☞ 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟏𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫, 𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟔

Hermione and I waved goodbye, as she continued to walk down the corridors, her destination most likely being the library, while I walked into the courtyard. There, sitting under a tree were Draco, Blaise, Theo and Mattheo.

"Y/n!" Blaise called, being the first to notice that I was making my way over to them. I smiled at the group and stepped between Theo and Draco to sit between Mattheo and Blaise, resting my body against the tree.

"Are you alright?" Mattheo asked seeing my tired expression, gently placing a hand on my arm. With a sigh, I gave him a small smile. This boy never fails to brighten my darkest days.

"I will be. The issue is Peeves. Hermione and I had to run from him as he chased us throwing water balloons filled with dye." I rub my eyes in annoyance, leaning forward to rest my elbows on my knees. I heard a soft chuckle from Mattheo that he tried to hide. I glared at him in response, only making him laugh more.

"That's awful! Is Hermione alright?" Theo piped up, a worried expression on his face. I smirked at the boy and confirmed she was all right. Theo let out a small sigh of relief, something that didn't go unnoticed by the group. Mattheo and I exchanged knowing looks before I started laughing to myself.

My laughter died when I noticed Harry and Ron walking by, the two of them giving me looks while glancing at Mattheo pointedly. Remembering what I had agreed to, I sat up a bit more in determination. Quickly, I began to think of ways to ask Mattheo about his mother without drawing attention or creating suspicion.

Deciding to just go for it, I spoke the first thing that came to mind. "You know what I just realised. You all know so much about my family, and I hardly know anything about yours!" The boys glanced at each other, clearly confused by the sudden change in topic.

"So?" Draco asked while shrugging slightly. They all turned to me, expecting an explanation. I rolled my eyes, I thought I was clear with my suggestion.

"I'd like to know more! About where you grew up, your family life, your parents, any siblings." I listed with a smile. They awkwardly glanced around, seemingly apprehensive to answer. My smile dropped as I realised I might have touched a nerve... "I-I'm sorry. It was a silly question." I went to get up, wanting to escape the awkward atmosphere I had created. My stomach fell ill with guilt. I should've taken more time to think about what to say.

"No, it's alright." Draco smiled as Mattheo ushered me to sit back down. Slowly, I sat again and looked around the group hoping someone would either answer my question or move on. Fortunately, someone did.

"All I have is my mother. My father left when I was two years old, and I have no siblings." Blaise spoke up from beside me. Shocked someone had answered, as I was beginning to think no one would, I turned to face him with a smile. A smile he returned.

"What is she like, your mother?" My body turned to face him more out of interest. I sat up straight with my hands in my lap, patiently waiting for more information. Although I was asking purely to find out about Mattheo's mother, I am still very curious about the others' families.

Since they are all pure blood and from wealthy families, I have heard small things here and there about their families, yet I'd like to hear first-hand about them. Not from the papers. No personal biases. No twisted views. I wish to hear only the opinions and memories of my friends.

Blaise laughed a little and shook his head at my eagerness. "Well she is caring, when she wants to be. She wants the best for our family and has always worked hard to provide. Although her choices in men are... strange." He let out a heartfelt laugh at his words, making me break into a bright smile. Someone else then clears their voice before adding to the conversation.

"My father is fun when he's not working," Theo spoke up, drawing my attention from the boy beside me. I turned to face Theo, and waited for him to continue. "He taught all of us how to fly on a broom!" He and the boys chuckled, reminiscing on their childhood with Theo's dad. "His favourite things are making dad jokes at inappropriate times and embarrassing me."

Theo smiled. I laughed, I had not expected that response from him. Although, I suppose it explains Theo's personality. "My mother is pretty cold though. A true traditional pureblood lady." Theo joked although the bright happiness that shined in his eyes when he spoke of his father had gone. I gave him a reassuring smile.

"My father is the same, although you've met him before Y/n. The true definition of pureblood." Draco joked, although his laughter did not reach his eyes. I sent him a smile, which he seemed to appreciate. "However my mother, although she can be cold and harsh towards others, she is very kind and gentle towards me and my friends. Very understanding and protective." Draco's eyes finally filled with admiration as he spoke of his mother, a small yet genuine smile on his face.

"She sounds wonderful, Draco. I'd love to meet her." I smiled at the group, a warm feeling erupted between us. I'd never thought it possible to grow more fond of these boys, yet here I am.

"Shit, Theo. We are late!" Blaise called out, noticing the time displayed on the clock tower. Theo and Blaise quickly left while Draco claimed he had 'things to do' and left too.

Mattheo and I continued to sit under the tree, in peaceful silence. Birds chirped above us as they soared through the blue sky. The sun kept us warm as a gentle breeze swirled around the empty courtyard.

