LOVE GAME
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vol one — losing game

˗ˏˋ CHAPTER THREE — CEDRIC AND I? 'ˎ˗

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Mattheo kept Mickenna close, his arm wrapped securely around her shoulders as they left the tower and made their way to the Slytherin Common Room. Mickenna had a free period and Mattheo made the decision to skip his class to be with her.

Mickenna was still shaken up from the lesson and Mattheo was as curious as to why just like everyone else in their class, "You okay?" Mattheo asked as they now stood in front of the entrance to the Slytherin Common Room, the door wait for the password before granting them entrance, "I'm just not a fan of the Darks Arts, that's all." Mickenna said, managing a smile, Mattheo believed her, for the most part. Mattheo took his arm off Mickenna, the girl missing the warmth immediately but he slid his hand into hers before facing the entrance, "Pure-blood." Mattheo said and the door opened immediately, "You don't mind being here do you?" Mattheo asked, noticing her hesitation.

"No I don't, I've never been in you common room before." Mickenna admitted, Mattheo was almost shocked due to how popular Slytherin parties were and he's seen Hufflepuffs at their parties before, "So I'm assuming you've never been to one of our parties." Mattheo concluded as they walked in, hand in hand. "No but I've heard a lot about them, nearly put our to shame a few times." Mickenna said with a giggle, Mattheo chuckling along with her.

       Mickenna took in the ambience of the Slytherin Common Room, the common room was a dungeon-like room with greenish lamps and chairs. Mickenna immediately noticed the lake could be seen threw the windows giving an extraordinary view. The common room had lots of low backed black and dark green button-tufted, leather sofas; skulls; and dark wood cupboards. It was decorated with tapestries featuring the adventures of famous Medieval Slytherins. It had quite a grand atmosphere, but also quite a cold one. Mickenna admired the beauty of the room, Mattheo stood slightly away watching Mickenna as she looked around, before coming over to her and guiding her to one of the sofas.

        "Never seen someone so intrigued by the dungeon." Mattheo said once the two sat. "I like it." Mickenna said simply, "A lot different from Hufflepuffs." Mattheo said, Mickenna nodded the Hufflepuff basement was a bit brighter with a lot of different variations of plants due to the fact their head of house, Professor Sprout, was also the head of herbology. Mickenna adored the earthiness of her common room but there was something comforting about the Slytherin dungeon that she could help but love.

        "What happened in class, Mickenna?" Mattheo asked placing his hand over hers in a comforting manner. Mickenna stilled for a moment, she never spoke about that night, no one outside her family other than the professors, Elora, and Cedric knew about it all, the ministry did the girls and Jerlyn a favor keeping any information about the night a secret.

        "They're unforgivable for a reason. Terrible things happen because of those curses." Mickenna said making eye contact with Mattheo, the boy saw an emotion in her eyes he never saw, like she was reliving something that scared her deeply. "When Mad-Eye asked if it seemed familiar, what was he talking about?" Mickenna wasn't the lying type, she never was so she knew she wouldn't be able to lie to Mattheo, especially with the feeling she was developing for him and Marjorie knew how her little sister worked, so she said exactly what Marjorie told her to say.

        "Marjorie and I witnessed the curses being used when we lived closer to other wizarding families." Mickenna said, "Is that why your aunt moved you guys into a muggle area?" Mattheo concluded, Mickenna only nodded, "I'm sorry." Mickenna looked at the boy confused, "It's not your fault, there's no need to be sorry." Mickenna said with a smile, finally intertwining her fingers with his.

        The two shared and moment in silence, enjoying each other's company, neither realizing how close they really were, until Mattheo moved his free hand to Mickenna's face, her green eyes meeting his brown ones slowly, Mattheo could tell the girl was nervous but she didn't back away once he started leaning in, he was the one who hesitated, this would be Mickenna's first kiss, but he wasn't entirely sure if she wanted it to be but before he could react or pull back to say anything, she closed the gap.

