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ellswritings · 2 months ago

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About Time

Harry Potter x Gryffindor!Reader

TW: Harry being jealous, Y/N is really ‘that girl,’ fluff.

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The announcement of the Yule Ball sent the Hogwarts student body into a frenzy. Professor McGonagall’s proclamation during breakfast was met with gasps, whispers, and cheers. Even the more reserved Ravenclaws exchanged eager glances over their plates.

“Now remember,” McGonagall said, her tone stern as she surveyed the Hall, “this is a formal event. Dress robes will be required, and students are expected to conduct themselves with decorum.”

A chorus of whispers erupted across the Great Hall. Y/N L/N, sitting with Ron, Hermione, and Harry at the Gryffindor table, raised her brows.

“Formal event, huh? Hope you boys have your frilly dress robes ready,” she teased, nudging Harry’s arm.

Harry smirked. “I don’t even know how to dance.”

“Figures,” she quipped, leaning closer with a mischievous glint. “Can’t wait to see you step on someone's toes all night.”

Ron groaned, ignoring their banter. “I just hope my mum didn’t send me anything embarrassing.”

“You’ll look like a prince, I’m sure,” Y/N teased, before turning to Hermione. “What about you? Got anyone in mind to ask you yet?”

Hermione flushed but quickly steered the conversation away. “The Ball is meant to unite the schools. You might want to think about representing Gryffindor without making a scene.”

Y/N put a hand to her chest, feigning offense. “Me? Make a scene? When have I ever—”

“Don’t answer that,” Harry interjected quickly, earning a grin from her.

It was moments like this—lighthearted and filled with their easy camaraderie—that made Y/N’s dynamic with Harry so unique. Their teasing often bordered on flirtation, though neither would ever admit it.

The moment McGonagall’s announcement ended, Y/N became a focal point for Yule Ball chatter, much to her bemusement. Boys seemed to appear out of nowhere, all vying for her attention.

Seamus Finnigan caught her in the common room first. “Y/N,” he said, bowing dramatically, “let me take you to the Yule Ball and save everyone else the heartache.”

She laughed, patting his cheek. “Nice try, Seamus, but I’ll have to pass.”

“I’m crushed,” he said, clutching his chest theatrically before retreating with a grin.

Later, Michael Corner stopped her outside Charms, stammering through his request. “Y-Y/N, I was wondering if maybe you’d, uh, go to the Ball with me?”

Y/N smiled kindly. “Michael, that’s sweet of you, but I’ve already got someone in mind.”

“Oh,” he mumbled, cheeks burning as he scurried away.

But the real kicker came when Viktor Krum approached her after lunch one afternoon. His imposing figure seemed to create a vacuum of silence as students watched the Durmstrang champion approach her.

“Y/N,” he said, his thick accent wrapping around her name. “I vould like to take you to the Yule Ball.”

She tilted her head, surprised but not flustered. “That’s quite the offer, Viktor. Why me?”

“You are... strong. Confident,” he said simply. “And very beautiful.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere,” she replied, smirking. “But I’m afraid I have to say no.”

Krum looked genuinely surprised. “You do not vant to go?”

“I’m flattered,” she said sincerely. “But I’ve got my eyes on someone else.”

Viktor nodded respectfully. “You are honest. I admire that.”

Harry’s jealousy simmered for days. He couldn’t help but notice how Y/N seemed to glide through the chaos, turning down every suitor with grace and humor. It was maddening, especially since he couldn’t summon the courage to ask her himself.

“What’s stopping you?” Hermione asked one evening in the common room after he’d spent several minutes glaring at Cedric Diggory, who had been talking to Y/N outside.

“She’s got better options,” Harry mumbled.

Hermione rolled her eyes. “Honestly, Harry. If she wanted to go with Krum or Diggory, she would have said yes already.”

Ron chimed in, his mouth full of Chocolate Frogs. “Yeah, but what if she says no? Imagine the embarrassment.”

“Helpful, Ron,” Hermione snapped before turning to Harry. “You won’t know unless you try.”

As the days went on, The Chosen One wasn’t sure when it started, but he couldn’t seem to look away when Y/N entered the room. It was almost painful to watch her interact with others, especially when those others seemed to linger too long or laugh a little too hard at her jokes.

Take breakfast, for example. She was laughing at something George Weasley had said, and her laughter drew half the Great Hall’s attention. George smirked, leaning in conspiratorially. Whatever he said next made her snort, her hand lightly smacking his shoulder.

Harry frowned into his porridge. “What’s so funny?”

Ron looked up from his plate. “What?”

“Over there,” Harry said, nodding toward the Weasley twins and Y/N.

Ron shrugged. “Dunno. George probably made some ridiculous joke about Blast-Ended Skrewts. Why?”

“No reason,” Harry muttered, stabbing at his food.

Hermione, ever observant, arched a brow. “You know, for someone who doesn’t care, you’re awfully focused on her.”

Harry glared. “I’m not focused. She’s just… loud.”

“Oh, yes, it’s definitely her volume that has you glowering like a thundercloud,” Hermione said dryly.

A week before the Ball, Y/N found herself heading to the library to escape the endless string of admirers. The quiet sanctuary of the shelves was a welcome reprieve until she spotted none other than Harry Potter, buried in a book that he looked thoroughly uninterested in.

“Since when do you study this hard?” she teased, dropping into the seat across from him.

Harry jumped, nearly knocking his inkpot over. “I could ask you the same. Don’t you have another suitor to fend off?”

“Not at the moment,” she said with a smirk. “Figured I’d hide out for a bit.”

“Hide?” he asked, furrowing his brow.

“Yeah, you know, to avoid the inevitable ‘Y/N, please go to the Ball with me’ speech from yet another poor soul.”

Harry tried to smile, but it came out strained. “Sounds... exhausting.”

“It is,” she replied with a sigh, leaning back in her chair. “So, what are you doing here?”

“Trying to figure out how to dance without looking like an idiot,” he muttered, his cheeks turning pink.

Y/N couldn’t help but laugh. “Harry, you’ve faced trolls, Dementors, and a giant snake. Surely, a little dancing isn’t going to kill you.”

“It might if I step on someone’s foot,” he quipped, finally cracking a genuine smile.

Y/N tilted her head, studying him. “You know, you don’t have to be perfect at everything. Just... have fun with it.”

“I’ll try,” he said, though his tone was doubtful.

“Well,” she said, standing and grabbing his hand, “no time like the present.”

“What?” Harry stammered as she pulled him into the open space between the shelves.

