𝚈/𝚗'𝚜 𝙿𝙾𝚅

☞ 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫, 𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟔

Warmth and coldness ran parallel through the halls of Hogwarts. The cold air created from the chilly northern atmosphere funnelled into the Scottish countryside. It crept in through cracks in the ancient windows, open archways and rushed in behind every opening of a door. It was harsh, unpleasant, and unnerving, and hung close to the ground where it can easily crawl up your coat and ruin your day. The warmth gently poured from the candles, sconces, and all light fixtures that hung from above. In passing, the warmth the open flames emitted would wash over you from above, providing a momentary relief from the aching chill, only to be pushed back towards the ceiling by the cold air.

"No, I cannot agree to that." I was snapped out of my thoughts by Draco, who was firmly shaking his head at a disappointed Blaise. I had completely neglected my lunch! "That's absurd!" He added, seemingly disgusted with something Blaise had said or done. To be fair, when isn't Draco complaining about something?

"I can't back you up on this one mate... I just... wow." Theo commented, his eyes slightly wide as he looked at Blaise as though the boy had two heads. What have I missed? I looked at Mattheo, whose hand was resting on my thigh, but he was looking at Blaise with surprise too.

"Seriously, guys!" Blaise looked borderline distraught by his friend's disapproval. "Mattheo? Y/n? Help me out here!" Confused I made no effort to say anything. Mattheo just sighed, finding the right words.

"Look, it's not that what you said was necessarily wrong, and we are not surprised by this either. But we simply don't agree to that extent. You know I wouldn't agree, so I have no idea why you would ask me." Mattheo commented, looking at me with a sly smile. I smiled back, although my smile still showed my confusion. "Well?" Mattheo asked, that's when it struck me. They were all waiting for me to answer.

I flushed, the feeling of embarrassment quickly swept over me. "I won't lie..." I began, Blaise leaning in hoping for the best. "I zoned out and I haven't the foggiest about what you weirdos are talking about." I quickly spoke, and I watched as Blaise slumped into the table in defeat.

"He said he thinks Lovegood is one of the, if not the hottest girl he's ever seen." Draco informed me, making my eyes go wide as a big smile crept on my face.

"Wait... Luna? You do!" I yelled, not realising the volume of my voice. I calmed down quickly, but I didn't let it affect how extraordinarily happy I was feeling. "I agree, she is! You're all morons for thinking otherwise!" I crossed my arms at the other's, shaking my head.

Blaise shot up, his eyes sparkling at my words. "You agree! I knew you were better than these idiots, Snape!" Blaise cheered, buzzing from the news. "Isn't she just so- and her hair, my Merlin- and the way she smells, strawberries and roses- I bet she's a great kisser!" Blaise gushed about Luna, his cheeks growing red as his smile brightened with every word.

"You know she's one of my closest friends." I say, winking at the boy. Blaise looks at me as though I've just brought him back to life, someone to worship for their life-changing miracles. "I could easily set you up." I wiggle my eyebrows, leaning forward so my elbows are resting on the table and my hands joining to create a sort of platform for my chin to rest upon.

Blaise then shot back, putting on a calm and nonchalant expression on his face. "Yeah, yeah. Sounds cool, Snape. Whatever." He shrugged, his arms crossed as he tried to look unbothered. I laughed, shaking my head at his rather unconvincing act.

I stood and collected my bag. "Well... if you're not that interested then I just won't bother." I shrugged, now stood behind where I once sat. Blaise lynched forward, begging me to put in a good word for him. I cackled at his desperation, "Of course I will you dumb-arse!"

Mattheo grabbed my robe, looking up at me with a confused and slightly sad expression. "Where are you going, darling?" He muttered, taking my hand in his. He began mindlessly running his thumb across the back of my hand, which caused my stomach to flip.

"I'm going to hang out with the Gryffindors, remember?" I smile, placing a small kiss on his forehead. Mattheo smiled, his eyes bright as he nodded. "I'll see you all later, don't get into trouble while I'm gone." I warned them as I began to walk away, walking backwards as I did sending them warning glares.

