𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒗

𝒉𝒐𝒈𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔

january 11, 2025

11:30 am

"soo, what's up?" i asked, trying to sound casual.

"um, i wanted to check how we're doing with the potion," mattheo asked, his tone uncertain. i thought he wanted to talk about the party. how silly of me.

"um, we're doing well actually. i was going to go ask snape about the phoenix tears today," i said, a little excited.

"do you want me to come with you?" he asked.

"no, it's fine. i can go alone," i replied, already feeling like i had it under control.

"well, honestly, i don't really care. i'll go with you," he said, his voice a bit colder than usual.

"then why ask?" i said, a bit annoyed now, my irritation creeping in.

"because i like getting you worked up," he said with a grin, running ahead.

"wait, you idiot!" i called out, chasing after him, my heart racing as i tried to catch up.

i ran after him, my breath coming quicker as i closed the distance. he was fast, but i was determined to catch him. "seriously, mattheo, you're so annoying," i yelled, my frustration mixing with the adrenaline.

he glanced over his shoulder, laughing as he slowed down just enough for me to almost reach him. "you know you like it," he teased, his voice full of mischief.

i narrowed my eyes, feeling the familiar rush of annoyance—and something else, something that made my heart beat a little faster. "don't make me kick your ass," i warned, finally closing the gap and grabbing the back of his shirt.

he spun around with a grin, looking way too smug for my liking. "i thought you were going to let me go," he said, still laughing.

"you're lucky i don't throw you in the lake," i shot back, catching my breath.

"oh, i'm really scared," he said, his smile only widening. "but you won't, because you like me too much."

i rolled my eyes, but the tension in the air between us was impossible to ignore. he was annoying, but there was something about him that made everything else fade into the background.

i gave him a shove, pushing him away just a little. "you really think that highly of yourself, don't you?" i said, trying to keep the annoyance in my voice. but there was a spark in my chest, something i couldn't quite name.

he took a step back, his playful smirk softening for a second. "maybe," he said, his tone less teasing now. "but i know you don't actually mind me tagging along." his eyes met mine for a brief moment, and for a second, it felt like the air between us had shifted.

i looked away quickly, pretending i hadn't noticed how his words affected me. "whatever," i muttered, trying to brush it off. "just don't slow me down when we get to snape."

"i won't," he said, the lightness returning to his voice. "but you'll have to catch me first."

"you're really pushing it," i warned, but i couldn't stop myself from grinning a little. i wasn't sure if it was the annoyance or something else, but i felt a pull toward him that i didn't want to admit.

he started walking ahead, and i followed, trying to keep my distance. but somehow, it felt like no matter how much i tried to push him away, he always found a way to stay close.

i caught myself glancing at him as we walked, wondering why i was feeling this weird tension. it was like every time he spoke, i couldn't quite figure out if i was annoyed or... something else. i didn't like it. i didn't want to like it.

he must have sensed my gaze because he turned and raised an eyebrow. "you keep looking at me like i'm about to do something crazy," he said, his tone teasing but a little softer than usual.

"i wasn't looking at you," i lied, my voice not as convincing as i wanted it to be.

he smirked. "right, of course you weren't."

i rolled my eyes, trying to mask the heat rising in my cheeks. "just keep walking. we still have to find snape."

"you know, it's a little weird that you're in such a hurry to talk to him," he commented, walking beside me now. "what exactly are we planning to ask him?"

i felt my stomach tighten at the question. i hadn't really thought it through. i just knew i needed the phoenix tears for the potion. "nothing too complicated," i said, shrugging it off. "just want to make sure if we're doing it right."

he didn't press further, but the curiosity in his eyes lingered. i couldn't help but wonder if he was trying to figure me out—like he could see right through the walls i kept building around myself.

"you know, you're kind of strange," he said after a pause, his voice quieter now, almost serious. "i can't tell if you're angry, happy, or... something else."

i stopped walking, looking up at him. "maybe i just like to keep you guessing," i said, a little more sharply than i meant to.