“Let’s practice,” she said, placing one of his hands on her waist and holding the other. “It’s not that hard. Just follow my lead.”

Harry’s heart was racing as he tried to focus on her instructions. But it was difficult to think straight with Y/N so close, her laugh filling the quiet library as she teased him for his clumsiness.

“See? You’re getting the hang of it,” she said after a few minutes.

“Yeah, sure,” he muttered, looking everywhere but at her.

She stopped, her eyes narrowing. “Alright, Potter. What’s going on with you? You’ve been acting weird lately.”

“I’m fine,” he said quickly.

“You’re a terrible liar,” she replied, crossing her arms. “Is this about the Ball?”

Harry hesitated, his mouth opening and closing as he struggled to find the words.

Before he could respond, Madam Pince appeared, glaring at them. “No dancing in the library!”

Y/N grabbed Harry’s arm, pulling him toward the exit with a laugh. “Guess we’ll have to finish this later.”

Harry’s anger ended up reaching new heights when he stumbled upon Y/N and Cedric in the courtyard. They were standing under a tree, laughing about something Harry couldn’t hear. He hesitated behind a pillar, close enough to see but far enough to avoid being noticed.

“So,” Cedric said, leaning casually against the trunk, “are you always this difficult to impress, or am I just unlucky?”

Y/N smirked. “I have high standards. You’re doing alright so far, though.”

Cedric placed a hand over his chest in mock relief. “Good to know. I was worried I’d have to resort to reciting sonnets.”

“Oh, please,” Y/N teased, crossing her arms. “You don’t strike me as the poetry type.”

Cedric feigned offense. “And what type am I, then?”

“The charming Quidditch star who thinks his smile is enough to get by,” she said, though her tone was playful.

“Well,” Cedric replied, grinning, “is it working?”

Y/N laughed. “Maybe a little.”

“Enough to get a yes to the Yule Ball?” Cedric asked, his tone shifting to something more sincere.

Y/N hesitated, her smile softening. “Cedric, you’re sweet. And honestly, if I didn’t already have someone in mind, I’d probably say yes.”

Cedric tilted his head, a curious look in his eyes. “Someone in mind, huh? Lucky bloke. Should I be worried?”

She shook her head. “Not at all. But thank you for asking—it means a lot.”

Harry, still hidden, felt his stomach churn. She had someone in mind? Was it someone else he didn’t know about?

The revelation haunted Harry for the rest of the day. Who could she mean? George? Fred? Or someone else entirely?

By the time they reached the common room that evening, he couldn’t hold it in any longer. “So,” he began, trying to sound casual, “you’ve been spending a lot of time with Cedric lately.”

Y/N looked up from her Charms textbook, clearly amused. “Not really. Why?”

“No reason,” Harry said quickly, though his tone betrayed him.

Hermione groaned, setting down her quill. “Oh, for goodness’ sake, Harry. Just ask her already!”

“Ask me what?” Y/N asked, her brows knitting together.

Harry’s face turned crimson. “Nothing. Forget it.”

For the next few days, Harry avoided her entirely. Y/N noticed immediately, her confusion growing with each passing hour. By the time Defense Against the Dark Arts rolled around, she’d had enough.

When Harry excused himself to the bathroom mid-class, Y/N followed, cornering him just as he passed an empty broom closet.

“Inside,” she said, tugging him by the sleeve before he could protest.

“Y/N, what are you—”

“Shut it,” she snapped, closing the door behind them. “What is going on with you?”

“Nothing,” he said too quickly, avoiding her gaze.

“Don’t lie to me, Potter,” she said, crossing her arms. “You’ve been acting weird ever since—oh.” Her eyes narrowed. “This is about Cedric, isn’t it?”

Harry’s jaw clenched. “It’s not—”

“Don’t bother denying it,” she cut him off. “What, are you jealous?”

Harry’s eyes flashed. “Why would I be jealous? You’ve been flirting with half the school.”

Her brows shot up. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” he said, his voice rising. “Every guy in Hogwarts and Durmstrang is lining up to ask you, and you just—just laugh and smile like it’s nothing.”

“It is nothing!” she shouted back. “I turned all of them down, Harry! Including Cedric.”

Harry froze. “You... did?”

“Yes,” she said, her tone softer now but still firm. “Because there’s only one person I want to go with.”

“Who?” he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

She stared at him for a long moment before stepping closer. “You, you idiot.”

Harry’s heart stuttered in his chest. “Me?”

“Obviously,” she said, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. “Now, are you going to ask me, or do I have to keep turning people down?”

Swallowing his nerves, Harry met her gaze. “Y/N, will you go to the Yule Ball with me?”

Her smile widened. “I thought you’d never ask.”

Before he could process what was happening, she leaned in, capturing his lips in a kiss that was both gentle and electric. When they pulled apart, Harry couldn’t stop the grin spreading across his face.

“About time,” she teased, tugging him out of the closet. “Now let’s get back to class before anyone notices we’re gone.”

The Yule Ball ended up being magical, but for Harry, the real highlight was dancing with Y/N under the enchanted ceiling, knowing they’d both found exactly what they were looking for.

#harry potter x reader #harry potter imagine #harry potter and the goblet of fire #ron weasley #george weasley #fred weasley #viktor krum #cedric diggory #minerva mcgonagall #hermoine granger #triwizard tournament #yule ball #seamus finnigan #dean thomas #neville longbottom #defense against the dark arts #hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry

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yourlocalbadgerscales · 2 months ago

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Harry: *sees rainbow through the window* Harry: *turns to Ron and grins evilly* Ron: *turns to Seamus and grins evilly* Dean: *turns to Seamus and grins evilly* Seamus: … please don’t do this aga- Harry, Ron and Dean: OH LOOK SEAMUS IT’S YOUUU Dean: Haha Irish leprechaun 🫵 Ron: Haha gayyy 🫵 Seamus: I saw Harry sneak Draco into the dorms last night and cast a Silencing Charm over his own bed before closing the curtains around himself and Draco. Dean: Harry: Ron: *turns to Harry* You did WHAT

Based on this post!

