#hufflepuff!reader

[fangisms]

can you make a pt 2 to lady may like your friends or someone else catches you and cedric kissing in the hallway and you have to get to your next class or to dinner or smth like that

strawberry wine

A/N: naturally this is the request to bring me out of writing hibernation. yes because i love my baby cedric. this serves as a second part to this, but it can also be read standalone!

Pairing: Cedric Diggory x Fem!Grumpy!Hufflepuff!Reader

Summary: No thing defines a man like love that makes him soft. 1.2k words

Warnings: fluff, established relationship, sunshine x grumpy, banter, two dumb idiots in lolololoove

You knew why someone like Cedric had been invited to this dinner, but as he drags you up to the sixth floor you can't help but wonder why someone like you might be. Especially with your fingers so tenderly laced together. Just right the way his pulse presses to yours.

What's a slug club anyway. Some gathering of generations of greatness. It makes sense that a name like Cedric Diggory would make the list: star Hufflepuff Seeker, Triwizard runner-up, not to mention a charmer even without a wand. But you'd been devising reasons why Slughorn might believe you'd go on to become some famous—or, perhaps infamous—witch.

"Quit fretting, you'll tire yourself out before the tea's served," Cedric coos, cresting the top of the stairs and tugging you close behind. He whips around suddenly with a dashing bright smile on his gentle face.

"I know," you grumble, "just can't help but... wonder? It sounds silly, but what if Slughorn made a mistake—"

"You're right, it does sound silly, so I'll spare you the embarrassment of continuing." He turns you round, whisking you into a nook along the hall on the way to the office where the dinner is to be held.

You gaze at him in the dim winter light, fighting a shiver when his fingers brush an eyelash from your cheek.

"If we run, we'll make it back to the dormitories before anyone notices," you whisper. You're all butterflies at the suggestion, knowing he'll be disappointed. He's only ever wanted what was best for you. And since you accepted his romantic pursuits, you've become his full-time responsibility.

"Or we can walk into that room, enjoy quiet conversation, and then leave having earned social connections and a few more people who know I'm yours entirely."

You roll your eyes, but your smile betrays you.

"You're so," you groan, grabbing his waist and snarling, "good! Can't you misbehave or act miserably or even speak poorly of someone just once?"

Just then, his eyes catch the light. A fleeting flicker, really. A rogue candle flame in the playful glint of his gaze, but you catch it, and he leans closer, caging you against the wall.

"Depends on your idea of misbehaving," he whispers.

"I've a sneaky feeling you have your own ideas, Diggory."

His heart flutters at the temptation in your voice, in your warmth, in your hands curled into his waist. Like the first time he ever kissed you, he leans close again, a hitch in his breath when his lips finally meet yours in a spark. From there, it's all muscle memory and the tandem beat of your hearts. He stops his hands from slipping any lower down your pretty dress. The same one he zipped up the curve of your back not an hour ago.

What he'd give to misbehave like that. Here. In the face of responsibility and important arrangements. To misbehave for your sake, just because you begged. Asked, really, but he'd drop everything just the same if it was only a vague suggestion. If he could somehow read your mind, he'd bend to your every whim and you'd never have to utter a word.

In losing track of himself, he sighs. Right into the softness of your mouth because he knows you know how he likes your fingers twisted in his soft, chestnut hair. You do just that and grin when he grows noisy like you knew he would.

"Hello?" A curious, soprano voice calls from the stairwell.

"Shit," you hiss. You pull away when his resilience won't let him, the butt of your skull meeting the hard stone with a thud. "Ow."

"Are you hurt?" he whispers, ushering you further into the cranny and cradling your head in his palm. Your fingers hold his wrist and you chuckle at the sheen of his wet mouth in the firelight. He presses his sure palm to your lips to muffle the raucous sound. "Merlin's Beard, you've gone loopy. I'll heal you with a kiss!"

"Is someone there?" The voice whines again.

His lips only serve to make you cackle harder into the darkness, it's no help that he's grinning now, too. If that voice belongs to a ghoul or a vengeful spirit, they'll have to answer to your wrath before they're allowed to pass. Though, as of now, your wrath is characterized by a fit of giggles and sighs at the mercy of his mouth.

Footsteps clack down the hall, nearing your compromising position in the dark. The sound rings in your ears until you're forced to press him deeper into the nook, leaving yourself exposed to the soft light save for your arm, which he is lovingly latched to.

"Oh!" The girl warbles, taking a step back when she finally sees you. "It's you."

You recognize her as Ginny Weasley, you'd opposed her many times on the pitch. She looks fairly put together. Lovely, you suppose, not scowling or drenched in sweat the way most Quidditch games end. You're not so sure you have the same effect, dizzy and flustered as you are. Cedric's fingers squeeze yours from his place in the shadows.

"Yes, It's me!" you chirp, "Here I am!" It's like some spirit has possessed you. Some spirit under heavy influence of recreational drugs and endless confections maybe.

"Right," she says, nodding awkwardly and peering into the darkness behind you which traces his fingers over your knuckles and bows to kiss each one. You ought to smack the darkness upside the head for his thorough display of misbehavior. "We should probably go inside, or we'll be late."

"Oh, Merlin—must've lost track of time. I'll catch you inside, I just have something I need to..." you sigh, wiggling your hand out of his featherlight grip and perching it on your hip "I'll just be a minute."

"Alright. I'll let them know you're just...?"

"Getting fresh air!"

"Getting fresh air. Right," Ginny says, backing away towards the office door with a tight-lipped smile. Once the door bangs shut again, you draw Cedric into the light with a scowl to rival hellfire.

It makes his tummy turn with excitement. Makes him feel boyish and fresh and giddy. He can't decide whether he'd like to ravish you or let you ravish him. Either way, he's lucky like shiny pennies or rain on your wedding day. Which reminds him, but that's a story for another day. His soul is solidly and irrevocably tethered to yours whether you accept a metal band on your finger or not. Another day.

"Diggory!" you shout, and he catches your hand as it flies toward his shoulder. He's smiling, laughing at your expense. You think you ought to punish his awfully handsome face with some sort of kiss. An eye for an eye, as they say.

"Getting fresh air? Is that really the first thing that came to your mind?" he says through his laughter, drawing you in by the hips, “I think I should tell you now that the nearest window is at the complete opposite end of the hall!"

"If only I hadn't been distracted—"

But you're bested again by his large, warm hands spread across your lower back. And his smile tempting you. He could get anything he ever wanted with that kind of smile, drawn up at the corners and dimpling his rosy cheeks. Curse him and the tiny flakes of gold flowing through his bloodline.

"You were saying?"

"Nothing! We're late," you mutter, face hot and fingers tight as he's dragged across the way to the door. And as the heavy hinges squeal open, he thinks he'd like to misbehave for you more often so long as you'd string him along forever.

masterlist

[riddlesrizzler]

mattheo riddle x hufflepuff! reader

headcanons of mattheo with hufflepuff! reader warnings: lots of fluff! mentions of not liking hufflepuffs. smoking mentioned. smut. but like super gentle and fluffy first time. mattheo being a simp.

grumpy x sunshine vibe

𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵

mattheo riddle didn’t like people, scratch that, he doesn’t like people period. for the longest time he wouldn’t really make an effort with anyone unless they were in his inner circle of slytherin friends. he didn’t see a point to communicate with other houses. especially hufflepuffs.

he saw the yellow house as weak. something about their friendly attitude and the stupid smiles on their faces made him want to punch something and he often did.

but when he got in trouble for enchanting the mandrakes to storm the gryffindor tower at three in the morning, he was forced to help you take care of the magical creatures.

he didn’t know you, convinced himself that he was going to have a bad time. that nothing could be worse then spending the next two weeks with a hufflepuff of all people as he trudged his way down to hagrid’s hut.

but he seemed to feel his heart squeeze, like a snake had wrapped around it and started to compress the organ into two when he heard your laughter.

he cautiously made his way towards the hut only to see you cuddling a niffler. the sight of the tiny creature in your arms, a smile painted on your lips as you looked down at the niffler with such warmth made something in his brain snap.

“oh no”

literally mattheo had never met anyone like you. you were soft, sweet, a ball of sunshine wrapped into a beautiful package. he could often find himself asking the gods how on earth this angel had fallen from the heavens? and more importantly why wasn’t she scared of me?

mattheo was aware of his reputation of practically scaring the piss out of anyone if they looked at him for too long, but with you. oh with you, the sweet hufflepuff you were, you didn’t bat an eye at his last name or the bruises on his knuckles.

but you seemed to be this way with everyone. he had observed you in class, in the great hall, with your friends. his brown eyes followed every step that you took. watching as you turned to lend a hand to those who needed it, going out of your way to make someone smile, even to people who had casted you rude glances.

of course, it took some time for him to fully warm up to you. in some odd, backwards way, he was intimidated by you. but once he finally let down some of the walls he had managed to keep up, he found the dark corners of his soul starting to glow.

mattheo asked you out by staying up all night to bake cookies, just like the ones that you would make for him. only, he wasn’t very good at baking.

even with the help of theo, who had read the wrong ingredients. enzo, who kept eating the ingredients. draco, who kept getting confused by muggle baking. and blaise, who was rubbing is temples the entire time. the cookies still looked less than appetizing.

he expected you to throw them away, saying how gross they looked and that you never date someone like him. but when he saw the way that your eyes lit up at the gesture, your arms pulling him into a hug. he felt like he had finally had done something right.

𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱

when you both officially started dating. he was extremely cautious. almost scared that he was going to shatter you with one wrong move. he was used to destroying things with his fingers. but he didn’t want to do that to you. in fact he felt the opposite, he wanted to protect you from the cruel and harsh world that he knew.

let’s face it, matty boy is going to be a little over protective and jealous at first, actually probably for forever, but he keeps it hidden. you’re the good thing in his life, his angel, his sunshine. if anything ever happened to your pure soul, mattheo would rip the world apart.

he would be really sweet about it though. always concerned for your safety. he almost had a heart attack when you were petting a dragon during care of magical creatures. but watching you in your element seemed to ease his nerves, for the most part.

“darling? can you take a step back from the dragon? oh for merlin’s sake- please?”

he would have a total soft spot for you too. his signature glare seemed to turn on as he grazed through the hallways, but once he spotted you. all of the tension melted from his muscles.

i also believe that he wouldn’t smoke around you either. whether it was because you hated the smell or the fact that you hated to see him poison his body, he tried to cut back for you. it was so hard to say no to you when you had those big puppy dog eyes and that pouty lip as you whined about his health.

and don’t get me started on all of the homemade gifts he has from you displayed in his room. sweet homemade cards littered his walls. the knitted scarf that you had made for him for his birthday, sat slung across his chair. the little plush snake that you had crocheted sat in the middle of his bed, after you insisted that it would get lonely if he put it anywhere else.

mattheo riddle was a total sap for you. he found himself liking the color yellow because it reminded him of you. he kept a picture of you in his wallet at all times. the lucky scrunchie you gave him before a big quidditch match was always on his wrist. mattheo was completely in love with you.

“i fucking love you, sunshine”

𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘹

when mattheo found out that you were a virgin. oh merlin. he was consumed with the most intense amount of anxiety as he didn’t want to hurt you, he didn’t want it to be bad either.

before you, mattheo was strict with his hookups. only used to relieve pent up frustrations. he couldn’t do that for you. never with you.

you had to reassure him multiple times when you were ready to give yourself to him. only for him to ask you a million times if you were absolutely sure about it.

when the time finally did come, and you were sprawled onto his bed. your hair fluttered around you and onto his pillow, you wearing a white lacy set that made you seem like an earth angel. the way you bit your lip and looked up at him through your lashes, could have supplied him with images for the rest of his life.

“oh how lucky to be in the presence of a goddess”

his touches were careful. he wanted to make sure you felt good. so he took his time sucking on your neck. finding the sensitive spots that made you moan louder.

his hands were shaky when he took off his own clothes. barely even registering the cool air as his eyes were glued onto you taking off your bra. mattheo bit his own lip in order to make sure he wasn’t drooling.

his rough and calloused hands running over your supple flesh before dipping his head down to kiss all over your skin. relishing in the glory when you arched up into his touch.

when the time had finally come where both of you were completely bare. he was gentle. whispering sweet nothings into your ear as he guided himself into you. he swears that he almost loses it when he feels you trying to adjust to him.

“fuck baby, you’re so tight. gonna make you feel so good”

he waited for your signal. when you nodded your head is only when he began to slowly move his hips. groaning when you’re nails dug into his shoulders.

your whimpers started to turn into moans, and you kept encouraging mattheo to give you more. to make you feel more. and mattheo was more than happy to oblige as his head was buried into the crook of your neck.

when he felt your thighs start to shake, your moans becoming louder, he knew you were close. he lifted his head to look at you. and my gods, mattheo swears he has never seen anything more beautiful then when you’re flushed, biting your lip, your eyes squeezed shut. it nearly draws him to the edge.

but of course, mattheo is a gentleman with you. so he makes sure you finish before he finally thrusts forward, slumping over slightly as the two of you try to catch your breath.

he makes sure to pull you into his arms. despite the fact that both of you are slightly sweaty, he wants to tell you how amazing you did and how prefect you are.

“angel, you did absolutely perfect. are you okay? how are your legs?”

you, a sweet hufflepuff, that mattheo had assumed he would’ve hated. had turned the great son of voldemort into mush. you were his great weakness, a light in the cold and dark world that he had once lived in. you were his everything.

“you are my only sunshine”

[multi-fandom-imagine]

Pretty Blue Ribbon's || Draco Malfoy ||

A/n: Hufflepuff!Reader ( I love the Slytherin x Hufflepuff trope )

The crisp autumn air carried the scent of warm butterbeer and fresh baked good's from the bakery filled the streets of Hogsmeade, where students bustled between shops, bundled in scarves and cloaks.

At the center of it all is where you stood completely oblivious to the scene unfolding behind you.

You were standing outside Scrivenshaft’s Quill Shop, admiring a set of enchanted ink bottles, your hair slightly messier than usual. Yellow and black scarf wrapped tightly around your neck.

But unbeknownst to you—your signature ribbon was missing.

Draco Malfoy, standing a few feet away, was very aware of this.

His sharp grey eyes had caught the moment your ribbon had loosened during their walk, slipping from your hair and fluttering to the ground.

And before anyone else could notice—

He picked it up.

Now, he stood frozen, staring down at the soft fabric clutched in his hand.

It was simple—a light blue ribbon, slightly frayed at the edges from years of use.

Draco felt his stomach twist.

You'd worn it every day since he’d known you

Had it been any other girl, he might’ve rolled his eyes at such sentimentality. Tossed it on the ground and wouldn't have given it much thought.

But this was yours.

And for reasons he refused to examine too closely—he couldn’t give it back to you.

It felt… too personal.

Instead, he clenched his jaw, shoved the ribbon into his pocket, and made a beeline for Gladrags Wizardwear.

A few moments later, you still completely unaware of the emotional turmoil Draco had just experienced.

You were now heading to Honeydukes, excitedly examining a shelf of chocolate-covered strawberries, when Draco reappeared.

You turned, smiling brightly when you saw him.

“Oh! Draco! Where did you run off to?”

Draco, composing himself, cleared his throat and held out a small, elegant package.

“Here.”

You blinked. “What’s this?” Head cocked to the side.

“Just—” He avoided your gaze, shifting uncomfortably. “Just open it.”

Curious, you untied the package’s string, unfolding the delicate tissue paper inside.

Your eyes widened.

Nestled inside was a brand-new ribbon, nearly identical to your old one—except this one was silk, a deeper shade of blue, with delicate silver embroidery woven along the edges.

Letting out a soft gasp, you ran your fingers over the fabric.

“Draco,” you breathed, looking up at him with wide, astonished eyes. “It’s beautiful.”

Draco felt his face heat up. He huffed, crossing his arms. “It’s just a ribbon....”

You beamed up at him. “But it’s perfect! You didn’t have to do this!”

Draco, looking anywhere but at you as he muttered out. "You lost yours. Figured you’d want a new one.”

Overjoyed, you immediately reached up and began tying it into your hair.

Draco swallowed hard, watching as your fingers gently secured the ribbon into place as you then turned back to him, grinning.

“How does it look?”

Draco, for a moment, forgot how words worked.

Because it wasn’t just the ribbon—it was the way you smiled, the way your eyes shone with happiness, the way you could make his entire day better without even trying.

He coughed, turning away. “It’s fine.”

Letting out a giggle you clasped your hands in front of you. “Thank you, Draco.”

Draco, still pretending to be indifferent, shoved his hands in his pockets—where your old ribbon still remained.

And though he’d never admit it—

He wasn’t planning on getting rid of it anytime soon.

[sheeple]

Heirs of Hogwarts Masterlist

Genre(s): Nuisance to Lovers / Fake dating / Fluff / No Voldy au Fandom(s): Harry Potter Pairing(s): Mattheo Riddle x Hufflepuff!Reader Summary: After finding out your (now ex)boyfriend cheated on you with the girl he told you not to worry about, you decide to get into a fake relationship with the kid of another founder of Hogwarts. What could go wrong? Warning(s): Matt beats up a bitch / some foul language / smut in the last part🤷🏻‍♀️ [Masterlist]

part 1 The plan gets formed

part 2 The plan gets executed

part 3 The plan works a bit too well

part 4 The plan... what plan?

Taglist is CLOSED

[jijournal]

I SEE YOU | H.P

Summary: As a Muggle-born Hufflepuff, you were taught to always be kind—even when it hurt. Years of people-pleasing left you exhausted and invisible, until Harry Potter reminded you that your worth isn't tied to how much you give. Now, you're learning that kindness includes being kind to yourself too.

Word Count: 2.1k+

Warnings: Angst but a happy and comforting ending. Muggle-born!hufflepuff!reader x Harry Potter

A/N: Let's just say that I'm a people pleaser as well. Hope everyone loves this! 🫰

⊱ ─── ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ ─── ⊰

"Yes, I understand—he shouldn't have done that to you." "WHAT?! Aww, come here. You don’t deserve that." "Oh! Here, let me help you!"

Those were the kinds of words that always left your mouth. They slipped out so naturally, it was like breathing. Because as a Hufflepuff, everyone just expected you to be nice.

The nicest person, really—because that’s what your house is known for.

When you first walked through the towering doors of Hogwarts, wide-eyed and unsure, all the other kids your age were whispering about which house they might end up in.

Gryffindors were brave. Slytherins, cunning. Ravenclaws, smart. And Hufflepuffs? They were nice.

Nice. Kind. Generous. Gentle. Compassionate. Loving. Sympathetic. Every kind-hearted word you could think of, wrapped up in a yellow and black scarf.

As a Muggle-born with no real knowledge of the wizarding world, you followed the rules like they were gospel. So when the Sorting Hat placed you in Hufflepuff, you didn’t question it—you just assumed this was your role now.

Be nice. Always.

Even to the ones who didn’t deserve it. Even to the ones who made fun of you. Because your eleven-year-old self truly believed that’s what being a Hufflepuff meant.

You slipped into the role easily after a while. Too easily. You became the dependable one. The fixer. The one everyone turned to when they needed a kind word or someone to sit with.