"We definitely won't, don't you worry mini Snape." Draco laughed, nudging Mattheo's side with his elbow. Mattheo glared at him to stop, and they all watched as I left the room. That was... strange, to say the least.

As I walked through the halls by myself, heading to the somewhat weekly DA meeting, I couldn't help but think about all the things that have happened to me in the last few months. December is here, and I've made some unexpected friends, lost my best friend in more ways than I could've ever anticipated, caught feelings for Mattheo Riddle, discovered horrendous things from his father and mother's past, almost lost my father and death eaters have attacked the school in an attempt to reach me.

I sighed, wondering what would await me in the future... I then hear shuffling from behind, making me pause my movements. Someone's following me... I almost forgot that had been happening. Merlin, I cannot remember the last time I've had to deal with the fear of someone following me.

Sighed, deciding to quickly get to the Room of Requirement rather than hang around here for a second more. Soon I arrived at the grand mysterious door, and the feeling of being watched never left me. I opened the door and was immediately greeted by everyone.

"Good morning everyone!" I smiled, throwing my bag off to the side and taking a stand in front of everyone. "Today we will be..." my words faded as the door opened once again, and in walked the most unexpected people ever.

"Riddle?" Harry gasped his brows furrowing, as everyone turned to see Mattheo, Draco, Blaise and Theo. "Did you?" Harry turned to me, almost angry. "Why are you here?" Harry frowned, walking up to the group.

"No I didn't- Harry!" I followed quickly after him, holding him back. "Calm down." I muttered as Harry shrugged me off. Hermione followed too, although she stayed back a couple of steps, watching.

"No, I won't. They can't be here!" Harry began to grow angry, something that wasn't like him. "Get out!" He barked, pointing towards the door. I stood between him at the group as Draco began to grow angry.

"Calm down!" I spoke sternly, looking at Harry with great worry. Draco then echoed my words, taunting the boy with a laugh. I shot the blond a glare who instantly shut his trap. "Why can't they be here?"

"Because!" Harry shot back, followed by a hesitant pause. "B-because..." He couldn't think of a reason. I scoffed, rolling my eyes at his pettiness.

"Because, because." I mocked, stepping towards the boy who was now lost for words. "Because they are Slytherin's? We've let many Slytherin's attend, including me! Or is it because you don't like them? Get over yourself, Harry, you are not eleven anymore!" I scoffed, before turning towards the four of them, pointing angrily. "I'll have a word with you four later." I muttered, gesturing for them to enter further into the room.

"Darling, you're hot when you're angry." Mattheo whispered, a smirk plastered on his face. I slapped his arm, my face growing red as he let out a low chuckle. I returned to my spot at the front, Harry and Ron to my left with Hermione to my right. Hermione shot me an uneasy look, to which I nodded in reassurance.

"Today I chose a crazy spell for you all, I think you'll all love it! Everte Statum is a spell that throws the target backwards as if they've been physically thrown." Many people gasped, eyes glimmering with excitement.

"Wicked!" The twins chimed, hyping people up. I laughed before directing people towards the dummies set around the room, lined up in a row for people to split into groups and work on the spell, warning people to not go behind the dummies.

"So... this is where you go every Friday." Mattheo walked up to me, following me around as I watched students from all years attempt the spell. "It's very cute. You're like, a sexy teacher." He whispered into my ear, my cheeks flushing.

"Mattheo!" I jump back, a shocked look on my face. He raised his hands in defence, chuckling to himself. "If you're going to attend then you're going to practice." I say, pointing towards the boys who were gathered around a dummy. Blaise and Theo were arguing over how to properly pronounce the incantation while Draco was looking aimlessly around the room. I sighed.

"It's only for today, I promise darling. We were just curious what you get up to when you disappear for the whole day every Friday." Mattheo smiled, planting a small kiss on my forehead before walking over to his friends. I smiled, shaking my head at him.

"Curiosity killed the cat, you know. Regardless, you're more than welcome to attend, just don't stalk me down ever again." I laughed as they sheepishly looked away. "It's pronounced ee-VER-tay STAH-tum. All you do is point your wand at the target, an orange light should shoot out." I raised my voice, addressing the classroom but my words were mainly directed at the two fully grown five-year-olds who were still arguing about how to say the spell.

