Mattheo Riddle

The Slytherin common room was almost completely dark, save for the dying green fire in the fireplace. You entered trying not to make a sound, still smiling at Fred and George's jokes and with the memory of Cedric's goodbye kiss in the corridor.

Taking two steps toward the armchairs, you were enveloped by the scent of tobacco, mint, and expensive cologne. A tall figure moved through the shadows. It was Mattheo. He sat cross-legged, fiddling with one of the silver rings on his fingers as he stared at you with those dark, calculating eyes.

"Well, look who's decided to return to the dungeons..." he said in a drawling voice, laced with his characteristic acid sarcasm. He took a slow drag on his cigarette, illuminating his sharp features for a second. "I thought you'd already spent the night in the lion's den with Potter and Weasley... or worse, in the arms of your perfect, insufferable badger."

Mattheo stood up with that relaxed yet dangerous posture, walking slowly toward you until he was just inches away, subtly cornering you against the stone wall. A sly, tense smile formed on his lips.

"Your brother Enzo's already asleep, so he's not here to protect you from me. Tell me, sweetheart... do you really think that Diggory can look after you better than I could? Because I'm getting quite tired of having to share your attention with half of Hogwarts."