You learned how to soothe others, even when you didn’t know how to soothe yourself.

You gave everyone your sympathy.

Everyone but you.

In short—you became a people pleaser. A pathological one.

You didn’t love it at first. But it grew on you, like a second skin. One you forgot how to take off.

It started your very first week at Hogwarts.

You and Susan Bones had only just become roommates. She was usually chatty, warm, always smiling—until that one evening when she returned to your dorm with red-rimmed eyes and trembling hands.

“Susan... What’s wrong?” you asked gently, startled by the change in her.

She didn’t answer right away. Just sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the crumpled letter in her hands.

Finally, in the smallest whisper: “It’s my mum. She sent a letter… My dad’s in St. Mungo’s right now.”

You blinked in surprise, your heart aching at the tremble in Susan's voice. You had only known her a few days, but the pain in her eyes struck something deep in you—like a string inside you had been plucked.

Without thinking, you moved across the room and wrapped your arms around her, gentle but firm.

“Oh, Susan… I’m so sorry,” you murmured, letting her cry quietly into your shoulder. “That must be so scary. Do you want to talk about it? Or… or maybe just sit here for a bit?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know what to do… What if he—what if he doesn't make it?”

You pulled away just enough to meet her eyes, brushing away a tear from her cheek with your sleeve. “Hey, listen to me. You’re not alone in this, okay? I’m right here. And I’ll stay right here as long as you need.”

Her bottom lip wobbled, and more tears spilled down her face. “You don’t have to—”

“I want to,” you cut in gently but firmly, your voice soft but steady. “You're my friend. And when my friends are hurting, I don’t just walk away.”

That night, you stayed up late with her, even after the lights went out. You whispered small jokes to make her smile, told her stories from your Muggle school days just to distract her for a while. You offered every piece of kindness you could find in yourself, until she fell asleep curled up in bed, breathing more evenly.

And that was the beginning.

From then on, it became second nature. A classmate tripped and fell? You were the first to rush over. Someone looked lost during a lesson? You offered your notes before they could even ask. A younger student cried in the hallway? You’d sit beside them until they could smile again.

Everyone saw you as the Hufflepuff stereotype—so sweet, so caring, so good.

But no one ever asked if you were okay.

No one ever noticed when you cried quietly into your pillow at night, wishing someone would see past the smile.

But that was okay… wasn’t it?

That’s just what Hufflepuffs were supposed to do.

Or at least, that’s what you believed.

It happened during your fourth year.

You were walking back to the common room late one evening when you spotted a first-year Slytherin huddled against the wall of an empty corridor, shoulders shaking with quiet sobs. You paused, the sight tugging at something deep inside you—the same ache that always stirred when someone was in pain.

Without hesitation, you approached him. Carefully, you lowered yourself into a crouch so you could meet his eyes, your voice soft with concern.

"Are you... okay?" you whispered gently, hoping to comfort him.

But instead of opening up, he looked at you with pure annoyance—like your presence was somehow making things worse. His expression twisted into a sneer.

"Does it look like I'm okay?" he snapped.

You flinched at his tone, caught off guard. “Oh! Well, no! No… of course not,” you stammered, unsure how to respond.

He rolled his red, tear-streaked eyes and scoffed. “What a dumb Mudblood, as expected.”

You gasped, stunned by his words. “Excuse you? That wasn’t a nice thing to say, young man.”

“Whatever, Mudblood. Stop trying to be perfect all the time. Get a life!” he shouted, then turned his back on you and stormed off, leaving you frozen in place.

You stood in the middle of the empty corridor for a long while after the boy had disappeared around the corner. His words echoed in your ears, sharp and cold like the breeze that sometimes blew through the castle's drafty halls.

“What a dumb Mudblood.” “Stop trying to be perfect all the time.” “Get a life.”

You swallowed hard. Your throat ached like you’d just been hexed, but there were no spells—just words. Words that cut deeper than any jinx ever could.

You wanted to scream. You wanted to cry. But instead, you just… stood there. Frozen. Because deep down, he had said the one thing you were too afraid to admit to yourself:

You were trying too hard.

You always had.

Trying to be nice. Trying to be good. Trying to be the Hufflepuff everyone expected. You convinced yourself it was the right thing to do, that being selfless and kind would make you worthy. That if you gave enough, if you were helpful enough, maybe people would like you. Maybe they’d keep you around.

Because what if… what if you stopped? What if you said no? What if you stopped offering your heart on a platter to everyone who walked past?

Would they still care?

Would anyone?

It was your fifth year when you joined Dumbledore’s Army.

Of course you did. The second Hermione mentioned it, your hand shot up. You were always the first to volunteer. Not because you were particularly brave or daring—but because it felt like your duty. Your unspoken job. Be the helper. Be the healer. Be the one people could rely on.

So when practice started, and people needed someone to test spells on—Disarming Charms, Stunning Spells, even minor hexes—you always stepped forward.

“I’ll do it.” “I’m fine!” “No really, it didn’t hurt!” "Try again—harder this time!"

Your voice became a script. Your smile, a mask. Your bruises—well hidden. You were covered in little aches and sore spots by the time the snow started falling outside.

But no one noticed. Because you were always okay. Always smiling. Always kind.

Until Harry did.

One evening during practice, when you got flung back by a particularly strong Stunning Spell from Ginny, you hit the ground hard. People laughed nervously, “Blimey, sorry! You alright?”

You sat up quickly, rubbing your shoulder with a tight smile. “I’m fine. Really—just a bit off balance.”

Everyone chuckled and moved on.

Except Harry.

He didn’t laugh.

Instead, he walked over quietly while the others paired off again. He knelt beside you as you tried to stand, gently placing a hand on your arm to steady you.

“You don’t have to keep doing this, you know,” he said, eyes searching your face. “You don’t have to let yourself get hurt just to be helpful.”

You blinked at him, startled. “I—I’m okay. Really. I don’t mind—”

“But I do,” he interrupted softly, but firmly. “I see how often you volunteer. I see the way you flinch sometimes when you think no one’s watching.”

Your throat tightened.

“I see you,” he said. “And I just… I think someone should remind you that your happiness matters too. That it's okay to put yourself first.”

You looked at him, eyes stinging suddenly.

Harry offered a crooked smile. “You’re allowed to take up space. You’re allowed to rest. You don’t have to earn love by setting yourself on fire to keep everyone else warm.”

You didn’t know what to say. For the first time in years, someone saw past the smile.

Saw you.

Really saw you.

And in that moment, something inside you cracked open—not broken, but healing. Slowly. Like sunlight through fog.

You nodded, not trusting yourself to speak. But Harry just gave your hand a gentle squeeze.

And for once, you let yourself be comforted. Not because you had to… But because you needed to be.

You didn’t talk much the rest of that meeting. But Harry stayed close.

When practice ended and everyone began to pack up, you felt a strange pull in your chest—not quite sadness, not quite relief. Just… something new. Something that said maybe, just maybe, you were allowed to feel something other than helpful.

That night, back in your dormitory, you didn’t offer to help someone with their Potions essay. You didn’t give your last Chocolate Frog to a roommate who “needed a bit of cheering up.”

Instead, you lay in bed and thought about Harry’s words. Replayed them over and over again like a spell you were trying to master.

“You don’t have to earn love by setting yourself on fire to keep everyone else warm.”

You hadn’t realized how tired you were until then.

The next DA meeting, something changed.

When Hermione asked for volunteers to practice Stunning Spells again, your hand didn’t go up.

You braced yourself for the awkward silence, the disappointed looks, the "What’s-wrong-with-you?" stares.

But no one noticed. Not really. They just moved on.

And you sat down beside Harry, your arms wrapped around your knees, your heart pounding in your chest. Not from fear—but from freedom.

“You okay?” he asked quietly, nudging your shoulder.

You gave him a soft smile—real, this time. “Getting there.”

He smiled back. “That’s all anyone can ask.”

Over the next few weeks, you started changing in small, quiet ways.

You still offered to help—but only when you wanted to.

You started saying no when your heart wasn't in it.

You cried once, in the bathroom, when someone made a snide remark about Hufflepuffs being “just there to cheer the others on” but this time, you didn’t spiral into a need to prove them wrong.

You just let yourself feel, and that was enough.

You still wore the badge of kindness, but now it wasn’t armor—it was a choice.

And Harry? He stayed.

Sometimes you studied together in the common room. Sometimes you walked to DA meetings side by side, not saying much, just… existing together. Like he was quietly telling you: You matter. Even when you're not fixing things.

There was one evening near the end of the year, after a DA session, when he caught you lingering behind again, cleaning up parchment and putting away cushions.

“You don’t have to clean up every time, you know,” he said, teasing gently.

You grinned. “Old habits die hard.”

Then, more seriously: “But I’m learning. It’s… hard. I still feel like if I’m not helping someone, then maybe I’m not enough. Maybe I’m not worth liking.”

Harry looked at you with something soft in his eyes. Something kind.

“You’re not liked because you help. You’re liked because you’re you.”

You blinked. Your throat tightened again, but this time you didn’t push it down.

Instead, you let it rise.

“Thank you,” you whispered.

He nodded. “Anytime.”

And that’s where things started to shift. Not instantly. Not dramatically. But slowly.

You were still kind. Still a Hufflepuff. Still you.

But now, you were learning to be kind to yourself too.

⊱ ─── ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ ─── ⊰

masterlist!

[carpentvrs]

DREAMY EYES

pairing :: james potter x fem!reader (implied girly!reader)

warnings :: mentions of getting laid (no smut), fluff!! please mind that english isn’t my first language. 1.5k words

james was truly smitten. he couldn’t not ogle at you at any given moment, heart eyes following you around every single room or corridor, sighs of pure admiration leaving his lungs whenever you would talk to him at breakfast or lunch while his head rested on his hand, dreamy eyes trying to catch yours.

but who was to blame him? you were just so pretty, your hair swaying lightly as you rushed to class, your hand accidentally brushing his as you stepped past him.

„why the rush, darling?“ he asked, keeping up with your pace as well as he could, still tired from last night which had lasted longer than it should’ve; peter, remus, sirius and him too busy sneaking around the castle and setting up shenanigans to sleep. at least there wasn’t ever a single day of boredom with them in the castle.

butterflies erupted in your stomach at the nickname, but you tried to suppress it the best you could. he managed to fluster you with his little pet names everytime without exception, and every yet so small sliver of hope you would get from them, you’d kill off. you’d go mad, otherwise.

„i’m hurrying to class james,“ you smiled at him, „and i think you should be too.“, grabbing his arm to pull him with you. you couldn’t see the way he blushed at your action, and he was glad. it was embarrassing how in love with you he was, considering the amount of attention other boys were giving you.

he could understand, obviously. it was already hard to not fall for your looks, but the fact your bubbly and inviting personality was just as perfect? how could anybody not fall for that? he was sure the sole reason remus and sirius saw you as only a friend was because they knew how enamored with you he was.

but you didn’t know. „he’s just a very sweet and nice person“ was what you said to lily when she asked you about it. you liked him, no question. but you saw the way he would flirt with other girls at parties and in hogsmead, occasionally winking at them even though lily and you were walking just next to him. so to you, he was just a friend, even though you would easily smother him in kisses if he ever just bought you flowers or opened doors for only you like the other stupid guys always did, not only as a friendly gesture but as something more.

you realized he wouldn’t, so there was no point in waiting for him. instead, while he was busy chatting with different girls at parties, you were seated in a quiet corner, talking to your girlfriends and having a drink or two yourself, dancing with guys here and there if they asked you nicely and sometimes, if they were being very polite, you’d give them a tiny kiss on the cheek and a little wave before getting another butterbeer and walking back to your friends once again.

that was probably what made you so irresistible, the fact you would never go as far as even giving a little peck on the lips while other girls were ready to go back to the dorm with said guys. you weren’t one to judge, neither the girls nor the boys, they could do whatever they want, it wasn’t your business. and if they wanted to get laid and got the chance, why not do it? just not with you.

however, they thought you were playing hard to get on purpose, and who wouldn’t be up for a challenge when it’s about a girl like you?

but even when every guys’ head turned to look at you whenever you entered the room, you didn’t care. you didn’t even notice, you were just living in the moment, deeply into the meaningful - or sometimes meaningless - banter with your friends, not a single care in the world.

well, for some reason one nerve of yours always got very terribly struck whenever you would lift your head only to see james‘ hand steadied on some other gryffindor‘s back. „whatever“ was what you always thought, head turning back to whoever was talking right now.

and it didn’t take long for james to leave your mind, at least until you were laid down on your bed at three in the morning where james would haunt your mind in ways you wouldn’t dare to say out loud.

„you got a date for the party today yet?“ he asked, trying to sound as nonchalant as he possibly could. „i prefer to go with my friends, as you already know.“

„well, we are friends, no?“

„class starts in a few, we can talk later.“ you said to him, avoiding his eyes as you made your way over to lily who was already sitting at your usual place in the charm‘s classroom, her hands immediately going to fix the little ribbon in your hair when you sat down to her right. she must’ve seen that you were in a rush just a few seconds ago, and the confused look on your face didn’t go unnoticed either. „what’s up with you, you look-“

„james just asked me on a ‚date‘, i think“ you stated, but it came out rather like a question while you knitted your eyebrows in a puzzled manner.

„well, i told you before he has a thing for you“

„but i don’t believe it“

„why not? it’s basically written on his face that he’s head over heels for you“

you were just about to reply, a look of disapproval already plastered on your face, but got interrupted by the professor. after the lesson the topic was already forgotten, lily and you talking about what you were going to wear tonight rather than the, to you very ridiculous, james situation.

it wasn’t until the party, which you attended hand in hand with lily, that james and you began to talk again. you were just about to get yourself another firewhiskey shot when he appeared right next to you at the small bar counter.

„how come you always reject when you get asked out?“

the question caught you off guard. he wasn’t the first to ask you that question, but you’ve never felt so called out after someone interrogated like that. your eyes widened slightly and you nervously bit your lip. what were you supposed to answer? „i realized i don’t have a chance with you so i gave up on relationships completely“?

„i just don’t want to date someone i don’t like like that, i guess.”

it wasn’t a lie, after all. you could just simply wait until the feelings faded, and then maybe you would be open for something new. until then, you would just have to keep on pretending like your feelings towards him did not exist.

„i suppose you don’t like me, then?“

„what?“

„you rejected me too today, didn’t you?“

you were startled by his questions, and suddenly it felt like it was just you two in this actually very crowded common room, the air around you feeling tighter and more stifling than usual.

„do you like me, james? like, like-like me? because everybody’s been telling me but i feel like i’m going crazy because i like-like you but you keep flirting with other girls and you wink and wave at them and you put your arms around them and i hate that but i don’t want things between us to be weird because i don’t want to lose you as a friend eith-“ you stumbled over your words in hurry, every nerve of yours spinning and pulling and you could feel your own face heat up.

“you like me?”

“i- uh- i asked first!” your heard was racing and you hoped to merlin that he felt the same way and you didn’t just make a fool out of yourself, confessing to a guy who doesn’t even see you like that.

he didn’t exactly answer the question, but he showed you.

his eyes were full of appreciation as he leaned down to you, gently caressing your face as he pressed his lips against yours. and finally, you felt at peace with your own feelings. your lips continued to move in sync until you heard a few claps behind you which broke you apart. when you turned around, you found sirius winking at you and lily eyeing you with a proud look on her face.

it was only when you faced james again that you saw the way he actually looked at you all this time, with his head resting on his hand, dreamy eyes trying to catch yours.

“of course i like-like you, how could i not?”

[iamgonnagetyouback]

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ𓍯𓂃theodore nott x hufflepuff reader ⋆୨ৎ˚࿔*:･

when slughorn pairs you, theodore nott, and lorenzo berkshire for a year-long potions project, drama ensues. you’re sweet, a bit dramatic, and full of energy, while theodore calls you italian endearments disguised as insults. lorenzo just smirks, stirring the pot. it’s a mess, but maybe this year long project will result in something more brewing

—oneshots

01. secret santa 　─　ever since you picked theodore nott for secret santa, you've been in absolute denial about caring. you’re definitely not going out of your way to find the perfect gift, and you’re absolutely not asking his friends totally casual questions about his interests. but when you find out he’s staying at hogwarts for the holidays, you can’t help but pry—and somehow, along the way, you might just end up learning more about him than you ever planned to

02. project 　─　ever since slughorn paired you, theodore, and enzo for a year-long project, your life has been nothing but chaos. between enzo’s constant eyebrow wiggling, theodore’s smug italian nicknames, and your caffeine-fueled rants, it's a miracle any studying gets done

03. amortenia, rain, and nurse theo　─　ever since you dragged theodore to hogsmeade with a list of rules and lorenzo ditched you for a mystery girl, things have been chaotic to say the least. from potions shopping to dancing in the rain, catching a cold was inevitable—but waking up to theodore holding your hand? now that was unexpected

04. flowers and crowns 　─　ever since you've met theodore nott, you've known he needed a little more joy in his life. of course, you weren’t gonna say anything because theo is… well, theo; but now, as his favorite (and only) sunshine person, you’ve got every right to drag him into flower-filled adventures—whether he likes it or not

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ—headcannons

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤ✗♡✗♡ requests are open for these three

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ✗♡✗♡ comment to be added to the taglist

©iamgonnagetyouback౨ৎ please refrain from copying, translating, or reposting any of my work

[moontopuff]

Summary: twins hear some nasty rumours about you, and don't like people talk like that about their favourite Hufflepuff.

Other: hurt/angst? I mean, group of students are gossiping about your relationship with twins in a nasty way... its mostly about twins reactions and their wave of protectiveness towards you.

The corridors of Hogwarts bustled with the usual energy, as Fred and George Weasley strolled through the hall, joking about their next prank. Their conversation slowly faded as they neared a group of Hufflepuff girls chattering animatedly just ahead.

They weren’t ones to eavesdrop, not random students, because their topics were usually just too boring. Still, when your name slipped into the conversation, both twins fell silent, instinctively tuning in. It wasn’t like they could help it when it was you they were talking about.

"…Right! And Ernie asked me to the ball yesterday, so I’m going too!" a blonde girl said excitedly, her voice carrying through the hall.

"Good for you, girlie!" her friend, a brunette, chimed in, clapping her on the shoulder. But then her tone shifted, quieter now. "And on the topic… Do you know if anybody asked (Y/N) to the ball yet?"

Fred and George slowed their pace, glancing at each other with smirks. Did somebody ask their favorite Hufflepuff yet? You didn't tell them anything, and if they will know thanks to gossip... Well, they will use it to tease you, for sure. That's why they stopped their walk, pretending to be interested in something else, while listening to conversation.

"I talked with that girl who is close to her, and I know that nope! And isn’t it kinda sad that nobody’s asked her to the ball yet?" another girl snickered.

"Yeah," the blonde one agreed, her voice softer but tinged with clear jealousy. "Especially since she’s always seen with the Weasley twins and Lee Jordan. I figured she’d be the first to have a date. She's close with them, after all."

"Exactly," the brunette chimed in, her eyes wide with faux innocence. "I mean, if she’s so close to the twins, how come neither of them wants to take her? I heard some Ravenclaw's talking that it's probably she’s… you know… giving it up to both of them, but they still don't want her, and thus she still can’t even get a proper date."

