my left. Our eyes met. Again. However this time neither of us looked away.

 “What did you do?” Hermione's sharp voice cut in, grabbing my arm. “Honestly you were stirring like a mad woman.” My voice falters, “I didn’t- it was an accident” 

Across the room, he hadn’t moved. Mattheo’s gaze stayed on you. 

Still staring. Still clutching his hand. 

A sharp voice cuts through the chaos "careless and pathetic, detention, my office 5 o'clock” I lift my head meeting Professor Snape's intense gaze. “Professor, I-” “Madam Pomfrey” He interrupts. “But I-” “Now” He states sharply, cutting me off again. 

Hermione gives me a reassuring nod, “Go on and get patched up, I’ll handle the rest”. I nod feeling too much all at once. 

I walk out of the classroom terrified and embarrassed. That had to be a mistake right? He had to have burned himself somehow. Yeah, yeah that's probably it. 

The walk to the Hospital Wing felt longer than usual. My hand burned and throbbed but that wasn’t the only thing I could feel. There was.. something else. 

“Madam Pomfrey?” I call weakly. 

“Yes dear– oh great Merlin what happened to you?” She rushed over ushering me to an empty bed. “Potions accident” I mumble softly trying my hardest to not cry. 

She smacks her lips disapprovingly and takes my hand to get a closer look. “Let’s have a look shall we?” She didn’t get very far before the Hospital doors opened and in walked Mattheo. In an instant I felt it, a pull. A sort of tension. It wasn’t the usual intimation I felt near his presence. 

“And what happened to you Mr. Riddle” Madam Pomfrey asks confused. I warily lifted my head, my eyes meeting his gaze briefly before they dropped to his hand which was visibly blistered. The same way as mine. 

The exact same. 

Oh Merlin, please I'm going to be sick. I swallowed all my anxieties and averted my gaze back to my own hand. Mattheo walked over, extending his hand out, “potions” he says gruffly. Madam Pomfrey looks at his hand, then back at mine. Her gaze shifts between them once, twice before her brows lift slowly. 

“Oh.” “...Oh dear.” She says far too knowingly. 

She guided Mattheo to the bed next to mine without another word. Silence settled in the air, thick and uncomfortable. 

“Alright children I will be right back with the burn potion” Madam pomfrey eyes us both warily before stepping away. Leaving us alone. 

I could feel him there. He’s close. Too close. I don't want to look, but I do anyway. His eyes are already on me. Sharp but searching. My fingers curled around the sheets into a tight grip. Before I could even stop myself I’m speaking. 

“Guess we’re both a bit clumsy huh?” I chuckle softly. He doesn’t respond. His eyes however narrow into slits. Merlin you really can’t learn to zip it can you? Feeling deeply insecure all of a sudden I avert my gaze to my hand and let out a shaky breath filled with anxiety. 

“I’m not clumsy, you might be though” He speaks after a minute of tense silence. My face heats up immediately Madam Pomfrey returns before I could respond thank Merlin. She grabs Mattheo’s wrist and mine holding our hands side by side inspecting the remarkable similarities between the injuries. “Well,” she said gently with a knowing attitude, “this is going to be interesting.” 

In an instant Mattheo snatches his wrist from her grip with a stoic expression. “Can you just heal it” he snaps. The sudden attitude catches both Madam Pomfrey and I off guard. 

“Sure thing Riddle” she says before applying the potion to his blistered hand. The second it heals he stands and swiftly walks out of the Hospital Wing the door slamming shut behind him making me flinch softly. I swallow hard and hold my hand out to Madam Pomfrey who heals it. “Thank you” I offer her a small smile before standing to leave. She places a hand on my shoulder and stops me. “What you and…Riddle have is.. remarkable darling. Don’t ignore it. It doesn’t happen often” She eyes me intensely. I give her a wary expression, “I’m not quite sure what you're talking about.” I say softly, making Madam Pomfrey sigh. “Very well then run along now and get plenty of rest.” I nod and walk out of the Hospital wing. 

There is no way Mattheo Riddle is my Soulmate. 

Sitting in the great hall at the Hufflepuff table a plate of treacle tarts sat in front of me. To my left Cedric was animatedly telling a story about his last quidditch practice while I half listened. Hearing my name being called I look up faced with Hannah Abbot and a couple of other Hufflepuff girls looking very grim, “hey, what's wrong?” My voice is soft and tender.

“Are you alright?” Hannah speaks up. Confusion settles over me as I set the treacle tart back on the plate. “Seem pretty fine.” i say confusion still lingering. “Well we had just heard that you were getting comfortable with Riddle and you’re our friend we don't want to see you hurt” Margot says softly. I blink at them before bursting into giggles, “you think something is happening between me and Riddle?” I ask. 

