A shift in fate | Mattheo Riddle

Twenty-one

George, from across the room, smirked. "Maybe it means you'll finally get a date, mate."

Fred gasped dramatically, clutching his chest as if he'd been personally attacked. "How dare you, dear brother! I'll have you know, my charm is irresistible."

"To who, exactly?" Ron muttered under his breath.

"Wouldn't you like to know," Fred shot back with a wink, flipping his hair like he was some kind of heartthrob. "The mystery only makes me more desirable."

The class burst into laughter, and even Trelawney chuckled softly, though it was unclear if she was in on the joke or if she genuinely believed Fred was having a prophetic breakthrough.The classroom filled with laughter again, and I let out a breath of relief. At least our reading wouldn't be broadcasted for everyone to hear. Beside me, Mattheo leaned in slightly, smirking.

"Saved by the Weasleys," he murmured.

"Thank Merlin," I whispered back.

Trelawney gave a few more words of wisdom before finally clasping her hands together. "That will be all for today, my dear students! I encourage you to reflect on your readings. The future is not set in stone, but the cards never lie... Class dismissed!"

The moment the words left her lips, the room erupted into movement as students gathered their things. I quickly scooped up my books, still feeling the lingering tension of my reading, but grateful I didn't have to share it.

Jane appeared by my side again as we headed for the exit. "That was a close one," she muttered.

I nodded. "Too close."

Behind us, Mattheo and the boys trailed along, still cracking jokes about the absurdity of tarot readings, their voices laced with amusement.

We made our way to the Great Hall, slipping into our usual seats at the Slytherin table. The room buzzed with its usual lunchtime chatter, the clinking of silverware filling the space. I barely registered the conversation around me, still trying to shake the unease left from Divination.

Fifteen minutes in, just as I was reaching for my goblet, the entire hall fell into an eerie silence. Conversations cut off, the scrape of cutlery against plates ceased, and an almost palpable tension settled over the room.

I stiffened.

Beside me, Jane inhaled sharply, her grip tightening on her fork.

Slowly, I turned toward the entrance.

And then my stomach dropped.

Colin.

He stood just inside the massive wooden doors, scanning the Great Hall like he belonged here, like this was normal. Dark brown hair slightly tousled, his sharp jaw set in an unreadable expression, and that same self-assured posture that made my blood run cold.

This couldn't be happening.

My chest tightened, anxiety creeping into my veins like ice. No. He wasn't supposed to be here. He wasn't part of my DR. I hadn't scripted him in, so why was he here?

And then his gaze locked onto mine.

A slow, knowing smirk curled his lips.

My fingers clenched around the goblet as my mind raced. The tarot reading. It had just predicted something about an ex returning. Not even half an hour later, here he was.

Colin started moving.

I barely had time to process it before Draco, Theo, and Sebastian shot up from their seats. They stepped in front of me, forming a human barricade between Colin and the Slytherin table.