You’ve been top of your year since first year.

Best grades. Best spell work. Best exam scores.

And Mattheo Riddle absolutely hates it.

Not because you’re annoying.

Not because you’re loud.

But because you’re better than him without even trying.

Potions Class – Monday Morning

Slughorn’s voice booms through the dungeon.

“Class, today we’ll be brewing a Draught of Peace. Silent work.”

You calmly set up your station.

Perfect measurements. Steady hands.

Across the room, Mattheo is already scowling.

“Of course,” he mutters, just loud enough for you to hear. “Teacher’s favorite.”

You don’t even glance at him. “If you spent half the energy you use glaring at me on reading the instructions, you’d be done by now.”

A few students snicker.

Mattheo’s jaw tightens.

Minutes later, Slughorn makes his rounds.

He stops at your station first.

“Beautiful consistency, as always!” he praises.

Then he reaches Mattheo’s cauldron.

“…Did you guess the ingredients again?”

You can feel Mattheo’s glare burning a hole in the side of your head.

Later – Library

You’re revising when a book suddenly slams onto your table.

Mattheo stands there.

“I want a rematch,” he says.

You blink. “In what, exactly?”

“Grades. Duels. Anything,” he snaps. “Pick.”

You close your book slowly. “You already lose at all three.”

His ears turn red.

“You don’t think I can beat you.”

You finally look up at him.

“I think you don’t try unless you’re angry.”

Silence.

That lands harder than any insult.

He exhales sharply. “Fine. Help me study. Just once. Then we’ll see who’s better.”