as the world caves in; mattheo riddle

one

"Mr. Riddle will be joining us for his 6th year," Dumbledore continues, his voice unreadable. "But first, we must get him sorted into a house." 

The doors to the hall creak open, all heads turning as a tall boy strides inside. Dark curls framed his sharp features, his deep brown eyes holding a dangerous aura. The candle light above cast shadows along his face, highlighting his sharp jawline, adding to the dramatic entrance. 

I couldn't tear my eyes away, my breath catching in my throat as he takes careful, deliberate steps up the aisle. 

Then, his eyes find mine. A chill rolls down my spine as I feel his dark, unwavering gaze lingering on mine. It felt like a dream. Surely after everything that's happened in the last two years, Dumbledore wouldn't let him stay, not without an ulterior motive. 

Mattheo takes a seat on the stool, the Great Hall so silent you could hear a pin drop. Professor McGonagall places the sorting hat on his head. 

"SLYTHERIN!" the hat shouts the mere second the old leather grazes his curls. 

His lips curl into a smirk, stepping down as he strides toward the Slytherin table, taking a seat just a few spots away from my friends and me. I couldn't help the uneasy feeling growing in the pit of my stomach. 

The feast carries on, the hall filled with excited chattering of students, grateful to finally enjoy the feast after a long day of traveling. Though I was unable to shake the heavy weight of Mattheo's presence across the room. 

Eventually, Pansy, Draco, Theo, Blaise, and I, all head up to the dorms, taking in the familiar path. 

"I brought us a little start-of-the-year present." I speak up as my friends settle around the room. 

I unlock my trunk, pulling out a small plastic back with a perfectly-rolled joint inside. I hold it up, a small smirk on my lips. 

"You're an actual angel, Amora." Theo says, his voice full of admiration.

He steps closer, placing a kiss on my cheek as he snatches the bag from my hands. A laugh escapes my lips as I give his shoulder a playful shove. 

"Get off me, Theodore." I tease, still giggling softly. 

"It looks like Draco could use a few hits." Pansy muses.

Pansy and Draco had always had a strange dynamic. She has always had a massive crush on him, but the feelings were never reciprocated. Not until 4th year, at least. They don't have an official label of a real relationship, but they practically act like a couple. Something just tells me they're both too scared to admit what everyone else already sees. 

"Couldn't we all?" Blaise snorts. 

Theo rolls his eyes in a playful manner, with practiced movements he places the joint between his lips, lighting the end of it. He takes a deep inhale, letting the smoke sit in his lungs for a moment before puffing it out. 

He passes the joint to Draco as he does the same, the smell of marijuana filling my senses as Draco blows out a cloud of smoke. 

"Mattheo is my cousin. He's my aunt Bellatrix's son." Draco admits, breaking the silence. 

A strange sense of relief washes over his features, as if he had been harboring this deep-rooted family secret. He passes the joint to Pansy whom gives him a concerned expression. 

"Shit, really?" Blaise asks, a hint of disbelief in his voice.

"Damn," Theo replies. "Imagine having two psychotic murders as your parents." 

I roll my eyes at Theo's lack of sensitivity as I reach over, taking the joint from Pansy.

"Hey you never know," I say, placing the joint between my lips with a smirk. "Maybe he's not that bad."