        Their lips danced gracefully with each other, Mattheo let go of her hand and brought his to the other side of her face, holding it in his hands as her hand found their way to his chest, Mattheo felt something he never felt when kissing Mickenna, she wasn't like the many other random girls he's planted one on, hers held more emotion, more meaning, but the sound of footsteps startled the girl, causing her to break away, the two looked over seeing Mattheo's friend the footsteps had belonged to Crabbe, Goyle, and Draco whilst Theo, Enzo, Blaise, and Pansy stood staring at the two, smirking.

         "Bringing an outsider into our common room? Classy, Riddle." Pansy said with a laugh, Mickenna stood up frantically, Mattheo standing as well positioning himself in front of her, "Nothing wrong with having company from someone else." Mattheo said, he felt Mickenna grip onto his hand and forearm, he knew she wasn't scared of them, just felt like she was invading their space, "There's nothing wrong with you being here, ignore Parkinson, I do." Mickenna looked up at Mattheo who had a small smile on his face, "Never said there was a problem, don't get so defensive, Riddle, but you could've at least introduced her." Pansy added, knowing she couldn't intervene with Mattheo and Mickenna, it would be cheating after all.

"You already know who she is." Mattheo said, "Not formally." Pansy said leaning over making eye contact with Mickenna, who relaxed and smiled brightly at the girl, causing a strange warmth to fill her body, Mattheo felt Mickenna release his hand causing him to look back at her, but she was smiling at Pansy before walking towards her, a part of him wanted to intervene but he learned a bit about how Mickenna worked, and there was no stopping her from attempting to make friends.

Mickenna was a hugger, always has been but she learned from an early age that not everyone shared the same love for affection, so instead of hugging Pansy, she stuck her hand out with a warm smile, "Mickenna, you're Pansy right? We have a couple classes together." Pansy was taken back by the fact Mickenna called her by her first name rather than her last like everyone did, but Pansy nodded taking the girl's hand hesitantly before shaking it, "That right, and few yes." Pansy responded as she withdrew her hand and Mattheo came up to them, snaking his arm around her waist. "Don't be strange, Parkinson. You wanted to formally introduction, now why don't we head to the Goblet room? Heard the Weasley twins were cooking something up." Mattheo said with a chuckled before guiding Mickenna out of the Slytherin Dungeon.

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          Mickenna found her hand laced with Mattheo's as they walked towards the room where the Goblet was, "So the kiss.." Mattheo said trailing off as he slowed his pace keeping himself and Mickenna a bit away from the other Slytherins.

          Mickenna's stomach dropped, worried he regretted it, "Yes?" Mickenna squeaked out nervously, "I know it was your first, I didn't expect them to ruin it." Mattheo said motioning towards his friends, Mickenna let out the air she held before smiling at the Riddle, "They didn't ruin it, it was- perfect." Mickenna said sweetly, the warm feeling in Mattheo returned as they kept intense eye contact, "I'll make it up to you later, just because." Mattheo said lowly as she stroked her cheek with his free hand, the words and gesture made Mickenna's eye widen and her cheek flushed, Mattheo smirked, he loved the effect he had on her, "I-" Mattheo laughed, "Not that." Mattheo said knowing she wasn't nearly as ready for that.

          Mickenna laughed and nodded, Mattheo kissed her cheek sweetly before he tugged her along and into the room, most students stopped and stared at the two as they found a place to sit which was behind Hermione, who was studying. Mickenna watched as
Older students are placing their names into the flame and others are applauding, Mickenna sat inbetween Mattheo and Theodore, as she watch the students put their names in the flame Mattheo watched her, reading her, she was both intrigued and nervous as each student placed their name in the goblet.

          Mattheo soon sees Mickenna's eye roam to the entrance of the room and light up, following her line of sight he spotted Cedric enter laughing with his friends, his hair wet sticking to his face, Cedric spotted Mickenna and smiled showing her a piece of parchment, Mickenna shook her head and laughed, but it had a hint of nervousness behind the laughter, "You seem nervous." Mattheo stated gaining her attention, "Of course, Dumbledore said the tasks were dangerous, I don't want anyone getting hurt." Mickenna said softly, Mattheo nodded placing his hand on her thigh, rubbing it comfortably as Cedric came up to them. "You're hair is soaked." Mickenna said with a laugh, "Well it is raining outside, love."

