𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚘 𝚁𝚒𝚍𝚍𝚕𝚎'𝚜 𝙿𝙾𝚅

☞ 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 27𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫, 1996

We are running out of time. This blasted book has managed to allude me for the past month. October is fast approaching and I've been expected to find the blasted thing by now. Yet no matter how many times we've searched the restricted section, no matter the hours of slumber lost to our dedication, the search has been fruitless.

On a more positive note, my friends and I have found a... strange bond with Y/n Snape this past month. Her kind soul and friendships with all types of witches and wizards set us apart both morally and politically. The son of the Dark Lord friends with someone my friends would have once considered a 'blood traitor' would be blasphemy. Despite her being a Slytherin and her family name being a part of the sacred 28, she still managed to defy her role in society without losing her reputation and connections amongst high society.

Y/n manages to gracefully play her part on both sides of the political scale, without facing any scrutiny. I've always admired her for that and always found her fascinating. Despite what my fellow Slytherins would say about her, she's extraordinary. I aspire to be her, have the best of both worlds without feeling like I do not belong in either. Alas, I am my father's son, and my hopes and dreams will never be satisfied.

I quickly blink as reality seeps back into my consciousness. Heat washes over my cheeks once I realise I've been staring at Y/n for Merlin knows how long. The girl herself sat in the middle of the Slytherin table, chatting away with her best friend, Astoria Greengrass. The girl that hates me.

"He's still staring." I hear someone snicker from in front of me. My head reluctantly turned away from Y/n to face the person who was speaking about me. Theo. He's yet to notice my glare as he and Blaise are rather occupied giggling to themselves like schoolgirls.

I lean forward and hit the boy on the back of his head, making him jump in fright. Theo's hand shoots up to soothe the pain, as he stares at me, eyes wide. "Keep your mouth shut, Nott." I threaten in a low voice. "And I was not staring at anyone." Draco laughed at my words.

"Yeah right! And Blaise isn't a complete fucking idiot." Draco laughs hysterically as he pats my back. I roll my eyes at the boy as Blaise begins to protest Draco's words.

"You are all a bunch of idiots." I smirk, making the three of them gasp dramatically. The trio gradually fell back into a heated discussion about quidditch, as I slowly toned them out.

I must conjure a plan to find this book, as soon as possible. Father expects us to move on to the next phase of this sickening plan, and we cannot proceed without whatever lies within this book...

My gaze stares hopelessly down at my plate filled with breakfast snacks. I must search for it tonight, there must be something I'm missing. Surely there is something, somewhere, that will lead me to find that which I'm desperately searching for.

The evening came faster than I had anticipated. I had long left the comfort of my bed, and I was slowly stepping through the common room, careful not to alert any prefects. Tonight is the night, I could feel so in my bones.

"Where are you off to, Riddle?" I heard a sweet voice call out to me from behind. Slowly, I turn to see my Y/n, standing there in pyjama shorts and a t-shirt, smiling at me. Oh, those eyes will be the death of me.

"Nothing of your concern, Snape." I smirked, taking a few steps towards the girl. "And I thought I told you to call me Mattheo." My head tilted to the side as I soaked up her beauty.

Her glossy eyes stared up at me, with an innocent twinkle taunting me. Her plush pink lips were slightly parted in an amused smile, practically begging me to kiss them, and to let out my passion onto her. I wonder how she'd look, her lips swollen and eyes looking dangerously up at me, filled with love and pleasure as I buried myself deep within her- No, Mattheo. Now is not the time to imagine such sinful things involving such a sweet and innocent girl.

"You did tell me to do so..." she smiled as her cheeks turned pink. "But I hoped to frighten you, have you thinking you've been caught by a prefect." She laughed softly with a cheeky grin on her face. I shook my head as my tongue found its way to my cheek, pressing up against it in amusement. I will never admit to the girl, but for a moment, my heart sank in fear.

"What are you doing out of bed, darling?" I asked the girl, curious as to why she had also chosen this evening to wander around the chilly corridors.

"You mustn't tell anyone if I tell you." Her voice lowered, making me even more intrigued. I nodded at the girl, who stood up on her toes to lean closer to my ear. My heart thumped harshly in my chest as she placed a delicate hand on my upper arm to balance herself. "I'm heading to the restricted section."

What a coincidence, I thought, as I smiled to myself. Y/n pulled away, and a smirk was now playing on her lips. "Seems as though we have the same destination in mind, darling." I shared her smirk. "May I accompany you?"

