The party that was originally supposed to be held just in the Slytherin common room had migrated to the entire school. The rager was slightly out of control but, I don't think Filch will be out trying to get anyone in trouble tonight. Well, he could try but, its our last night at Hogwarts, it would serve him no good. The first hour and a half of the party had been fun, drinking with friends, singing along to the music at the top of our lungs, and dancing like we were in a 90s music video. It had all been great until the herb kicked in. Now I was just introspective and standing outside like a performative loser. It was freezing for a June night and I stupidly didn't have a jacket. Going back into the party while overstimulated wasn't an option so now I was just outside staring at the stars.
"What are you doing out here?" A voice startled me and instinctively I palmed my wand that was hidden on my hip. Turning to look towards the voice let me know it was none other than Slytherin golden boy Mattheo Riddle. It was honestly a surprise Slytherin has enough space in their common room for a party while still being able to make space for Riddle's giant ego.
"Ah, it's too early in the night for petty school rivalries." "So accusatory, I'm just asking a perfectly normal question. What's a Ravenclaw brainy like you doing on the outside of the party? I'm sure they'd let you in. I mean even Potter was dancing on the table when I saw him last."
"Putting on a show for Draco no doubt." I muttered into the cool air. Harry and Draco were the world's worst secret relationship. It was honestly amusing to see the lies and situations they'd get themselves tangled in trying to hide a relationship that everyone knew about. I heard a chuckle and realized Mattheo had heard me.
"Honestly, probably. It's disgusting how in love they are. You never answered my question though. What are you doing out here?" I turned to face him and saw him leaning against a pillar lighting a cigarette. "Please stop with the questions and also that childish nickname. I'm tired of hearing it after eight long years. Also, those can kill you ya know?" I saw his eyebrows raise and smirked.
The thing about Riddle is that he unfortunately was never ugly or uncharismatic. The way his hair fell and flopped in his face and those gorgeous brown eyes, it was easy to see why half of Hogwarts student population (let's be honest 70%) was so easily seduced. I had prided myself on never falling for his charms and instead daring to become his worst nightmare. We had been academic rivals ever since second year, even down to our Quidditch lessons with Madam Hooch. I absolutely dreaded flying but, he would never know it.
Our rivalry got so bad that Snape and McGonagall locked us in a classroom during seventh year and wouldn't let us out until we solved our differences. Apparently, we were dividing the school and making it uncomfortable for others to study in the library. According to Ron we needed to "bone it out." but, he'd never boned anything in his life so how would he know. Plus, he's a massive git. Either way we never did bone or even kiss. Our rivalry had never even entered flirting territory. I wasn't even sure he thought of me as a person let alone an attractive person.
"God, what is it with you brainy? Can't we have a simple conversation? Plus, I see nothing wrong with being nicknamed after what you are."
"Oh, really? Then what should I call you. Hmm... maybe I'll start calling you Less Hot Tom."
"Alright, no need to be rude." Perhaps he was right, I was being too defensive. My hand was still on my wand even though he'd made no attempts to move towards me at all. It was time to give up this stupid crush disguised as rivalry. I mean, we'd graduated and I was top of class! I'd won! I'd beaten Mattheo Riddle so, why did I still feel so empty?
"Wow, and all this time I thought it was just playful banter." It was now my turn to smirk as Mattheo seemed caught off guard.
"Maybe it's a little more than playful banter." His saucy wink had me outwardly groaning while inwardly my stomach was doing little flips.
"You asked why I'm out here? Fine. I'm out here because I got overstimulated. There you have it. Your 'brainy' valedictorian actually has ADHD and noise sensitivity. Go on, I'm giving you a free for all. Get all your jokes out now." Something in his posture shifted and he seemed to become more relaxed if that was even possible. He sat down on the steps and stretched his legs out, running a free hand through his hair. It was then I noticed he had a small scar on his nose. It was fresh but, the blood had started to dry. Was it weird that I wanted to lick it? God, what was in this herb? I'm never trusting Neville again. Here I am contemplating licking blood off of my enemy. Lock me in Azkaban I've gone insane.
"I'm not going to make fun of you. Look, I know I was an ass to you -" "We were asses to each other." He looked at me quizzically before carrying on. "Sure, anyway, that was childhood schoolyard bullying stuff. We haven't been rivals since seventh year. Everyone gets overstimulated. I actually despise huge parties."
I was stuck on Mattheo saying we hadn't been rivals since seventh year that all I could do was nod. What did he mean? If we weren't rivals then why was he always looking at me in class or whispering to his friends when I was near? Making weird faces at me across the Great Hall? How did he seemingly know my every move after I made it if it wasn't a long con game of chess? We nearly came to hexing each other (and even did a few times when professors weren't around), how could he stand there and so cavalierly act like it was all a part of the past? That it meant nothing?