"maybe," he said, stopping in front of me and meeting my gaze. there was something different in his eyes, something that made the air between us feel thick. "but don't worry, i'll figure you out eventually."

i swallowed hard, unsure of how to respond. i didn't want him to figure me out. not like this. not now. but there was no denying that the closer he got, the harder it became to keep pretending i didn't feel anything.

i took a step back, trying to break the moment, but my mind was racing. why did he have to be so... observant? so frustratingly close to figuring me out? "we should get going," i said, my voice almost too light, as if to brush off the tension that had settled between us.

he didn't move right away, though. he just stood there, watching me, his gaze a little too intense. "you're avoiding the question," he said, his voice quieter now. "what's really going on in that head of yours, eloise?"

i could feel my heart pounding in my chest. why was he always pushing me? why did he have to make everything feel so complicated?

"nothing," i said quickly, hoping the sharpness in my voice would convince him. "i'm not avoiding anything. just—i don't know. i have a lot on my mind, okay?"

his lips twitched like he wanted to say something, but he kept quiet for a moment. "i'm not going to let it go, you know," he said finally, his tone more playful again, like he was toying with me. "but fine. i'll let you have your secrets."

i didn't know if i was relieved or frustrated. maybe both. "good," i said, turning to keep walking. "let's just go."

he caught up with me easily, his stride matching mine. we walked in silence for a few moments, the unspoken words hanging in the air between us. i wasn't sure what to make of this weird dynamic we had—one minute i was annoyed with him, the next i found myself wanting to... well, i wasn't sure what i wanted. but i knew i didn't want him to keep getting under my skin like this.

"you're still weird, you know," he said suddenly, breaking the silence. "but it's kinda fun."

"i'm not weird," i shot back, a little too quickly, feeling that familiar irritation flare up again. "you're the weird one."

he laughed, loud and carefree. "sure, sure. i'm the weird one. but you know you like it."

i couldn't help but roll my eyes, though a small smile tugged at the corner of my lips despite myself. this... whatever it was, was driving me crazy. and yet, part of me was starting to wonder if i was actually starting to enjoy it.

we finally reached snape's office, and the usual chill in the air seemed to heighten as we approached. i could feel my nerves creeping in. i wasn't exactly looking forward to this conversation. snape had a way of making everything feel so... intense.

"ah, miss diggory," snape's voice cut through the silence before we even entered. he was standing by his desk, his eyes glinting with their usual disapproval. "and mr riddle, what brings you two here?"

i straightened up, trying to push away the odd sensation churning in my stomach. "professor," i began, my voice steady despite my nerves, "i wanted to ask about the phoenix tears. i need them for the potion you assigned."

"you came to the right person," snape said, a rare glimmer of approval in his dark eyes. "phoenix tears are not easily obtained, as you may know. they are highly prized, and only a handful of people have access to them."

i glanced at mattheo, but he was staring at snape with his usual unreadable expression. "so where can i get them?" i asked, eager to get this over with.

"there is a wizard in the ministry who specializes in rare ingredients," snape said, his voice lowering slightly. "his name is alistair grey. he occasionally has some phoenix tears in stock, but they are not for sale lightly."

mattheo raised an eyebrow. "so, are we meant to plead for them?"

snape shot him a sharp look but answered in his usual calm tone. "not beg, no. but you will need to convince him of your need. it's not a commodity to be handed out lightly, especially to students. you'll need a reason."

i nodded, understanding. "how do we contact him?"

"you can find him in the apothecary district, near the edge of diagon alley," snape replied. "but be prepared to pay the price—both in terms of coin and possibly... favors."

a prickle of unease ran through me at the mention of favors. "understood," i said quickly, hoping that wouldn't become an issue.

"good," snape said, glancing at mattheo for a moment, then back at me. "i trust you'll handle this with the discretion it requires. the last thing we need is for word to get out about a supply of phoenix tears going to students."

mattheo's mouth quirked into a small smile. "we'll be discreet, professor," he said, his tone light but carrying an undertone i couldn't quite place.

snape didn't respond, only giving us a pointed look before turning to his desk, signaling the conversation was over. "go on, then. i expect results, not excuses."

i nodded, turning to leave, but mattheo hung back for a second, catching my eye. "well, that wasn't so bad," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

i shot him a look. "you're ridiculous," i said, but there was a slight grin tugging at the corner of my lips despite myself.

he winked, obviously satisfied with his ability to mess with me. "maybe. but now we have a mission. let's see how we handle this."

