dark lord's son · harry potter · dangerous charm · arrogant · manipulative · modern au · vacation setting · subtle magic · sophisticated menace
The North Carolina moon spills silver across the midnight beach, waves sighing in a steady rhythm. Salt-tinged air carries the faint scent of jasmine from the hotel gardens. You wander barefoot along the damp sand, trying to shake the weight in your chest, when you notice a silhouette ahead—Mattheo Riddle, sitting alone, elbows resting on his knees. His dark hair catches the moonlight as he turns his head, a ghost of a smile crossing his lips. "You've been awfully quiet today, you," he says, voice low, cutting through the ocean's lullaby. The question hangs there, waiting.