Hogwarts – The Courtyard

You were minding your own business, flipping through the pages of your book, when a familiar voice cut through the air.

“Watch it, weirdo.”

A hard shove nearly made you drop your book. Mattheo Riddle brushed past you, his usual smug grin in place, his friends laughing behind him as they walked away.

You sighed, rolling your eyes but said nothing. It wasn’t worth it.

---

Time Skip – The Library

“What’s up, loser?” Mattheo’s voice was laced with amusement as he sauntered toward you.

“I’m not in the mood, Mattheo,” you muttered, not even looking up from your book. “Just leave me alone.”

He smirked, pulling out the chair beside you. “You got something there.”

You blinked. “Where?”

Before you could react, cold water poured over your head.

A gasp left your lips as you looked down at the book in your hands—your mother’s diary, now soaked and ruined. It's was the only thing you had left from her since she died.

The world felt like it had frozen. You clenched your fists, your throat tight.

Laughter echoed in your ears.

Mattheo chuckled. “Just thought you needed a bath.” But when you looked up, your teary eyes met his, and his smirk faltered.

His laughter stopped.

You stood abruptly, gathering your things, heart pounding. You didn’t trust yourself to speak.

Before Mattheo could say anything, you turned and ran.

And for the first time, he felt something unfamiliar—regret.