“This is too hard” I whine yawning as the countless hours of studying for the next potions exam begins to catch up to me. “Come on you’re not even trying anymore” Mattheo smirks which makes my brows furrow in offense. 

“Sorry not all of us are geniuses” I retorted, crossing my arms over my chest, another yawn escaping me. He huffs a small smile and grabs his notes and re-explains the potion process as I lay my head down on the table. “So that's when you brew for three- are you kidding me?” Mattheo cuts himself off, averting his gaze from the parchment to my sleeping form. 

I feel myself being lifted into strong arms and lift my head up, “wha- whats happening” I murmur my eyes droopy. “Just go back to sleep,” he whispers. 

“I seriously don't understand why you guys would even think that” I huff sipping my pumpkin juice. 

“Well- I- Thats just what's being said around the castle” Alora says, stepping forward. A soft chuckle escapes me. “I appreciate the concern but my friendship with riddle is..just like any average friendship” I shrug and bite my lip nervously concerned for where this was going. 

I look around the table and notice Cedric has stopped talking and a lot of eyes were focused on this conversation. “I don-” “Is there a problem?” a distinct voice behind me speaks up; cutting me off in the process. A voice I could recognize anywhere. 

Mattheo Riddle stands behind me eyeing the group of Hufflepuffs. “No- no not a problem just uh-” “concern, yes just concerned for our friend” the group stammers. 

I feel a hand on my shoulder, tense but grounding. “Again I appreciate the concern but, I’m fine” I chuckle to ease the tension lingering in the air. I finally look back and meet his dark eyes offering him a small smile. However his gaze lingers on the group, a silent warning. I can feel the quiet strength radiating off him, and somehow, it makes me feel safer than I’ve felt all day. 

Quickly gathering my books and abandoning my treacle plate, I turn to the Hufflepuffs as I swing my bookbag over my shoulder. “We’re gonna get going, got some late morning studying to catch up on, I’ll see you guys later” I smile at the terrified group of Hufflepuffs. I turn back and give Mattheo a stern look. “Go” He smirks and follows me out of the Great Hall. 

“What was that?” I exclaim the second we round an empty corridor. “Are you trying to get me targeted?” He leans against the wall, his eyes searching mine. “They were bothering you” He shrugs. “Uh, NO they were looking out for me” I say, swatting at his upper bicep. His hand firmly grasps my wrist. “Same thing” he smirks, his thumb caressing the inner skin of my wrist. “That is not at all the same thing?!” I exclaim trying to pry my wrist out of his grip, however he’s keen on not letting go and firmly holds onto me. 

“Look I can see how this can seem upsetting for you but look at it from their perspective, you seem like you're corrupting me” I explain. “Oh yeah? And do you feel corrupted” He asks, leaning in closer. I feel my face warm up, “I- uhm- thats not the issue at hand here” I exclaim and he lets out a chuckle at my exasperation. 

“This is not funny!” I say, “its a little funny” he replies before letting go of my wrist and leaning forward placing a tender kiss to my cheek that makes me freeze. He leans into my ear "I'll see you in the library” He whispers before walking away.  I blink, frozen in place, fingers slowly rising to touch the spot on my cheek where his lips had been.

My heart pounds loud enough I’m certain the portraits can hear it.

Detention was dreadfully long; Snape had relentlessly added more and more cauldrons that needed cleaning. 

My feet, hands, shoulders — even my head — ached. Fury was all I felt walking into my dorm. At Snape and at the person who was at fault for me getting detention, 

Mattheo Riddle. 

Who also happened to be sitting on my bed.

Well — almost him.

“I thought I told you not to sit on my bed,” I say harshly, staring at the black panther watching me from the mattress. A whine escapes him, “I don’t care how sorry you are, that wasn't cool and I got blamed for that” I kick off my shoes and shrug out of my robes. I hear padded footsteps on the floor. Warmth brushes against my legs and I peer down to see bright yellow eyes staring up at me. 

“Mattheo, don't look at me like that. Do you see this?” I lift my ash covered arms showing how grueling the detention session was. “Now why would you run around the castle in your animagus form?” I stare down at the panther, my eyes narrowing. “You’re lucky I was there to tell Snape it was just an illusion I charmed” I huff, dropping into my desk chair.

The panther jumps up resting its large paws on my thighs as it whines inches away from my face. Trying to keep my composure I turn my head away from his unbearably sad gaze. I feel his snout on my cheek leading to another whine that follows. Lasting precisely three seconds before my resolve cracks.