"Merlin's beard! I had no idea!" Mickenna said sarcastically causing the group as well as Cedric to laugh, "Right well I'll see you later." Cedric said kissing the top of Mickenna's head before leaving with his friends, Mattheo jaw clenched and stayed that way before and after the small interaction between Mickenna and Cedric, "Anything going on between you and Diggory?" Theodore asked before Mattheo had the chance, Mickenna looked at the boy confused, "Cedric and I? No? Nothing at all, why do you ask?" Mickenna asked curiously, Theodore just shrugged, "Curious." Was all he said before going back to the conversation he was previously having with Enzo.

Mickenna looked over at Mattheo who had relaxed after Mickenna answered Theo's question, "You're awfully quiet, something the matter?" Mickenna asked placing her hand on top of his that was still on her thigh, Mattheo smiled, "Everything just fine, Princess." Suddenly the twins come up cheering, other applauding, "Thank you thank you, well lads we've done it." George said with a smile as he stood beside Fred, both with a vile in their hands, "Cooked it up just this morning." Fred added, "Was this what you were talking about earlier?" Mickenna whispered to Mattheo who nodded, "Heard them talking about it after dinner yesterday. They're trying to get pass the age line." Mickenna nodded with a laugh.

"It's not going to work." Hermione said in a sing song tone, "You're such an instigator, Monie." Mickenna said upon seeing the smirks appear in the twins' faces, the two sat on either side of Hermione the same smirks still in their faces, "Oh yeah? And why's that Granger." Fred asks curiously and amused, Hermione huffed, closing her book and pointing towards the line, "You see this? This is an age line. Dumbledore drew it himself."

  "So?" Fred asked not entirely getting the point Hermione was getting at, with shake of her head she looked at both twins before speaking, "So a genius like Dumbledore couldn't possibly be fooled by something pathetically dimwitted such as an age potion." Hermione explained, causing Mickenna to giggle, "That's why it's so brilliant." George said as he and Fred stood, "This ought to be entertaining." Mattheo said pulling Mickenna closer.

"Ready Fred?"

"Ready George?" The twins said as they shook the vials up and linked their arms, "Bottoms up!" They said in unison before downing the liquid and jumped inside the age line, and cheered along with the other students, they then put their names in the flame and high-five one another. "Merlin it worked?" Mickenna said in a surprised tone just before the flame fires up and they're flung across the room onto the floor and as they get up they have full heads of grey hair and beards.

"You said.." The twin say together before they roll around fighting on the floor and the crowd cheers and laughs at the twins antics. "They're going to ask us to help fix this you know that right? Hermione leans back and whispers to Mickenna cause the girl to laugh and nod, "There's no doubt, might as well start the potion." Mickenna adds as she leans over meeting the girl halfway before leaning back slightly against Mattheo, the boy looks down as her and smirks just as the room suddenly becomes silent as Viktor Krum walks in and puts his name in the flame. He looks at Hermione and she smiles.

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A few days had passed and Elora finds Mickenna in the courtyard with Mattheo, the two had become very touchy and close, which put Elora on alert. "Everything okay?" Neville asks as he looked up from his Herbology book to find Elora glaring at Mattheo, "Yeah, I just don't trust Riddle." Elora grumbled, Neville nodded glancing over at Mickenna and Mattheo seeing them laugh, "Mickenna seems happy, doesn't that make you happy?" Neville asked curiously, "He seems very genuine about his feeling for Mickey, you can tell just by his eyes and the way he looks at her." Luna chimed in as she looked up from the ground as she was picking flowers, "It does make me happy, seeing her happy. I'm just worried, he has a reputation."

