The Riddle of Us *Mattheo x Reader*

Chapter 3 Picture Perfect Holidays, but with the Malfoys

"Shall we, Draco?" Y/N said, her voice light and proper, though there was an underlying excitement that she couldn't fully suppress. Her gaze flicked down the stairs to the pile of gifts that awaited them by the fireplace, all wrapped in expensive paper with elegant ribbons.

Draco gave a slow nod, the faintest trace of a smile on his lips. "Indeed. Let's not keep the presents waiting." His tone was measured and calm, as though it were the most natural thing in the world to have an entire room full of gifts. He descended the stairs first, his posture straight and dignified, his polished shoes clicking softly against the marble floors.

Y/N followed behind, the soft swish of her robes barely audible as she moved. Her expression remained cool, but inside, she couldn't help the faint flutter of anticipation as they neared the mountain of presents.

At the foot of the stairs, Narcissa, already sitting elegantly in one of the plush armchairs by the fire, gave them both a bright smile. "Good morning, my dears," she said warmly. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, Mother," Y/N replied politely, offering a delicate curtsy, while Draco simply gave a short nod. Lucius, seated beside her, inclined his head in greeting, his ever-cold gaze softened just a touch for the holiday.

The two siblings walked over to the pile of presents, each carefully chosen, each lavish in its own way. Y/N picked up a small box wrapped in shimmering silver paper, adorned with a deep blue ribbon. She turned to her mother with a polite smile.

"Thank you, Mother," she said softly, her voice sincere despite the formal tone. "This looks quite lovely." She removed the ribbon with the utmost care, unfolding the wrapping to reveal an exquisite pair of sapphire earrings, a perfect match for the ones Narcissa herself wore. "They're beautiful," Y/N added, her smile growing a little warmer.

"Of course, darling," Narcissa said, her voice filled with affection. "I thought you'd enjoy something to complement your collection."

Draco, meanwhile, was busy unwrapping a larger gift from his father. He opened it slowly, carefully, as though handling a fragile treasure, though the smile playing on his lips suggested that he knew exactly what it was. Inside, a sleek new broomstick gleamed in the soft glow of the firelight. "Thank you, Father," he said, voice smooth, and though the gift was grand, his tone was almost devoid of excitement, as if he'd long been accustomed to such extravagance.

Lucius nodded in acknowledgment, his lips pressing into a thin line. "I thought it was time for an upgrade. You're not the boy you were last year, after all."

Y/N, eyes scanning her own gifts, chose a delicate silk scarf from the pile, her fingers brushing over the fine material before looking up at her mother. "It's... lovely, Mother. Truly."

Draco glanced at her, a hint of a grin forming. "You've always had a fondness for scarves. Always need to keep your neck warm, don't you?"

Y/N shot him a playful look. "I like to stay fashionable, thank you very much," she teased back. "You wouldn't understand."

As they continued opening their gifts—luxurious books bound in leather, fine bottles of perfume, and trinkets that sparkled like diamonds—there was a strange undercurrent to the exchange. The smiles were polite, the words carefully measured, but there was a distinct lack of warmth that lingered, an emptiness that couldn't be ignored. Even with all the wealth and extravagance, the Malfoy home sometimes felt like a gilded cage. They had everything anyone could wish for, but none of it seemed to fill the hollow feeling that sat quietly in the pit of Y/N's stomach.

After the gifts were opened and all the polite thank-yous had been exchanged, Lucius cleared his throat, his voice suddenly taking on a more formal tone. "The photographer will be here soon for the family portrait. Best to be prepared." He glanced at Draco, who didn't seem to mind the idea at all, and then at Y/N, whose expression faltered slightly.