I turned around facing the same Mattheo who was my first friend, but also the Mattheo who had been cruel to his siblings. Memories flashed in my mind like lightning.

FLASHBACK TO WHEN EMERLYN WAS NINE.

I had just recently been placed in this orphanage everything about it felt dull and, strange. Every child located in Wool's orphanage seemed to have a friend group of their own. Just me who was almost like the black sleep, I didn't seem to fit anywhere.

The children were out exploring many parts near the orphanage and so was I, sitting on the healthy green grass simply enjoying the sun in grief while I deeply missed my parents, wishing they were sitting beside me. 

Then a boy with curly hair and a friendly smile sat beside me, the first thing I noticed about him was his blue tie was done wrong. 

"Do you mind if I sit beside you?" He questioned. I nodded giving him space and he took a seat, I scooped just a tiny bit away from him, keeping my distance.

"I see that you're new." He continued, to which I nodded in agreement again. "What's your name?"

I stayed silent, no word could form in my mouth. All I wanted was my mother to come and tell me we were going home. Sadly, there was no home, no parents.

He awkwardly waited for a response but was only met by silence. 

"Well-" He tried breaking the weird silence. "I'm...Mattheo...Mattheo Riddle.." He declared offering me his hand to shake. 

My hand met his, and that would mark my very first friendship. 

Over time, I grew closer with his sister but not really close. Serena was the youngest person there and everyone adored her, but I was yet to form a friendship with Tom.

1 YEAR LATER. (Mattheo is 11, Tom and Emerlyn are 10)

"I want to show you a trick." Asserted Mattheo, taking out a seed from his pocket along with his wand, and turned the seed into a full-grown fiery red colored rose. 

I watched in surprise as he handed me the rose just then Tom interfered joining the two of us.

"Whatcu'doing with her?" He inquired giving me a dirty eye. I wasn't really sure why Tom envied me. Moreover, he seemed to always mock me for not speaking, for being mute. 

"What's wrong with her?" Protested Mattheo, leaning his arm around my neck lazily.

Before Tom could retort anything, Mattheo spoke again. "Come on Tom, sort it out; just become friends." He suggested in a lazy manner.

"I'm not going to be friends with a mute person." He replied gesturing his eyes on mine symbolizing disgust. That's it, I wasn't going to let Tom walk all over me. I'd had enough of him always mocking me.

The suppressed anger in me finally exploded. "I'm not mute!" I bellowed and Mattheo flinched sliding his arm off my neck, his eyes widening after hearing my appealing voice for the very first time. Tom too showed hints of surprise, his eyebrows frowning. 

END OF FLASHBACK.

"You should get going Mattheo.." I suggested being snapped back to reality from all the flashbacks running through my mind.

"By the way.." He spoke, planning to head off. "I never ever imagined you and Draco..." He came to a halt piquing my curiosity to its highest.

"Me and Draco...what?"

"Would ever be together, I mean I was more than shocked..."

                                                                 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

A depressed, grumpy December had arrived. Other than admiring the white shining pale blankets of snow laid across London, I wasn't much fond of winter or - the cold. The holidays had arrived and today it was just me who had gone to work; the temperature drop had affected Draco heavily giving him a nagging flu. 

I wanted to take care of him, like a normal wife. Feed him soup, place a blanket over him, and help him. However, he simply wouldn't allow it, we were nothing but strangers and I hated it.

I hated every moment of it, I hated him treating me like a stranger. It'd make me so frustrated that tears would form in my eyes in silent moments, and he'd notice those tears for a second. I could see in him a desire rising, telling him to do something about it; but he'd simply walk away only leaving me more vulnerable. 

I craved Draco, his conversations, his affection. Everything about him.

However, today I witnessed a different scene. Instead of him either taking a silent nap, drinking coffee in the kitchen, or reading a book/daily prophet; I witnessed him placing some of his clothes in a mini suitcase.

Panic fluttered all through my chest; as my breaths pounded heavier. Was he moving out? Was he going to leave me?

I approached him and parted my lips to speak, but he was quicker.

"Pack up some of your stuff, my parents and aunt wanted me to-" His elbow reached for his lips as he let out a cough along with a sniff. "-visit them along with you-" He let out another dreadful cough. 

I ignored his comment. "Draco, the cold is getting worse- you need to really rest-"

"I'm fine." He shut me down. "Pack up you're belongings-" Another cough. 

"As- we'll probably come back after New Years." He coughed again.

It was now that I realized I'd be facing Bellatrix and Lucius. The veins in my heart felt tight, I didn't know if I was ready to face those killers. Maybe, I'd hold Barty's death a bit more, at least not until New Years was over.  

                                                       - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Dear, Tom

        I will be staying with Draco and his parents until the New Years, shame I can't spend it with you and Serena like usual. We'll have to hold on to Barty's death for a bit, don't try to contact me not even from the ring, it's way too risky. 

     Oh, and tell Serena I love her =) 

                                                                                           Love, Emerlyn. 

I watched as white my owl took off with the thin letter pinned to her leg. I had to admit, I had a bit of guilt built in me, Mattheo had begged me to tell the Riddles's current location yet I refused. I hadn't even informed Tom or Serena of their lost brother's arrival- I just couldn't, I couldn't bring myself to.

                                                      - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  - -

 "Are you ready?" Draco questioned and I nodded in agreement with one suitcase, in his hand that included a mixture of our belongings, with his free hand he held my hand.

I intertwined my fingers with his, grasping onto his fingers. Knowing, I'd probably never have this moment again, then he apparated departing from our home.

 It felt as though my breaths were being sucked out of me and my bones were being heavily crushed only for a second until I spotted the gates of the Malfoy Manor. The gates recognized Draco's appearance and opened at his arrival.

We walked through and he knocked on the door, I spotted his lips curling into a smile. He seemed excited to see his family.

His smile was so cute. 

I thought to myself, as I subconsciously mirrored him, and we both shared a smile. However, the moment was ruined, as his stormy eyes met mine for a second, pieces of his blonde hair met his forehead, a black scarf tied around his neck as a thick black coat that covered most of his body and he let go of my hand his smile disappearing. 

"What took you so long!" Called out a voice, as Mrs. Malfoy who was a few inches shorter than Draco rushed into a hug.

    A/N: Updating on Saturday!

Also, does anyone have theories for any of the characters in this story, I'm excited to know!