            "People change." Luna said with a shrug as she went back to picking flowers, "There's nothing wrong with worrying." Neville said with a smile, Elora looked at the boy and smiled, placing her hand in his, a bark blush covered his cheeks as he smiled back at her shyly. Once Neville returned to his textbook, Elora's hand stayed in his as she looked back at the two, the glare finding it's way back onto her face.

            "I don't think your friend likes me very much." Mattheo said nodding towards Elora who was with Neville and Luna across the courtyard, glaring at the Riddle intensely. "She doesn't really like many people, just give her time, she'll warm up to you." Mickenna said softly the two shared a sweet smile, "I was wondering something." Mattheo then said, Mickenna looked up at him with her wide green eyes waiting for him to continue, he was to put his plan into motion easiest way to get the girl to fully fall for him, was to start a relationship with her.

          There was something aching deep in him as he move to face her, something warm as she smiled at him, the same feeling he would get when he received her letters, or hear her laugh, or say his name, Mattheo knew what it was, he was falling for her, he didn't know when or how but he knew he wasn't in love with her, but the feelings were there, and he knew the feeling was mutual, Mickenna was easy to read, he loved it, loved how vulnerable she was for him. But before he could utter a word, a Ravenclaw, who was in the same year as Marjorie, strutted over, completely ignoring Mattheo's presence, which was his first mistake.

        The Ravenclaw was, Daniel Fluncey, a fifth year that had been obsessed with the Grier sisters for years, it took Majorie putting him in the hospital wing for him to finally get the hint that she wasn't interested, Daniel knew of Mickenna's sweet nature, and he thought it would make her easy to get with.

        "Mickenna Grier. Looking good as usual." Daniel said in a tone that just didn't sit right with Mattheo, "Oh uh- hi Daniel." Mickenna said with a nervous smile inching closer to Mattheo, Mickenna was too polite for her own good at times, she never knew how to tell someone they were making her uneasy in fear that it wasn't their intentions and omit would hurt their feelings, "What do you want Fluncey?" Mattheo asked aggressively, Daniel rolled his eyes, another mistake, "Can't you see I'm trying to have a conversation, Riddle?" Mattheo's jaw clinched, "Can't you see we were already having a conversation?"

          Daniel scoffed taking Mickenna's hand which resulted in Mattheo grabbing it and forcing Daniel away, "Don't touch her." Mattheo warned, "And what're you going to do about it?" A chuckled left Mattheo's lips as he made a step towards Daniel quickly and before Daniel could react Mattheo's fist collided with his face causing a gasp to leave Mickenna's lips, "Mattheo!" Mickenna called out going to grabbed ahold of the boy until Daniel's fist hit the Riddle sending him stumbling slightly into Mickenna letting her grab his shoulders, "Thats enough, get away from her Fluncey!" Elora called out from her spot beside Neville before strutting over angrily.

Daniel whipped the blood from her broken nose as Elora pushed him away from the two, "You're bleeding." Mickenna said worriedly as she lightly touched his face, "Maybe he'll finally leave you alone." Elora said standing slightly away from Mickenna and Mattheo, who hadn't taken his eyes off of since she grabbed him, "He does that a lot?"

"He use to go after Marjorie until she beat him senseless in the common room and sent him to the hospital wing, nice punches, Riddle. Maybe you're boyfriend isn't too bad, Mick." Elora said with a smirk causing Mickenna's eyes to widen and Mattheo to quirk an eyebrow, "Uh- I'm going to get him cleaned up." Mickenna stuttered Elora laughed, "Meet me outside to Great Hall afterwards, babes." Mickenna nodded, the two shared quick I love yous before Mickenna dragged Mattheo to the Hufflepuff basement, quickly doing the musical password and took him straight to her dorm room bathroom.

Mickenna grabbed the necessary items to clean Mattheo up, since both her sister and best friend had gotten into plenty fights she always had things on standby, like she did for Marjorie and Elora, Mickenna sat on the counter of her shared bathroom and motions Mattheo to come to her, Mattheo quirked an eyebrow as he positioned himself between her legs, causing a blush to cover her checks at how close he was to her, they've been close before yet he still makes her nervous when they're near, taking a breath Mickenna began lightly cleaning his knuckles first.

