Here's Chapter One of my Mattheo Riddle x Reader slow-burn fic!
This chapter is mostly light-hearted—full of Slytherin banter, common room chaos, a party invitation... and the beginning of a certain green-eyed idiot realizing he might not like the idea of someone else asking his best friend out. 👀
As always, thank you so much for reading, liking, reblogging, and leaving comments. Every bit of support genuinely makes my day and motivates me to keep writing.
I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. Happy reading!
Cold seeped through every corner of the castle, and a veil of drifting fog clung to Hogwarts, making it both holy and even more lonely. Sometimes you wondered at night how on earth something could be so enchanting and so isolating at the same time. Yet it wasn’t hidden—the beauty seeped through every corner of the castle. Not an extraordinary or flashy beauty, but the kind that captivates your soul once and never lets go, as if it were impossible to look away from the scene outside your window.
The Black Lake shimmered under the moonlight, looking heavenly, as though it came alive with its touch. Absolutely ethereal, isn’t it?
You thought this while wrapping your Slytherin scarf tighter around your neck and rubbing your hands together. The fire inside the common room provided warmth—at least, you thought it did—before your gaze shifted to the door due to the loud commotion of your friends, or rather, your best friends.
You smiled when he walked over and wrapped both arms around your waist, lifting you into the air. You burst out giggling.
" for merlin's sake put me down matty "
you said, still laughing. Draco sneered at the obvious display of affection, while Blaise merely chuckled, grabbing an apple and settling into the couch, savoring each bite of his fruit. Theo just shrugged as Mattheo finally set you down.
"What’s up with this excitement?"
" Nothing apparantly he's high on adrenaline he finally got to beat ass of one and only wood "
said Theo, sprawling across the couch. You rolled your eyes.
you replied, shaking your head—but your smile gave you away as you looked at Mattheo affectionately.
" for salazar's sake can't y'all be just happy it's not like y'all like golden lions or something?"
Before you could retort, Pansy entered the common room carrying several paper bags and a large suitcase, a scowl fixed on her face as though someone had poisoned her pumpkin juice. Yet you brightened immediately at the sight of her. She wasn’t usually late, so her absence over the holidays had been noticeable.
You ran to her, smiling, and hugged her tightly before looping your arm through hers.
" didn't know I was being missed this severely"
" don't let it get to your head just missed my morning tea if you know"
you winked at Blaise, who smirked in response.
" what can I say who can deliver more accurate gossip at Hogwarts other than our personal queen "
Pansy flipped her hair and smirked.
" don't boost her ego she's already a menace "
Pansy placed a hand on her chest.
" and here I thought you enjoy my chaos Berkshire "
she replied, directing it toward Enzo, who finally decided to grace them with his presence after what felt like an entire Quidditch practice.
The boys had just returned, and the group immediately resumed their usual bickering.
You settled onto the carpet beside Mattheo. He shifted without a word, resting his head in your lap. You began running your fingers through his hair, smiling softly.
It wasn’t new. Your friends were used to your bond with him. Mattheo was not subtle about it either—you were his best friend, and that kind of connection wasn’t easy for him.
But you never gave up on him.
You were his angel, as he loved to call you more than your actual name, and you didn’t really mind it.
You were necessary for him, like breathing. He needed you around constantly, especially when he was drowning in those terrifying, haunting nightmares. He used to survive solely on nicotine before you—but now he sought you instead.
Even when it was difficult for him to express it.
Emotions had never come easily to Mattheo. He felt everything deeply, just like you, but expressed it differently. His anger, his past trauma, and the weight of a mother like Bellatrix, along with the name he carried, had always haunted him. He pretended it didn’t, but the consequences were visible in his violent tendencies and the fights he constantly got into—fights you usually cleaned him up from because he refused to go to the infirmary and endure Madam Pomfrey’s lectures.
He showed care through physical gestures, because words never came easily to him, as though his mouth refused to cooperate when it came to feelings. But he was learning—for your sake.
His angel. The best thing in his life, as he said.
Returning to the present, your friends—or rather, your dramatic queen—yawned loudly. You got up to leave, but Mattheo caught your wrist.
" nothing I think it's late I'll see you guys later c'mon pans are you coming or what?"
Pansy quickly gathered her belongings.
" you're such an angel Y/N"
he smirked before letting go of your wrist.
You waved at the boys and headed toward the girls’ dorm with Pansy.
Mornings were usually groggy. You weren’t exactly appreciative of the cold, though you had certainly admired it last night. Hypocrite, aren’t you? Well, who cares. It’s not like winter shows mercy on any of you anyway.
You were almost ready to head back to bed when, as usual, Pansy had some new gossip to share. You reluctantly got up and asked, what is it? She was more than willing to spill it all, continuing her usual ramblings while you listened.
You chuckled softly, tying your hair up into a high ponytail with your silver ribbon—the same one Mattheo loved to play with and mess up. The thought crept in unannounced, but you quickly shook it off and refocused on Pansy.