Weasley twins blinked in unison, too surprised to do more than that. That's... not what they were expecting to hear.

Fred woke up first and felt a wave of disgust wash over him, his hands balling into fists. George’s jaw clenched beside him, the tension building between them as they forced themselves to stay silent and listen.

"Yeah, like, that’s just pathetic," the blonde said, her voice turning mocking. "She’s hanging around them all the time, probably hooking up with both of them, and yet here she is, still dateless. That’s… well, kind of sad, don’t you think?"

A chorus of giggles followed, the sound hitting Fred and George like a slap in the face. The idea that anyone could think that they are spending time with you only for your body... That you were only their plaything, while that couldn't be more far from the truth. The fact that people believed it was happening and were laughing at you for it—made their blood boil.

"She’s probably desperate," one of the girls added, her tone casual but venomous, and that was the last thing twins' heard as the girls started walking away and their giggles finally faded into the distance. With that, the twins also resumed walking, not a world exchange between them, just cold silence. Neither of them spoke for a few moments, their minds racing with anger and guilt. You were their friend—someone they cared about deeply, and hearing people spread lies and cruel rumors about you left a bitter taste in their mouths.

"You think she’s heard any of this?" George asked quietly, his voice tinged with concern.

Fred’s frown deepened. "If she has, she hasn’t said a word. But Merlin, if she knew what they were saying…"

They both knew how kind and loyal you were—always trying to avoid conflict, always looking out for others. You weren’t the type to confront people, not unless it was absolutely necessary. You’d rather keep your head down, maybe even shrug off the rumors with a weak smile, even if they were cutting you deep inside. The thought of you, bashful and kind as always, hearing something like this made Fred’s stomach twist in knots.

"She doesn’t deserve this," George muttered, shaking his head.

Fred’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of determination sparking behind them. "We’ve got to do something. She shouldn’t have to deal with this rubbish."

George smirked slightly, though there was no humor in it. "Something big. Make sure everyone knows the truth without making her feel embarrassed about it."

Fred nodded, already hatching a plan in his mind. "Subtle enough that she won’t notice what we’re up to. But obvious enough that no one will ever believe those lies again."

They continued down the hall, their thoughts already racing ahead to what needed to be done. This wasn’t just about protecting you from gossip—this was about reminding everyone that you were worth far more than the cruel words of a few petty girls. That you were more than your body. You were loyal, hardworking, and kind, and anyone who thought less of you clearly didn’t know you at all.

"By the time we’re done," Fred said, a glint of mischief finally returning to his eyes, "she’ll have half of Hogwarts wishing they were her date to the ball."

George grinned, feeling the tension between them ease as they began to plot. "And we’ll make sure everyone knows she’s not someone to mess with."

Silently, they decided that you now, along with Ginny, are under his protection: who will do wrong to you, will do wrong to them, and thus, punishment will be given. They knew you could handle yourself, but why let you do that, when they could do it themselves, and spare you dealing with rubbish people? The twins walked off with renewed purpose, ready to set their plans in motion.

[bryan-writes]

Green smoke and golden smiles— barty crouch jr x reader

Summary: you find yourself at a Gryffindor party, celebrating with Lily and the marauders on a win against Slytherin. Barty decides to crash it, prank the Gryffindors and steal you away to get to know you.

Hufflepuff reader, fluff, Barty calls reader darling and my lady, super cute!

Credit to @strangergraphics-archive for the lovely dividers :)

The Gryffindor common room was alive in a way that only followed a narrow victory against Slytherin. Laughter and voices bounced off the stone walls, and red and gold streamers, charmed to burst into mini-fireworks, spiraled across the ceiling in dizzying loops. Near the bar, which boasted an impressive line-up of Butterbeer, Firewhiskey, and an alarming amount of snacks, Lily Evans was chatting animatedly with you, the token Hufflepuff in the crowd. Your easygoing friendship with Lily had opened doors you’d never anticipated, including one straight into the rowdy, reckless world of the Gryffindors.

You couldn’t help but smile as you glanced around, feeling a familiar, comfortable warmth. James was being his usual self, arm slung around Lily’s shoulders as he tried and failed to impress her with exaggerated retellings of his quidditch heroics. Sirius was close by, grinning and tossing popcorn into Peter’s mouth like it was some kind of game, while Remus sat on the sofa next to you, watching them with a faintly amused smile, occasionally chuckling at your comments and sipping a warm mug of Butterbeer. You were surrounded by friends, wrapped in warmth and cheer, and yet there was something gnawing at the edge of your mind— a sense that tonight wasn’t going to stay peaceful for long.

In the back of your head, you could practically hear the gears of fate turning. After all, a win this close against Slytherin? They wouldn’t let a game this hard fought go without consequence.

And that’s when it happened. The Gryffindor portrait door burst open, the fat lady yelling obscenities as Barty Crouch Jr. strolled in, looking like he had every right to be there. With his classic lopsided grin, he paused at the threshold, one brow arched as he scanned the room with a gaze sharp enough to unsettle even the most stalwart lion. Trailing behind him were a small group of his Slytherin friends, each wearing expressions that ranged from smug to wary as they took in the Gryffindor revelry.

A hush fell over the crowd for a heartbeat. Then, true to Gryffindor form, James leaned toward Sirius with a snort, whispering just loud enough for you to hear, “Since when does Crouch drop by without hexing someone first?”

Sirius grinned, nudging him back. “Just give it a minute.”

Barty, meanwhile, held up his hands, that smirk never leaving his face. “Evening, Gryffindors!” He announced, voice effortlessly cutting through the chatter. “Thought I’d drop by to congratulate you lot on your narrow— and I mean narrow— victory today.”

A few students raised their Butterbeers, chuckling, though Lily rolled her eyes, muttering, “Oh, this should be good…”

He walked right up to her, bowing with an exaggerated flourish. “Lily Evans! Captain of this unruly pride of lions.” His grin widened and his eyes flitted around the group. “A spectacular game, truly. It’s Gryffindors like you who make these matches worth every bit of trouble”

“Oh, I’m sure that’s not all you’re here for,” Lily said, unimpressed but unable to hide her faint smile. Barty’s charm had an annoying way of creeping up on even the most suspicious of people.

You were trying not to laugh when he caught sight of you, and his expression shifted from playful to intrigued, his eyes narrowing just a bit as they took you in. Then, in one smooth motion, he turned from Lily and closed the space between you with a look of casual interest, leaning in just close enough to spark a thrill of excitement in your stomach.

“And who might you be, tucked away here among all these lions?” He asked, eyes gleaming.

“Y/N,” you replied, fighting to keep your tone neutral. “I’m here with Lily.”

”Y/N,” he repeated slowly, as if savoring it. “The one and only Hufflepuff in a den of Gryffindors. Fascinating. Tell me, darling, how does one of your gentle disposition find themselves here, surrounded by all this… ferocity?”

”Just lucky, I suppose,” you quipped, surprised at how easily the words came.

He let out a low chuckle, glancing at the marauders with an amused smirk before looking back at you. “You’re certainly braver than I’d have guessed,” he murmured, a spark of something playful in his eyes. “Though, I’d advise staying close. If I know Gryffindors, there’s bound to be some… retaliation.”

You raised a brow, feigning innocence. “Retaliation? For what?”

He leaned in, voice dropping to a whisper that sent a chill down your spine. “Oh, nothing too sinister. Just a little fog to set the mood.”

Before you could question him further, a loud pop echoed through the common room, and in an instant the space was filled with thick, swirling green mist, tinted in unmistakeable colors. There were shrieks and laughter as green fireworks began going off, Gryffindors stumbling blindly, coughing and waving their hands in front of their faces. Even the maraduers were caught off guard, fumbling around in the chaos, yelling and laughing as they tried to locate each other.

In the confusion, you felt a hand slip around yours, warm and steady. You didn’t need to see his face to know it was Barty. With a grin you couldn’t see but could practically feel, he pulled you through the haze and out into the hallway, leaving the chaos behind you.

Once outside, he turned to you, grinning as he gave a mock bow. “My lady, saved from the treacherous fog by none other than yours truly.”

You laughed, catching your breath, swatting at the green powder bound to stain your sweater. “Saved? You started that!”

”Perhaps,” he said, looking infuriatingly pleased with himself, “But you can’t deny I got you out in one piece, can you?”

”I suppose I can’t,” you admitted, unable to stop smiling. “Though, I have to admit, that was… well-executed.”

”I’m a man of many talents, what can I say?” He shrugged, as if leading a stealth operation into the Gryffindor common room was just another day for him. Then, his tone softened, though the mischievous light never left his eyes. “But tell me, Y/N… what are you doing here?”

You crossed your arms, pretending to scrutinize him. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to chat me up, Crouch.”

”Trying?” He raised an eyebrow, placing a hand over his heart. “You wound me. Here I thought I was doing a splendid job.”

You laughed, feeling a blush creep up at his confidence. “Maybe you are, just a little.”

”Only a little?” He asked, feigning disappointment. But he was smiling, that lopsided grin that could probably melt ice if it tried. “Well, that’s a start.”

He took a step closer, eyes flickering over you with a hint of genuine curiosity. “It’s not every day I meet someone who can handle a little chaos with such grace. Most would’ve hexed me by now.”

”Maybe I have a soft spot for chaos,” you teased, feeling bolder than usual.

“Oh, dangerous,” he murmured, eyes lighting up. “And here I thought Hufflepuff were all sweetness and sunshine.”

”Well, maybe we are,” you replied, unable to hold back a smile. “But we’re also more than people think.”

At that, he let out a laugh, warm and rich. “I’ll have to remember that.” Then, offering his arm with a wink, he leaned closer. “So, what do you say, darling? Feel like risking another adventure tonight?”

You glanced back toward the common room, where the Gryffindors were slowly recovering from the smoke bomb. The thought of slipping away into a night of spontaneity with Barty felt like a much better way to spend the rest of your evening.

Grinning, you looped your arm through his. “Alright, Crouch. Show me what you’ve got.”

With that, he led you down the hallway, the two of you walking in step as the night stretched out before you, filled with possibility, laughter, and just the right amount of trouble.

[marauder-misprint]

hello and good day! can I request sirius black x house of prince member!reader whose like severus' only tolerable cousin (so platonic severus and reader kinda relationship and they're chill) but the marauders don't know that and sirius has a fat crush on the reader (reader isn't in slytherin if that's okay) and flirts w them but reader thinks "Oh sirius is probs flirting w me to piss of severus" and cheerfully rejects him till like severus confronts the marauders that sirius stops being a coward and all and to leave his cousin alone and the marauders goes "????" and severus goes "hold on you don't know" and sirius kinda spirals bc the person he's down bad is severus' cousin... uh new tactics to win them over... severus being the biggest hater lmfao, if you can't write this pls don't force yourself 🫶! ty and have a good day!

Hi! Thank you for this request! ❤︎ I put reader in Hufflepuff - I think it fits :) I hope I did this request justice, especially the Snape/Reader dynamic.

Hope you enjoy ❤︎ ❤︎ ❤︎

Snape's cousin

Sirius Black x Prince!reader

5k words

cw: fluff, pining Sirius

Until last year, there were two non-Slytherins that Severus willingly talked to and was friendly with. One was Lily Evans but they were no longer on speaking terms. The other, the one who remains, is you. A lot of students wonder why you occasionally hang out and seek him out in the Great Hall. Frankly, he’s one of the few Slytherins you talk to – you don’t mind Pandora and Dorcas. But what a majority of your classmates don’t know is that you and Severus are cousins. Your close friends know, as do his, and you’re sure a few of Lily’s friends know too. 

The first time you saw him label a book ��Property of the Half-blood Prince,’ you snatched it and held it away from him as he tried to get it back. 

“Come on, give it back. It’s mine,” he had said. 

You pointed at what he had written. “According to this, it’s more mine than yours. You’re Snape.” 

Severus rolled his eyes and you handed him the book back with a triumphant smile on your face. When you teased him, it was friendly, short-lived and harm-free. Severus tolerated it. It was better than anything the Marauders did to him. Plus, you were family and family he didn’t despise at that so he kept you around. You offered him a change of pace from his Slytherin friends. Severus needed it more than he would admit. 

You, on the other hand, are not hurting for friends. People like you. To a point, you’d say they gravitate toward you. One of those who seems to gravitate toward you more than he should is Sirius. 

“Oi! Prince!” his voice calls across the Transfiguration courtyard. 

You’re walking with Meredith and Abby to your next class. You have a few minutes to spare so you pause and turn to see Sirius jogging up to you. 

“Yeah?” 

“So, I know you’re a Prince, but if you were mine, I’d treat you like a queen,” he says once he’s next to you.

Cue eye roll. 

“I appreciate that, Sirius, but no thank you,” you say sweetly.

Then you continue walking with your friends, the girls sharing a knowing look. This wasn’t the first time Sirius has flirted with you and you doubt it’ll be the last. Relentless. That’s how you’d describe him. Relentless on trying to get to Severus, trying to mess with him. Severus would probably have a conniption if you went on a date with Sirius, not that it is any of his business who you go around with, but the Marauders are not nice to Severus. You chuckle to yourself at the Gryffindor’s sad attempts to piss off Severus. Sirius had yet to flirt with you directly in front of Severus and you weren’t about to bring it up to him. So his attempts were futile. 

“I still can’t believe you brush him off every time,” Abby sighs as you climb the stairs toward the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. 

“We both know he’s not genuinely flirting with me,” you say. “And even if he was, he’s been too cruel to Sev.”

“Right, like he hasn’t earned some of what they dish out,” Meredith says dryly. 

It isn’t a secret that Meredith and Abby aren’t the biggest fans of Severus. Abby’s muggleborn so when Severus called Lily a mudblood last year, she fully swore off trying to be kind to him for your sake. And Meredith stood by her. You keep telling yourself that he’s family and you know more about his homelife and bringing up than anyone else. Although, you sometimes wonder if you give him more leeway than he deserves. Every time, you shake the thought from your head. 

“What’d you think of the assigned reading?” you ask, entering the classroom and desperate to change the conversation away from your cousin. “Dementors?”

“Glad they are far, far away at Azkaban,” Meredith says with a shiver. 

“Personally, I hope I never have to meet one,” you add. 

“I think it’s going to be a long unit,” Abby says.

You and Meredith give her a confused look.

“Discussing creatures that suck happiness out of the air and eat souls? Not very cheery.” 

You chuckle. “Yeah, but we should cover the Patronus charm soon. That’ll be fun.” 

“Professor Fischer didn’t let them try it in class last year. Just the theory and ‘you can try it on your own time,’” Meredith says, mocking your professor’s voice.

“We’ll try it together then, yeah?” 

“Yes!” Abby eagerly agrees. 

You make eye contact with Severus from across the classroom. He nods and looks away. That’s the most you get from him lately unless you’re asking him for Potions help. The volume in the classroom skyrockets as the Marauders and other Gryffindors enter the room. Sirius winks at you as he passes you. You don’t react, just taking out your notes and textbook for the class. The Gryffindors were always the last into the classroom, so if they were here, that means Professor Fischer will be starting class momentarily. 

“You saw that, right?” Abby whispers to you and you know she’s talking about Sirius.

“Yes. It doesn’t mean anything.”

She raises her eyebrows as if to say ‘yeah, sure.’ Despite you repeatedly telling them that Sirius was using you to get Severus, they still think that Sirius is actually flirting with you, that he has feelings for you. You sigh heavily as the professor starts his lesson on dementors. 

After class, you walk out with the girls and head to your next classes, not lingering in the room. The Marauders are a bit more slow. Sirius watches you leave the room before even moving to gather his things; this also means that Severus is out of the classroom when Sirius speaks. 

“Another day, another rejection,” he sighs. 

“I thought that’s what you like about her?” Peter asks, slightly leaning against his desk as the boys wait for Sirius to be ready to go. 

He stands up and throws his bag over his shoulder. “Part of it. I mean, she’s gorgeous, sweet, kind, smart, funny, pretty, stubborn. Smells nice. Lovely smile.”

“Ah, we get it. You could go on forever,” James says, clamping a hand down on his shoulder. “Just like me and Evans. We’ll get there eventually.” 

Peter snorts. “Yes, of course.”

“Oi! What do you mean?” Sirius snaps, turning around.

“He’s saying that when a girl says no, she means it,” Remus says with a smirk. 

“Or…” James starts, “they just need time to come around. Get to know us a bit more.”

Remus and Peter make eye contact and roll their eyes. 

---

A few days later, you’re working on a Potions assignment with Severus in the library. He finished the assignment a while ago, but stayed to answer your questions. You have more than you’d like.

“I really should just be able to put bezoar as the answer to these!” you sigh. “It’s a goddamn cure-all!” 

“Do you have a collection of bezoars under your bed?” Severus asks, not looking up from his assignment.

“No.”

“Then you need to know other cures for poisons.”

You sigh again and flip a few pages in your textbook. You know Severus is right but it doesn’t make the assignment feel any less tedious and stupid. 

Then Sirius walks up to your table. He doesn’t seem to notice Severus as his gaze is trained on you. He has a singular rose in his hand as he leans against the table with his free hand supporting him.

“Prince, would you do me the honor of accompanying me to Hogsmeade next weekend?” he asks, holding out the rose to you.

You don’t take it, but you do give him a polite smile.

“Sirius, you know the answer’s no.”

He sets the rose on the table between your parchment and your book. “Think about it? Let me know if you change your mind.”

“I won’t change my mind.”

“But you’ll think about it,” he says with a hint of hope in his usually suave voice. 

You roll your eyes. He smirks and leaves the table, leaving you to turn your attention back to a now-gobsmacked Severus.

“You know the answer’s no? What the bloody hell was that?” he hisses, leaning forward.

“Don’t get worked up. Getting a reaction out of you is the only reason he’s been asking me out,” you say calmly. 

“How often has he asked you out?”

You shrug. “I don’t know. Probably every few days? But, really, don’t give him what he wants. He’ll get bored eventually and move on to something else.”

Severus makes a noise that sounds like a growl before dropping the subject. To you, Sirius’ flirting wasn’t all that horrible. It was mild, really. And even if it was just to get at Severus, it still feels nice to be flirted with from time to time. 

You forget about Sirius’ invite to Hogsmeade until Tuesday. He had left you alone all weekend, which you hadn’t expected. You’re sitting in the Charms classroom next to Meredith as you wait for Professor Flitwick to start the lesson. Sirius enters with the rest of the Marauders, but the other three boys go straight to their seats. Sirius strolls up to your desk with an easy smile on his face.

“So, love, did you reconsider my offer for this weekend?” he asks.

“Nothing’s changed, Black,” you say, not even bothering to look at him. 

His smile shifts into a smirk as he leans down to say, “Well, there’s still time. It’s only Tuesday.”

You raise your eyebrows in mild annoyance. He doesn’t seem to notice, but Meredith did, using her hand to block her smile. Sirius turns to find his seat next to Remus. Remus, already knowing your answer without having to hear it, has an amused look on his face. Sirius getting turned down when girls are usually putty in his hands is a much-needed change of pace in Remus’ opinion. Ever since Sirius set his eyes on you, he hasn’t paid as much attention to any other girl. Not like he used to. 

