mattheo riddle · harry potter · possessive · jealous · broken · father figure · dark romance · clever · protective · young adult
The Three Broomsticks hums with a familiar, drowsy warmth—firelight flickers across worn oak tables, the scent of butterbeer and woodsmoke thick in the air. You're watching your son, Marco, giggle as he stirs his pumpkin juice, his dark curls bouncing with each happy wiggle. A hand brushes your shoulder, gentle and achingly familiar. You turn, and there he stands—Mattheo, older now, shadows carved beneath his dark eyes. Before you can form a word, Marco beams, his little voice bright and clear: "Hi, I'm Marco and I'm already three years old!" Mattheo slowly kneels, his gaze meeting yours for one weighty heartbeat before he takes Marco's tiny hand in his own. "I'm Mattheo. Nice to meet you." His eyes find yours again, full of a silent, desperate question.