Mickenna was gentle not entirely something he was use to when he'd be seen by Madame Pomfrey, "Might give Madame Pomfrey a break for now on and come to you the help clean me up." Mattheo said lowly admiring her as she was concentrated on her work, "I'm sure she'd appreciate it, I've heard you're there quite a lot, same with Theo and Enzo." Mickenna said with a giggle as she finished up his hand and looked up at his face, making eye contact immediately seeing as though he was already looking at her.

"This might sting a little." Mickenna finally said as she patted the cut on his nose, Mattheo was to hypnotize on her to feel the small sting that came from the rubbing alcohol on the gauze she used to clean the bridge of his nose. "And I'd be more than happy to be your nurse, seeing as though you seem to find yourself in fights often." Mickenna said with a smile, "If Fluncey comes at you again I'll put him in the infirmary." Mattheo said seriously his thumbs rubbing circles on her thighs.

Mickenna only smiled, "I'm sure he won't anymore." Mickenna said shaking her head has she put the items down, Mattheo took a step back to let her slide off the counter, not wanting to make her too uncomfortable, though she wasn't, she enjoy his soft touch, just as much as Mattheo was finding himself enjoying.

"Jackson mentioned something, before we left." Mattheo said, "Hm?" Mickenna hummed as she put things away, "Boyfriend?" Mattheo said with a smirk as she watched her stumble around the bathroom nervously, "Huh? I- shes never called you that before I-" Mattheo grabbed ahold of Mickenna's wrists causing her to stop rambling, "Don't worry about it, love. That's what I was trying to talk to you about before Fluncey so rudely interrupted." Mattheo said Mickenna stared up at him with her wide green eyes, oblivious of the meaning behind what he'd said. "Will you? I may be wrong but it sounded like I already got Jackson's approval." Mattheo said with a chuckle, "I- of course Mattheo, I'd love that." Mickenna said with a sweet smile, Mattheo was almost taken by surprise with her acceptation, but it secured his win even further, having talked to Theo the night prior in how he'd engaged in a relationship with Mickenna to win her faster.

          Mattheo smiled, moving his hand to her face, gently stroking it, Mickenna subconsciously started to lean in their lips inches apart until they heard the door to Mickenna's dorm open suddenly, startling the girl. Mattheo hid his frustration, it was the second time their kiss was interrupted, but this time it was interrupted by Mickenna's roommate, Susan Bones.

         "Oh! I'm so sorry, I-" Susan said stumbling over her feet upon seeing the Riddle and Mickenna especially so close, feeling as if she interrupted something she hadn't, "No! It's okay, Susan!" Mickenna exclaimed, "No need to be sorry, it's your room too after all." Mattheo said putting on a smile, "Yes, sorry I mean- Elora, Marjorie, and Cedric are looking for Mickenna, for the announcement for the tournament." Susan said nervously. "Shouldn't keep them waiting, come on, princess." Mattheo said intertwining their hands, leading her out of her dorm, Susan not to far behind them.

Mattheo and Mickenna walked into the Hufflepuff common room hand in hand, Mickenna immediately spotting Cedric waiting by the exit, Cedric kept his smile even after seeing the Slytherin in the common room, "Hey, love." Cedric said kissing the top of Mickenna's head, sending a confused look Mattheo's way as well as towards the intertwined hands, "Diggory." Mattheo said with a nod, Cedric quirked his eyebrow, "Riddle." The room grew awkward before Mickenna broke the silence, "Hoping to get picked?" Cedric brought his attention back to the girl and smiled, "of course, and if I do, I'm hoping my little sister would throw one of her infamous parties."