"We weren't rivals after seventh year..."
"Yeah, I know. Are you drunk or just not comprehending?" He chuckled to himself and I couldn't help but, roll my eyes. "I'm not inebriated Riddle. I'm actually perfectly sober and I just find it interesting. Everything is so interesting. To say that we weren't rivals when we so obviously were! You can't rewrite history with me. Especially after Daphne-"
Mattheo took a deep sigh and slowly made his way towards me with his hands in his pockets. The look of concern on his face didn't go unnoticed by me.
"You're like a kitten lashing out. Calm down Brainy. You sure you're not on anything? You're acting more wired than usual."
As he stepped towards me goosebumps littered my arms and my eyes widened. Not in fear, no. I was having a very different kind of reaction to Mattheo being so close to me. The smell of his cologne was enticing and made my mouth water. His eyes stared into mine and I felt my heartbeat quickening. Was it finally going to happen? Had all our years of hatred toward each other finally lead us to a kiss? Are we truly enemies to lovers? God, I hadn't made out with anyone in so long I was craving touch even if it came from the Less Hot Tom. I stared at his lips and heard him gasp as he took one step back. Was it my breath? My hair? There's no way I could possibly smell bad.
"You're fucking high! Merlin, of course you're high. This night just..." He trailed off and threw his hands up towards the sky, taking in a deep breath before stepping towards me once more.
"Here, take my jacket. I'll walk you back." "What? You concede just like that? So you did know about Daphne! Admit it, once again you've been bested by me."
"Sure. You got me. Now come on. I'm assuming Neville gave it to you which means we only have a certain amount of time before you become...different. And lucky for you I prefer my partners consenting."
I let Mattheo take me by the arm and it took all my strength not to lean into him. God, he smelled so good and the tightness of his white tee were doing unspeakable things to me. And that scar on his nose; I wondered so badly how he'd gotten it. Maybe I could ask? I looked down at his hands and saw his knuckles were bruised. I wonder what it'd be like to hold hands. They looked so soft.
"You want to hold my hand darling?" Mischief danced in his eyes which probably reflected mine. I did want to hold his hand, I really really did. Stopping us dead in our tracks I grabbed his left arm, turning his palm away from me. As quickly as he could blink I kissed the bruises on his knuckles. "Do they feel better now?" I whsipered. My fingers traced his hand, turning his palm towards me, my fingertips slowly tracing his. In that moment I couldn't stop myself from giggling. "Why are your hands so big!" I stated with a huge smile on my face.
"You're like Frankenstein or Tarzan or something." I felt my smile widen as I grabbed his hand and proceeded to twirl myself like a ballerina. "So I'm like some monster or outcast?" I was humming while spinning but, the mirth in his voice took me aback.
"No, Matty. You're not a monster at all. Frankenstein was the doctor and Tarzan may have been different than his family but, that never stopped him from being fiercely loyal and protective. They weren't monsters at all they, were just a little lonely." I twirled myself directly into his path causing him to quickly grab me by my waist and hold me still.
"Is that your diagnosis future doctor? That I'm lonely?" I gasped and stared into his honey eyes. "How did you know I want to be a doctor?" After bopping him on his nose I gleefully wrapped my arms around his neck. "Have you been stalking me Matty?" My voice sounded airy and light to my own ears and I wondered just how high I really was.
"Maybe or maybe I just find you fascinating. What if I told you that my finding you tonight wasn't an accident?"
Before I could respond I spotted long limbs and ginger hair making its way towards me. "Freddie?" I breathed. "Have you thought I was Weasley just now? Merlin. Theo will never let me live this down. I might actually have to change my name and move. This is -"
"There you are! I've been looking for you everywhere. And I see Riddle is here too." Fred quickly unlaced my fingers from Mattheo's neck and leant my body against his, supporting my weight. "Everything alright Riddle?"
"Yeah Weasley, just getting them back to their dorm. Neville's herb was a bit too strong."
"Ah, well, no need. I'm here now and if anyone should know the dangers of Neville's herb it'll be me since I helped him create it." Mattheo's face contorted into something angry and I couldn't help but wonder why. Freddie was just here to help and he was the chillest person ever. Freddie's my best friend, why be mean to my best friend? Just when I was about to kiss him and maybe let him touch- "Stop talking! All your thoughts are out loud and I would rather never hear about Riddle touching any part of you."
"Whoops." "Yeah, whoops!" Freddie looked like he could pop a blood vessel and Mattheo was a mix of exasperated and upset? Did he not want to kiss me? Had I made things too awkward? Oh God, just swallow me up right now or strike me with lightning. Literally anything to get me out of this.