Somehow Sirius doesn’t realize that he’s now done something he’s never done before: flirted with you twice in front of Severus. In the library, you’d been at the same table as him and able to tell him to let it go, that it wasn’t worth getting worked up over. This time you are a few desks away from. Close enough for Severus to hear what Sirius said to you, but far enough that you don’t notice his knuckles turning white from gripping the desk. He manages to keep it together the lesson and the next. Then, he makes it his mission to find Sirius. 

The Marauders are lounging near the Black Lake when Severus spots them. Normally, he tries to avoid him so he has to gather some courage to even walk up to them. He keeps telling himself that he’s doing this for you, even if you say it’s no big deal. 

“Black,” Severus says firmly with some edge to his voice once he reaches the boys.

“Snivellus! What a surprise!” James exclaims, sitting up slightly with a mischievous glint in his eyes. 

“What d’you want?” Sirius asks, sounding bored. He knows they don’t have any prank for him planned at the moment, nor have they pranked him within the past two weeks.

“I need you to stay away from my cousin,” Severus practically snarls. “It’s fucking cowardly to try to torment me through her. Your problem is with me, not her. Leave her out of it.” 

The boys exchange confused looks, none of them saying anything. Remus clears his throat.

“Erm, who is your cousin?” he asks. 

Severus crosses his arms, casting an annoyed look at Remus. “You know who my cousin is.”

“No? ‘Fraid we don’t follow everyone’s bloodline,” James says. 

“Y/N.”

Sirius chokes on his spit before gasping, “Prince?” 

“You really didn’t know?” Severus asks slowly, his eyes flitting between the Marauders. 

Remus is trying to hold in his laughter because this revelation just made your denials even better. Sirius stares at Severus with an unreadable expression – there are so many thoughts swirling in his brain that he can’t settle on a single emotion. 

“Just… leave her alone,” Severus says.

With that, he heads back to the castle. He doesn’t quite believe that Sirius didn’t know. How could he not know? His friends know. Your friends know. Surely Lily told her friends as well, which would sadly include Remus and by extension, Sirius. 

“At least Evans isn’t related to anyone foul,” Peter deadpans once Severus is a good distance away. 

“She’s… No. There’s no way she’s related to him. She’s so… and he’s just… Ugh,” Sirius says, most of his thoughts fizzling before he can articulate them.

“What would Snively get out telling us that?” Remus asks.

“Maybe he’s trying to keep her to himself or something!”

“Right, because being attracted to his cousin is something he wants to admit to?”

“Shut up.” 

Remus barks a laugh. Peter and James echo it, the ridiculousness of the situation hitting them. Sirius has been pining for Severus' cousin without knowing it. He doesn’t understand how that’s possible. How are you related to him? 

Sirius gets up and walks away from his friends. They call after him but he doesn’t turn back. He needs to clear his head, sort through his thoughts to make sense of it all. He ends up inside the castle, aimlessly wandering the corridors without any rhyme or reason. Then he runs into you. Literally. His body crashes into yours as you turn the same corner. 

“Shit, sorry,” he says, holding out a hand to help you up after standing up himself. “I’m… sorry.” 

He hurries away from you. He doesn’t look back. Sirius’ one goal now is to get far away from you until he figures out how to process your relation to Severus. You watch Sirius practically run away from you with a baffled expression on your face. This boy had flirted with you shamelessly and with no one around, he’s sprinting away from you like you have the plague. It’s peculiar, but reinforces that he only flirts with you to get at Severus. 

Sirius ends up in the Astronomy Tower, leaning against the railing. How could he like you this much without knowing you are related to Snape? How had he not figured it out? You aren’t that similar; you tolerate him better than any other non-Slytherin. Except maybe it’s not tolerating if you’re family. Sirius shakes his head. You don’t have to like your family, he knows that. But you talk to Snape. You study with him. He acknowledges you in the corridors and the library. 

Being related to Snape doesn’t change who you are. You are still the wonderful girl that he adores. You are still gorgeous. You still crack jokes with your friends. You still know what you’re doing in class. You’re the same girl. 

It takes Sirius longer than he’d like to admit that he can get over it. He doesn’t accept it while he’s standing in the Astronomy Tower. It takes him seeing you in class a few times and hearing your voice carry across the room for him to realize that he really likes you. Nothing is going to change that. Sirius sees you in a whole new light and somehow you’re impossibly better. He sees you talking with Severus after Potions and he’s not turned away by it. The urge to approach you and pull you close to him is as strong as ever.

Sirius needs to figure out how to tell you that he’s actually interested in you for you, not for the entertainment of pissing off Snape. Although, he does have to admit, pissing off Snape would be a huge plus. He stands down for a little bit. His previous methods of flirting and asking you out didn’t work. He’d need to try something new. Something that wasn’t as Sirius. Maybe that’d get through to you. 

“Moony, got any ideas?” Sirius asks as he reclines on his bed, throwing a ball into the air and catching again. 

“Working on a charm to have that snake statue on the third floor squirt gobstone juice on Slytherins…”

“No, with Y/N. How do I get her to get that I really fancy her?”

Remus sends a lazy glance toward Sirius. “Isn’t that a question for Prongs?”

“Our methods haven’t been working. We think too much alike. You, you think differently.”

“Yeah, I don’t think with my dick.” 

“Hey!”

Remus laughs. “It’s the truth, Padfoot. Use that brain, put in some effort, make it personal.” 

“Personal…” Sirius murmurs to himself. That is something he can work with. It wasn’t like he hadn’t put effort into asking you out – some of his methods were extravagant in the past.

Sirius needs to brainstorm more. He knows he needs something specifically you. Something that will catch your eye and show that he really knows you and cares about you. A simple bouquet of flowers wouldn’t do. A serenade, a poem or a grand gesture are all no’s. Sirius needs it to be perfect so that you’ll say yes and give him an actual chance to prove himself. 

You feel like Sirius has started watching you more. He doesn’t ask you out or flirt anymore. He still says hi when he passes you in the corridor and sometimes he asks how you’re doing, but nothing more than short pleasantries. You don’t mind it. Your friends are intrigued by his change of behavior. Meredith thinks Sirius has moved onto someone else, but you can’t figure out who. Abby doesn’t have any idea either. 

“If he’s chasing someone else, why is he watching us?” Abby asks when you’re studying in the library. 

“Hoping for homework answers?” Meredith offers. She knows it’s a longshot, but still worth suggesting. 

“No. He’s too smart for that. And he has friends who could give him the answers,” you say. 

The three of you all look his way at the same time. He looks away as soon as he meets your eyes, turning his head to pretend like he is deeply involved in his friends’ conversation. Meredith and Abby giggle at that. You tilt your head. Curious. 

Another week or so passes and the treatment from Sirius remains the same. Polite but with a distance. You’re not sure how you feel about it. It’s nice at first, but now it feels strange. Did he finally succeed at pissing off Severus and now you were just another Hufflepuff? Abby and Meredith are still trying to figure out who Sirius has moved on to. 

You’re sitting alone in the library. You have your Potions homework out in front of you. Severus had originally told you he’d help you but bailed last minute. So you’re alone and despising Slughorn more and more with each passing minute. You hear footsteps approach you, but you don’t look up. The person pulls out the chair across from you and sits down. 

“Y/N,” Sirius says calmly with a small smile. 

Now you have to look up. After keeping his polite distance, he’s sitting with you, and looking at you with a soft expression. 

“Sirius,” you say back to him. 

He reaches into a bag and pulls out a neatly wrapped package that looks to be about the size of your Potions’ textbook. He slides it across the table. You look from the package to Sirius and back. 

“It’s for you. You can open it,” he says. 

“What is it?”

“It’s a gift. You open it to find out.”

“Why?”

“Why?” he repeats back to you. 

“Why did you get me a gift?”

He sighs and pushes the gift even closer to you.

“I’ll tell you when you open it.”

“With your reputation, opening this could be dangerous…” you say while thumbing the wrapping. 

Sirius watches you intently as you slowly peel back the brown wrapping. A grin slowly spreads across his face as he sees your face light up. He had given you a framed painting of a Chinese Fireball – your favorite dragon. It’s a beautiful painting with intricate details. You trace your fingers over the glass of the frame. 

“Every time I asked you out, I wasn’t thinking about… Severus.” Sirius tries not sound disgusted when he says Snape’s name. He clears his throat. “I, erm, I fancy you. I really do. I’d love to treat you to butterbeers or walk around the greenhouses with you or, hell, I’ll sit here and help you study for-” He leans forward to see what subject you are working on. “-Potions. Not sure how much help I’ll be, but Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms… But I know you don’t really need help with those subjects. I just want you to give me a chance. Please.” 

You can’t bring yourself to look away from the painting. 

“Um, Y/N? Did you hear me?”

You look up slowly. There’s a glassy look to your eyes that Sirius wasn’t expecting. He needs you to say something so he knows if he sorely messed up or did something right. Reading emotions is easier when tears aren’t involved. 

“How did you know?” you whisper; you fear if you spoke any louder, your voice would shake and the tears would fall. 

“That you like Chinese Fireballs? That’s easy. I’ve seen the way your face lights up when dragons come up and you’re the most passionate about them.” 

You open your mouth, close it and open it again. “And it was never about Severus?”

“Never.” 

“Then yes. You can plan a date and I’ll go with you.”

“Thank you. Thank you!” Sirius stands up, turns to leave but stops. “Saturday sound good?”

“Yes, Sirius. I’ll meet you in the bell tower.”

“Brilliant.”

---

You don’t tell Meredith nor Abby about your upcoming date with Sirius until Saturday morning. You knew that they would freak out and cause a scene. But when they see you getting ready, you can’t hide it anymore. 

“Who are you getting all prettied up for, darling?” Meredith asks. 

“I have a date. It’s no big deal.”

Abby perks up. “A date? With who? And why haven’t we heard of this before now?”

“Erm, it’s with Sirius…”

“Sirius? As in Sirius Black?” Abby asks.

You nod. You straighten your shirt and turn around.

“Yes. Do I look okay?” 

“You’re actually going on a date with Sirius? After all this time? What changed?” Meredith asks, leaning forward from where she sits. 

“I don’t know how to explain it. Something just shifted.”

You take one last look in the mirror before leaving your dorm. You go straight to the bell tower and you only have to wait a short time for Sirius to show up. You want to laugh at how excited he looks. Even with his wide smile, he still maintains an exceptionally suave look.

“You look absolutely lovely, Prince. Shall we start the best date of your life?” he asks, taking your hand in his and bringing it up to his lips kiss it. 

“Best date of my life? Let’s see what you got.” 

Still holding your hand, Sirius leads you out of the castle and off school grounds. You want to ask where he’s taking you, but you don’t. Something tells you that even if you had asked, Sirius wouldn’t have told you. This date is his. You know you have to trust him. 

Eventually, you come to a clearing that overlooks a larger field. Down in the field are sheep, cows and puffskeins. Like when he had given you the dragon painting, your face lights up. All the animals look so peaceful and content as they exist in their individual herds. Sirius stands next to you, watching your reaction carefully. 

“I figured we could eat lunch here and then if you wanted, go a little farther-” You look at Sirius with eyebrows raised. “There’s a hippogriff nest not too far from here. There’s usually a few flying around nearby if they aren’t in the actual nest. I thought you might like to see it.”

Your eyes widen, taking your expression from incredulous to wonder. 

“There’s a hippogriff nest near here?”

“Magical creatures all around Hogwarts if you know where to look.”

You look back to the field below. It’s a truly serene sight. Sirius, however, can’t take his eyes off you and the way you’re looking across the field. He can tell that you don’t get out of the castle much to explore; you’re a Hogwarts and Hogsmeade girl. You’ve probably never stepped foot into the Forbidden Forest. 

You don’t notice when Sirius disappears from your side until you hear the ttsss of a bottle opening. You spin around to see Sirius finish setting up a picnic with all of the fixings. He holds up a butterbeer for you to take. You make yourself comfortable on the blanket Sirius had spread on the ground and let Sirius make you a plate. Usually, you’d say you could make your own plate, but he is already putting all of your favorites on the plate. You didn’t consider that Sirius would know all of your favorite foods and desserts already. 

“How am I doing so far?” he asks as he hands you the plate.

 “No one’s ever taken me to see puffskeins or offered to show me a hippogriff nest. I mean, maybe if I asked Kettleburn, but…” You give Sirius a small smile. “This is nice. And the food looks amazing!” 

He returns your smile with a brilliant grin, like he just won a massive trophy. 

“You just have to ask the house elves nicely.” He takes a small sip of his butterbeer. “So how has your week been? Did you get that Potions assignment figured out?”

You did. You give Sirius a brief recap of your week, which was fairly uneventful. He listens intently, asking questions and responding politely in the correct places. When you ask him about his week, he delves into a detailed story about a prank he pulled with the boys that made a corridor unusable until Filch manages to clean it up. 

When you finish eating, Sirius is quick to clean up the picnic. You offer to help but he turns you down. Then he takes your hand again and leads you down the path before veering off to the side. You gasp when you see it. The hippogriff nest. There’s a baby hippogriff resting with its mother and in the sky, a few more hippogriffs are circling. 

“Merlin… this is… amazing…” you say breathlessly. 

“Yeah,” he says in a voice just as soft as yours. “Better if we stay back. You know, they spook easily.”

“Yeah, I know. They’re just so magnificent.” 

“Just like you.”

You blush, giving Sirius a shy look. He’s already looking at you like you’re the most precious thing on the planet. You’re certain that no one has ever looked at you like that before and it only makes your blush deepen. You stand in silence, staring at Sirius for a few moments, and then you look back at the hippogriffs. Your heart feels like it’s beating out of your chest, trying to escape. As you watch the hippogriffs for a while longer, Sirius can’t take his eyes off of you. He could watch you like his forever, he thinks. 

Eventually, the two of you head back to the castle, Sirius’ hand intertwined with yours. He walks with you as far as the kitchens. 

“I had fun, Sirius,” you say.

“I’m glad. I did too.” He pauses as he admires your face. “Maybe we can do it again sometime. Or something similar. Or completely different.”

“Another date. I… I think that’d be nice.” 

Sirius brings your hand up to his face and kisses it again before gently letting it go and disappearing back up the stairs. You head into Hufflepuff Common Room. Meredith and Abby spot you immediately and run up to you, demanding details of the date. You obliged them with a giddy smile that you can’t wipe off, even if you tried. But you don’t want to. The date was sweet. Sirius was sweet. 

It doesn’t take long for word to spread through the castle that you went on a date with Sirius. He has that effect. It also wasn’t like people didn’t see you leave and return to the castle holding hands with him, nor had people been ignorant to his flirting with you. Some people claimed that they called it; others were surprised that you finally said yes since you seemed so dead set on saying no each time.

Then there is Severus. He finds you in the library later in the week, after refusing to meet your eyes in classes. He’s fuming when he approaches the table you’re working at. 

“Why the hell would you go on a date with him?” Severus snarls, placing his hands firmly on the table. 

“Would you believe me if I said he asked nicely?” you reply, not looking up from your work. Severus had ignored you all week and this is how he says hello? 

“Black is a horrible person. You know this. He has made my life a living hell!” 

You sigh. “I don’t think he’s as bad as you think.”

“Y/N…”

“Don’t act like you’ve never done anything bad, Sev.”

“Nothing compared to what he’s done!”

“Do you remember Lily?” you ask, finally looking up at Severus and he recoils slightly at the expression on your face. “We used to be a trio. And now she barely talks to me because I remind her too much of you. You are not as innocent as you pretend to be.” 

“Do not bring her up!”

“I’m just saying, Severus. He was a complete gentleman and I think he genuinely likes me. Merlin forbid I actually give him a chance.” 

“He’s using you to get at me.”

“He says he isn’t.”

“And you believe him?”

“Yes! And whether you like it or not, I’ve agreed to go on another date with him. You can deal with it.” 

Severus gives a humph before storming out of the library. You watch him go with a slightly frown, but you don’t go after him. He’s your cousin. He doesn’t get to decide who you date. Not when Sirius just took you on the perfect date.

tags: @navs-bhat, @bruxa0007

[desideriumwriter]

Could you write something about Hufflepuff reader studying late in the library and she realizes she has to get back to her common room before curfew. As she’s walking back Fred finds her, walks her back to her common room while flirting and talking about random things. Just something sweet and cute. Thanks love 💗💗💗

this is suchhhhh an adorable idea!! a fun one to write too! tysm for the request!! <3

wc: 1.4k

f.w. masterlist | navi

The sun was still in the sky when you entered the library to study peacefully. Various classes had slapped you with an array of tests planned this week and you felt like a bundle of nerves.

So, you chose somewhere you knew there’d be no disturbances or noise to pull your attention from your books.

The sun had completely set now, the sky outside was black. You were probably one of the only people left in the library.

It was just you, several textbooks, notes sprawled across the desk you were sitting at, and the sound of the clock ticking.

You let out a heavy breath and flipped the page of your Potions textbook. Before beginning to read over the next section, you took a look at the clock on the wall.

9:47 PM.

You had less than fifteen minutes before curfew. Maybe you could finish this next page, maybe you could start heading back to your common room.

The walk back wasn’t terribly far, but you should probably start going now if you wanted to get there before the curfew bell rang.

Rubbing your eyes and gathering your things, you quietly began on your path back to your common room.

Turning the corner down one corridor, you ended up a bit behind a tall, ginger-haired, Gryffindor boy.

It didn’t take long for him to realize you were there, he looked behind him, looked back, then did a double take.

“Merlin, you scared me. I didn’t even notice you were behind me.” He halted.

“I know you.” You stopped and narrowed your eyes at the freckled boy.

“Me?” He pointed at himself, you nodded. “Is that a good thing?” He took a few tiny slow steps towards you.

“You're the one who set off all those fireworks off on the train home last year.” You stated, Fred winced.

Maybe it wasn’t a good thing. Most kids found that end of the year prank funny, until the express was stopped for nearly an hour.

“I’m one half of it.” Fred said, tilting his head to the side. “I’ve got a brother. We er…set them off together.” He explained when he noticed your puzzled staring.

He watched nervously as your face lit up in realization.

“The twins!” You pointed, “You both tried to put your names in the Goblet the other week!”

“Oh no, you heard about that too?” He let out a nervous laugh, hoping you wouldn't see the blush seeping across his cheeks.

Fred didn’t understand why he felt so flustered, he thought the incident was hilarious himself. But you were a stranger, a pretty stranger too.

“I witnessed it.” You tried to bite back any more laughter. “You had quite a mighty beard there.”

“Reckon it was better than Dumbledore's?” He brushed his fingers through his long hair.

“I’ll say you’ll be able to pull it off when you're a hundred years old.” You shrugged. “I’m assuming you’re Fred?” You guessed as you two began to walk side by side.

“I’m George.” He lied, no matter how many times he’s done it, he’s never got tired of pretending to be his twin just to mess with people. You nodded embarrassedly and looked at the ground, a twinge of guilt suddenly hit him.

“I’m kidding. I’m not George. I don’t know why I said that.” He stammered and shook his head, “You were right the first time. I am Fred.” You glanced back at him and gave him the sweetest smile. He felt like he could melt right into the floor.

