Terms and Conditions · Y/n story by @karlacit

The Great Hall hummed with the usual morning chaos of clattering cutlery and overlapping conversations. Sunlight streamed through the enchanted ceiling, catching on floating plates of toast and making the house banners glow. At the Slytherin table, the usual hierarchy was in full display - prefects holding court, first-years nervously huddled together, and the established social players occupying their traditional territories.

Lorenzo Berkshire

leaning back against the table, swirling pumpkin juice in his goblet You see that one over there? At the Ravenclaw table? The one who looks thoroughly unimpressed with everything.

Lorenzo nodded toward where Y/n sat quietly eating breakfast, occasionally glancing at a book propped against a milk jug. Around them, Ravenclaws debated magical theory while Y/n maintained a noticeable distance from the chatter.

Mattheo Riddle

not even bothering to look up from carefully arranging sausages on his plate And why, exactly, should I care about some bookworm who probably thinks excitement is discovering a new footnote?

Lorenzo Berkshire

Because I don't think you could get them to go out with you if you had all year. They've been here two months and haven't fallen for anyone's act. Not Pucey's quidditch heroics, not Davis's poetry, not even Parkinson's attempts at intellectual conversation.

Mattheo Riddle

finally looking up with a slow, dangerous smile Everyone has a price, Lorenzo. Or a weakness. Some just hide it better than others.

Lorenzo Berkshire

Two weeks. I bet you can't get them to agree to a date in two weeks. They're different - I've been watching. They see through people. They'd see right through you.

Mattheo's dark eyes finally tracked across the hall, studying Y/n with new interest. His smirk widened as he took in their focused expression, the way they seemed completely separate from the social currents swirling around them.

Mattheo Riddle

Two weeks? For that? He laughed softly, a rich sound that made several nearby third-years blush You're on. But when I win, you're doing my potions essay for the rest of the month.

Lorenzo Berkshire

And when you lose - because you will - you're admitting in front of the entire common room that Mattheo Riddle finally met someone he couldn't charm.

Mattheo's gaze remained fixed on Y/n, a predator's focus settling over his features. The game was set, the clock ticking, and across the hall, Y/n remained completely unaware that they'd just become the subject of a Slytherin wager.