#deamus #drarry #seamus finnigan #dean thomas #harry james potter #hjp #ron weasley #draco malfoy #anti jkr #incorrect quotes #gryffindor boys #lightning era #ellastag #jamstag

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tinygxrilla · 1 year ago

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rival bands lightning era au (and it’s all sapphic)🎸💕(post 1 of 2) - the firebolts! 💥

#hp fanart #romione #hp femslash #linny #hp #my art #harry potter #ron weasley #hermione granger #ronnie weasley #seamus finnigan #dean thomas #deamus #lavender brown #parvati patil #pavender #ginny wealsey

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titaswrld · 1 month ago

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thibking abt college frat boy bf Ron im spiraling he so fine i wont him🙁

frat house rules | ron weasley

warnings: underaged drinking, 18+ characters, it gets a little steamy

|an: yayyy this is a lot of plot kinda not enough dialogue but pt 2 ganna bc sm better & steamier i swearsiez this is also lowkey based on real events LOL

w.c: 1.2k

part one part two

“oorrrr…we could pregame here.” you said, finalizing the last few touches of your makeup, slight worry was laced within your words, evident to your best friend beside you, who was straightening her hair.

“yeah, OR we could drink with a bunch of hot frat boys surrounding us,” your friend said, looking at your face for a response, which she received in a worrisome facial expression. a large sigh from her filled the room before she spoke again, “c'mon, we need to get out there more. and the guy i’ve been talking to is actually really cool. i don’t think it’s one of those freaky frats.” she’d said, already up and changing into her clothes for the night with you following her lead.

“yeah, okay, well, i'm ready, so let’s just go.” slightly frustrated, you finished lacing your sneakers and huffed out in feigned annoyance. your friend, knowing you, smiled and rolled her eyes as you smiled back. although the thought of getting drunk with a bunch of random guys left you a little anxious, you were still excited to party with your best friend.

“it’s all a part of the college experience, babe. i’ll be right there with you, eevenn if my tongue is shoved halfway down dean thomas’ throat.” you felt your worries begin to subside as you let out a laugh at her statement while you both walked, arms linked, out the door.

“i’m telling you, ron, total BOMBSHELL! you’ll see when she gets here for the pregame…and i think she’s bringing a friend...” dean said as he looked at ron and raised a brow.

ron laughed and shoved his friend as let out a laugh, beginning to work on inserting a tap into their keg of beer.

“i don’t know, dean, i just got out of that weird situationship with lavender… i don’t want to seem like a man-whore or anything.. of that nature.” ron said, turning the tap clockwise into the insert until it was snug enough to his liking.

“you mean your snogstuaonship? come on, mate, i don’t think it was that serious.” dean said, chuckling and clapping ron on the shoulder, trying to convince his friend. the only response he received was an unsure look from ron.

“listen, man, offers on the table. i could set you up if you meet her, and if all goes well.” dean offered with a sympathetic smile, leaving ron to sit with his thoughts as he exited the room to join the other brothers in setting up for the party.

“i think i'm going to throw up.” you told your friend as you walked up the stairs to the door of the frat. anxiety bubbled in your stomach as you heard the music that was already blaring through the walls, but the lights were still on.

“you’re not gonna throw up.” your friend said, rolling her eyes in feigned annoyance, calling dean on the phone to let him know you guys were there.

you waited a few moments before the door swung open and the music, once muffled, was now damn near deafening.

“girls! come in.” dean said, moving to the side and staring only at your friend with the biggest fuck-me eyes you’d ever seen. it was going to be a long night for you, you could tell.

the pregame had gone well so far; you mostly kept to yourself and spoke only when spoken to, making light conversation as you stood in a group with your friend, dean, his friend ron, and two of their other brothers from their frat.

you were drunk, however not drunk enough to not realize how absolutely ridiculously hot dean's friend ron was. as a matter of fact, you thought the drunker you got, the easier it would be to talk to him.

little did you know that ron felt the same. when you and your friend walked in, he gawked at you a bit before elbowing dean and giving him a sly smile. elated, dean slapped him back before mouthing an ‘i told you so.’

ron stared at you in awe, feeling a bit nervous before shooting his shot in the form of pouring you all your shots. declaring himself as your ‘drinking buddy’ for the night and taking all of them with you. He decided it would be easier to make his move drunk off his ass as compared to stone-cold sober.

you and ron were getting along so well, feeling the liquor invading both of your senses; you started getting progressively touchier as you engaged in random conversations together that derived from topics the group mentioned, because he didn’t care about what everybody else had to say, he just wanted to know more about you.

then all of a sudden, the boys decide it’s time as people start pouring in from all openings of the frat. shutting the lights off and turning the music up just a bit louder, if that was even possible. your friend immediately grabs your hand, ripping you from ron and leading you to the dance floor.

as the night progresses, so do yours and ron’s drunken states, as you both start eye-fucking each other from the separate groups you’re in on the dance floor. feeling a warm heat pooling between your legs, as well as a surge of confidence, you decided it was time to make your move.

your move being making eye contact with him, then looking at the bathroom a couple feet away and cocking your head toward its direction. he got the memo and shot you a goofy grin, nodding his head in agreement.

you shuffle your way through the crowd and walk past him, stealthily grabbing his hand on the way, ripping him from his friend group, which went pretty unnoticed from his friends, and pull him into the bathroom.

“were you going to keep eye-fucking me all night or make a move?” you stated with a smile before he backed you up against the wall farthest from the door, slotting his hands under your arms and around your waist, pressing your hot bodies together.

“regardless, it seems like i got you right where i wanted you.” he said before connecting his lips with your own. you sighed into the kiss before bringing your hand up to tangle your fingers into his red head of hair; his grip on your waist tightened as you pulled slightly on the hair laced between your fingers.

eager for more, ron dragged his tongue along your plump bottom lip, asking for permission to elevate your kiss. you gladly let him in and let the heated kiss became messier as the sounds of smacking lips and moans filled the room.

ron pulled away for a moment to attach his hot, wet lips to your neck, licking, sucking, kissing, and biting at the flesh as you began to whine and work on the belt of his jeans.

knock knock knock

you both instantly froze in your positions. fear stilling your movements as you thought, ‘maybe they’ll go away if we stay really quiet.’

knock knock knock

“ron? you in there, man?” he heard seamus’ voice from the other end of the door. ron muttered a ‘fuck’ before remembering the rule that was introduced to him the day he was initiated.

“roonn, 10 minutes is up. you know the frat house rules, dude.” the smirk plastered on seamus’ face could be heard from behind the door.

frat house rules?

#harry potter #ron weasley #fanfic #ron weasley x reader #wizarding world #ron weasley x you #ron weasley imagine #ron weasley angst #ron weasley smut #seamus finnigan #dean thomas

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olivers-cocoapuffs · 2 years ago

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Every time there's a rainbow, the Gryffindor boys of the 90's are torn between making a gay joke about Seamus or making a leprechaun joke about Seamus

#seamus just wants it to end man #it doesn't help that he's like 1.62 cm tall #seamus finnigan #dean thomas #neville longbottom #ron weasley #harry potter #the golden trio #golden era #lightning era #deamus

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theprettieststarfr · 8 months ago

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Sometimes I forget that Deamus was literally a wolfstar variant, but in Harry, Ron and Neville's dorm this time???