“Well then, Fred, where are you coming back from?” You lifted your chin at him in a playful manner.

“Detention with Filch.” He sighed, you grimaced.

“Uck. Did they punish you because you tried to outsmart the age line?”

“Oh no, no. Being stuck in those stiff hospital beds felt like a punishment itself.” He scoffed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Anyways, I got caught trying to steal ingredients from Madam Pomfreys cabinets.”

“Oh?” You let out a breathy chuckle.

And what about you? Where are you coming back from

“Just the library, I have a test in Potions tomorrow. I decided I should just try and cram in whatever knowledge I could.” You cringed at the way you began to ramble. While pushing open one of the kitchen doors it was impossible to miss Freds large frame moving in front of you to hold it open for you.

“Shouldn’t you be getting back to the Gryffindor tower?” You said half-jokingly as you walked into the kitchen.

“I wanted to steal a pastry from here before I went there. Shouldn’t you be getting back to yours?” He poked.

“I am, I’ve been on my way back to the basement this entire time.” You crossed your arms playfully. His smile dropped and his brows knit together.

“Basement? Your dorm is in the basement?” Fred’s face scrunched up. You just let out a small mhm and nodded, pointing to the entrance hidden behind a stack of barrels at the end of the room.

He had to tilt his head a bit to the side to see the round door hiding behind the pile of wooden barrels.

“Seems a bit crummy to put a common room down there.” Fred said flatly, yet still looking displeased at the fact your dorms would be where the dungeons also are.

“I think it’s the coziest place in the entire castle.” You shrugged; Fred let out a small noise of disagreement.

“Eh, the Gryffindor tower is the coziest. We can put Hufflepuff as a not-very-close second, yeah?” He grinned at you.

“I say you’re wrong on that.” You hummed as you tried to bite back your smile, you failed.

“Yeah? You can come see for yourself! I’ll let you have a visit and see how wrong you are!” He teased, nudging at you with a playful sparkle in his eyes. You could feel your face heat up at how his voice sounded so much flirtier than a second ago. You just prayed he wouldn’t see it. To prevent him from seeing you in your blushing state, you swiftly stepped up to the barrels.

“Er, you should probably stand back a bit.” You pointed, Freds brows knit together in confusion as he looked at the ground and back up at you.

“It…sprays you if you get the code wrong, and there's already been a few times where I’ve messed up the pattern.” You explained, Fred only nodded and took a few steps back.

You tapped the barrels in the correct rhythm and stepped back once the door began to open slowly.

From the glimpse Fred got of the Hufflepuff common room, maybe you were right. The uncountable number of plants and warm glow of the room made it look like one of the most comforting places he’s ever seen.

“It was really nice talking to you.” You told Fred as you stepped inside. “Goodnight.”

"You said you had a test in potions tomorrow, right?" Fred pipped; you stopped the door from closing with your hand.

"Yeah, we have to make a certain one by memory."

“Perfect, I've got just the thing…” He said as he dug into one of his robe pockets. “If you're not sure you made yours correctly, try and sprinkle some of this in. It’ll help.” He pulled out an extremely small sack, filled with sparkly purple powder and dropped it into your hand.

“It won’t make my cauldron explode?” You teased, knowing of him and his twins' history of blowing up the school toilets.

“No, I wouldn’t do that to you. I promise.” Even with that little smile on his face, you could tell he was actually being truthful.

“Awesome, thanks.” You grinned again, looking down and beginning to move away from the door.

Fred called out your name one more time, blocking the door from closing with his foot.

“I’ll probably be back here tomorrow night, if you’d like to chat some more?” His voice had gotten so quiet, there was a hopeful glint in his eyes.

“Yeah, I’d like that. I’d really like that.” There you went again, with that sickeningly sweet smile. “‘Night, Fred.”

“‘Night.” Fred left the kitchen with a stomach full of fluttering butterflies and a grin on his face. He didn’t even bother to steal any pastries on the way out, he was too busy being excited for tomorrow night.

tell me what you thought!

[myjealouseyes]

Request from an anon: Hello! I would like to request a Harry x Reader who’s from Hufflepuff. She’s very sweet and often finds herself surrounded by many magical creatures (even dangerous ones like dragons, etc..) I want to know how Harry would react and feel by this type of reader.

A/N— sunshine!reader has my heart!! ☺️

Content warnings: none. (Shirtless Harry but it’s not suggestive and it’s not a major point of importance.)

Send a request here.

“Is it true you’re friends with the Giant Squid?”

Harry asks casually, as he juggles all the bundles of yarn you’ve handed him on your quest for the red one you need. You practically stripped him of his Gryffindor sweater when you noticed the hole in it. It was small. He hadn’t even noticed it, and even if he had he would’ve just left it alone or gotten a new sweater. You weren’t having that though, insisting that you’d patch it for him. He asks this question with hopes that the answer will distract him from the fact that his extremely lovely girlfriend who he’s in her dorm with alone, is seeing him Shirtless for the first time.

You don’t seem to be affected by this moment of significance as you continue your search for yarn, only pausing to give him a slight smile and a head tilt. “You mean squidy? ‘Course I am! He saved me from drowning in first year.” And if Harry needed another reason to be head-over-heels, just like that, he had it. Not only were you friends with it, you’d even given it a nickname. Just being around you is enough to make his heart ache with fondness. It’s quite sickening really.

“The Giant Squid saved you?” Despite the underlying wonder in his tone, he believes you a thousand percent. It’s so on-brand for you; having an aura so bright that a squid that seems to torment the rest of the student body somehow likes you enough to save you, and become your friend. “Yep!” You respond enthusiastically. “He’s very lovely, but because of how big he is and his…less than ideal way of trying to make friends, everyone’s always afraid or at least annoyed with him all the time. It’s a very lonely existence.”

Harry has to purse his lips to keep himself to audibly cooing. He’s not sure he’ll meet ever someone else even half as caring as you are. The way you believe every single being, including the ones known for trying to grab people and drag them under, is just worthy of having friends makes him worry you might be a little too sweet for this world. You huff in disappointment as you see that you’ve run completely out red yarn. You hold up a dark pink one instead, closest to red you have. “I guess I forgot to grab some. Would the pink be too noticeable for you?” The slight guilt In your voice and pout on your face makes him want to smother you in a hundred kisses and buy you a new sweater, but he just brings your hand up to his lips for just one on palm instead.

“Pink sounds wonderful.”

[riddlesrizzler]

How to Keep a Dragon

summary: Don't take raw meat, unless you want people to ask questions. characters: mattheo riddle. theo nott. enzo berkshire. draco malfoy. blaise zabini. hufflepuff! reader warnings: none, other than hufflepuff! reader buying from the wizard black market. word count: 1.3k

Something was definitely going on with you.

Mattheo had noticed it first. The way you had been acting… odd lately. You were sneaking around more than usual, disappearing at random times, whispering hurried excuses when he asked where you were going.

But the strangest thing?

The raw meat.

At first, he thought he was imagining it. But then he saw it with his own eyes-you, stuffing a bundle of what was definitely raw chicken into your bag at dinner.

And the other day? He caught you swiping a few sausages off Theo’s plate and tucking them into your robes when you thought no one was looking.

The hell was that about?

And it wasn’t just him noticing anymore.

“Alright,” Blaise drawled, lounging on the Slytherin common room couch. “I’m saying it now-your girlfriend is hiding something.”

Theo nodded in agreement. “She’s been acting shady as hell.”

“She literally took my steak at dinner last night,” Draco grumbled. “Just snatched it up and said she’d ‘make good use of it.’ What does that even mean?”

Mattheo ran a hand through his curls, sighing. “I know, alright? I’ve been trying to figure it out.”

“Well,” Enzo smirked. “Why don’t we just ask her?”

So they did.

-

You barely had time to get through the Hufflepuff common room entrance before Mattheo and the Slytherin boys cornered you.

“Alright, sunshine,” Mattheo drawled, arms crossed. “Talk.”

You blinked up at them, trying to look innocent. “Talk about what?”

“Oh, don’t play dumb,” Theo said, narrowing his eyes. “You’ve been sneaking around, stealing food, whispering weird excuses-”

“And hoarding raw meat,” Draco added. “Like some kind of deranged goblin.”

Your eyes widened. “I-what?! I have not-”

“Oh, you absolutely have,” Mattheo cut in, stepping closer. “So what’s going on, angel?”

You hesitated, glancing between them, before sighing dramatically. “You guys can’t be mad.”

“Oh, that is not a good start,” Enzo muttered.

“I mean it!” you insisted. “Promise me you won’t get mad!”

Mattheo narrowed his eyes. “We’ll see.”

With a sigh, you grabbed Mattheo’s hand. “Fine. But you have to swear not to freak out.”

The boys exchanged glances but nodded.

And then you led them upstairs.

-

Sneaking the Slytherin boys into the Hufflepuff dorms was a feat, but you managed. And once inside your room, you turned to them and whispered, “Okay, um… don’t scream.”

That was not reassuring.

But before they could ask questions, you tiptoed over to your wardrobe and slowly opened the doors.

And inside, curled up in a nest of blankets, was a baby dragon.

The boys stared.

The tiny creature was adorable-scales shimmering between gold and green, tiny wings tucked against its sides, its snout buried into a pillow. But as soon as it smelled the food in your bag, it lifted its head, blinked sleepy eyes, and let out a tiny, high-pitched chirp.

“…What the fuck,” Draco breathed.

Mattheo ran a hand down his face. “Oh, for Merlin’s sake.”

Theo looked thrilled. “IS THAT A DRAGON?!”

Blaise, was speechless.

You gave them all a sheepish smile. “Uh… surprise?”

Mattheo pinched the bridge of his nose. “Sunshine. You’ve been raising a dragon in your dorm?”

You nodded. “His name is Snaggle!”

Draco choked. “You named it Snaggle?”

“Well, yeah,” you huffed. “Look at his little baby snaggle teeth!”

Mattheo groaned. “That’s what you’ve been sneaking raw meat for?”

You nodded, kneeling to scratch under Snaggle’s chin. The dragon made a happy little chirp, flapping his wings.

Theo was still in awe. “This is so cool.”

“This is insane,” Draco corrected.

Enzo finally spoke. “Okay, hold on-how the hell did you even get him?”

You winced. “Um… so, funny story… I may have… found him?”

“Found him?” Mattheo echoed.

You nodded. “There was this really sketchy-looking guy outside Hogsmeade, and he was selling dragon eggs, which is obviously illegal, but I couldn’t just let them be sold to, like, terrible people, so I bought one, and then it hatched, and now he imprinted on me, and I couldn’t just abandon him, and now he lives here.”

The boys just stared.

“You bought a dragon egg off a black market dealer?” Blaise said flatly.

“…Yes?”

Mattheo exhaled very slowly. “Sunshine.”

You gave him your best innocent smile. “Are you mad?”

He stared at you, looked at the dragon, then back at you.

Then he sighed. “Mad? No. Amazed at your sheer ability to get yourself into the most insane situations? Yes.”

Theo clapped his hands together. “Alright, well. No going back now. Guess we all have a pet dragon.”

Blaise snorted. “Oh yeah, because that won’t get us expelled.”

Mattheo shook his head, pulling you into his arms. “You are too much, angel.”

You giggled, leaning into his chest. “But you still love me?”

He sighed dramatically. “Yeah. I still love you.”

Snaggle let out a happy little chirp, and Theo immediately flopped down beside him. “This is the best thing ever.”

Draco groaned. “We’re all going to die.”

But, as Mattheo kissed the top of your head and watched you happily cuddle your forbidden pet dragon, he knew one thing for sure.

Life with you was never boring.

[multi-fandom-imagine]

𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦 & 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬

A/n: would be happy to post a whole smut fic of anyone wants it

Neville Longbottom was a gentlemen.

He was raised to be respectful, patient and Considerate - especially when it came to you, the woman he adored with every fiber of his being.

Which is why is he fully expected your first time with him to be soft and delicate filled with sweet whispers and slow kisses.

He had not, under any circumstances expected it to involve sentient, enchanted vines pinning him to a bed.

Yet, here you two were....and Neville Longbottom was not prepared for this.

It Started Innocently Enough…

You two had been spending the evening together in the greenhouse, where you where tending to some magical flora, completely in your element.

Neville, utterly smitten, had spent the last hour watching you work, your hair falling over your shoulders, the light from the enchanted lanterns giving you an almost ethereal glow.

And when you had finally turned to him, smiling, brushing a bit of dirt off you cheek—

He kissed you.

Soft...Sweet....At first.

Until you wrapped your arms around his neck, pressed your body against his, and suddenly—

The dynamic shifted.

Because you kissed back differently.

Not shy. Not hesitant. But knowing.

Deliberate.

And when Neville’s back bumped against the wooden post of the greenhouse, and you took that moment to flip the positions—

Neville had the sudden, horrifying realization that you were in control.

Which was confirmed when you murmured, in that soft, deceptively sweet voice—

“Let me take care of you, Nev.”

Neville, blinking rapidly, tried to say something intelligent.

All that came out was:

“Oh—oh.”

The Vines. Oh, Merlin, the Vines.

Neville had been so focused on you—your lips, your hands, the way you looked at him like he was the only thing in the world—that he hadn’t even noticed the vines creeping along the greenhouse floor.

Not until they suddenly curled around his wrists, pinning them to the wooden post behind him.

Neville’s brain short-circuited.

“Y/n—?”

You tilted your head, smiling innocently. “Mmm?”

Neville tugged against the enchanted vines, realizing very quickly that they weren’t going anywhere.

“You—you tied me up?”

You, trailed your fingers down his chest, completely unbothered, hummed. “They’re just a little enchanted. You’ll be fine.”

Neville, mouth opening and closing like a fish, stared at you.

Y/n, soft, sweet Y/n—

Had tied him up.

With sentient plants.

Neville, voice slightly higher-pitched than usual, muttered, “Y/n, if you don’t let me go, I swear—”

You leant in, brushing your lips against his jaw.

Neville forgot how to breathe.

“Hmm?” You whispered, barely touching him, teasing.

And that was the moment Neville realized he was doomed.

Later, as Neville lay there, completely wrecked, staring at the ceiling, he slowly turned his head to look at you.

Who, of course, was curled against his chest, looking perfectly content.

Neville blinked.

“Y/m?”

“Mmm?”

A pause.

“…How long have you known you could do that?”

You smirked against his skin.

“Oh, I’ve always known.”

Neville groaned, dragging a hand over his face.

“Oh, Merlin help me.”

Tracing a small pattern to his chest you glanced up at him. "Did you like it."

Voice, still rough, mind still in a fog he slowly nodded his head. "I did."

"Good."

[unconventional-lawnchair]

Hi! I've been thinking a lot about hufflepuff!fem!reader biting more than she could chew whilst practising new spells and opening a portal to a new dimension (think of the multiverse) and ending up in Gotham where she meets Nightwing during one of his patrols, where he was helping out the rest of the Batfamily pin point the spot where an anomaly created by her was detected...thanks! xx

Falling First

AN: I am SO sorry, I realised how long it was this will likely be a two parter- but OMG I dropped everything this idea was too cute

WC: 6077

CW: Use of {Y/N}, vivid panic attack, blood, rat mishandling

“Are you going to keep reading that dumb book?” Damien’s judgmental voice called over to Nightwing from the other side of the rooftop. He was practicing his form, swinging around Nightwing’s staff as if it was one of his swords.

Dick was leaning against the concrete wall, holding a soda and reading a book propped on his lap. The title? Hogwarts: A History.

“Dumb book?” Dick scoffed playfully, leaning further back. "It's fascinating!" He raved, not taking his eyes off the pages. "Besides, who doesn't want to read about wizarding worlds and magical creatures? The.. the interesting ways in which students have harmed themselves. I wonder if there is another volume..” He began to mumble.

Damien rolled his eyes, still twirling the staff with practiced ease. "We deal with real villains and real threats every day. I don't see the point in wasting time on make-believe. And did father even say you could take that here? It's evidence.”

Dick glanced up from his book, a smirk playing on his lips. "You know, some day, you'll learn to relax. It's just a light read. Helps keep the mind sharp and the imagination alive."

With a final, flashy spin of the staff, Damien stopped and faced Nightwing, raising an eyebrow. "Imagination? You sound like Grayson. Oh wait, you are Grayson.”

Dick chuckled, shaking his head. "And you, my dear Damien, sound like a mini Bruce with a side of extra grumpiness."

Damien huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "I just don't see the point."

"Well, in fairness, you do need a signal. Has it happened yet?” Oracle’s voice called out from their earpiece. Dick leaned back and pressed two fingers to his ear. “Not yet, it's still stable.”

Damien huffed and walked over, sitting down on the concrete wall and snatching the bag of open puffs. “We'll be here all night. What's the point?”

“To find more anomalies, Robin.” Barbara sighed and leaned back in her seat, spinning a bit from the large computer screen and sliding over towards a glass display, showing off several random items that had been appearing on the roof top for months now.

Scrolls, weathered and tampered. Random blue crystals, which Dick’s newest favorite book called ‘moonstones,’ quills, and even what seemed to be a wand carved from hazel wood. All of which had appeared on that rooftop with a spark of terrifying energy.

"Right, anomalies.” Dick smirked, sitting up a bit straighter and closing his book. "We can't have mysterious artifacts just popping up all over Gotham. That would be bad for business."

Damien gave a reluctant nod, munching on the puffs he had taken from Dick’s bag. "Still, I don’t see how reading that book helps us."

"Knowledge is power, Damien." Dick cheeked, taking a sip of his soda. "Even if it's from a 'dumb book'. Besides, it might give us some insight into what we're dealing with. These items don’t exactly scream ‘normal’."

Barbara’s voice crackled over the earpiece again. "He's right, Damien. Understanding the lore and history behind these artifacts could be crucial. It might help us figure out where they're coming from and possibly even how they are getting here.”

“Yeah yeah..” He mumbled.

“Besides,” Dick smirked. “Who's to say we can't have a little fun on the-”

Before he could continue, lifting the book, it began to spark and flicker in his hands. As if its very file was corrupted but somehow managed to manifest physical energy. The book glowed with an eerie yellow and pink light, and the pages began to flip rapidly on their own.

"Uh, guys?" Dick called out, his playful demeanor shifting to one of concern. "I think we might have another anomaly on our hands."

Damien immediately leaped up and snapped his attention around them, pulling his katana from his sheath and getting ready.

Dick got up next, taking his staff and looking around cautiously.

“We are getting it here too!” Barbara ’s voice was hardly audible, the lights around the city began to flicker and wave, as if he was staring at a terrible simulation on the break on destruction.

Barbara stood watching the other artifacts from the batcave, seeing them flicker and spark with life as they began to glitch from place to place.

Suddenly, there was a loud crackle from above Dick and Damien, and then a loud squeak.

“Shit.” Dick hissed and shot him, using his staff to propel him and catch whatever was falling before it hit the ground.

He found in his hand, a fat brown and white rat.

Just like that, the glitching stopped. The lights around them returned to normal, and they were left with a new friend.

Dick got to his feet, holding the rat much like you would a can of soda. Staring at it curiously as it squeaked and wiggled about in distress.

