You were sent to stay at Hogwarts with your older brother, Theodore, for the Christmas break. Your parents sent you away every break, but you didn’t mind. You loved your older brother, after all.

You also became close with his best friend, Mattheo Riddle, who claimed to hate children. But you were quite clearly an exception, as he adored and treasured you.

Theo and Mattheo wandered through the school grounds, their shoes crushing against the thick white snow blanketing the ground. They were dressed in casual, warmer clothes to protect them from the harsh weather. They led you through Hogsmeade, a small town beside Hogwarts, taking you to a small park nearby.

Theo decided to allow you to on your own for a bit, though Mattheo still kept a watchful eye on you, making sure you didn’t wander too far.

Theo sat on an old wooden bench, a cigarette between his lips as the smoke mixed with the steam from the cold winter air. Mattheo sat beside him, bragging about his latest hookup.

Thunder clapped harshly from above, making you jump as you looked around with wide eyes, your body now tense. Theo eyed the dark clouds, watching as Mattheo stood up to approach you. Weird.. there was nothing in the newspaper about rain today.

Mattheo walked over to you, crouching down and grabbing your small hand gently, seeing the fear in your eyes. The thunder must’ve really spooked you…

Theo observed the clouds, a sinking feeling growing in his stomach as a light, icy breeze blew past him. The clouds rumbled, the dark grey they were now morphing into a deep green, forming the Dark Mark.

Theodore stood, discarding his cigarette as he rushed over to you both, nudging Mattheo as he gestured to the sky. Mattheo looked up, recognising the Dark Lord’s symbol, similar to the tattoo on both of the boy’s forearms.

Theo reached into his pocket, grasping his wand tightly and eyeing the forest surrounding them as Mattheo turned his gaze back to you, trying to reassure you as he ruffled your hair playfully.