“…and then the girl, the Hufflepuff I was telling you about before, dumped poor Finnigan. And I mean, he had it coming for blowing up potions at her. She had to go to the hospital wing after.”
You looked amused but still felt a bit bad for the girl.
Pansy nodded immediately.
You got ready quickly, skipping breakfast as usual for Potions and DADA. It wasn’t like Pansy wouldn’t make up for it later anyway—she always came prepared with an alarming amount of snacks from home.
The day passed in a blur: Potions essay, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and barely any sight of your friends. Apparently, Pansy had orchestrated some grand “snack feast later” scheme, but truthfully, you didn’t mind the quiet because you were missing Mattheo more than you cared to admit, and waiting to see him again.
Later, word spread about a Slytherin party organized by the Greengrass sisters. Everyone knew about Slytherin parties—they were never simple affairs. But this one was supposedly different, themed, with the added requirement of bringing a date and matching outfits. As fascinating as it sounded, it would most likely be a chaos-filled success, because when had a Greengrass party ever been anything less?
Still, you weren’t particularly excited. You liked parties, but they weren’t really your thing. You enjoyed them, but you didn’t love them. Your friends, however, did—and you didn’t really get a choice.
You didn’t discuss it much further. Your group was mostly focused on Quidditch practice for the upcoming match—Hufflepuff versus Slytherin. And as always, you would be there cheering for Mattheo. There was no question about that.
You were walking out of class with Pansy when Blaise suddenly dragged her away. You didn’t mind and continued walking alone, wandering aimlessly through the corridor.
That was when Marcus Flint caught your attention, flashing you a wide, unexpected smile.
“I was looking for you Y/N”
You blinked in surprise. You didn’t remember ever having a proper conversation with him, aside from the fact that he always seemed to watch you during Quidditch practices when you cheered for Slytherin—and, more specifically, Mattheo.
He rubbed the back of his neck, smiling a little sheepishly.
“ uhm.. actually this is for you”
You looked down in surprise as he handed you lilies. They weren’t your favourite, but you accepted them nonetheless.
You still looked confused, waiting for an explanation.
He finally blurted it out.
“ Y/N would you be my date for Slytherin party”?
The suddenness of it startled you, especially since his interest didn’t feel all that sudden at all.
“ i think that's really sweet of you but suddenly why ?”
He grimaced slightly but kept smiling.
“ it's just you're always busy with Riddle even during our practice i mean not that I'm complaining but you are always with him ”
You shook your head lightly.
“ he's my best friend and you're always strict on team being their captain I just like to be there for him ”
“ I get it so will you be my date?”
And with that, you walked away toward the common room.
The common room was already filled with your friends. Theo was reading something on Defense Against the Dark Arts in the corner. Pansy was sprawled across the floor, surrounded by nail polish bottles. Blaise was playing chess with Enzo, while Draco sipped his imported beverage—sent from his aristocratic family only a few days earlier.
Mattheo sat on the couch like it was his throne.
You greeted everyone casually before Mattheo pulled you into his lap. You smiled and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.
You rolled your eyes back, chuckling softly, while the rest of the room continued their usual chaos.
You settled comfortably, your arms resting lightly around Mattheo’s shoulders.
“How was your day matty?”
You sat comfortably on Mattheo’s lap, his arm draped lazily around your waist, fingers absentmindedly tracing slow circles over your uniform skirt. It wasn’t unusual—your friendship with the son of You-Know-Who had always been like this. Affectionate, unspoken, built on closeness neither of you ever questioned.
But tonight felt slightly different.
His grip was tighter. His body more tense beneath yours. His usual sharp sarcasm had been replaced with a brooding silence as the others discussed the upcoming Slytherin party.
“ awful but atleast it's better when you're here Angel ”
Pansy suddenly cut through the chatter.
“Have you heard that Angelina Johnson is going with one of our house?”
Her eyes widened dramatically.
“Angelina Johnson. And a Slytherin. Merlin, I didn’t think I’d see the day, I bet she's doing this on purpose to make Fred jealous or something cause otherwise it didn't make any sense ”
“I think I’d say yes to Higgs , if he asked,” Pansy mused, applying another careful layer of nail polish and smirking at Blaise’s reaction. “He’s got that whole Hottie seeker thing going on.”
Mattheo scoffed under his breath, the movement brushing warm air against your neck. His hand tightened slightly on your hip.
“it exhausting he wasn't even the one who caught snitch it was Theo ”
His tone was clipped, uninterested, but his leg bounced slightly beneath you—a clear sign of agitation.
You watched him for a moment before teasing softly.
“ what got you so tensed huh ?”
Normally, he would have responded with sarcasm or a teasing remark. Instead, he only scoffed.
“ he's an idiot anyway and it's just stupid party nothing like it's necessary to be all uptight ”
You sighed, placing your hand over his where it rested at your waist.
