Chapter Text
Being the son of a career woman equal parts incredible and equal parts terrible. On the one hand, his mother is very successful in her career and makes a fair sum of money and Matthew loves to see her happy. On the other hand, she doesn't really have much time for him. The moment he's on Platform Nine and Three Quarters, she's gone. There's always a new story to chase or interview to be held. It's not that his mother doesn't love him. He's her little gift. It's just how things have always been.
Today is no different from the last two times and Matthew has been left to stand at the platform alone. She stayed for a few minutes when it was his first year. Told him that no matter what house he gets sorted into she'll love him and be proud of him. The apple didn't fall far from the tree though and he was sorted into Slytherin. It also didn't fall from the tree when Matthew quickly became Hogwarts' gossip supplier. Nobody even so much as makes a new friend without Matthew finding out. He could create entire dossiers on some of the other students and their families. People love to puff out their chests and tell you things without realising the implications or reveal the secrets of others in order to try and protect themselves.
"Matty~" Fred calls from behind him.
"Matthew." He corrects without looking.
"It's Matty." An arm is slung over his shoulders and Fred grins at him, "How is my favourite snake?"
"I'm the only snake you like."
"Which makes you my favourite."
"Where's George?"
"I am George. Friends for three years and you still can't tell? For shame." Fred tuts at him and ruffles Matthew's black hair.
"Fred I know it's you."
"How?"
"George doesn't call me Matty."
Another arm gets added to his shoulders, "Hello Matthew. Fred already bothering you?"
"See?"
"You call me Freddy."
"I have never called you Freddy. That was your ex Jenny Lowen who started calling you Freddy."
"Her last name was Lowen?"
"Yes. You dated for six months and never learnt her last name?"
Fred shrugs, "I wasn't paying attention."
"This is why she left you for that Tommy Grey guy." George comments.
Fred reaches up and slaps the back of his brother's head, "You had a crush on Tommy Grey."
"That's why she started dating him. Of course it's because she overheard George say it and thought it was you because apparently nobody can tell the difference between you two." Matthew says quietly. He's not sure if any of the other Weasleys are around.
"You can and so can Lee."
Matthew starts looking around, "Where is our favourite commentator?"
"With his girlfriend." George answers with a grin.
"Who?"
"We'll tell you on the train."
Matthew immediately gets on the train and the twins follow after him. They became friends in first year after Matthew spread a nasty rumour about an older Slytherin trying to give them trouble after a rather innocent prank. When the two found out that Matthew had turned the tables for them, they warned him about a prank against all of Slytherin and things went from there. He's grateful to have them. Slytherins are pretty up themselves so they are a breath of fresh air. They're also very helpful for finding out where people are with that strange map of theirs. Only Merlin knows where they found it but it is very helpful.
He finds an empty compartment and puts a small charm on the doors to make sure nobody can open them. Fred sits opposite Matthew and George sits next to him. Technically it's not illegal as they're on the Hogwarts Express which is part of Hogwarts. Loopholes are a beautiful thing.
"So Lee's girlfriend?"
"Gabby, a fourth year Ravenclaw. Blond hair and the most amazing blue eyes. Like an ocean." Fred says as he parrots whatever Lee told him.
"Gabby?" Matthew pauses for thought, "Gabriella Storm?"
"Yeah. It's weird how you know everyone's name." George comments.
"All part of my charm."
"Do we need to warn him about her?" Fred asks.
"She's nice. Quiet. Her father is a bit... odd."
"Odd how?" He leans forward. Although Fred has never admitted it, Matthew knows he loves the drama and gossip.
"Ministry worker. Alleged Death Eater sympathiser but too cowardly to take the mark. Helped Lord Malfoy worm his way out of Azkaban."
"Really?"
"Mhm. Gabby takes after her mother more in my opinion but only time will tell."
It's not long before the train sets off. Fred and George wave to their parents and little sister as the train pulls out of the station. She'll be joining next year. Ginny. No doubt a Gryffindor like the rest of her family. Matthew has never spoken to her. Molly doesn't like him which is fair because he doesn't like her either. That unfortunately does mean that he's never been around to the Burrow. The twins are usually grounded during the summer or doing a million chores. They usually keep in touch via letters or happening to bump into each other on Diagon Alley when buying school supplies.
The two settle and Matthew undoes his charm on the doors. Nobody is going to bother them at this point except the trolley lady. Maybe their older brother Percy will actually. George told him that Percy's a prefect now. Even got a new set of robes to celebrate it all. Although he was told via letter, it wasn't hard to miss the sheer annoyance that came off every written word. It's not that George wasn't happy for his brother but Molly most likely made a big deal of it which can sour things. The same sort of fanfare wouldn't happen for either twin if they became prefects. Not that they ever would be prefects.
"Thoughts on the first years?" George asks. "Ron has been ramblings about Harry Potter joining."
Matthew groans, "If I hear Potter's name one more time I will check myself into St Mungo's."
"Your mum been on about him?"
"The Daily Prophet has been making her churn out articles about him, his parents, and his story. Did you know that James and Lily got together in their seventh year? Or that when James Potter proposed, he dropped the ring twice?"
George pats his back, "Think she'll ask for information on him from you?"
"Honestly? No." Matthew imitates his mother, "Matt he just isn't interesting yet. Once he's a teenager then there will be something to talk about."
"What makes him different as a teenager exactly?"