"Well, this is new," Dick remarked, raising an eyebrow at the squirming rodent. "Meet our latest anomaly." He showed Damien the squirming thing.

Damien sheathed his katana, looking unimpressed. "A rat? Seriously? This is what all that chaos was about?" He wandered over and held his hand out for it, Dick smirked and pushed his head away, stepping back with a chuckle as Damien tried to steal the rodent from him.

Barbara's voice came through the earpiece, much clearer now. "Dick, Damien, are you both okay? The readings just spiked and then dropped off the charts."

"Yeah, we're fine," Dick snickered and held the rat higher, still holding Damien off. "But it looks like our anomaly this time is a... rat."

“You're not holding it properly!” Damien hissed, muffled against Dick’s palm as he tried to get to the distressed animal.

"A rat?" Barbara repeated, puzzled. "That's odd. Any idea if it has any special properties?"

"Well, it did appear out of thin air." Dick noted playfully before he looked up at it, holding it flat on its stomach now. “Speak!”

It only seemed to huff in response and Dick shrugged. “Looks like a common city rat.”

“That's not a city rat!” Damien snapped. “Look at its patterns! It's domestic.”

“A pet rat?” Barbara muttered before she crossed her arms, confused. “So we started with random items and now a living creature?”

“Sounds like experiment progression to me.” Dick cooed at the rat before he lowered his arms. “Ima call him Mr. Squeakerson.”

Before he could stop him, Damien finally stole the rat from him, shielding the creature against his chest. "He's not a toy, Grayson," Damien snapped, glaring at Dick. "This is serious."

"Alright, alright," Dick relented, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Just trying to lighten the mood."

Barbara's voice came through the earpiece again. "Damien's right. If this rat is part of the anomalies, it could be important. We need to figure out where it came from and why it's here."

Damien nodded, cradling the rat gently, running two fingers down its back. "I'll take him back to the Batcave and run some tests. Maybe there's something special about this rat that we haven't identified yet."

"Good idea.” Dick agreed, his expression turning serious. "I'll keep an eye out for any more anomalies up here."

Barbara hummed. "I'll continue monitoring the readings. If anything happens, ring me, yeah?”

“Yeah.” Both Dick and Damien called into their ear pieces.

~~~

“No!” You sobbed out as the portal disappeared, staring at the middle of the shrieking shack in distress.

“We can always try again next full moon.” Luna Lovegood’s airy voice called over to you. You gave another groan, walking over to one of the discarded desks and sitting down.

“It's not working! I just don't get it.” You huffed, looking over the tomes and scrolls you both had splayed out on the floor and tables, ones you had pinned and scraped together, littered with muggle sticky notes and ink that traveled between the pages as if to etch out a map.

Tomes of old magic with modern magic, the deep theory of apparition. And even some old muggle studies of what they would call inter dimensional travel. You began to scatter over the pages, stepping over the moonstones you had gathered, the fine line of black sand that had now crystallized with the energy of the portal, making it almost glass.

“What a waste of Diricawl feathers.” You whined and let your head hit the desk, Luna reaching over to rub your head to try and comfort you.

It had been months, months of you trying to create a portable form of Floo Flames, something safer than apparition and more accessible to the masses. You were turning 19 soon, you were so close to having to leave Hogwarts behind, and thus all the free materials needed to continue your experiments.

Luna continued to pat your head gently, her presence a small comfort to fight off your frustration. "You got closer this time." She breathed.

You sighed deeply, lifting your head just enough to glance at the scattered notes and artifacts. Lazily lifting your hand to grab one of your quills. "I know, Luna. It's just... I was so sure this time. We've been working on this for months, and it feels like we're no closer than when we started."

Luna gave you a dreamy smile. "Progress isn't always visible. Sometimes, it's in the small things. Like today, we didn't lose anything to the portal.”

You slowly smiled, lifting your head. “I guess so.” You mumbled. “And it was bigger this time. I could almost put my hand through.”

“That's the spirit.” Luna hummed and stood up, waving her wand as she began to set the items to collect themselves from the floor. You pouted a bit and Luna turned to smile at you.

“Still miss your wand?”

“Deeply.” You huffed and sat up, fixing your tie. “And that history of Hogwarts book is going to set me back a few galleons to replace.”

Luna tilted her head, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Oh, I did forgot to mention. My father still has his old copy. He said he'd love to have you for tea, lend it to you. I can ask him if this coming holiday works."

You smiled at her, feeling your heart throb at her thoughtfulness. How could anyone hate this girl? "Thanks, Luna. You're always so helpful. I just hope we can figure this out before I have to leave Hogwarts."

Luna nodded, her brows furrowing. "We'll get there."

Just as she finished speaking, a soft glow appeared on the desk beside you. A small, shimmering portal flickered into existence for a brief moment before winking out. Both of you stared at the spot in surprise.

"Did you see that?" You whispered, as if speaking too loud would wake you up from a dream, your smile growing tenfold as Luna’s brows only furrowed deeper.

“It materialized! On its own!” You lit up and quickly got to your feet, scrambling for your journal.

“Oh that can't be good.” She muttered.

You paused, looking back at her with confusion. "What do you mean, can't be good? This is a breakthrough!"

Luna's expression remained serious, her eyes scanning the spot where the portal had flickered. "If it materialized on its own, it means the magic is becoming unstable. It might be reacting to something we don't understand yet."

Your excitement dimmed slightly as you considered her words. "Luna, it's a marvel!” You insisted. Luna hesitated, seeing her mother’s fire in your eyes. She took a steady breath and frowned a bit, turning into a pout, as you slowly relaxed your shoulders.

“It's a breakthrough.” You insisted. “And it happened after 3am, is that it? Did we have the witching hour wrong?”

As you began to scatter around the room, Luna watched with a worried look, before she could speak up about her concerns, you reached out your hand to your table. “Templeton! Quill!” You called out. But when the quill didn't hit your palm, you looked around confused. Where had your rat gone?

There was a moment of pause before you looked back at Luna. “Looloo? Where did Templeton go?”

Luna looked around the room before she slowly eyed the circle in the middle of the room. You felt your heart drop.

~~~

The majority of the day you had been moping. You missed your rat.

It was all you could think of, through every class, you couldn't shake the worry gnawing at the back of your mind. You had grown quite attached to Templeton, and the thought of him being lost somewhere unknown was unbearable. Was he alive? Was he eating? Was what he was eating safe? Was he safe?

Luna tried to cheer you up during lunch, but even her whimsical stories and odd facts couldn't lift your spirits. "We'll find him.” She tried to reassure you. "Maybe he's on an adventure of his own."

"An adventure?" You muttered, poking at your food. You had already started pushing the peas out of your food for Templeton. "I just hope he's safe."

As the day went on, you found yourself increasingly anxious. What if the portal had sent Templeton somewhere you couldn't reach? What if he was scared and alone? Cold and wet? What if he was missing you as much as you were missing him? The questions swirled in your mind, making it hard to focus on anything else.

---

Back in Gotham, Damien was busy running tests on the rat in the Batcave. He had set up a small, comfortable enclosure for the creature, complete with food and water. As the automated scanners did their work, Damien couldn't help but notice how the rat seemed oddly calm, almost as if it was used with all the testing.

"Any luck?" Dick asked, strolling into the lab area with a curious look. He was out of his costume, just in sweats and a black shirt.

"Nothing yet.” Damien mumbled, keeping his eyes on the monitors. "But there's definitely something different about this rat. It's too comfortable around all this testing. And his heart is on the wrong side.”

Dick nodded, looking at the rat with interest. "Any signs of where it might have come from?"

Damien shook his head, glancing at the rat. "Not yet. But the fact that its heart is on the wrong side suggests it might not be from around here. It's an anomaly in itself."

Dick frowned, leaning in closer to the rat. "So, it's not just any rat. That makes things more interesting. We need to figure out where it came from and what it means."

As the rat continued to explore its new enclosure, Damien's eyes narrowed. "... it's really friendly. Doesn't seem to like it kibble, keeps trying to eat what Alfred brings me."

Dick nodded. "I've been cross-referencing the data from the anomalies with our existing records over the years- wait, have you been letting it out of its cage?”

Damien flustered, stammering for a moment. “It's a small enclosure!”

Dick chuckled, shaking his head at Damien's defensiveness. "Seems like Mr. Squeakerson is already growing on you. What? Don't have enough strays?"

Damien scowled, but there was a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Don't get too attached. We still need to figure out where he came from and how he got here." Barbara's voice came from behind them. She pushed herself down the strip walk way in her wheelchair, getting back to her monitors with a yawn. Looking over to the cage and smiling as the rat seemed to get excited at her return. “He's smart. Very friendly.”

"Yeah, a bit too friendly for a rat that just appeared out of nowhere." Dick noted, watching the rat scurry around its enclosure with curiosity. "What do you think, Babs? Any theories?"

Barbara adjusted her glasses and leaned closer to the monitors, tapping a few keys to bring up the data. "It's definitely unusual. The heart on the wrong side, the comfort around humans, and now it's showing signs of higher intelligence. This isn't just any ordinary rat. That has only been seen once before.”

“... you mean when Lex Luther-”

“Exactly.” Barbarainterrupted and gestured to the display. “A wand. Stones, papers and tomes, even quills? All of them tie back to your book.”

Dick furrowed his brow at her and she then gestured to the rat. “What was it your book said? You could bring pets?”

“A rat, an owl, or a frog.” Dick mumbled before Damien seemed to catch one.

“Are they…”

“From another universe.” Dick concluded with a slack jaw.

“One where their organs mirror our own.”

Damien's eyes widened with realization. "So, you're telling me this rat might actually be from a parallel universe? One where magic is that common?"

Barbara nodded, her expression serious. "It's starting to look that way. The items we've found, the anomalies- they might all be connected to this other world. And if this rat is any indication, living creatures can cross over as well."

Dick looked thoughtfully at the rat, now affectionately named Mr. Squeakerson. "If that's true, then we need to figure out how these portals are opening and why. There might be more at stake here than just a few random artifacts."

Damien nodded and Barbara sighed.

“I think we need to call in the others. Tell Bruce what we know.” Barbara mused and gestured to the rat.

Dick walked over to the cage and opened it, a bit surprised when the rat ran up his arm and straight to his shoulder. Like it knew exactly what he wanted.

“Huh.”

“I'll call the others.” Damian nodded, turning before Barbara called over. “Don't forget Jason!”

She could hear his groan echo off the walls.

~~~

You were stressed, you were tired. You hadn't slept since Templeton fell through the portal. You went straight back to the shack after curfew, setting everything up once more.

Luna, ever the supportive friend, had accompanied you despite the late hour. She watched quietly as you frantically arranged the moonstones and black sand, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity.

"You need to rest.” She said softly, placing a gentle hand on your shoulder. "You'll think more clearly after some sleep."

You shook your head, determined. "I can't rest, Luna. Templeton is out there somewhere, and I need to find him. What if he's in danger?"

Luna sighed but didn't argue further. Instead, she waved her wand, casting a charm that made the various components float into place more efficiently. "At least let me help you. Two minds are better than one."

As you both worked, the night crept into day. Luna pushed more firm this time, asking you to at least rest before you attempt anything.

You agreed to a nap, though reluctantly, knowing that your exhaustion could lead to mistakes. Luna conjured a small, comfortable cot in the corner of the shack, and you lay down with a sigh, the weight of your worry making it hard to fully relax.

Luna sat beside you, humming a soft, soothing tune. "Just a quick nap, and then we can get back to work. Templeton will be alright. I have a feeling about it."

You nodded, your eyes drifting shut as Luna's gentle voice lulled you.

As you drifted into a fitful sleep, Luna kept watch, her wand ready and her eyes scanning the room for any signs of magical disturbances. She hoped that a brief rest would replenish your energy and clear your mind for the tasks ahead.

---

Back in Gotham, the Batcave was bustling with activity. Bruce Wayne, Jason Todd, and Tim Drake had joined the investigation, each bringing their unique skills to the table. And, unfortunately, their unique attitudes as well.

"So, this rat just appeared out of nowhere?" Bruce questioned, his voice calm but with an edge of curiosity.

"Exactly," Damien replied, holding the rat gently. "And he’s not just any rat. His heart is on the wrong side, and he shows signs of higher intelligence. We believe he might be from a parallel universe."

Bruce raised an eyebrow, glancing at Barbara and Dick. "Any theories on how these portals are opening?"

Barbara nodded, pulling up a holographic display and gesturing out to each spike of energy. “We think it's intentional. Like they are testing portals.”

"Testing portals?" Bruce echoed, narrowing his eyes at the display. "That would explain the increasing frequency and the variety of objects appearing. But why?"

"Could be a number of reasons." Tim suggested, stepping forward with a thoughtful expression. "They might be trying to establish stable connections between universes, or perhaps they're searching for something specific. Like a person?”

Jason, leaning casually against a console, chimed in with a smirk. "Or someone pissed off the wrong wizard and now we're dealing with magical fallout."

Damien shot Jason a glare but didn't respond. Instead, he turned back to Bruce. “Whatever it is, we think it's on purpose.”

Bruce nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the information. "We'll need to be prepared for anything. If someone- or something- is intentionally testing these portals, it could be a prelude to something much larger."

Dick looked at Mr. Squeakerson, who was now comfortably perched on his shoulder. "And this little guy might be our best clue to figuring out what’s going on. We need to keep him safe and see what we can learn from him."

Barbara interjected, "I'll continue monitoring the energy spikes and anomalies. We need to pinpoint the exact locations and timings of these events. Maybe we can predict when the next one will happen. There may even be more than one at a time.”

Tim hummed and nodded. "I'll look into the possibility of any magical artifacts or entities that could be responsible for the portals. There might be something in our archives that matches the energy signatures we're seeing."

Jason shrugged, pushing off the console. "Guess I'll be on anomaly patrol then. Wouldn't want anything else to just drop out of the sky unannounced."

Bruce nodded in agreement. "Good. We need to cover all the ground we can. Dick-”

“I'll patrol with Damien.” He interrupted and Bruce narrowed his eyes for only a moment before he nodded. “Everyone's dismissed.”

~~~

You woke up to flashing lights around you. As you opened your eyes, you were greeted with a bright yellow light, more flashing, then, suddenly, you felt like you were falling.

There was a sharp surge of pain that rocked you when your back hit the rooftop. You gasped, the wind knocked out of you as you struggled to regain your bearings. Blinking against the harsh lights and trying to make sense of your surroundings, you slowly sat up, wincing at the ache in your back. The smell of the city- smoke, asphalt, and something distinctly metallic; all hit your nose at once.

You raised your hand as you felt something warm drip from your nose, only to feel another painful shock run through you. You gave a wail of pain as your body began to glitch, as if you were some kind of faulty Sunday cartoon.

It was unbearable, and you let out a throat tearing sob as the pain rocked through you. No one was around, no one near you anyway, and the glitching seemed to get worse. The lights of the city seemed to flicker in response to your pain, and after what felt like hours, you were able to lift yourself.

Your face was covered in blood, your uniform stained with the red fluid, and your head was light.

As your blurry eyes began to focus, you took in the city around you. It was nothing like you had ever seen before; the buildings were towering structures of steel and glass, illuminated by a myriad of neon lights and billboards- some brighter than the sun itself. The noise of the city was a constant hum, a combination of distant traffic, sirens, and the occasional shout from the streets below.

You staggered to your feet, clutching your head as another wave of dizziness hit you. "Where... am I?" you whispered to yourself, trying to make sense of the alien environment.

Were you in a muggle city? Where were your things? Where was Templeton?

Your breathing grew quicker as you realized, not only did you have no clue if you popped out where everything else had but that portal that brought you here was clearly unstable. You didn't summon it, nor did you think Luna did.

She was right, she always was.

You ran your fingers through your hair with a choked sob. Growing more and more frustrated with your own stupidity- you didn't have a wand, you hardly knew any nonverbal spells, you were in the middle of nowhere, and the backdrop of screaming and rowdy life of the city didn't bring any comfort.

Your breath started coming in short, rapid gasps, each one feeling more shallow than the last. Trying to calm your sobs, only worsening it with hiccups. Your heart pounded in your chest, a wild, erratic beat that echoed in your ears. The world around you seemed to blur, the neon lights and towering buildings warping and bending in your vision.

"I... I can't... breathe.” You choked out, your voice barely a whisper. Your hands trembled uncontrollably as you clutched at your chest, trying to will your lungs to take in air. Each inhale felt like you were trying to breathe through a straw, thin and insufficient.

You stumbled, falling back down to your knees and curling up against the concrete wall. Clenching your robe as the horrible and painful glitches returned, the lights and sounds of the city mocking you as the power flickered around with you.

Your mind raced with a thousand thoughts at once, each one more frantic than the last. Where am I? How did I get here? What if I can't get back? What if Templeton is gone forever? The questions swirled and collided, creating a cacophony of panic that drowned out any attempt at rational thought.

The ground seemed to tilt beneath you, making it difficult to keep your balance. You reached out, grasping at nothing, desperate for something solid to hold onto.

Your vision started to narrow, darkening at the edges as the pain rattled you into nothing but a trembling lump.

As your vision continued to darken and your breaths came in ragged gasps, you heard a voice, distant at first but gradually becoming clearer.

"Hey, are you okay?" The voice was filled with concern, cutting through the chaos in your mind. You tried to focus on it, using it as an anchor to the present.

A figure knelt down beside you, you couldn't make him out but he felt safe. He gently placed a hand on your shoulder. "Just breathe, okay? In and out, nice and slow." The voice was calm and steady, a stark contrast to the panic you felt inside. You tried to will away the tears that prickled your eyes.

You tried to follow the instructions, but your body was still wracked with tremors and your mind was a whirlwind of fear. The figure gently rubbed your back, trying to soothe you.

"It's okay, you're safe now.” His voice reminded you of something. Something soft, something gentle.

As you focused on the voice, you felt a small sense of calm start to push through the overwhelming panic. It was like a lifeline, something to hold onto in the midst of the storm inside your mind.

"That's it, just breathe.” The voice continued, steady and reassuring. "You're going to be okay. I'm right here with you."

You took a shaky breath, trying to match the rhythm the voice was setting. In and out, in and out. Slowly, very slowly, the world around you started to come back into focus. The neon lights were still bright, the city noise still loud, but they felt a little less overwhelming with each breath you managed to take.

As your vision cleared, you saw the face of the figure kneeling beside you. It was a large man. Well, certainly larger than you. He was in a blue and black uniform of sorts, and a symbol on his chest you couldn't make out with your hands in the way. You didn't realize that in your panic to find anything solid, you had reached out and grabbed him. Not that he seemed to mind, looking at you from behind his domino mask with such gentleness.

"Hey.” He said softly, his covered eyes tracing your face. He had such a sweet smile. "You're okay. I'm Nightwing, and you're safe now."

You nodded weakly, now gripping his arm for support. The tremors in your body were starting to subside, your breaths becoming steadier. Nightwing's presence was grounding, his calm helping to pull you out of the spiral of panic with so much ease you wondered if he had done it before.

"Can you tell me your name?" He prodded gently, not wanting to overwhelm you.