“ it's not necessary but it'll be fun you know and I'm not usually up for this kind of things but it seems interesting”
“ Still I'm not changing my opinion”
“And you call me a spoilsport,”
he said, balancing a book in his lap. His eyes flicked between you and Mattheo, lips curling into a faint mocking smile before returning to his page.
Theo and you were probably Mattheo’s closest friends—and also the only ones who ever told him off when needed. For good reason. Because you were also, most likely, the only two people he would never seriously hurt.
Theo remained unbothered, turning another page of his book.
"Well, well, guys, I think we all should go. I mean, it can be fun, and who knows what's going to happen at the party? I mean, there's definitely going to be some tea, heartbreaks, patch-ups, and new couples."
Pansy smiled, showing off her nails to Blaise.
Enzo rubbed the back of his neck.
"Guys, I've got a date already."
You seemed oddly excited by that, practically bouncing in Mattheo's lap. He held you tightly, chuckling.
"Shut up, Matt. Anyways, who did you ask, Enzo? Okay, wait... is it, like, Cho Chang?"
"No, Merlin, Y/N! Who told you that? I'm not—"
Pansy cut him off mid-sentence.
"Oh yeah? Then who's the mystery girl?"
She teased Enzo, who blushed—like, literally.
"It's actually someone from Hufflepuff. She's a year younger."
Meanwhile, Blaise looked at you.
"Y/N, who are you going with?"
Before you could reply, Pansy chimed in.
"Oh, maybe with someone new. Or perhaps someone completely different to shake things up, you know?"
You suddenly went silent.
Mattheo seemed to grow even tenser.
Blaise replied confidently,
"Like someone from the Slytherin Quidditch team. I mean, it would be perfect—Slytherin Beater and Slytherin Prefect together. Total power-couple vibes."
"Everyone will go crazy seeing you and Mattheo together. Why don't you two go together?"
In an attempt to hide how flustered you felt that she had actually said it out loud—while you were seated in Mattheo's lap, no less, with one of his hands tucked beneath your shirt, resting against the soft skin of your waist—you chuckled and scratched the back of your neck. Craning your head around, you smiled humorously at your friend.
"What, and boost his ego even more? It's already unbearable."
"Oh, please. You love my ego, Angel."
"Y/N... I don't know. I mean, I don't know if it's true, but I heard something."
You raised a brow but kept smiling.
"Oh yeah? What kind of rumour, Enz?"
He looked at Mattheo before turning back to you.
"That our captain, Marcus, asked you to be his date for the upcoming party."
Closing your eyes, you let the round of jeers and whistles that swept through the group wash over you and buried your face in your hands, burning with embarrassment. When you looked up again, you met the eyes of five attentive listeners, eager to hear your side of the story. Even Theo had marked his page with an index finger and raised a brow at you expectantly.
Only Mattheo was eerily still beneath you, his fingers having halted all movement
"You said no to him like you did with Smith, didn't you?"
The room fell silent for a moment.
"You turned him down... right?"
There was something oddly quiet about his voice. No teasing. No sarcasm.
"Actually... I told him I'd think about it."
The circles his thumb had been lazily tracing against your waist stopped.
Even Theo looked up from his book.
Mattheo's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
"You'll... think about it?"
You nodded, oblivious to the shift in his expression.
You absentmindedly twirled a loose strand of hair around your finger.
"...Flint's not that bad."
"So, yeah, I thought... why not give him a chance?"
His hand slowly slipped away from your waist.
"It was actually really sweet."
"He even seemed nervous." You laughed quietly. "I didn't know Marcus Flint could get nervous."
His gaze remained fixed somewhere ahead, but he wasn't seeing the common room anymore.
"He waited outside my classroom just to ask me."
"It was honestly kind of adorable."
The warmth that usually lingered in his eyes disappeared behind something unreadable.
Without saying a word, he gently lifted you off his lap.
You looked at him, confused.
He stood, running a hand through his curls before letting out a dry laugh that didn't sound like laughter at all.
He shoved both hands into the pockets of his trousers.
"Guess Flint's full of surprises."
His smile never reached his eyes.
"I said..." Mattheo interrupted quietly, "...I'm tired."
Mattheo glanced at you one last time.
"...then you should go with him."
The words sounded wrong coming from him.
Before you could answer, he turned and walked away.
The common room door shut with a heavy thud.
Blaise rubbed the back of his neck.
"I've never seen him leave because of a conversation."
Theo slowly closed his book.
"You really didn't notice?"
Theo looked at the closed door before sighing.
But for the first time that evening...
You couldn't stop thinking about the look in Mattheo's eyes as he walked away.
Thank you so much for making it to the end!
I'd absolutely love to know what you think. What was your favorite moment?
Please consider liking, reblogging, or leaving a comment—it really helps more than you know, especially since I'm just starting out on Tumblr.
See you in the next chapter! Until then, take care of yourselves 🤍
