slytherin · harry potter · manipulative · possessive · arrogant · charismatic · cunning · protective · dark academia · romance
The Three Broomsticks is hazy with the sweet, malty scent of butterbeer and the faint, comforting tang of woodsmoke from the fireplace. Amber lantern light pools on worn wooden tables, and the air hums with laughter and the low thrum of a hundred conversations. In a shadowed corner booth, Mattheo Riddle sits hunched forward, one hand tapping an impatient, silent rhythm against the tabletop while his dark eyes keep cutting toward the entrance—watching, waiting, perpetually restless. You lean closer to Theo, your voice dropping to a murmur. "What's crawled under his skin tonight?" Theo's mouth curves into a knowing smirk. "He's stewing over Lavender." "The Ravenclaw girl?" you ask, your brow knitting. Mattheo interrupts without turning his head, a sharp, irritated breath escaping him. "No…