#marauders #dead gay wizards #hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry #marauders era #sirius black #remus lupin #harry potter #neville longbottom #ron weasley #seamus finnigan #dean thomas #deamus #wolfstar

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votapublica · 1 month ago

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Seamus loves how big and tall Dean is, but he is also annoyed how short he is by comparison, and ashamed of how much he loves that size difference.

#I don’t draw this #personal commission #harry potter #art #deamus #hp #dean thomas #seamus finnigan #digital drawing #gryffindor #harry potter headcanon #hp headcanon #headcanon #dean is really tall #dean x seamus #short Seamus

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art-isnt-arting · 1 month ago

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Perciver ran so Deamus could fly

#imagine #dean or/and seamus asking for love advice to percy and oliver #deamus is literally perciver 2.0.#gay x bi gryffindor boys canon #perciver #deamus #percy weasley #oliver wood #seamus finnigan #dean thomas

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fangirlingismygame · 11 months ago

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[When asked about their about their break-up]

Dean: Oh we would've never worked out, the love of her life was sleeping in a bed next to me, dreaming about her

Ginny: Well the love of your life was also sleeping in a bed next to you and dreaming about you, so I'd call us even

#having harry potter feels #this conversation has definately happened and you can't change my mind #their friendship after the war would've been hilarious #harry potter #harry x ginny #dean thomas #seamus finnigan #hinny #dean × seamus #deamus

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hermiones-amortentia · 2 months ago

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Goodreads poll: poor Harry and Ginny. Even behind shitty fanon ships.

How's dramione harmione drarry are better than hinny? In what logic? Lmao

#hermione granger #ron weasley #romione #harry potter #harry james potter #ginny weasley #hinny #anti dramione #anti harmony shippers #dean thomas #seamus finnigan #deamus #remus×tonks #tonks #anti snape #anti drarry

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crackishincorrecthp · 7 months ago

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Seamus: Hey, wanna help me commit arson? Dean: What the hell?! Seamus: Oh, sorry, my bad! Seamus, whispering: Wanna help me commit arson? Dean, whispering: Of course. What do you need?

#harry potter incorrect quotes #incorrect harry potter quotes #incorrect hp quotes #incorrect deamus quotes #dean thomas #seamus finnigan

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miryum · 2 months ago

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Trust (Mattheo Riddle x Reader) Southern Regency AU

Warnings: Reader is a bit of a brat/empty-minded at first but it gets so much better, 10-ish age difference, Reader is in love with Harry Potter at first (or thinks she is), set in the South (of the US), inspired by Gone With the Wind

Y/n L/n was the belle of the South. She had the Weasley twins running after her every weekend and at the weekly balls, their older brother, Charlie, had to have the first dance with her. Her father had rejected numerous suitors, but that didn’t mean they stopped trying. The Diggory family had made a large offer, but their estate was too small for the L/n family.

The L/n’s consisted of the patriarch, William, and the matriarch, Peggy. While William ran the fields, Peggy ran his heart and household. Their oldest was their pride and joy, Y/n, followed by Odessa. Odessa hated being in her sister’s shadow. It meant her infatuation for George Weasley was seen as childish and unwanted. The L/n’s had one last daughter, Della, who was ten years younger than Y/n. Della was a sweetheart who trailed after her mother, following every step religiously.

The family had many acres of fields stretching around their mansion, as did everyone else in the county. Their fields were rich with grains that shipped out to the rest of the state. William had built up an empire that was now run smoothly by his wife. So, no, not a Weasley or Diggory was good enough for their daughter. She was much too young and had years ahead of her before she was considered an old spinster.

Many boys trailed after Y/n, begging for a chance to court her, and she was happy to flirt with them. The boys, after years of growing up around the same children their entire lives, soon learned how to gain Y/n’s attention. They had to catch her when her father was busy, otherwise she would turn into his perfect, sweet little girl who could do no wrong. If her sisters were around, the younger girls would try to steal the attention and Y/n would revert to her cool, unimpressed self that none of the boys could crack. However, if the girl was at a ball or they rode over to her house to catch her reading on the porch, that’s when she would flirt and touch their arm lightly with her coy smile.

But it was not the Weasley twins or the Diggory boy that Y/n wanted. It was Harry Potter. The boy was so oblivious, it was tantalising. He had a mature air around him that no other boy did. He would ride up to her house every Sunday on his majestic white horse, Hedwig, and speak to her like no one else did. He read her poems and took her riding and was just so pretty. He talked a lot about politics and the different families of the South, and that Y/n didn’t like, but he made it up with the little gifts he brought her. There was that lace fan he brought her after his Grand Tour and even some pressed flowers in a thick book. She tried to read the book to show Harry that she cared, but it had such tiny print and was about boring law that she gave up after the first couple of paragraphs.

It was a cool June evening and the windows were open at the L/n villa. The soft breeze ruffled the curtains when the neighbour’s gossip finally reached the ladies in the house. A new engagement in the state! The four females sat at the dining table, William at the head, seemingly bored. Odessa asked excitedly who would be going to the engagement party, thinking of her dear George Weasley.

“It seems like everyone in the county,” Peggy commented, regurgitating what she had learned from the women in her cross-stitch group. “The Weasleys, the Longbottoms, the Malfoys.”

William scoffed and rattled off, “the Weasleys? Their entire brood? And the Longbottoms? They’re hardly in high society. Why invite them? And must we engage with the Malfoys? You know how they get, dear Peggy.”

“William,” Peggy reprimanded, clicking her tongue. “It’s Ginerva’s engagement. Do be kind.”

Y/n raised her head from her plate and asked, “Ginny’s getting married? The little one? To whom? Wasn’t that boy Dean Thomas pursuing her?”

“No, no,” Peggy waved her daughter off. “He was a nice young lad, but they never got along.” She took a bite of food as if she wasn’t about to deliver earth-shattering news to her unsuspecting daughter. “She’s getting married to Harry Potter.”

Y/n didn’t think she heard the rest of the conversation. Small Ginny Weasley, the girl with the choppy red hair and ugly dresses, was marrying her Harry? The Harry that had the most beautiful eyes and lovely lilting words and understanding conversations? Yes, their families were close and Harry was best friends with Ginny’s older brother, but he loved Y/n. She knew it. The way he lit up when he saw her and the way his smile slowly stretched over his lips until he was laughing so hard he couldn’t breathe. All of that was her Harry.