It didn't take long for students to get the hang of the spell, Hermione being the first followed by Mattheo and Draco and surprisingly Neville. "Neville! You think you could help that group of third years over there?" I asked with a smile, to which Neville happily nodded, seemingly enthusiastic that he had been asked to help rather than it being the other way around.

I looked around the room, my eyes landing on Harry helping Ginny, the pair standing rather close together. That made a plan spark in my mind as my eyes then landed on Theo and Blaise, who were still struggling with the spell. The two boys had now taken their own dummies and were in a contest to see who would be the first to perform the spell.

Luna happened to be walking past me, I grabbed her arm, making her squeal in shock and dragged her over to where Blaise was. "Ahem." I loudly said, catching Blaise's attention. As he was about to scold me for breaking his concentration, his annoyed expression quickly faded when his eyes landed on the girl beside me. "Luna, this is my friend Blaise. Blaise this is Luna that I mentioned this morning." Blaise's jaw was slacked making the three boys giggle like school behind him.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Luna smiled, her eyes dazed as usual. Blaise, like the ladies man he is, said nothing. The boy just gawked at Luna, not a word leaving his mouth. Luna didn't seem to mind, her eyes wandered over to the dummy. "Oh! Are you having trouble getting the hang of the spell?" Luna asked, her voice smoothly washing over the boy like a mermaid and a sailor.

Blaise nodded. Once again no words formed. "No worries. I was once having trouble keeping the nargles away from my socks, that was until I decided to give them something else they'd prefer instead of my socks. Onions." Luna smiled, rocking back and forth in her spot. Blaise smiled at the girl, seemingly coming out of his trance.

"I have so many questions, Luna." I giggled which made the girl smile brightly. "But what I brought you over to ask if you'd help Blaise her with the spell, since you seemed to master it quite quickly." Luna's eyes lit up, nodding enthusiastically.

"Oh of course!" She beamed, stepping towards the increasingly flustered boy. I sent Blaise a wink, before walking towards the boys who were in tears over the sight before them. I shook my head at them, rolling my eyes with a smile.

"Keep laughing, Theo, because you're next." I mischievously grinned, pushing myself between the group as his face fell. Mattheo and Draco began to chuckle again, watching with wonder as I walked towards a certain Gryffindor girl.

"Wait, what? Wait-" Theo stuttered out, his eyes widened once he clocked who I was heading towards. Hermione was in deep conversation with Hannah Abbot from Hufflepuff about Muggle Studies, which they both seemed very interested in... for some unknown reason.

I excused Hermione and pulled her with me. "Y/n- what are you..." Hermione struggled, however, her confusion melted when she clicked who I was dragging her towards. "Oh! Hello Nott." Hermione's cheeks subtly turned red, which made me smile. "Malfoy, Riddle." She nodded towards the others, who nodded and waved back.

"Hermione, Theo is once again in desperate need of your expertise. Could you help him with the spell?" I smile, looking between the two, whose eyes are locked on each other. Hermione nodded with a smile, stepping towards Theo. Theo looked at me, smiling brightly at me with disbelief in his eyes.

"You're incredible." Mattheo muttered, pulling me into him as he laughed. I smiled, looking up at him as he stood behind me looking down. I shrugged, then looked at Draco who was watching his friends hopelessly flirt.

"Two down. One to go." I smirked at the blond, who seemed to jump at my words. Mattheo laughed at his reaction, making Draco glare at him. Draco then paused, thinking about what I said.

"Please, don't get ahead of yourself. If I haven't found someone perfect for me I doubt you will." Draco scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. I laughed, which only made the boy roll his eyes

"Oh, dearest Draco. I found someone perfect for you before those two over there." I commented with a shrug. Draco's eyes widened, begging me to tell him who. "Now, now. Things like these take time, we can't rush perfection." I smiled, as the two boys looked at me confused.

"I've been waiting to set you up with her since fourth year..."