Always and forever- Matteo Riddle

Tired of fighting

Mattheo smirked. "That's not exactly new for you, mate."*

I took a slow drag, letting the nicotine settle in my system before answering. "Skipping sounds tempting, but if I don't show up to at least one class, Draco might actually kill me."*

Theo sighed dramatically. "Draco ruins everything."

Mattheo snickered. "True."*

I shook my head, exhaling smoke. "If we do skip, where are we going?"

Mattheo glanced at Theo before turning back to me, smirking. "Astronomy Tower? Or feeling more adventurous?"

Theo wiggled his eyebrows. "Forbidden Forest?"

I rolled my eyes. "Absolutely not."*

"Coward," Theo teased.

I flicked ash at him. "Realist."*

Mattheo laughed under his breath, taking another slow drag before glancing back at me. "Alright, princess, your call. What's the move?"

Just as I opened my mouth to answer, a sharp tap, tap, tap sounded against the window.

We all turned.

My owl.

It perched on the windowsill, ruffling its feathers impatiently, a crisp envelope tied to its leg—an envelope I immediately recognized.

My stomach twisted.

Mattheo reached out, untying the letter and handing it to me without a word. The second I saw the Malfoy seal, my fingers tightened around the parchment.

Theo exhaled smoke, watching me. "That from Mummy and Daddy?"

I didn't answer. I just stared at the envelope, heart pounding.

Mattheo nudged me lightly. "Well? You gonna open it, or should we set it on fire and pretend it never existed?"

I almost wanted to take him up on that. But I already knew what was inside—knew what was waiting for me.

I swallowed hard, then slowly, carefully, broke the seal.

I broke the wax seal and unfolded the letter, my stomach twisting before I even read the first word. The familiar, elegant script of my father's handwriting stared back at me, as sharp and cold as ever.

My Daughter,

Dumbledore may believe you need rest, but he is mistaken. You will continue your training as expected. We will not tolerate further weakness. You are a Malfoy, and you will act like one.

Do not embarrass us again.

—L.M.

I exhaled sharply, gripping the parchment so tightly my hands shook.

Mattheo and Theo were already watching me.

"Well?" Theo asked, raising an eyebrow.

I sighed, tossing the letter onto the bed. "He knows Dumbledore said I could stop training, and he's decided that Dumbledore is wrong."*

Mattheo scoffed, grabbing the letter and scanning it. His jaw clenched. "'Weakness'? Are you fucking kidding me?"

Theo let out a low whistle. "Classic Lucius. Pretending he knows more than the most powerful wizard alive."*

I pressed my fingers to my temple. "I knew this was coming. I just—I guess I hoped..." I trailed off, shaking my head. "Doesn't matter."*

Mattheo muttered something under his breath before ripping the letter in half.