“Y/n?” Della asked from the other side of the table, always aware of her elder sister. “Are you alright?” But the girl couldn’t say anything. For if she did, then her whole family would know her secret. And then her mother would be embarrassed and aghast. Her father would think of her as yet still a child, brushing away her affection. Lousy Odessa would gossip to George Weasley and his twin, wanting to win over their favour, and the twins would surely tell their engaged sister. Della wouldn’t understand, the poor girl just an infant in Y/n’s eyes.

“Yes, yes, I’m alright,” Y/n muttered. “Father, I’m feeling a bit faint. I think something with the salad didn’t sit right with me. I’m to lie down.”

William muttered permission, waving his daughter away. Y/n tried not to run to her room, for fear it would give her emotions away. But the moment her door was locked safely behind her, she fell onto her bed, sobbing. How could Harry do this to her?

Oh, what was her life coming to?

Y/n had a plan. If only she could get Harry alone at his engagement party and confess her true feelings, he would see they were meant to be together. The problem was that Ginny stuck to his side like annoying glue. It seemed as if the two were off in their own little world, gazing into each other's eyes. Well, Y/n huffed to herself, two can play that game. That’s how she found herself surrounded by beaus from all over the county.

Cedric Diggory sat on the bench next to her and the Weasley twins sat at her feet on the grass. Fred Weasley went even farther and laid his head on her skirts dramatically whenever he wanted her attention. Neville Longbottom stood beside them all, looking nervously back at his Gran, who was determined to get her grandson connected to the L/n’s. Even Dean Thomas, still getting over his loss of Ginny Weasley, was there, trying to talk to an anxious Neville.

Batting her eyes and fanning herself playfully under the pretence of the hot sun, Y/n walked the line of flirtatious and bashful perfectly. She could feel the glares of all the other girls at the party, but she ignored them. She was talking to George Weasley when she spotted another boy to catch in her web. “Oh, Georgie, the Malfoy’s are here,” she commented smoothly.

This caught the rest of the suitor’s attention. “Oh, joy,” Fred said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. “Come, Y/n, let me whisk you heroically away before that greased boy tries to woo you.”

“You mean Draco?” Y/n laughed melodically, which made Neville blush deeply. “Oh, he’s no harm. A bit rude and uppity, but just a boy when it all comes down to it.”

“Yes, but a boy,” Fred confirmed. “You, love, need a man.” At that, he took her hand and kissed her knuckles.

Y/n opened her fan and hid her face behind it teasingly. “Oh, Mr. Fred, you charmer,” she chastised.

“Oh, my,” Cedric breathed out, which made Y/n’s attention turn from Fred, who pouted, to the Diggory boy. Did the Malfoy’s bring a girl that captured Cedric’s eye? Oh, that would be horrid for her plan. But, no. Following Cedric’s stare, Y/n saw another man emerge with Mr. Lucious Malfoy.

“Who is that?” she asked without thinking, placing a hand on Cedric’s arm.

“What on earth is he doing here?” Dean Thomas demanded, back stiffening and hands clasping behind his back. His voice was just loud enough for Y/n and her suitors to hear. But he didn’t answer her question.

Y/n huffed slightly and turned to Neville. He would always be at her beck and call. “Neville, who is that man?” she asked again, tone firm.

Neville tore his eyes away from the mysterious man and stuttered, “uh, well, Miss Y/n, that’s Mattheo Riddle.” He slowly sat down next to her, as if testing the waters.

“Mattheo Riddle?” Y/n repeated, the name feeling heavy on her tongue. “Why, I’ve never heard of him.”

“Then your father did a good job,” Fred glowered. It seemed as if he wasn’t the only one shooting dirty looks at the new man.

Dean Thomas agreed, “yes, no respectable lady should have heard of him. An absolute abomination of a gentleman.”

Y/n’s eyes widen in the presence of new gossip and scandal, something all ladies of the county grasped for. None were above whispering to their friends behind their hands whenever they heard something enticing. “Whatever did he do?” she asked desperately.

Cedric was the one to inform her that Mr. Mattheo Riddle was the infamous bastard child of Tom Riddle and Bellatrix Lestrange. That made him the nephew of Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy. Allegedly, Mr. Riddle’s father had left him and his mother at a young age, only making visits when he felt it necessary to shape Mr. Riddle into a harsh young man. Mr. Riddle had left to join the military, but was dishonourably discharged when he shot and killed another man for speaking ill of his family and upbringing. He then followed in his father’s footsteps of backalley trading and illicit affairs. With his father and mother’s separate fortunes, along with the one he earned, he had amassed large wealth.

Y/n couldn’t help but watch Mattheo Riddle. Neville tried to hold a conversation with the girl, and she tried to entertain him, she really did, but the way Mr. Riddle held himself on the outskirts of the party captivated her. With a drink swirling in one hand and the other tucked smartly behind his back, he looked… perfunctorily debonair.

For a man a decade older than her, he was incredibly handsome. He was easily the best dressed man at the party, even better than Lucius Malfoy himself. And his hair was most unusual. Rather than the slicked back style that most young boys wore, his had more volume, showing his curls. Y/n could see his striking and calculative eyes from across the yard. They took one sweep around the party, yet glazed over her.

It took everything within Y/n not to march over to the newcomer and demand his attention. Why were his eyes not on her? But then Neville placed a concerned hand on her back and asked if she was okay. He really is a sweet boy, Y/n thought to herself. “Yes, I’m alright,” she assured him. “I just may go lie down with the rest of the ladies.”

“Oh! Of course!” Neville scrambled to his feet and helped her up. Fred Weasley let out a whine when his headrest disappeared, but understood how a delicate lady needed her rest.

“Thank you, Neville,” Y/n said sincerely. She patted his hand and whispered theatrically, “you know… you didn’t hear this from me, but I think Miss Luna Lovegood fancies you.” Neville turned a dark shade of red as Y/n made her way to the house.

But she wasn’t going to nap. With the rest of the girls also laying down, including Ginny, this was her chance to speak to Harry. She would confess her love and he would tell her he always reciprocated and then he would break off his engagement and perhaps Ginny would be sad, but Y/n’s parents couldn’t get mad once they saw how happy their daughter was.

Once inside, Y/n saw Harry bid a loving goodbye to Ginny, the latter who went upstairs to nap. Her future fiancé then turned around and noticed her. “Y/n,” he greeted with a grin. He leaned down to press a chaste kiss to her cheek. “How are you? You’ve been so busy all party, I didn’t have the chance to talk to you!” Ah, so he had seen her with her suitors. Pride filled her. This was going perfectly.

