Luckily, we made it just in time for Transfiguration. All the benches were for two people, so I took a seat next to Hermione - Harry sat by Ron.

A small black cat appeared and strutted slowly down the aisle in the middle of the classroom. How peculiar, I thought. But I didn't let my mind wonder for too long as Hermione whispered from beside me.

"It's Mcgonagall. She's an animagus."

After being told that, I took out my parchment and book - confusion still lingering in my mind. Mcgonagall, almost instantaneously, morphed into her human self and took her place at her desk.

"Students, take out your books, please," Mcgonagall's voice echoed off the four walls.

"So, we share this class with Slytherins?" I asked after peering around the classroom and noticing a few emerald uniforms.

Hermione answers quietly, "Yes, unfortunately. But pay them no mind Y/N, it's more important to pay attention to Mcgonagall. Transfiguration is difficult to understand once you get lost."

Ignoring her advice, I continued to glance around the room to pass the time. I knew I'd be fine, Transfiguration should be easy, right? It's just so boring.

Time went on as each minute passed; all I could do was stare at the clock. It felt like an eternity, but the class had only just begun. 10 minutes finally dragged out, and I could feel my eyes closing slowly. Carefully, I propped up my fist and rested my head on it. Just as I was about to fall asleep, I felt a shove from behind my shoulder - knocking my head from my hand.

Quickly looking up in frustration to see who had disturbed my slumber, it was the one person I did not want to see standing in front of me.

"Sorry, sleepy head, maybe keep your eyes open next time," Mattheo whispered with a smile on his face after walking past me. Then, he took a seat at the table in front of us. Quite arrogantly, I must say, Riddle slouched down and leaned back, pushing his chair against mine and Hermione's desk.

Mcgonagall's head snapped in Mattheo's direction, and her beady eyes pierced through him. I know if that were me, I would have died on the spot.

"Mr Riddle, how nice of you to finally show up." Mcgonagall stated sarcastically as she glanced up at the clock. Mattheo was 10 minutes late and yet he had sat down without even bothering to apologise.

"Same goes for you, Professor," he replied with a smug smirk displayed on his face.

Shaking her head in disappointment, Mcgonagall spoke, "Mr. Riddle, that's detention tonight. "

His face distorted into a flash of shock and disbelief, and suddenly, his voice moved up 2 octaves.

"But why so, Professor? I only mentioned how lovely it is to see your face," Mattheo said mockingly.

"Mr Riddle, this is the third time this week you have been late to my class. I will no longer tolerate this."

Mattheo looked like he was about to say something in protest, but I interrupted him.

"Would you move your chair? Honestly, you walk in late, cause a fuss, and then you decide to annoy the living daylight out of everyone. Just be quiet," I whisper-shouted at him, already irritated by his antics.

"No one asked for your opinion, L/N" he replied without turning around.

"Right, that's enough, detention for the both of you tonight. Come to my classroom at the end of the day," Mcgonagall snapped.

Mattheo, of course, had something to say to that.

"But professor, she started it!" he stands up abruptly, pushing his chair even further backwards.

"No, I did not! you're the one pushing your chair into our desk!" I exclaimed in disbelief.

"Enough, the both of you. Mr Riddle, sit back down, another word from you, and it's detention for the week," Mcgonagall warned.

She continues, "Sorry, class, for that, rather bothersome, interruption," she glares at me and Mattheo, "Now, where was I? Right, today we'll be learning about Vanishment spells in preparation for your O.W.Ls..."

♡ ♡ ♡ ♡

The rest of the day went by in a blur. I tried to keep my mind off Mattheo and the looming detention, but it was all I could think about. My focus in other classes was non-existent, much to Hermione's annoyance.

As I sat in Charms class, the words on the blackboard seemed to swim before my eyes, and I found myself doodling absentmindedly in the margins of my parchment.

Hermione finally had enough and sharply elbowed me in the side.

"Ow, Hermione, what was that for?" I winced, rubbing my ribs.

"Y/N, you need to pay attention in class if you want to pass your O.W.Ls. You've been distracted all day," she said as she turned to look at me. Her brows were furrowed in concern.

"Yeah, I know... it's just that whole thing with Mattheo really threw me off." I couldn't believe that I had only been here two days and already got detention because of him.

"Forget about him. He's always like this. It's best to just stay out of his way," she said with a shrug, her tone matter-of-fact.

"But it's like he specifically has it out for me. Since I've come here, he hasn't left me alone," I reply in frustration.

"Yeah, he does seem to enjoy annoying you," Hermione agreed.

The thought of facing Mattheo in detention later made my stomach churn. I had hoped for a fresh start when I joined Hogwarts, but it seemed that was wishful thinking.

Little did I know, my troubles had only just begun.

• • • •

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