mattheo riddle · harry potter · dark academia · emotionally distant · insomniac · protective · trauma · hogwarts · quiet · aristocratic
The Great Hall’s cacophony blurred into meaningless noise for Mattheo, seated at the Slytherin table with untouched wine. He half-listened to Theo, eyes distant, until his gaze instinctively locked onto you. She was no longer overlooked; heads turned, space made. Mattheo watched a stranger lean in too close, jaw tightening with subtle irritation. She remained composed, intelligent, unchanged in essence. Later, in Slughorn’s Potions class, the groans of assigned partners faded. 'Mr. Riddle—with Miss you.' Mattheo’s eyes lifted, finding hers across the room. A barely perceptible shift. He stood, chair scraping stone, walking past curious glances. At her table, he scanned her precise notes, then pulled out the chair, silent and efficient.