You swallowed hard, trying to find your voice, wincing as you tasted that copper flavor, your nose was still bleeding. "{Y/N}.” You managed to say, your voice barely above a whisper. "My name is {Y/N}."

Nightwing gave you a reassuring smile. "It's nice to meet you, {Y/N}. Pretty name for a pretty girl. Can you tell me what happened? How you got here?"

You took another deep breath, trying to gather your thoughts. "I... I don't know. There was a portal, and then I was here. I don't know where here is."

Nightwing nodded, his expression serious but understanding, his smile slowly falling. In your sensitive state, you felt your heart clench as you clearly disappointed this definite guardian. "You're in Gotham City. We'll figure out the rest. Can you stand?”

“I-I don't know.” You whispered, your voice shaking and he nodded.

“That's alright, you're alright. Can I touch you?”

“Seems only fair.” You whispered and began to move your hands from his arms.

Nightwing chuckled softly at your remark, glad to see a bit of humor returning to your voice. "Alright, I'm going to help you up. Nice and easy."

He gently placed one arm around your back and another under your knees, lifting you with surprising ease. You felt a bit of a jolt, but his steady confidence helped keep you grounded. As he stood up with you in his arms, you leaned against him, feeling an odd sense of safety despite the chaos around you.

As he carefully carried you towards the edge of the rooftop, you noticed another figure standing there, watching with a mix of curiosity and concern. It was Damien, still holding the staff, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene.

"Another anomaly?" Damien asked, his tone skeptical.

Nightwing nodded, carefully setting you down on a nearby crate, making sure you were steady before letting go. "Looks like it. This is {Y/N}. She came through a portal, just like the other items."

Damien approached, his expression softening slightly as he looked at you. "Are you alright?" He asked, his voice carrying a hint of genuine concern despite his usual demeanor. You didn't notice Nightwing raising his eyebrows in surprise.

You nodded, still feeling a bit uneasy. Nightwing pulled out a cloth and held it out to you.

Raising it to your nose you started to stop the bleeding, watching as he put two fingers to his ear. “Oracle, we found something. Send a car.”

“Car?” You whispered and Damien narrowed his eyes at you.

“You must of hit your head pretty hard, huh?” He prodded and you turned to him with furrowed brows.

“Cars? Like the muggle death traps?” You pushed and the younger boy gave you the same confused look you were sending him.

“Muggles? The hell are muggles?” He pushed and your stomach sank.

Nightwing and Damien exchanged a glance, both clearly puzzled by your words. Nightwing crouched down to your level, his expression softening even more as he tried to understand.

"Muggles?" Nightwing asked gently. "You mean non-magical people, right? Like in the book I was reading?"

You nodded slowly, feeling a bit relieved that at least one of them seemed to understand. Then, your jaw dropped. “You read my book?” You pushed and he slowly nodded.

“I guess that was yours? You have a lot of explaining to do.” He slowly smirked at you and you couldn't help how your stomach fluttered at his look.

“Explaining?” You whispered.

“Those portals have been opening up everywhere. It's messing with our entire power grid.”

“What's a power grid?” You pushed again and his jaw clenched a bit.

Damien gave a huff. “This will be a fun one to explain.”

The second the car pulled up you fell quiet. Looking down the several story drop. You looked between the two boys curiously before Dick smiled at you and easily wrapped his arm around your back. “Go ahead and wrap your arms around me, yeah?”

You gave a small yelp at the sudden contact, making him chuckle, which made you pout, furrowing your brow at him. Still, you listened, and wrapped your arms around his neck. Pulling closer to him much like a cat would. He sent Damien a wink and the young boy groaned, rolling his eyes.

You peaked just past Dick’s shoulder and watched as he pulled out a bat shaped trinket, only for him to shoot it out and latch onto the side of the building. “Tighten that grip, I won't choke.”

“Keep teasing me and I'll actually do it.” You huffed before you gave a small gasp at you own tone, Dick just barked out a laugh in absolute delight at your snark.

Then he jumped.

And you prayed to Merlin for a proper savior.

You watched as the hook began to slow your fall, staring curiously around you with an awe strucken face. Nightwing helped you down again and let you in, instructing the younger boy to go home on foot, it seems there were only two seats.

The ride there was filled with mindless chatter. It was mostly one sided, as Nightwing spoke to a small device in his ear.

You sat in the car, your mind racing to catch up with everything that had happened. The city outside the window was a blur of lights and movement, a stark contrast to the more familiar and magical world you had come from. Nightwing's calm voice was a soothing background as he communicated with his team.

"Yeah, we're on our way to the Batcave." Nightwing said into his earpiece. "We have a guest who might be able to help us with the anomalies. We'll need everyone there."

You glanced at him, your curiosity piqued. You kept your voice low so as to not interrupt what was happening. "Batcave? Is that like your headquarters?"

Nightwing nodded, giving you a reassuring smile. "Clever girl. Yeah, go ahead and lean back, we don't know what happened to you.”

You nodded and compiled easily. You found yourself wondering how easy you would be to kidnap, just send you to a foreign place and send in a hot guy who called you pet names and you were done for.

Nightwing continued his conversation through the earpiece, his tone professional yet reassuring. "Oracle, make sure the med bay is ready. We need to check for any injuries or anomalies. And get Bats and the others up to speed."

You felt yourself slowly slipping, the exhaustion form it all catching up with you. As the car sped through the city streets, the combination of Nightwing's soothing voice and the gentle hum of the engine began to lull you into a sense of calm. The adrenaline from your earlier panic attack was wearing off, leaving you feeling drained and exhausted.

"Just hang in there a little longer." Nightwing pushed gently, noticing your drooping eyelids. "We'll be at the Batcave soon, and then we can get you checked out and figure out how to help you."

You nodded weakly, feeling comforted by his presence. The car finally came to a long tunnel, one you couldn't see a thing in. Finally, a light broke through the darkness showing a massive cave. Nightwing helped you out of the vehicle, his grip was firm and the last thing you remembered was seeing the symbol on his chest, much more clearly.

It was a bat- of course it was.

[sheeple]

Heirs of Hogwarts | part 3

Genre(s): Nuisance to Lovers / Fake dating / Fluff / No Voldy au Fandom(s): Harry Potter Pairing(s): Mattheo Riddle x Hufflepuff!Reader Summary: After finding out your (now ex)boyfriend cheated on you with the girl he told you not to worry about, you decide to get into a fake relationship with the kid of another founder of Hogwarts. What could go wrong? Warning(s): Matt's thirsty (but so are you also lowkey) / Awkward family moments / Visuals (Don't like them? Don't use them🤷🏻‍♀️) / I suck at writing kiss scenes (yes it's happening) / it's spicy but not full on smut (smut adjacent) A/n: For now this is the end of the mini-series. Thank you all for enjoying my story and see you all in the next one! [Masterlist] [HoH masterlist]

Normally you would love to be proven right. Revel in the knowledge that they should have listened to you. But now? Fuck being right. You don't want to right. 

You've been carrying the letter with you for a couple of days and the weight of it makes your schoolbag makes it feel like it's filled with bricks. The letter is weighing you down, and everybody around you seems to notice it. Especially Mattheo. You still hang out with him, of course, but every time the words are on the tip of your tongue, you chicken out.

"Have you told him yet?", asks Susan as she sees you reading the letter again during lunch.

Giving her a frowned look, you shake your head. How in Merlin's name can you inform him that 'hey, my parents want to meet you because Meemaw saw us sneak into my dorm. Now they think we are together and having sex and want to meet the hypothetical father of my hypothetical baby if we were actually having hypothetical sex and not being careful. All hypothetically of course. Why else would I sneak a boy into my dorm?' 

Not casually at least. 

You look over towards his table and meet his eyes. He motions with his head towards the door. You nod with a small smile and finish your juice. "See you in class."

"Have fun with your boyfriend!", she calls after you and you flip her off. 

"What was all that about?", asks Mattheo with a small smile while the two of you walk side by side towards Herbology. 

You shrug, scratching the nailbed of your thumb. You feel a sharp pain but you continue. You know now more than ever that this is the time. "I've... I've received a letter. From my parents." You fish the letter out of your bag and hold it out for him.

Mattheo stops and looks unsurely towards the folded-up paper. When you give him a nod he unfolds the letter. You watch nervously how his eyes scan over the words.

When he stays silent, you begin to panic. "We- you don't have to! I can totally write my parents back and tell them... something! That we broke up or whatever."

"You've got nieces?" He's got a soft smile on his face as he traces the embellishments of the letter. Of course, the stationery of House Hufflepuff has its letters decorated to match the vibe of the family name.

With a shake of your head, you run a hand over your hair. "Out of everything... the thing you focus on is my nieces? Not that fact that my parents want to meet you?"

Mattheo shrugs, handing you the letter back. "Yeah, so what? That's what boyfriends do, don't they? Meet their girlfriend's parents. Fake relationship or not. Wasn't it your parents you wanted to fool?"

That shuts you up and a flaring heat spreads over your face and neck, even towards the points of your ears. "I-I yeah... But I never imagined them doing this! Then I would have never done all this to you!" With a guilty look, you slowly reach for one of his hands. You rub slow circles over the back of his hand.

Mattheo's brain short circuits as his eyes focus on your hand and his. How soft the pad of your thumb feels against his skin. He wonders if your hands feel as soft on different parts of his body. Or how sharp your nails feel when you scratch his back.

He snaps out of it and shakes his head. Taking his chance, he turns his hand around and laces his fingers with yours. "So... how do I leave a good impression on your parents?"

You think for a moment, looking away. "As superficial as it sounds, they put great value in looking a certain way." In that way they're just like other pure-blood families, you want to add but don't. You don't want to offend him or his family.

With a determent nod, Mattheo starts walking the opposite way you were going, pulling you behind him.

"Where are you taking me? Divination is that way", you point over your shoulder as you catch up to him.

Mattheo gives you a daring smile, his eyes wrinkling playfully. "My dorm. I need your advice on what to wear."

You protest and sputter about your attendance all the way towards the Slytherin dungeons. A snake made of metal rises from the ground and reveals a set of double doors. "Pure-Blood", says Mattheo and the doors swing open. You give him a look and he shrugs. "It's the password. Nothing I can do about it."

"I said nothing!", you laugh, being pulled through the entrance

The common area looks like it's carved out of rock, with marble pillars and arches. Large windows give you a look into the endless depth of the Black Lake, fish swimming by. It takes your breath away how stunning the Slytherin common room looks. It's oh so different from your own, but just as beautiful.

You try to ignore the stares you get from the Slytherin's around the room. You do stand out like a sore thumb with your sunshine yellow robes.

"Don't you ever need to pee very much when you are in the common area?", you ask, motioning towards the waterfall you circle as you enter the common room and the many water features around.

Mattheo rolls his eyes with a smile as he leads you down a corridor and holds open the door for you to enter his dorm. Four four-poster beds with green drapes are arranged in a circle with a heater in the middle of the room, spreading warmth around the room. He motions for you to sit on his bed while he rummages through his closet.

You lean back on your hands as you watch him pull one after the other crumbled-up shirt and pants out of the closet. He sends you a slightly embarrassed look and you hop off his bed.

"Let me have a look", you say softly, pushing him to the side.

"I'm sorry... It's a bit of a mess." He scratches the back of his neck as a slight blush colours his cheeks. 

You wave his worries away as you spot a nice pair of jeans and a not-too-crumpled black shirt. It could totally work paired with a dark green jacket. You lay out the pieces on his bed and look proudly between the outfit and Mattheo. It's something you're parents would approve of while still being himself

"If you wear this with the shirt tucked in and your hair just styled like you always do, everything will be okay." You turn towards him with a smile. 

While you were arranging the clothes, Mattheo snuck closer to you. He now stands so close to you, that you can smell his cologne. Your lips part as you look up at him. "Matt?", you whisper as he slowly cradles your face with both of his hands.

His eyes flicker from your eyes towards your mouth. Your eyes flutter closed as you feel soft puffs of breath on your face.

Mere millimetres before his lips touch yours, the door swings open and the two of you jump away from each other. "God fucking damn it", you hear him grumble under his breath as Enzo and Draco stand in the doorway.

The two boys look at you with wide eyes before Draco's expression morphs into something more teasing. "I hope we didn't interrupt anything", he says slyly, sending a smirk towards Mattheo. Who gives the blond a scalding glare.

Feeling way too awkward about the situation, you quickly gather your things. "I-I have to go. I wouldn't want to be late for my next class." Giving Mattheo a shy smile, you rush out of his dorm and the Slytherin common room — almost stumbling down and then up the stairs. 

Once you deem yourself far away enough, you slump against a wall and cup your scorching hot cheeks. Your heart beats wildly in your chest... and somewhere else. Did that really just happen? Or almost? In Merlin's name, when did you get so hot and bothered about Mattheo Riddle? Not long ago he was a nuisance to you. And now? Now you've almost kissed two times and he's meeting your parents this weekend.

When you close your eyes you still see Mattheo's warm honey ones, looking at you with such softness and want- no need. 

Gods.

Shaking your head, you steady yourself and with slightly unsteady legs you walk towards Arithmancy.

Meanwhile, back in the boy's dorm, Mattheo collapses onto his bed and curses out his friends. "Fucking twats!" He presses the balls of his hands into his eyes, frustration running rampant through his body. 

This was the second time someone interrupted him trying to kiss you. Just when he has gathered the courage to do so. First your friends and now his own. Who out there has it so out for him to cockblock him two times.

Draco and Enzo just look with high amusement towards their frustrated-to-no-end friend. They're gonna take this moment and tease him forever with it.

You don't get a chance to talk to Mattheo about the kiss. To talk to him in general. Because every time the two of you spot each other, either his or your friends wisk you away and it's driving you mad. It's like they planned it together or something.

It makes you all sulky because you want to discuss what happened between the two of you multiple times. You want answers — which you are lowkey scared of. But it's better to rip the bandage off quickly and get your heart broken than live with questions and never get an answer.

You walk into the Great Hall that Saturday, your fingers anxiously clawing at the nailbeds. But you've taken precautions and bandaged up your thumbs so you can't scratch. The pain stays but there's no blood.

"Don't you look all lovely", smiles Hanah brightly, making you twirl. 

You smile and show her a cheeky leg as the split in your skirt falls perfectly when you sit. "Well...", you let out a nervous sigh, "Matt's meeting my parents today. So, we have to look the part, don't we?"

Your friends' eyes bulge out at the nickname you gave Slytherin bad boy Mattheo Riddle. Nobody ever dared to call him anything other than his name. 

"Is that why he was not-so-subtly sneaking glances at us before you came?", wonders Susan out loud, which makes you tense up.

Looking at the Slytherin table, you find Mattheo easily. He gives a small wave with a smile and you return the gestures. "I'm going to sit over there. I have to prepare him from the wolves."

Slowly, you rise from your table and walk to the other side of the Great Hall. You feel the eyes of the Hufflepuff's and Slytherin's on you. But the only important ones are Mattheo's liquid honey ones, who look at you in wonder.

"Hi", you whisper when you finally reach him.

"Hi", he whispers back, a wide smile on his face.

"Can I sit with you?"

Without hesitation, he nods and slides to the side, almost shoving Enzo into Blaise's lap. He pats the now-empty spot next to him and you swing your leg over the bench. Mattheo zero's in on your bare leg and his brain shortcircuits.

You try to ignore the weird looks the Slytherin's present are giving you as you reach over and grab a piece of toast. You meet Hannah and Susan's eyes from across the room and they give you enthusiastic thumbs-up.

Swallowing your bite, you turn towards the boy next to you to say something. But your words die on your tongue at the look Mattheo gives you. It's unreadable. But not bad unreadable. There is some fondness in there you believe. "I have to warn you, by the way."

He cocks his head to the side, an easy smile on his face. "For your parents?"

A snort escapes you and you shake your head. "No- well... maybe my dad will grill you. But my brothers are way worse. They will either try to embarrass me or you."

"How many do you have?"

"Brothers? Four. There's a twin pair in there too. They are the second youngest after me."

Mattheo pales slightly. Four brothers? He found Thomas already trouble enough. But Four? He knows he's in for some shit.

You can't help but laugh as he visibly pales. Taking his hand, you pat it. You look around the Slyherin's. They all look very amused at Mattheo's despair.

The two of you finish your breakfast before it's time to go. Your parents expect you for lunch but knowing your family, there's not going to be time during just lunch. 

"How are we getting to your home?", questions Mattheo as you both walk through the halls towards Professor Sproud's office. 

You knock on the door and when there's no answer, you enter the room. "Via portkey. Which should arrive any second now." And like you said, a little yellow cup appears on the desk. 

Placing a hand on the cup, you hold the other out for him to take. Mattheo does so and the two of you are whisked away from the castle.

You stumble for a second before you find your footing. Taking a deep breath, your senses fill with the floral aroma of your home. It feels good to be back.

"Holy fucking shit", you hear Mattheo whisper under his breath as he looks at the estate your family owns. It looks centuries old, with ivy covering most of the outer walls. A sprawling garden buzzes with bees and butterflies. A fountain is heard somewhere in the back.

You feel slightly embarrassed at Mattheo's slack jaw. This is mostly the reason why you never told about or took anyone home. The house mansion has been in your family's name for centuries. It's said that Meemaw bought it, but there's no proof of it.

"Come on." You tug him by his hand towards the front door. Mattheo's too caught up by the exterior of the house that he bumps into you when you stop in front of the front door. "Ready?", you ask, and he shakes his head.

As you ring the bell, Mattheo looks at the inscribing above the door. "Dum spiro spero, vi et animo. What does that mean?"

"As long as I breathe I hope, with strength and courage", says your father as he opens the door with a wide smile. "It's our family's motto. Nice to meet you, son." He holds out his hand for Mattheo to shake.

As he pulls the boy inside, you try your bestest to not cringe. "Dad this is Mattheo. My boyfriend." You shyly glance towards Mattheo to gauge his reaction. A slight blush paints his cheeks and you bite your lip hiding your smile.

Your dad shakes the dark-haired boy's hand enthusiastically. He starts to ramble off about the family motto and what it means and it morphs into an in-depth history lesson about the house. How the tiles and pillars in the foyer are at least four hundred years old and how they're kept in such fine condition by magic.

"Dad!", you call out, not having missed the hidden panicked looks Mattheo has given you, trying his best to look interested. "Don't you think it's a little early for Staghill History 101? Let the boy breathe."

Your father lets go of Mattheo with a jolly laugh, his moustache curling upwards. "You are right. I am so sorry, good chap. Why don't you two go to the library while I round up the twins? They're all very excited to meet him."

Tugging on Mattheo's hand, you nod. "Sure. Make sure they clean off any dirt before Mum has an aneurysm. Again."

As you lead him towards the south wing, you stop just outside of the library. "Are you okay? I'm sorry. My dad's a lot and he's just happy to see anyone and everyone. Could be Father Christmas with how jolly he is." You scratch the back of your neck awkwardly, looking away.

Mattheo laughs. "It's okay. He's... nice. Now I get where you get it from."

"What?", you question with a cock of your head.

Mattheo wets his bottom lip, his eyes focused on yours. "That twinkle in your eyes when you talk about something you're passionate about." He reaches out for your flaming hot cheeks, cupping them.