“Harry, could we talk in the library?” Y/n asked, smiling up at him, an intoxication of love filling her veins. Harry raised a curious brow, but agreed. He followed her into the library where he asked if everything was alright. “Yes, I’m fine,” she told him. “I only need to tell you something, Harry.”

“And what is that?” Harry replied with a grin, thinking it was all some lighthearted joke.

Y/n pressed a hand to her chest and looked up at him, eyes wide and pleading. “Oh, Harry,” she began. “I must say something now before you go on with this whole affair! I mean, it is truly noble of you to sacrifice yourself for the poor girl, but I couldn’t let you go on with it! Especially when I know your feelings, Harry,” she said. The boy’s expression slowly changed to one of merriment to one of guarded concern. “I’m in love with you, Harry!” Y/n exclaimed, reaching forward to clasp his hands. “I have been all my life and I know you feel the same! So why marry Ginerva when you could marry me?”

Harry didn’t say anything for a moment before he slowly retracted his hands from her gloved grip. “Y/n,” he said slowly. “I’m utterly flattered. But I’m marrying Ginny. I can’t… I can’t love you, you know that, yes?”

Confusion showed on Y/n’s face, but a small smile still managed to quirk up on her lips. “But you do, don’t you?” she asked. “Love me, I mean. I know you do, Harry.” After a moment of hesitance, she added, “right?”

“Dear,” Harry said, taking her hands in his and patting them reassuringly. “I’ve always been fond of you. You’re very witty and brave. But that’s not… that’s not who I need. I need Ginny,” he stated, looking uncomfortable. “You’re a lovely girl. Any man would be lucky to have you. But… I’m not that man for you.”

Y/n didn’t remember the rest of the conversation. She was sure Harry said some more nice things, all very awkwardly, and she remembered that he kissed her lightly on the cheek, but then she was left alone. She let herself fall onto a nearby settee, face flushed and hand on her stomach. She felt sick. But she also felt mad. Terribly mad. And yet, depressed. Too many emotions were swirling around her that she wasn’t herself when, with a yell, she picked up a vase and hurled it across the room. With a satisfying smash, it crackled and split onto the floor, just like her poor heart.

A low, amused chuckle filled the room and Y/n whirled around to see Mattheo Riddle sitting up on a couch. “What- who- what are you doing here?!” Y/n cried.

“Why, I was just taking a nap when I got disturbed by an unrequited declaration of love and a splintered vase. Whose is that anyways?” Mr. Riddle asked smoothly, shoulders still shaking from his laughter. “Whom will your father have to pay off?”

“Don’t you dare tell my father!” Y/n said, somewhere between desperate and demanding. “Oh, you sordid man! You have no right to listen in on a private conversation.”

“A rather amusing conversation,” Mr. Riddle chuckled, a wry smile stretching his lips. “I never thought you the type to lust after Mr. Potter.”

Y/n’s skirts swirled around her as she turned away from him in anger but then rounded on him again. “You don’t know a thing about me, sir! Why, I’ve never seen you before in my life.”

“And yet by the way you court all those other men, them begging after you like dogs, gives me a glimpse into your character.” It was then that Mr. Riddle took her hand in the most gentle way possible and laid a kiss upon her knuckles. The girl stilled. “Mattheo Riddle, at your service only, dear.”

“My service only?” is what Y/n could think to reply, not even giving her name like a proper lady would.

Mattheo inclined his head in a coy manner. “Yes.”

After a beat, Y/n grumped, “is that all you’re going to say?”

“I have nothing else to say.” Mattheo shrugged. One of his brows raised innocently. But Y/n got the feeling he was anything but. “Other than to ask for your name,” he added.

“Miss Y/n L/n and you will address me as such,” Y/n declared. “None of that ‘dear’ sobriquet.”

“Well, Miss Y/n L/n,” Mattheo began. “You best be hurrying along. The other women will wake from their rest soon and you wouldn’t want to be caught in the library with me, a sordid man.” He repeated her words back, but mockery laced his tone.

Y/n’s face grew hot and she spluttered a bit, looking very flustered and angered. Mr. Riddle watched on in amusement. “And how do I know you’ll keep your mouth shut about what you heard?” she asked finally.

At that, Mattheo Riddle smirked. “You don’t. You’ll just have to trust me.”

A week later was Harry and Ginny’s wedding. Y/n wore a deep blue dress, bordering on black. Yet she smiled and cheered along with the rest of the guests, even as her joy slipped away. She had half a mind to propose to Neville just to pull some attention onto her.

Mr. Mattheo Riddle was not there. Not that Y/n noticed.

She was sitting on the porch about three days later, pitying herself as she worked on her embroidery. She was trying to stitch a lovely sunrise, but she just couldn’t get a cloud right. She hardly heard the sounds of horse hooves clopping down the drive. “Miss Y/n L/n,” a gratingly familiar voice called out.

She sighed and her hands fell to her lap in exasperation. “I’m doing my embroidery!” she called back. “I don’t have time for eavesdropping men who dub me frustrating monikers.”

“You sure know plenty of synonyms for nicknames,” Mattheo commented, swinging his leg over his horse to dismount.

“Father keeps me well read.”

Mattheo bounded up the porch steps to reach her, but then realised that looked too childish, no matter how much he wanted to see her. He quickly composed himself. “And what is the lovely lady sewing?” he asked, settling into the rocking chair near her.

“I don’t recall inviting you up for a chat,” she said snarkily. After a moment where he just smirked at her, she replied, “and it’s a sunset. Or a sunrise. I’m not entirely sure yet. Whatever it is, it’s mightily frustrating.” She pricked her finger with the needle and exclaimed out.

Mr. Riddle’s brows furrowed and he took the cross-stitch away, not wanting her to get any more hurt. “Don’t you have a maid to stitch this for you?”

“Mother thinks every proper lady should know how to wield a needle and thread,” Y/n said, her back straightening. She then scowled. “Of course, Odessa has already perfected hers.”

It was then that the girl noticed Mr. Mattheo Riddle carefully stitching her embroidery, his nimble fingers tugging and looping the needle perfectly. Noticing her shocked face, Mattheo explained, “my grandmother taught me how. It was one of her favourite pastimes. I pricked myself many times — just like you. Of course, my father found it too feminine, but I just liked spending time with my grandmother. Perhaps that’s why my grandmother taught me her craft: so I could spare you some trouble and pain. I will gladly do so, darling.”

The air settled around them. Her father’s hounds were barking in the field and she could hear the servants singing from behind the house, doing laundry. She shifted in her seat. “What was her name?” Y/n asked cautiously, still not trusting this man.

