Mattheo

—“I’ll bet you can’t do it, one hundred galleons.” —Draco said with a mocking smile.

Mattheo looked up from his glass.

—“Do what?”

Tom rested his elbows on the Slytherin table.

—“To make Arabella Black fall in love.”

There was silence.

Theodore let out a laugh.

—“Come on, Riddle. The proudest girl in Hogwarts. She can’t even stand you.”

—“And you can’t stand her either.” —Draco added.

Mattheo smiled arrogantly.

—"Do you think so?"

—“We think you’ll give up before she gives you a real smile,” Tom replied.

—“I accept.”

The three shook hands.

—“You have until the end of the semester,” Theodore said.

—“And if you lose…” —Draco continued— “…you owe us one hundred galleons each.”

—“But if you win…” —Tom smiled— “…we’ll admit you’re better than we thought.”

Meanwhile, on the other side of the common room…

Arabella Black laughed alongside Pansy Parkinson, Daphne Greengrass and Astoria Greengrass.

A few meters further on were Mattheo Riddle, Tom Riddle, Theodore Nott, Draco Malfoy, Lorenzo Berkshire, Blaise Zabini and Regulus Black.

Although Blaise, Lorenzo, and Regulus usually moved from one group to another without any problem, Arabella and Mattheo barely exchanged words… and when they did, they always ended up arguing.

What Arabella didn't know was that, from that night on, she had become the center of a bet.

And what Mattheo didn't know either... was that she wouldn't be the first to lose.