"but how are we going to get out of the school without getting caught?" i asked, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach at the thought.

"okay, don't tell anyone i told you this, but draco said hayley told him that her sister mentioned that sometimes she and her friends sneak out of the school because they have a map with hidden exits," he said, lowering his voice like it was some secret.

"okay... but how are we going to get the map?" i asked, still unsure how any of this would work.

"this is where you come in," he said with that annoying smirk of his. "you'll make friends with them."

"but i don't want to use them," i said quietly, feeling a pang of unease. "i don't like using people, not like others do."

"what's that supposed to mean?" he asked, his tone curious but sharp.

i felt a weight in my chest, unsure of how to explain. i hated the idea of using people, of pretending to care just to get something out of them. it felt wrong, and i hated that mattheo seemed to think it was just part of the game. "it's just... i don't want to pretend to be someone's friend just for a map," i said, my voice wavering a little.

he raised an eyebrow, studying me like he was trying to figure me out. "you'd rather get caught and fail the whole thing?"

i looked away, feeling conflicted. "i don't know," i whispered. "i just don't want to be like them."

he didn't say anything for a moment, just watching me, his expression softening slightly. "you're not like them," he said quietly, and for once, i believed him. but it didn't make the idea any easier.

"maybe i just don't want to feel like i'm taking advantage of anyone," i said, more to myself than to him.

he was quiet, thinking it over, before giving a slow nod. "i get it," he said, his voice a little gentler now. "but sometimes, you have to play the game, eloise. whether you like it or not."

i sighed, unsure. "i guess we'll see."

i stared at the floor for a moment, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me. mattheo had a point, i knew that. sometimes, playing the game was the only way to get what you wanted. but the idea of using people just didn't sit right with me. i wasn't like that, or at least, i didn't want to be.

"so what do we do now?" i asked, breaking the silence and trying to push the feeling aside.

mattheo glanced around, making sure no one was listening, then leaned in closer. "we wait," he said. "we have to get closer to them, figure out who's got the map and how we can get our hands on it."

"and i'm supposed to just... be their friend?" i said, still unsure. "how do i even start?"

he shrugged, his usual confidence returning. "you're charming. you'll figure it out." there was a smirk on his face, but it didn't feel as teasing this time. it was almost like he was genuinely trying to reassure me.

i couldn't help but feel a little frustrated. "i don't want it to be that easy. i don't want to just go up to them and pretend to care," i said, my voice a little more heated now.

mattheo's expression softened slightly. "i get it," he said again, his tone more serious. "but sometimes you don't have a choice. not if you want to get what you need."

i didn't reply right away, still feeling uneasy. everything about this situation felt wrong, like i was being pulled in a direction i didn't want to go. but at the same time, i knew mattheo was right. we couldn't afford to fail. not now.

"alright," i said after a moment, my voice quieter. "i'll do it. but i don't like it."

he nodded, his eyes a little more understanding than usual. "i know. but we'll figure it out, okay? together."

i didn't know why his words made me feel a little better, but they did. maybe it was the way he wasn't pushing me, the way he actually seemed to get it. but still, a part of me couldn't shake the feeling that this was going to be more complicated than either of us expected.

 ⋆˚࿔ 𝜗𝜚˚⋆

"i need your help," i whispered to hayley, leaning in slightly since we were in the library with draco, enzo, and tom. it wasn't the best time to talk, but i couldn't wait any longer.

"what happened? are you okay?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

"it's not anything bad," i said quickly, not wanting her to worry. "but mattheo told me that draco told him—well, anyway, he basically said that you know your sister and her friends sometimes sneak out of the school because they have a map."