"My mother-" Mattheo began, breaking the silence with his struggle to form words. Shocked I turned to see the pained expression on his face. I placed my hand on his knee, noticing his breath growing deeper yet faster in pace. His beautiful brown eyes locked onto mine, as he slowly calmed.

"Mattheo, don't feel the need to share anything about your family just because the others did." I smiled at the boy, trying to reassure him. Of course, I needed to know for the sake of the greater good, but Mattheo is still my friend. I do not wish to force him to share such a personal thing. "If you're not ready-" I added, however, I stopped when Mattheo placed his hand on mine, the hand that was still resting on his knee. Mattheo squeezed my hand and smiled a grateful grin.

"I'm ready to share it with you." Mattheo muttered as his eyes twinkled in the sunlight. My face grew hot as I gazed at him, a warm fluttering grew in the pit of my stomach. "My mother died trying to protect me from my father. From what I know, he managed to bribe her parents into allowing him to marry her." Mattheo took a deep breath as his voice grew shaky. My hand squeezed his, attempting to comfort him.

"Her name was Novella Black, Sirius Black's younger sister." He breathed as I gasped. I had no idea that Sirius had a sister! I knew of his brother, Regulus Black, but that is all. "He used her to elevate his status amongst the purebloods." Mattheo turned to me with tears in his eyes. "She was only 16 when she had me..." A tear fell from his eye, falling down his reddened cheek and onto the grass we sat on.

I pulled him into a hug, his arms wrapping tightly around my waist. His head was resting on my shoulder while I buried mine into his neck. Suddenly, a familiar smell filled my senses, making my heart beat faster and faster. I couldn't stop to think about why he smelled familiar, for my mind was racing.

Was Tom Riddle that desperate to make it amongst high society that he used a teenage girl? Or did he simply not care who he married, as long as they were pureblooded? Merlin knows. But one thing we can say for certain is that Novella Black is a new mystery we need to uncover.

"I wish I could tell you more-" Mattheo choked on his words, his glossy eyes looking into mine with pain. "I don't think I'm ready." Mattheo whispered.

"That's okay... thank you for sharing this with me." I whispered back. Slowly we pulled away from the hug, giving each other toothy grins. His eyes never left mine until his gaze flicked down to my lips. Suddenly I became very aware of the heat on my cheeks, the dryness in my mouth and the little space between us.

He then pulled away and stood up. "Come on." Mattheo smiles, holding out his hand. I grinned taking his hand in mine. Mattheo helped me to my feet as we gathered our belongings. "It's my turn to show you something." Mattheo whispered in my ear, making heat grow between my legs.

Confused, I shook away the foreign feeling and followed Mattheo. "What is it you wish to show me." I smiled after catching up to the boy who now strutted down the halls. Many people moved out of his way, girls shooting him desperate glances while scowling at me.

"There's many things I wish to show you, Y/n." Mattheo grinned with a wink. My heart swelled with excitement as I rolled my eyes at his cheeky expression. He placed his hand on the small of my back as we suddenly turned down another hallway.

"Seriously though. Where are we going?" I asked looking around the corridor. I remember this part of the castle, where no paintings hung, and no classrooms could be found.

"I have found secrets in this castle too, Snape." Mattheo grinned as he turned to the blank wall. Suddenly he spoke in a language I've only ever heard one other person speak. Parseltongue. In shock and slight fear, I stood silently watching as a doorway fades into existence.

Mattheo turned back to me, looking at my shocked face with a proud smile. He opens the door, and gestures for me to enter. I do. As I stepped in, my eyes widened, glancing around the room. It was nothing like I had expected. Once hearing Mattheo speak Parseltongue, I had imagined that this room would look identical to the common room or the Assembly Chamber. Dark, cold, and grey with hints of green and gloomy ambience.

No. This room was quite the opposite. On the furthest wall stood a tall dark wooden bookshelf, with a golden ladder to reach the ceiling. Pillows and plush chairs littered around a coffee table sat beside a grand fireplace on the wall to the left. To the right were many paintings. At a closer glance, these paintings depicted the former members of the Gaunt family.

The paintings looked down at us with disgust. "Ignore them. They're all dickheads." Mattheo scoffed from behind me, closing the door as he entered. He wandered over to the fireplace where he pulled out a bottle of vodka. My eyes scrunched in confusion.

I looked at Mattheo excitedly as he sunk further into his chair. "Welcome to, what we like to call, The Hangout. Here all Slytherins fifth year and above come to throw parties and drink away their daddy issues. Although myself and my friends have been coming here since third year since I was the one who found it." Mattheo grinned as he took a drink from his bottle.

"So you've brought me here to flaunt your drinking problems?" I laughed as I stood watching him drink by the fire. Mattheo chuckled into his bottle as he glared at me.

"I've come here to tell you about the party here tonight." He placed his bottle on the coffee table. He stood and slowly walked towards me, standing only a few inches away from me. "And I want you here with me the whole night."