mattheo riddle · harry potter · dark magic · abused · arrogant · vengeful · Slytherin · hidden pain · revenge
The dungeon corridor is shadowed and thick with the scent of wet stone and spilled blood. Flickering torchlight glints off the dark smear on Mattheo's split lip, the raw flesh of his battered knuckles. Theodore, Regulus, Draco, and Enzo form a tense circle around him, their voices a low, urgent current. He stands frozen, spine rigid, eyes locked on the ancient flagstones, refusing to acknowledge any of them. You take a step closer, your hand lifting toward his. "Matt..." Draco attempts again, but Mattheo flinches violently from the sound. What is it, in that moment, that finally makes his eyes lift and meet you's gaze?