“Merope,” Mattheo answered softly. “The poor thing had memory loss, you know. She couldn’t remember my name, much less what we had stitched last time I had visited. But she loved me. And so she taught me how to embroider over and over again.”

Y/n swallowed thickly. She could almost envision Mattheo as a child, climbing onto his grandma's lap to watch her sew out a work of art. Maybe they had sat on a rocking chair on a porch, just like she and Mattheo did now. She watched him finish the cloud she had been working on before handing her back the hoop. “Why are you here?” she wondered, staring down at the cloud, which was done much better than her own.

“To convince you that you can trust me.” And with that, he stood and kissed her forehead before straightening his suit and walking back to his horse. As he gripped the reins in his hands, he yelled back, “oh, and to inform you that I’ll be competing for your hand!”

She saw him next about two months later, at another county party. But this party was special. It was all for Y/n.

William L/n had gone all out for his eldest daughter. This was the day when all the formal suitors presented themselves. Yes, Fred and George Weasley had been courting her for years, but it would now be official. Not only were two of the Weasleys there, but Cedric Diggory, Oliver Wood, Ernie Macmillan, and Dean Thomas and his close friend, Seamus Finnigan. Neville Longbottom was now happily engaged to Luna Lovegood.

As much as Y/n put on a front, being surrounded by men, some of which were years older, was intimidating. She flirted and blushed and acted like a lady, but when Seamus Finnigan talked to Cedric Diggory about the growth of their family’s crops, talking around Y/n as Oliver Wood tried to entertain her with polo facts, she felt useless. Bored. Like a prop to be placed on someone’s arm.

That’s when Mattheo Riddle walked in. He stayed on the outskirts of the party for a long while, observing. He didn’t hide the fact that he was watching Y/n’s attention be snapped up by suitor after suitor. His eyes were already on hers whenever she glanced up to him. It was a dangerous game he was playing, but one he didn’t want to quit. Maybe this was what had drawn him to this little county in the countryside. Maybe Draco’s letter of invitation wasn’t all for naught. It couldn’t be, not when her eyes made him feel more alive than ever before. Mattheo Riddle made a promise to himself, then and there, as he watched the seven suitors surrounding Y/n. He would marry that girl.

Only a few minutes later did Ernie Macmillan chuckle in disbelief. “Is that Mattheo Riddle?” he asked. Y/n let the other men answer, for fear of sounding as if she had been gazing at the forbidden man. Which, if her father asked, she had not.

“Sir!” Seamus Finnigan called out from where he was lounging on the couch. His arm hung over the back of Y/n’s chair, something he found courage to do with the whiskey flowing through his veins. “Come join us, I beg you.”

Mattheo quirked a brow but strode over from where he was leaning against the wall. “Gentlemen,” he greeted smoothly. “How are you all this fine day?” He shook hands with each man. It was only then he allowed his eyes to settle on Y/n. “Ah, my dear Miss Y/n.” Her eyes watched the way his lip curved into a smile. “It’s lovely to see you here.” He took her hand in his and brushed her knuckles to his lips. It took all of Y/n’s restraint not to take in a shaky breath.

“Why, this is her party, after all,” Fred Weasley said, smirking. “Why wouldn’t she be here?”

“Mr. Weasley.” Mattheo turned to the man. “Perhaps if you had paid attention to my words, I never said I was surprised to see her, only delighted. And I can assure you, I am very delighted.” George Weasley snickered and clapped his twin on the shoulder. Fred just glared at the Riddle heir.

Mattheo sat down on the ottoman by Y/n’s feet, posture straight and perfect. An electrifying shiver ran down his spine as Y/n asked how he was. “Splendid,” he told her. “After all, I am in your presence. Darling, if any of these men told you they were less than splendid, I’ll offer to kick them to the street at your command.” The suitors chuckled at the joke, but Mattheo just held his future wife’s gaze. They both knew he meant every word.

Oliver Wood shook his head. “I still can’t believe I have the honour to meet the Mattheo Riddle. From all the rumours, I thought you were surely a ghost story.”

“I hate to disappoint,” came the easy reply.

“No, no disappointment here.” Oliver held up his hands. “Just surprise. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Mattheo stared down the man. “Why wouldn’t I be here?”

Oliver stammered out, “well, because people see you as- as well, good sir, I needn’t offend, but-”

“Cruel?” Mattheo supplied. After the awkward glances were exchanged between the suitors, he continued, “Unwanted? Cynical, unfeeling, only out for himself and his riches? Well, I can’t say you’re wrong,” he said simply. “I’ve done unhonourable things and I’ve lived my life for my own gain. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have feelings. Or that I can’t love,” he finished, eyes on Y/n.

She shifted under his stare and opened her fan to hide her blush. “I may go lay down,” she whispered out. The seven men around her began to protest, but Mr. Riddle simply held his hand out for her to take. He helped her stand and then bid her farewell. He settled back onto the ottoman to which the other men glared at him.

“Why can’t you corrupt some other girl?” Ernie Macmillan grumbled into his whiskey glass that he took a long swallow of. The other suitors seemed to deflate as well, now calling for more alcohol, slouching in their seats, and using more vulgar language. It was only Mattheo Riddle that kept his posture, his little cup of whiskey, and preserved tone. But even he felt a flare of anger at Mr. Macmillan’s words. “Take another girl for your wife. But leave this one for the rest of us. Why do you suddenly have a claim over her?”

“Another girl, you say?” Mattheo repeated, voice low and protective. “Take another one for my wife and leave her for the rest of you? Is that what you think I want? To just take any girl as my wife? No,” he stated, plain and simple, “I want her and only her. And why do I have a sudden claim over her? I don’t. And do not mistake her for a girl, Macmillan. She is a fierce woman, one none of you boys could handle. But perhaps… Perhaps I have fallen in love with her. Against all reason and sanity,” he added in a mutter, taking a swig of whiskey.

“But it’s foolish!” Fred Weasley exclaimed as all other men were stunned to silence. “You- you’ve only met the girl – pardon, woman – once. More than two months ago. And serving my memory, you never even talked to the Miss.” Fred’s memory didn’t have all the facts, as Mr. Riddle had met Y/n twice and had talked to her on both occasions.

Mattheo shot back, “love often makes us do foolish things, does it not? And I’m willing to be a fool for her, if that’s what it takes.”

Cedric Diggory studied Mattheo for a moment before musing, “you’re an admirable man, Mr. Riddle. But you must know I, along with the rest of these men, will still fight for her hand. And we have an advantage: her father’s approval.”