Mattheo looked towards his girlfriend confused, he and his friends never went to the Hufflepuff parties but had heard about them occasionally, "infamous parties?" Mattheo asked stepping closer to the girl, "You Slytherins miss out on them a lot, I'm sure if we throw one, Mickey will surely drag you to it, she's hard to say no too." Cedric said as the trio walked out of the common room, "Well you're not wrong about that, Diggory." Mattheo said, "They're not that amazing." Mickenna said falling into step with the taller boys, as much as she could.

"Don't be humble, Mickey. I've never gone to bed after your parties,early, sober, or bored." Cedric said looking down at the girl with a smile, both boy subconsciously slowing down to her pace. "I guess we'll see." Mattheo told her softly making her blush under his gaze as they walked up the stairs from the basement and towards the Great Hall where Marjorie, Fred, George, Neville, and Elora were all waiting.

Shock covered their faces seeing Mickenna and Mattheo hand in hand both with smiles on their faces as they spoke to each other after Cedric went ahead of them, "Any idea what's going on with those two?" Cedric asked in a whisper tone towards Marjorie and Elora, "They've been talking all summer, Mattheo beat Fluncey's arse earlier when he was hitting on her. Why?" Elora asked confused, "Well I was waiting for Mickey in the common room and Riddle was with her same way they are now."

"They can't be dating, right? I mean it would be too soon?" Marjorie asked, Cedric shrugged, "I'll ask about it when we get to our table and let you two know." The girls nodded and smiled once the couple finally joined the group.

"I have some people waiting on me, I'll see you after." Mattheo said kissing her softly before walking off toward his friends who had yet to see them, the same fuzzy feeling in the pit of his stomach, but he shook it off as he walked up to Theo and Enzo, "So?" Theo asked, "Got her right where I need her."

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Mickenna found herself between Susan and Cedric as they waiting for Dumbledore to announce the champions for the tri-wizard tournament, Mickenna grew anxious as the time passed, Cedric noticed placing his hand on hers in a comforting manner causing her to look at him, "Everything alright, love?" Cedric asked worried, Mickenna nodded, "Yes, just a little anxious." Mickenna replied just as Dumbledore's voice filled the room, "Sit down please. And now the moment you've all been waiting for, the champions selection!" Dumbledore said enthusiastically as he approaches the blue flame and it glows red. A name comes out. Mickenna stand up straighter as Dumbledore unfolded the paper, "The Durmstrang champion is...Viktor Krum!"

The room filled with cheers, the Durmstrang crowd louder than everyone else as Viktor stood and walked towards the front just as nnother name comes out of the flame, "The champion from Beauxbatons... Fleur Delacour!" Mickenna's eyes widen, she hadn't even known Fleur placed her name in the fire, Mickenna clapped with the others, as supportive as she was, she was also fearful for her close family friend, "The Hogwarts champion... Cedric Diggory." Mickenna's heart dropped at the name, Hufflepuff cheered loudly, Mickenna looked to Cedric and smiled, Cedric chuckled, kissing her head, "Everything will be fine." Cedric whispers to her as he stands going with the other champions, Mickenna couldn't help but feel nervous, sure she was excited for him knowing he wanted this, but she didn't want him getting hurt, none of them.

Once the room grew quiet again Dumbledore spoke, "Excellent! we now have our three champions! But in the end only one will go down in history. Only one will hoist this chalice of champions, this vessel of victory the tri-wizard cup!" People begin to cheer again, until the goblet glows red once more, the room grow quiet, filled with anticipation as another name flies out, Dumbledore takes it and reads, shock and what seems like anger fills his eyes, "Harry Potter. Harry Potter?" Dumbledore says aggressively, "There's no way." Susan said to Mickenna, "He looks just as shocked as the rest of us, I don't think he did it." Mickenna says as her eyes find Harry, "Harry Potter!" Dumbledore yells again, Hermione pushes Harry out of his seat and he slowly walks up. Dumbledore gives him the paper, "He's a cheat! He's not even seventeen yet." Someone yells angrily.

The room fills with angry chatter as Harry goes to join the rest of the champions, "Something isn't right." Mickenna concludes, as a bad feeling fills her stomach.