"Then he'll be dating. Nothing sells like death and love." Another quote from his mother.
"Got any bets on his house?"
"Gryffindor probably. I can't think of anything else that would fit. He's our hero and all."
"What if he's a nerd?" Fred asks.
"You're a nerd and still a Gryffindor."
"I am not a nerd."
"Prank nerd."
He huffs and looks out the window. Matthew finds the notebook he keeps on him, also charmed for obvious reasons, and writes down a bit on Lee's new girlfriend. He won't give it long. That's nothing against Lee - he's a sweetheart - but when Gabby gets caught in a prank by the twins then she'll have a huge row with him over it.
Fred sighs.
Matthew ignores him.
He sighs louder and George nudges Matthew.
"Not apologising."
"You know he won't stop."
"I do not care."
Fred sighs louder.
"Please?"
"Fine." Matthew rubs his temples, "Sorry."
"For?"
"Calling you a nerd."
Fred brightens up and stops the dramatics, "Thank you Matty."
This is going to be a long year.
They arrive at Hogwarts by evening. Lee joins them for the carriage ride up to the castle. He spends the entire trip gushing over Gabby and makes Fred and George swear not to prank her. Lee must really like her. Maybe she's the one. The twins promise not to prank her specifically. If she gets caught in a general prank then that's simply up to fate and not them. Lee reluctantly accepts the fact.
The Great Hall is filled with hushed whispers over Harry Potter and he's not even in the room yet. Matthew has never taken much interest in the Sorting Ceremony. It's just going to result in the new snakes being booed. Matthew quickly helped Fred, George, and Lee grow out of that habit after last year. Threatening to end their friendship completely may have been harsh but it was fair. One of the now second year girls ended up crying in her dorm on the first night because of the way they booed so loudly. He almost hexed them when he saw them in class the next morning.
When the first years come in, everyone falls silent. They're all doing what Matthew is now: figuring out who is going to end up where. Judging based on appearances is unfair but it doesn't really matter. Besides, there are a few obvious choices. The purebloods with Slytherin parents will end up in Slytherin. It's the only acceptable house except for maybe Ravenclaw and even then they're held to impossibly high standards. Hufflepuff or Gryffindor is just an embarrassment for their parents.
Professor McGonagall calls out names. Matthew claps when he hears a house called and stops when everyone else does. Fred starts pulling faces at him when there's a new Slytherin like Matthew is some villain turning innocent children into evil snakes. He tries not to laugh and instead starts mirroring the faces when a new Gryffindor is called.
"Draco Malfoy."
Another Slytherin legacy. He doesn't look particularly confident though. Almost nervous. Odd. There are a lot of people watching and he has a reputation to uphold so it is quite a bit of pressure.
"Gryffindor!"
Matthew stares at Fred.
Fred stares at Matthew.
Matthew looks at George.
George looks at Matthew.
Draco hurries off to the Gryffindor table who cheer but also seem confused. Matthew has not been expecting that. At all. Neither had the Slytherins who start looking at each other. Some of them are sneering. Matthew reminds himself of their names. Draco isn't going to be able to be the one to tell his parents. Someone else will by telling their parents who will tell them. This is going to be a field day for the other pureblood families. The oh so esteemed Malfoy family being knocked from their pedestal because the only son - the only possible heir - is a Gryffindor.
"Harry Potter."
Everyone waits with bated breath. Draco's house means that anything is on the table tonight. The hat is taking an oddly long time. Longer than it took with Draco. Harry is small for a first year. The hat slipped over his eyes. That doesn't sit right with Matthew but it doesn't mean anything by itself.
"Slytherin!"
The silence is deafening.
Poor little Harry looks confused and scared like a cornered wild animal. The teachers start clapping and soon Slytherin table joins in. There's polite applause from the other tables but whispers and confusion come with it.
Flint leans over in Matthew's direction when the feast begins after Dumbledore's usual speech. He has a near predatory grin on his face, "Malfoy's a fucking lion."
"What of it?"
"His parents will go mad. Reckon they'll disown them?" Flint is in the year above and is a cruel bully. Judging by his stupid fucking grin, he is loving this little twist.
"I don't know."
"Come on. You have thoughts."
Matthew speaks a little louder so the first years can hear him, "I think anyone who attempts to tell their parents about it before Malfoy gets to will be making quite the grievous mistake." Threatening first years is pretty underhanded of him but this is a precarious situation. Draco is a child and he doesn't need other children going after him.
Dinner passes by and he's soon in the Slytherin common room. Professor Snape gives his usual speech about taking pride in being a snake, how they must stick together, and how they cannot be caught breaking rules. Matthew sits in a corner once the first years go to bed and he listens.
Everyone is talking about Draco Malfoy. How he's a disgrace, how surprising it is, questions about how his parents failed to raise him, and how he'll be disowned. Those who speak more harshly of him - a literal child - are noted down mentally. The rumour mill will be working overtime this week then. Slytherins may have to stick together but Matthew draws the line at bullying a child over a fucking school house. It's not like he kicked a puppy.
Soon enough conversation moves onto Harry Potter. A Slytherin. Unprecedented. Nobody knows how to feel about it. Neither does Matthew. It'll certainly be interesting to see how this all unfolds. Will his mother write an article about it? He won't have the chance to tell her. Someone in a tower will give out the news. It'll certainly sell very well. Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived and son of proud Gryffindors, a Slytherin. This is going to be very fun to watch.