"mattheo told you that draco told him?" hayley repeated, her eyes narrowing a little.

"yeah, but that's not important. what's important is the map," i said, trying to keep her focus.

hayley kicked draco under the table. "why did you tell mattheo about the map?" she asked, her voice sharp.

"what map?" enzo asked, looking confused.

"nothing, just get back to your homework," i snapped, not wanting to get sidetracked.

"who told you?" draco asked, clearly irritated.

"mattheo told elo," hayley answered, a little too bluntly.

"guys, that's not the point," i said, desperate to keep the conversation on track. "the map is what matters."

"why do you want the map?" tom asked, his curiosity piqued.

"it's for the phoenix tears," i said, my voice quiet but serious. "i found out how to get them, but they're not anywhere near."

"where are they?" enzo asked, leaning in, now more interested.

"they're in diagon alley," i said, feeling the weight of the situation. i couldn't help but sound more serious than usual. this wasn't just a casual request anymore. this was important.

"gah, damn," enzo muttered under his breath. i could hear madam pine's loud "shh!" from across the library.

"sorry!" enzo apologized quickly, trying to sit still as madam pine shot us a disapproving look.

the tension in the air was palpable. everyone was now focused on me, their curiosity mixed with caution. i could feel my heart racing. this was it. this was the plan. but i couldn't shake the feeling that everything was about to get a lot more complicated than i had imagined.

"they're for the project that professor snape assigned," i explained, my voice lower now, making sure no one overheard us. "we're supposed to brew a complicated potion, and phoenix tears are one of the key ingredients."

hayley raised an eyebrow, still processing everything. "you mean you're going to go all the way to diagon alley just for some tears from a phoenix?" she asked, clearly skeptical.

"yeah, it sounds insane, but the potion requires it," i said, my hands starting to fidget. i felt that familiar unease creeping in, but i couldn't afford to back out now. "the thing is, i'm not even sure how to get them. i heard they're rare, and from what snape said, you can't just walk into any store and buy them. that's why i need the map—to get out of school and go to diagon alley without anyone noticing."

draco, who had been silent until now, looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "why don't you just ask snape for them?" he said, almost too casually.

draco, who had been silent until now, turned to me with a raised eyebrow. "why don't you just ask snape for them?" he asked, his tone almost too casual, as if the solution were obvious.

frustration flared inside me. i shot him a sharp look, crossing my arms. "because i already did," i snapped, my voice edged with irritation. "and he told me the only place that 'sells' them is in diagon alley."

i could feel the heat rising to my face, a mix of annoyance and exhaustion settling in my chest. as if it were that simple. as if snape would just hand over something as rare as phoenix tears without a second thought.

hayley crossed her arms, her gaze thoughtful. "so you want to sneak out and get them. but you need the map."

"exactly," i said, relief flooding me that she understood. "i know it's risky, but it's the only way."

"and you're okay with this?" hayley asked, her voice a little softer now.

i hesitated, the weight of the decision settling on my chest. "i don't have a choice," i said quietly. "it's the only way to pass the project. and i don't want to fail. not now."

there was a long pause, everyone absorbing what i said. enzo, still sitting up straight, looked at me with a mix of disbelief and admiration. "that's insane, but... you're really going through with it?"

"i don't have much of a choice," i repeated, my voice firmer now, even though i was trying to convince myself as much as them.

hayley sighed, finally uncrossing her arms. "fine," she said, a little reluctant. "we'll get you the map. but i'm not going to be part of any sneaking around. if anyone finds out, it's on you."

i nodded quickly, grateful for her help, even if she didn't fully agree. "thank you, hayley. i won't let you down."

draco smirked, looking at me with that familiar mischievous glint in his eyes. "this is going to be interesting," he muttered under his breath.

tom, ever the quiet one, spoke up. "just be careful, eloise. if you get caught... it won't just be snape you'll have to worry about."

"i know," i said, my stomach twisting at the thought of what might happen if we got caught. "but it's the only way."

"can i go with you and mattheo?" enzo asked, his tone serious but with a hint of curiosity.

i blinked, caught off