Chapter Text
The Hogwarts Express rattled steadily along the tracks as Adelaide Grace Granger stared out the window.
The countryside blurred past in shades of green and gold, but she wasn't really looking at it.
Instead, she was reading.
Again.
Hermione sat opposite her with a book balanced on her lap.
Ron was asleep beside the window, mouth slightly open.
Harry was attempting to complete a game of wizard's chess against Ginny and losing spectacularly.
"You're reading that again?" Ginny asked.
Addie glanced up from her book.
"Yes."
"You finished it yesterday."
"Yes."
Ginny narrowed her eyes.
"You've memorised it, haven't you?"
"Possibly."
"Merlin, you're impossible."
Addie grinned.
"Takes one to know one."
Ginny threw a Chocolate Frog at her.
She caught it without looking.
Years of Quidditch.
Hermione didn't even glance up from her own book.
"That was impressive."
"Thank you."
"I was talking about the fact you caught it while reading."
Addie smirked.
"I know."
Ron groaned from beside the window.
"How are there two of you?"
"Practice," Hermione answered.
The compartment erupted into laughter.
For the first time all summer, Addie felt completely at ease.
No exams.
No essays.
No training.
Just Hogwarts waiting at the end of the journey.
Their final year.
The thought felt strange.
Seven years.
It had gone by too quickly.
Soon they'd be adults.
Soon they'd leave the castle behind.
Soon everything would change.
She wasn't ready for that.
The train finally pulled into Hogsmeade Station shortly after sunset.
Students flooded onto the platform.
Voices echoed through the cool evening air.
Addie adjusted the strap of her bag and stepped onto the platform beside Hermione.
The castle stood in the distance.
Golden.
Familiar.
Home.
She smiled despite herself.
"Hogwarts," Harry said quietly.
"Hogwarts," she agreed.
The journey up to the castle felt like stepping into an old photograph.
Everything looked exactly the same.
The moving staircases.
The floating candles.
The enchanted ceiling.
The chatter filling the Great Hall.
Yet somehow everything felt different.
Maybe because it was their last first day.
Addie slid onto the Gryffindor bench beside Ginny.
Across the hall, the Slytherin table was already packed.
She barely noticed them.
At least at first.
Then a familiar voice drifted across the hall.
Deep.
Amused.
Arrogant.
Addie looked up.
There he was.
Mattheo Riddle.
Dark hair.
Sharp features.
A lazy smirk permanently attached to his face.
Surrounded by Theodore Nott, Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson.
The usual crowd.
As if sensing her stare, Mattheo glanced across the hall.
Their eyes met.
Hazel against dark brown.
For a moment neither looked away.
Then his smirk widened.
Addie immediately rolled her eyes.
"What's that look for?" Hermione asked.
"Riddle exists."
"Oh."
Hermione understood instantly.
"Still hate him?"
"Hate is a strong word."
Hermione raised an eyebrow.
Addie sighed.
"Fine. Yes."
Across the hall, Mattheo was still looking at her.
The absolute audacity.
Addie offered him her sweetest smile.
Then held up one finger.
Not the rude one.
Just enough to tell him exactly what she thought.
Theo nearly choked on his drink.
Blaise burst out laughing.
Pansy looked delighted.
Mattheo's smirk somehow grew wider.
"Oh, this year is going to be fun," he mouthed.
Addie scoffed.
Fun?
For him maybe.
For her?
Absolutely not.
Because if there was one thing Adelaide Grace Granger knew for certain, it was this:
Mattheo Riddle had spent six years being the most infuriating person in Hogwarts.
And somehow, despite every class, every argument and every competition they had ever shared—
Seventh year was already looking worse.