“What does her father’s approval mean if you don’t have her heart?” Mattheo asked. “If she doesn’t love you, what good does it do?”

“Well, does she love you?” Seamus Finnigan implored, trying to turn the tables on the man.

At that, Mr. Riddle rested his weight on the palm of his hand, leaning back. Even though his face was collected, a brush of pain swept over his heart, knowing the answer was uncertain. “Does she love me?” he echoed, tone soft. “I hope so.” He knew when it was best to shut up, so he didn’t say what he really wanted to; she hasn’t said the words, but I see it in her eyes. I see the fire in her, the same fire that burns within me. “You may think it hopeless,” he observed, looking at the other men. “That it’s foolish, believing she could return my love. Call me a fool, then. But I know what I feel, and I won’t give up on her, no matter how hopeless it may seem.”

Y/n had made it a habit of sitting outside, in case Mattheo Riddle came riding by again. Her efforts weren’t in vain, for a couple days later, his horse trotted up.

The coy look on his face showed he was feeling sly and quick-witted that day. He would make Y/n vie for his affections, no doubt in her mind. He dismounted with a flourish and a smirk, his coattails flipping out behind him. “Ah, my dear Miss L/n,” he called out, his voice carrying mischief. “I hope I find you well today!”

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you call me by my last name,” Y/n replied, setting her book down. “‘Miss Y/n’, or perchance ‘dear’ or ‘darling’, but never Miss L/n.”

“Hmm, my apologies, my dear,” he said as he strode up towards her, mock formality in his voice. “I suppose I’ve become accustomed to calling you by your given name. But I do like the sound of ‘Miss L/n’ as well. It has a certain… ring to it.” He took a seat on the rocking chair next to her and studied her book. “Never thought you the type to read Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

“It’s a love story,” Y/n defended.

“It most certainly is not,” Mattheo chuckled. “You’ve read it before, I assume?”

Y/n huffed. Why she continued to entertain Mr. Riddle was beyond her. “His devotion is clear. And yes, I have. Anyway, before you so very rudely interrupted me, I was going to say I thought you would detest my last name.”

Mattheo clicked his tongue and leaned back in his chair. “There isn’t much I could detest when it comes to you,” he admitted, glancing over slyly at her.

“How sweet.” Y/n rolled her eyes sardonically, but couldn’t help but smile. She added after a moment, “though I still thought you would dislike it.”

He shot her a lazy smile. He hadn’t felt this relaxed in a long time, looking out over her family’s lands. “And why would I dislike it, my darling?”

Y/n let out a soft, mischievous laugh. “Well, I thought surely you’d want to change it.”

“Change it, darling?” Mattheo raised a brow. “Pray tell, what would I change it to?”

Her eyes travelled to the sky, for if Y/n was to look at Mr. Riddle, her gaze would be transfixed on his lips. She swallowed and said slowly, “something that sounds like yours?”

Mattheo’s stare snapped towards her. “Are you suggesting what I think you are?” he murmured in a soft tone.

Ever playing coquettish, the woman responded, “what do you think I’m suggesting?”

Mattheo leaned in a bit closer, his heart beating faster at the notion he was about to say. “I think you’re suggesting you’d like to carry the Riddle surname, my darling,” he replied. “Is that what you’re implying?”

“Perhaps,” Y/n forced out after a short silence.

“And here I thought you thought me brutish and sordid.” When Y/n didn’t answer, an embarrassed flush on her cheek, he said in a quiet voice, “you know, if you enjoy Hunchback, you should see Notre Dame in person. Paris is lovely. We should go sometime.” He crossed one leg over the other and turned his attention back towards the horizon.

Y/n’s lips curved into a small smile. “I would like that.”

“Of course,” Mattheo added, clearing his throat, “if you’re still hung up on Mr. Potter, then you should probably go with him.”

Why, Y/n hadn’t thought about Harry once in the past weeks. How peculiar. And based on the little smirk on Mattheo’s face, he knew it. “I don’t think Harry and I were the right fit,” she said eventually.

“Oh?”

“No,” she mused. “It’s frustrating, yes? You think you have your whole life planned ahead and then… it gets ripped away from you.”

“Or maybe it’s just getting started,” Mattheo muttered. “Your life, I mean. You’re young, Y/n. And Harry Potter shouldn’t dictate whether or not your life has started or ended.”

“I’m not getting any younger,” Y/n complained. “Father wants to marry me off to a good, wealthy man before I turn twenty-five. I thought with Harry, I could get some love out of it as well.”

Mattheo asked honestly, “would it matter if you loved your husband if your husband loved you with everything in him?”

Y/n’s fingers fiddled with the pages of her book. “I think if someone loved me that much,” she whispered, “it would be impossible not to love him back.”

Mattheo felt his hand twitch as he looked down at her fingers. Slowly, he reached out to encircle her palm in his. His warm hand held hers loosely, so that Y/n could pull away if she wished, but just firmly enough that she could sense his devotion.

“Why… why are you doing this?” Y/n asked.

“The truth?” Once Y/n nodded, he continued, “I see the fire in you… The same fire that burns in me. Well, that used to burn in me.” Mattheo paused. “I’m sure you know of my father. I hated the man, and am ashamed to call him a father. But, even so, after he died, I’ve felt… stuck, Y/n. If we’re to keep with the fire analogy, I fizzled out. Yet with you…” he chuckled and shook his head. “Well, I’m sure you know where I’m going with this.”

“So what do you want me to do?” Y/n whispered. “Is this you proposing marriage, Mr. Riddle?” She smirked, even though her heart began beating a bit more quickly.

When Mattheo shook his head, she couldn't help but feel just a little bit disappointed. “No, that’s much too soon for you. Maybe in two or three years. But…” he threw her a wry grin, squeezing her hand lightly. “This is me proposing I begin courting you.”

“What?” Her hand flexed around his. “Really?”

“You can trust me.”

Four years later, because Y/n was notoriously stubborn when it came to her beau, Mattheo Riddle got down on one knee. “My darling dear,” he teased, using the nicknames he knew she hated. Y/n rolled her eyes in response. “You have made me wait what seems like millennia to finally officially call you mine. Of course, I’d wait aeons more, but I’m hoping that today, you’ll put me out of my misery and give me the honour of being your husband.”

“You’ll take me to Paris for the honeymoon?” Y/n asked, despite the tears shining in her eyes.

Mattheo let out a loud, joyful laugh. “Yes, yes I will.” And as he slid the ring on her finger, he murmured, “you can trust me.”

“I always have.”

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