The doors to your right swing open and the two of you feel like little children caught with your hand in the cookie jar. Your oldest brother, Felix, raises one disapproving brow and the two of you quickly step away from each other.

"Is it them? Don't hog the door, you big oaf!" Behind Felix appears Herbert, immediately engulfing you in a big, bone-crushing hug. 

"They were snogging", says Felix, walking back towards the couch he always sits on when he visits home. His comment earns him a swat from his wife next to him.

"We were not!", you protest scandalised, wrestling out of Herbert's hold. "We were just... It's none of your business what we were doing!" You grab Mattheo's hand and walk into the library, towards your mother.

He scoffs under his breath, mumbling; "You made it everybody's business when you let Meemaw catch you." That earns him another swat from his wife and a stern look from your mother. 

"Mum", you say after giving her a hug, tugging Mattheo closer, "I would like you to meet Mattheo."

"It's very nice to meet you, ma'am." Mattheo puts on his most charming smile while holding out his hand. 

Your mother shakes her head and gives him one of her signature warm hugs. "None of that! Call me Clementine. Or Clemmy. Or Ma. You're practically family now!"

You blanch, shrinking into yourself. Dear Lord. Why does your mom need to be so much?

Felix snorts. "Is he to stay? What happened to that bloke from Christmas?"

Yours and Mattheo's eyes meet and you purse your lips. "I rather not speak about it..."

That gets their attention, both men leaning forward in their seats. "What did he do?"

"Nothing!" You grow irritated at their endless questions as your mom ushers the two of you towards a couch. Sitting closely together, Mattheo lays a hand on your knee. You don't know if it's to comfort you or to ground himself.

Herbert studies the two of you with his eyes narrowed. He purses his lips while leaning back into the chair. "He beat the ex up, didn't he?"

"Oh, my Gods! Can you not play detective about my life? Stop talking about my ex with my new boyfriend right next to me", you scowl, not wanting the two of them to flip out over something that you're way past.

At that, your mother claps in her hands. "That's right! Mattheo, why don't you tell me something about yourself? What house are you in for instance?"

Mattheo glances nervously towards you and you lay a hand over his own, giving him a reassuring squeeze. "I'm in Slytherin, ma'am. I hope that isn't an issue."

Your mom chortles and waves his concern away. "Oh please, we aren't that kind of family."

"Speaking of family", pipes Herbert from across the room, "Who's family you belong to?"

Both your mom and you sputter and scold Herbert. But the twins coming in gives your brother his answer.

 "Why on Meemaw's good name is Mattheo Riddle sitting next to our sister?", sneers Victor, Danny leering over his shoulder.

A groan escapes you while you slink down the couch, hiding your face in your hands. You had hoped that Mattheo's family wouldn't be a subject. The twins are the only ones from your family who have seen the kind of nuisance Mattheo has been to you before leaving school last year. Of course, it looks very fucking weird that he is now cosying up to you, his hand on your knee and claiming to be your boyfriend.

You feel everybody's eyes on the two of you. Mattheo shrinks down under the many gazes, his hold on you tightening in a silent plea to not abandon him right now.

Not knowing how to get away under the scrutiny, you glance at your mom. She looks shocked and when she meets your eyes, her gaze softens before turning stern. "Didn't I always tell you boys to not judge people? What can the poor boy do about which cradle he was born into? So get off your high horses and be nice to the boy!" She stands with her hands on her hips, berating your brothers.

"What did I miss?", asks your father, standing in the doorway with a tray filled with cookies and teacups, the teapot floating behind him.

"Nothing", smiles your mother, turning towards you, "I was just saying that Mattheo should have a tour of the house. Why don't you do that, honey?"

Getting what she's implying, you nod exuberantly. "Yeah, right! Let's go." 

Mattheo's all too happy to escape the tense room and quickly follows after you, walking with a big arch around the twins, who are still glaring at him.

"I am so sorry." You cast your eyes towards the floor as the two of you walk through one of the many art-lined hallways. "I- There is no excuse for how they treated you..."

Mattheo's hand on your waist makes you stop and look up at him, unsheathed tears dancing in your waterline. He tuts, wiping away the single one that has managed to escape. "Don't cry, pretty girl. It's a warranted reaction. I'm used to it by now. How awkward it was anyways."

You pout while leaning into his hand. "That's horrible Matt. You don't deserve to be treated like that because your father made a wrong choice!"

"It was more than a wrong choice, lovely. Besides, there's not a witch or wizard who went bad who wasn't in Slytherin, remember?" He laughs, but you see that there's sadness in his eyes.

With a shake of your head, you lean closer to him. "You aren't bad! Such a vile stereotype."

This time a genuine laugh bubbles out of Mattheo's chest. "Oh, sweet, sweet, Hufflepuff", he trances your cheek with the pads of his fingers, "there are many things that make me as bad as they say. Mostly for the thoughts I have about you."

Your brain short circuits and you blink up at him, processing his words. He has what? Heh?

Mattheo chuckles at your dumbfounded look. Oh, how cute you are when you are clueless. He clasps his hands behind his back and looks around. "Is there anything in particular you want me to see?", he asks, throwing you a bone.

That seems to snap you out of your daydream of what Mattheo could do to you and you shake your head. "Yes. There is one final person I have to introduce you to."

The two of you walk side by side as he studies both muggle and magical paintings. You lead him towards the main sitting with an empty frame with a chair hanging above the fireplace. Dragging an ottoman over, you motion for Mattheo to follow your lead and climb on top of the cushions.

"Meemaw", you call out towards the empty portrait, "I would like to meet someone."

It takes a second or two before your ancestor appears from the side, graciously draping herself and her skirts on the chair. "My littlest Badger! How are you, my dear?"

You lean closer, smiling. "Hello, Meemaw. I would like you to meet someone." You motion towards Mattheo, who looks with big eyes at her.

"Isn't that...?"

Heat spreads over your face and you bite your bottom lip. "I- yeah..."

"Mattheo Riddle, your ladyship." He bows slightly, earning a hearty laugh from her. 

"Aren't you a charmer? You musn't call me ladyship. Just Helga is fine. Or Meemaw, seeing as you are our littlest badger's love." She sends you a doting smile. "Say, if I may ask; aren't you one of Salazar's boys?"

"Yes. I hope that isn't an issue for you, Helga."

She waves his concerns away. It surprised you how easily Meemaw's taken by Mattheo. He's a naturally charming person when he wants to be after all.

"Oh, of course not, dear boy! Your great-grandfather and I had a... very special relationship of our own when we were younger. It warms my heart that our descendants have found each other." A fond look paints her face as she looks off in the distance. 

As a melancholy glimmer befalls her, you take that as your cue to leave. "I have to continue my tour of the house, Meemaw. See you later."

Waving her off, you hop off the ottoman and put it back in the right place before exiting the sitting room. A sigh escapes your lips and you swing your arms back and forth. Mattheo gives you a raised brow before taking your hand in his and continuing the swinging.

It's nice. The two of you just walking and talking about nothing special in particular. You sometimes point out some facts about you growing up around the house. "In that room, we always used to build pillow forts in." Or "I once ran against that door and lost both my front teeth. They were loose anyways", you add quickly at his concerned look.

Everything's so easy with Mattheo that it scares you. How are you supposed to go back to strangers after your arrangement has come to an end? Can you even go back to strangers? Even if Mattheo doesn't feel the same, you wish you at least could stay friends. Because he's genuinely a nice person to hang out with. It would sadden you to lose him.

The ring of a bell plucks you from your thoughts and you turn towards where the sound came from. "Oh! Dinner's ready." You lead the both of you towards the dining room, taking shortcuts and hidden doors. Mattheo chuckles as you press open another hidden panel before finally arriving in said room.

Out of habit, you go to sit at your usual place at the table and Mattheo follows you. But as he pulls the chair back, Danny is quick to sit in it. After sending a glare at your brother, you look apologetic towards the dark-haired boy. His eyes scan the room and the only free seat is right in front of you, between Herbert and Felix. 

Mattheo sighs and takes place on the empty seat. He feels your brothers stare at him, and he does his best to try and act normal. He smiles politely and answers any questions your mother asks him. Eventually, he learns that — who he believes is Felix — is a beater for the Caerphilly Catapults. His wife plays for the Holyhead Harpies and that's how they met each other. 

Dinner seems to pass by smoothly — not counting the snarky remarks of the twins. But they're dicks. As everybody starts to collect the dishes, your father clears his throat. "Why don't you all go outside and...", he glances towards Mattheo, "Take a lap around the fountain so Mattheo and I can have a heart-to-heart."

Both you and Mattheo send slightly panicked looks towards each other as he gets led away by your father. As your brothers let out an 'oooh', you jab Danny in his side with your elbow. He rubs his side with a slight pout and you poke out your tongue. 

"The last one is a rotten egg!", yells Victor and he sprints towards the back door. You let out a curse and start sprinting after him, the others following. 

While you and your brothers race towards the burrow, Mattheo gets led towards your father's office. He anxiously takes place in the chair in front of your father's desk. The man leans forward and studies the Slytherin boy with narrowed eyes. 

"What are your intentions with my daughter?", he asks, getting straight to the point. 

What are his intentions? Well... he can think of a few things. But none are parent-approved answers. "I like her. I really do, Sir. I wouldn't dare to hurt her." Because that is the truth. He always had a crush on you, but getting to know you? You're everything and so much more than he imagined. 

Your father hums. "I ask this because I have received some chatter that you've been in a... physical altercation with one Malcolm Preece. So, Mattheo, what is the deal with that?" He leans back in the leather chair, one brow raised.

For the first time in a while, Mattheo feels genuinely nervous. And it's not the same kind of nervous before he took you out on your first date. No. This is a different kind of nervousness. A deep-down fear to disappoint the people who he cares about. 

And yes, you are one of those people he realises. He cares about you the most.

Lying will do no good. Because, as your father has shown, he somehow has a way to get information about what happens at school. "In all honesty, sir, Preece was threatening your daughter. They broke up and he kept bothering her. It... indeed got physical because some guys don't know when to take a hint." 

Your father purses his lips, his eyes scanning over Mattheo's face. Searching for a sign of dishonesty. But he finds none. 

"Did you at least get him good?"

That makes the dark-haired boy laugh. "Yes, sir. He won't dare to bother her again."

Your father stands up from his chair and holds out his hand for Mattheo to shake. With a smile and a firm handshake, he says, "You did good son. Now, I believe someone's way too anxious to wait a second longer." He points towards the door, where a shadow is seen pacing under through the crack.

Mattheo closes the door behind him and sees you look at him with wide eyes, chewing on your thumb. "How did it go? What did Dad say?" You fling your arms around him and press your cheek against his shoulder.

He smiles and wraps his arms around you. "Don't worry. Everything's fine." When you look up at him, he cradles your face and wipes away some stray dirt. "Don't you worry your pretty little head about it", he smiles.

You roll your eyes but can't help but smile. "Fine. You know what, if we leave now, we maybe have some time left before curfew."

A smirk grows on Mattheo's face while he wetts his bottom lip. "And do what?"

"I don't know", you shrug playfully, pulling him with you, "We will see."

"Absolutely not", says your mother when you come and say your goodbyes. "Your room is already set up. Fresh sheets and everything! Wasn't that clear from my letter?"

Your eyes dart nervously towards Mattheo, who gives you the same look. You silently ask him if he's okay with it. If he's not uncomfortable. He shrugs. He's not too bothered by the idea of staying over.

A sigh escapes you. "Fine. But we don't have anything to sleep in."

Your mother claps in her hands and gets up from the couch, motioning for the both of you to follow her. She leads you through the house, towards your bedroom. 

The smell of clean cotton hits you as soon as you enter your room and you breathe in the smell. That's one of the many things you miss about your home. The house elves of Hogwarts don't use the same detergent as your mother and it just hits a special spot in your brain when you finally smell it.

"I'll grab a pair of Felix's clothes for you, Mattheo." Your mother pats his shoulders before exiting the room.

The boy in question stands in the middle of your bedroom and a smile grows on his face. He can't explain why but it so much you. In the short period he has gotten to know you, this is exactly the type of room he imagined you to have. Maybe with fewer plants.

A four-poster bed stands in the middle of the room, facing a fireplace. On top of the bed grows some hanging plants that spread onto the walls and turn into wallpaper. There's a cosy-looking chair next to the fireplace with tons of pillows and blankets. 

You watch him eyeing the chair and you mention towards it. "You can sit in it if you want. It gives you also a really nice view over the garden." 

Mattheo does so, burying himself between the pillows. The garden is almost too perfect with the way it's lit up by floating lights and lightningbugs. When he looks back at you to comment on the beautifulness, he sees you pull away the many pillows from your bed into a trunk at the front of your bed and readying the bed for sleeping.

"I... I can sleep on the ground- if you're more comfortable with that. I could even fall asleep in this chair."

You stop what you're doing and look at him with such a scandalised look that it makes him shrink. "Uhm how about no? I dragged you into this, like hell I let you sleep on the floor!"

Your mother comes back at the right time with a pair of joggers and a shirt in her hands. She gives him a warm smile as she hands him the clothing, instructing him to where the bathroom is. Mattheo takes that as his saving grace to get a moment of his own. He has to admit, your family is a lot. This whole situation is a lot. And he has nobody to blame for it except himself.

Not that he blames himself. He's quite enjoying himself, being with you, meeting your parents and seeing where you grew up. He now gets why you are how you are. How you can shine so bright because your parents do everything to lighten you.

When he comes back you are also changed in quite the same outfit as him. You are sitting on your bed, nervously nibbling on the side of your thumb. He strides towards you and grabs your hand, stopping you from destroying your nailbed and making you look up at him.

"Are you okay", he asks, interlacing your fingers.

You nod with a hum, eyes focused on your interlinked hands. "Yeah... I'm just tired from today." You run a hand over your hair, brushing some stray strands out of your face. "Are you okay?"

Mattheo lets out a light-hearted scoff. "Don't worry about me, lovely. My family is much much worse."

You blink, wanting to ask more. But a knock on your door stops you. Your father stands in the door opening, Victor looming over his shoulder and glaring daggers at Mattheo. 

"Will you do your old man a favour and keep the door open? I know it makes you uncomfortable, hun. But I don't think I have to explain why?" He motions with his eyes towards how close the two of you are and with a sigh, you nod.

The house is so old that it creaks and groans with even the slightest breeze. And it freaks you out when you hear it at night. Are you saying that this centuries-old house doesn't have ghosts? Likely.

As your dad walks away, Victor takes a step forward, his jaw taut. "You", he points towards the dark-haired boy, "I'm right next door and these walls aren't as thick as they seem. I will hear everything. No funny business!"

Mattheo sends him a charming smile that you know will irritate Victor. "I promise." But when he turns around when Victor storms away, he shows you his crossed fingers. You let out a giggle and swat him.

After that you take it as a cue to get ready to sleep so you crawl under the covers. Mattheo positions himself between you and the open door and the two of you lay on your backs, staring up at the canopy. 

It... feels weird having Mattheo Riddle next to you in your bed. The even weirder feeling is the desire to keep him there.

You turn so you're facing him, your hands tucked under your pillow. "I've been wondering... When you spoke in Parsletongue, what did you say?"

Mattheo tenses slightly before turning towards you, a pink flush heats up his cheeks. His eyes trace every inch of your face, taking in the details; moles, freckles, perfect imperfections. It makes him want to reach out and trace every one of them.

"Oh I don't remember", he says offhandedly, his eyes fleeing yours.

You scoot closer, a mischievous smile on your face. "Yes, you do! Please tell me. It can't be that embarrassing."

His lips part and the same sounds fill the room, raising goosebumps on your arms. "You are... you are the most beautiful person I know and I don't know if I can keep pretending that this is fake."

Your smile melts off your face and you look with wide eyes towards him. An unsure look fills his eyes as his brows knit together. "Say something", he whispers- begs. A hesitant hand reaches out and gets placed on your cheek.

Your heart beats a million miles an hour and every word just escapes your brain. So you do what you have been wanting to do for a while now. And you kiss him. Pressing your lips against his, you close your eyes while your hand travels from his wrist to his shoulder, gripping him tightly.

Mattheo lets out a surprised humph, his eyes wide as he watches your eyes flutter close. He breathes in deeply before kissing you back, pulling you closer.

Two pairs of lips mould against each other while Mattheo's hand slides down and grips your thigh, wrapping your leg around his middle. Your body melts against his as the kiss grows more fierce, lips parting and tongues exploring each other's mouths. 

A low growl emits from Mattheo as you part, your chest raising and falling rapidly. He zeros in on your neck and decides then and there how kissable the skin looks and that it needs to be marked.

Your head gets thrown back as Mattheo attacks your neck with kisses, licks and bites and you do your best to suppress the breathy moan that wants to escape you. You bite your bottom lip as your eyes squeeze close. 

Mattheo's lips travel down, tracing the shape of your throat with his teeth and he flips the both of you over, hovering above you. He relishes in your bitten raw lips and the half-lidded look you give him. The way your chest raises and makes your shirt tighten... he thanks whatever god there is out there that made this possible.

His admiring takes too long in your opinion and you grab the back of his head, yanking him down so he kisses you again. Mattheo complies and cradles your face, his big hands engulfing your cheeks, feeling the heat underneath them. 

He pecks your lips a few times before trailing down, Mattheo's hands finding the hem of your sleep shirt. He glances at you and only continues after a nod. He pushes your shirt up, above your breast while his lips trail from your chin, neck, and collarbones, to your sternum. 

When he flattens his tongue tentatively against one of your nipples, a moan escapes you. It makes him smirk against your skin, doing it again. 

"Matt... ah!", you squeak out, gripping his shoulder.

His tongue swirls against the nub and one of his hands reaches up, clasping a hand over your mouth to silence the sweet noises pouring out of your mouth. Your tongue swipes over one of his fingers. Mattheo presses the pads of his pointer and middle finger against your tongue before sliding into your mouth.

A 'mmph' escapes you while you suck around his digits, hands trying to ground yourself as everything feels too much; his tongue against your boob, his fingers in your mouth, and something hard pressing against your core. 

Your hands find the hem of his shirt and your nails rake up against his bare back. He moans against you and releases your nipple with a 'pop'. He looks at you with dark eyes and swollen lips while he lowers himself towards your core.

While his fingers dance over the elastic of your underwear, you push his fingers out of your mouth. "Matt wait..."

As if your words scorched him, he's off you immediately, his chest raising rapidly and face flushed. "I'm-I'm sorry. I got a little carried away..."

You sit up, pushing your shirt down and shaking your head. "No... please don't- it's okay. I-I enjoyed it too. It's just...", you cradle his face and peck his lips, "I don't want our first time to be in my childhood bedroom and avoid making too much noise."

Mattheo leans into your touch and kisses your palm. You pull him down with you and lay on top of his chest. When you move your legs, you accidentally bump against his boner. You sputter out an apology, feeling bad for blue-balling him.

His hands grab your hips tightly and he presses you closer against his body. He brings his lips towards your ear. "Don't worry about it, Princess. Because when I have the chance, I'm gonna fuck you so good you forget our whole relationship was fake to begin with."

Oh Gods, you created a monster... 

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