Rivalry · Y/n story by @harrypottehluv

The Hufflepuff common room was a sea of gold and black, the enchanted ceiling above casting a warm, honeyed glow over the throng of students. The air was thick with the scent of spiced pumpkin juice, butterbeer, and the faint, sweet tang of something stronger being passed around in unmarked flasks.

Pansy Parkinson

Look at them. Like a herd of particularly dim-witted nifflers. she tilted her chin toward the center of the room, where a group of Hufflepuffs were attempting a complicated dance and failing spectacularly.

Astoria Greengrass

giggling At least they're having fun. Better than the Slytherin common room, where the most exciting thing all week was Draco's new cologne.

Pansy Parkinson

That was exciting. she deadpanned, and Astoria snorted.

Across the room, a familiar mop of black hair bobbed above the crowd. Harry. He was laughing at something Ron had said, his arm slung around Hermione's shoulders, looking every bit the Golden Boy. He caught your eye for a moment and raised his glass, a grin spreading across his face. You returned it with a small, tight smile of your own.

Mattheo Riddle

his voice was a low, velvet murmur against your ear You look like you're plotting something.

You turned your head. Mattheo Riddle was lounging against the back of the sofa, all sharp cheekbones and darker intentions. His smile was a slow, dangerous curve, and his eyes, dark as soot, were fixed on you with an unsettling intensity.

Pansy Parkinson

her eyes narrowed Riddle. Shouldn't you be off brooding in a corner somewhere?

Mattheo Riddle

he didn't even look at her, his gaze never leaving yours I was. But then I saw something more interesting.