She happily accepted my request with a nod. "Of course, Mattheo." She stepped around me and began to exit the common room, as I trailed after her. "I know a shortcut." She winked, making the same harsh thumping feeling in my chest return with heated cheeks.

Together, was walked along the dungeon corridors. It was pitch black, so we both held out our wands while casting Lumos to illuminate our way. In the corner of my eye, I noticed Y/n was shivering from the chill in the air. Winter was on its way, and this girl thought it was best to wander around the stone halls in shorts and a T-shirt.

"Here." I shrugged off my robe and draped the clothing over her shoulders. Y/n jumped in surprise as her eyes trailed over my robe, which she seemed to drown in. Her cheeks once again dusted pick as she slid her arms through the sleeves.

Y/n took a deep breath, and suddenly her eyes widened. Confused, my brows furrowed at her reaction, although I thought it was not best to draw attention to it. "Thank you." She smiled as she pulled the cloak closer to her.

"It's my pleasure." I answered, my mind running wild watching her wear my clothes. Y/n suddenly turned down a hall, a hall that seemed to end almost immediately. I doubt I've ever seen this part of the castle before. Y/n stood before a mossy wall, and muttered some words. "i vis scientiam." Suddenly the wall parted, revealing a spiral staircase.

"This looks... cosy." I comment, taking notice of how small the stairway is. Y/n laughed, and told me to follow her. After a few minutes of walking, questioning myself on where we would end up, we came to an exit. "This is... the restricted section?" I gasp in awe. This must be how Y/n and Potter managed to get into the restricted section those many nights ago.

"It is indeed. I found the hidden staircase while running from my father. I must've been barely six years old." Y/n smiled widely as she glanced around the abandoned room, with an accomplished look plastered on her pretty face. "Father doesn't know about the passway though, so no need to fret about being caught."

Y/n then walked up to a bookshelf, before stopping and gently gesturing me to come closer to her. "Come. I wish to show you something." She smiled brightly at me, making my heart once again thump harshly in my chest. I happily walked over to her, with my hands behind my back. She didn't show Potter this, I thought with a smirk.

Y/n turned to face the bookshelf again, and carefully pulled down a black book, engraved with a small gold leaf. What astounded me, was that the bookshelf parted, revealing yet another secret room, hidden away in this school. Me and my friends have turned this room upside down looking for a book, and yet we never found this...

"Mattheo, welcome to my favourite part of Hogwarts." Y/n took my hand and led me through the doorway. Inside we found a massive glass dome for a ceiling, with extraordinary hanging plants climbing the ceiling and hanging down. Glowing golden berries were growing on the hanging vines, giving the room a soft glow.

In the centre, a statue of a mermaid sat gracefully inside a clam, holding a pearl. Many trees, and large colourful flowers lined the stone wall in grassy beds. The cobbled floor wrapped around the room, illuminated by the blueish moonlight. In between the bushes and trees, were bookshelves. Bookshelves filled with books. Fireflies were dotted around the room, adding to the ambience and making this room feel that much more magical. "How did you?" I gasped in delight and disbelief as my eyes traced the room.

Y/n's hand slipped from mine as she stepped further into the garden. I found myself longing for her soft, warm fingers to be intertwined with mine. "I found this place in fourth year." She smiled. "Filch almost caught me in the restricted section, until I fell and pulled down that book accidentally, revealing this beauty." She took a deep breath, as did I, the smell of lilacs and vanilla flooded my senses.

Cautiously, I stepped towards the bookshelves, my eyes darting around for the very thing that's been hiding in plain sight. There. A black, leather-bound book, with silver letters engraved into its spine and cover, reading 'Secrets of the Darkest Art.'  I found it. My first task is complete.

I take a glance back at Y/n, seeing her pretty occupied with a venomous tentacula. Quickly, I stuffed the book inside my shirt, and swiftly made my way to Y/n. Once she noticed me approaching her, she stood up and turned to me with a smile. Fuck... she is breathtaking.

I dared to hide my smile from her, as I took her hand and pulled her close. My hand rested over her shoulders while the other let go of her hand and snaked around her waist. For a moment, she hesitated, but soon her arms found my waist, making my heart flutter with joy. I kissed her forehead. "Thank you." I muttered.

Y/n, I will never be able to repay you for all you have done for me. You've saved my life, my darling. You've saved my life once more. I wish I could tell you the truth. I wish you knew all that you've done for me, without even trying.