A shift in fate | Mattheo Riddle

Song: Opposite- Sabrina Carpenter

We had about thirty minutes for lunch before our next class—Potions with Professor Snape. Out of all the classes, this was the one I was most excited for. I mean, it was Snape. The man was a legend when it came to potion-making. But excitement aside, I was also slightly dreading it. After all, this was still Snape we were talking about. And I hadn't forgotten that just a few nights ago, he'd caught Jane and me drunk as hell, stumbling through the halls during the party.

Yeah. That would be fun to deal with.

Jane and I finished up lunch fairly quickly, deciding we weren't about to risk being late again. One near-disaster was enough for today. On our way to class, we stopped by the bathroom to fix up our hair and makeup. Just a quick touch-up—nothing major. But the moment we walked in, I noticed the shift in the air.

A few girls were already inside, standing near the mirrors, but the second they saw me, they stopped what they were doing. Their eyes flickered in my direction, their hushed whispers coming to a halt.

I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Something on my face, ladies?" I said, crossing my arms and tilting my head slightly.

The blonde girl at the center gave me a saccharine smile. "Oh, nothing, Moonvale. Just... interesting to see you, that's all."

I scoffed, already knowing exactly where this was going. "Right. And what exactly is so interesting about that?"

The girls exchanged glances before one of them—not the blonde, but a brunette I vaguely recognised from Ravenclaw—let out a fake little laugh. "Oh, just the way you've already made a reputation for yourself around here."

Jane tensed beside me. I exhaled through my nose, trying not to let them get under my skin. "Uh-huh. And what reputation would that be?"

The blonde leaned in slightly, a smirk playing on her lips. "Oh, you know. Just the Draco Malfoy's newest plaything kind of reputation."

There it was.

I felt my patience snap like a thread. I forced a laugh, shaking my head. "Wow. That's creative. What, did you all stay up late brainstorming that one together?"

The blonde's smirk faltered. "I just mean... well, everyone saw you all over him last night. And then today, sneaking into class late?" She gave me a look, like she knew some big secret. "Didn't take you long, huh?"

I took a slow step forward, my voice dropping just enough to make the air feel heavier. "Listen, sweetheart, if you're so interested in what Draco and I do, you could just ask him instead of whispering about me in a bloody bathroom." I gave her a slow, amused once-over. "Or are you just bitter it wasn't you he was kissing last night?"

Her lips parted slightly, like she wanted to say something, but nothing came out. I smirked.

Jane grabbed my arm, already knowing where this was going. "V, let's go. They're not worth it."

I sighed dramatically. "You're right. They never are."

And with that, I turned on my heel and walked out, leaving the girls standing there with nothing but their weak little rumors.

"This is insane—can't a girl kiss someone without the entire school losing their damn minds?" I huffed as Jane and I made our way down the corridor toward Potions.

Jane shot me a knowing look. "Not here, you can't. It's Hogwarts, V. Something remotely interesting happens, and the next thing you know, it's practically written in the Daily Prophet."

I let out a dry chuckle, knowing she was right. Gossip spread faster than wildfire in this place.

As we finally reached the entrance to the dungeons, we were met with an unexpected sight—a note, pinned to the Potions classroom door in Professor Snape's sharp handwriting.