"You helped Neville make an herb that heightens the need for physicality the more the high kicks in. You made horny weed?! With fucking Neville Longbottom?!" Mattheo was yelling at Fred by this point and I was sure they were going to cause a scene.
"It's not horny weed or it wasn't meant to be anyway. It's laced with a small love potion that's just supposed to give people courage to talk to their crushes. What they do after that is their own thing." "You're a fucking idiot Weasley. Why give Brainy some then?"
"He wasn't supposed too. He gave it to Hermione and I guess she shared. It was just for Hermione to get the courage to shag Pansy. They've been dancing around all year. Everyone consented. I'm not some freak perv."
Mattheo's eyes narrowed as he stepped closer to Fred. "You're not some freak perv Weasley? You really want to look me in my face and fucking lie to me?"
"Woah, okay I think everyone should calm down. I love Freddie and he's not some freaky freak. And I like you too Mattheo and you're not a freaky freak either so everything is all good." I tried to do a double thumbs up but, couldn't concentrate and ended up tripping over my feet. Freddie wrapped his arm around my waist to help me not hit the ground and Mattheo lost it.
"Let.them.go." "Or what?" "Or i'll fucking make you, that's what."
Their voices had started to echo in the halls and partiers took notice. Theo came from behind a hidden corridor with Blaise hot on his trail. Theo's shirt was half undone and maybe it was this Neville weed talking but, the view wasn't half bad. Theo winked in my direction and I just about turned into a puddle of goo. I'd forgotten Mattheo and Freddie were about to fight until Blaise moved me out of the way.
"What's going on?" Theo asked while sizing up Fred and Oliver Wood who had mysteriously appeared out of nowhere.
"Weasley's trying to take them home." "You were trying to do the same thing and for your information I'm actually their best friend and can ensure they get back safely. You're just trying to add another notch to your post."
"You stupid motherfucker. I wasn't the one who gave them Neville's herb and then conveniently came around once it started to kick in. You're a fucking perv for even helping to create it!"
"He's got you there. I mean, I partook because let's be honest we've all seen Blaise and while he may find me insufferable he also finds me hot. Brainy on the other hand only finds knowledge hot so...like... osmosis or whatever." "Not helping, Theo." Theo dramatically rolled his eyes. "Look are we going to fight or not? I have better things to do and the better things is standing right there!" Theo pointed to Blaise who shook his head in exasperation but, didn't deny Theo's claims.
"Hey Brainy, who do you want to go with?" Having all eyes on me was a daunting feeling and my brain felt like it was short circuiting. There were too many hot people, besides Oliver because ew, around me and it was messing with my mind. Before I could think I screamed out "I want everyone to stop calling me Brainy! I have a name and it's a damn good one so, let's all stop insulting my parents naming abilities and call me by my freaking name. Also, Chinese takeaway. I really want Chinese takeaway and Freddie knows the best spot. We could all go! It'll be so fun like a bonding time or like a fancy food time or something. I don't know I feel so uncomfortable. Maybe Wood could leave?"
Blaise burst into laughter and kissed the top of my head. He'd always been sweet to me during our years at Hogwarts and now was no different.
"There you have it Mattheo, they're going with ginger. I like this whole hero protection thing you've got going on though. Suits you. Blaisey poo lets roll." Theo blew kisses at Blaise and started to seductively take off his shirt.
Blaise looked at Theo with a sort of stern fondness and said "I dare you to finish taking that off in front of everybody." Theo plastered on a shit eating grin before making a cross across his chest and saying "I'm sorry father for I have sinned" before taking off running. "That was one semester I thought about being a priest. Just one!" Blaise took off after him and in the distance yelps and moans could be heard.
"Well. Uh, this has been eventful. Glad we didn't fight Riddle because you're actually kinda cool when you're not being ya know, a Slytherin. I seriously would never hurt them and I didn't know they'd smoked until after I talked to Hermione. You could come get Chinese with us but, I don't like you that much."
Mattheo had already lit another cigarette and started walking away before I called out to him. "Wait, just don't forget you're Tarzan okay?" Mattheo smirked and nodded before yelling "Sure Brainy and anytime you want me to swallow you up, you know where to find me."
I gasped as he walked away. I said I wanted God to swallow me up and Mattheo Riddle is definitely not God. He's the Less Hot Tom. I've got to make that nickname stick.
As Freddie and I walked in the other direction I couldn't help but, smile as I realized I was still wearing his leather jacket. It smelled divine and I couldn't help but, wonder what would happen when I had to give it back.