Mattheo Riddle - Imagines/OneShot

Realizing

Song: Everything Has Changed - Taylor Swift feat. Ed Sheeran

Word Count: 727

Mattheo's POV

I don't remember the exact moment I first met Y/N. It feels as if she has always been there, woven into the fabric of my life, almost as natural as breathing. Our families were friends, well–more like business partners, but from there on, the moment that we were born, it seemed like our fates intertwined. We grew up side by side, sharing everything.

When we were younger, I never thought much about Y/N beyond being one of my closest friends. She was the one I made potions with, the one I played Quidditch with in the backyard, the one who could beat me at wizard chess without even trying. Y/N had always been a constant in my life, and I was grateful for that–I needed that. And I suppose that's why I never really noticed how much she meant to me. Not until everything changed.

We both received our Hogwarts letters on the same day. I remember the excitement in her eyes as we compared our letters, talking about all the adventures we would have together. We boarded the Hogwarts Express that September, wide-eyed and filled with wonder. I didn't think it was possible to love Hogwarts, but with Y/N by my side, the castle felt even more like home.

The years passed in a blur of classes, late-night study sessions in the library, and endless missions from my father. No matter what happened, Y/N was always by my side, inseparable, as always. We sat together in the Great Hall, partnered up in Potions, and even got detention together more times than I'd care to admit–most of them being my fault.

But then, sometime around fifth year, I started noticing things. Little things. The way her laugh made my heart race in a way it never had before. The way she would absentmindedly twirl her hair when she was in deep thought. The way her eyes would sparkle when she talked about something she was passionate about.

And I realized, almost too late, that I was falling for her.

It hit me hard one winter evening, during the Yule Ball. Y/N had walked down the stairs of the Slytherin common room in this beautiful deep red dress, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. She looked stunning–no, more than that. She looked like everything I ever wanted and more, but I hadn't realized it until that moment.

That night, Y/N danced and danced and never once took a moment to stop. I watched her from afar, admiring the way she moved, the sparkle in her eye, the way the dress fit her body like a glove. She had me hooked, and my eyes never left her until I saw a boy walk up to her asking her to dance. I wouldn't be able to watch that sight, so I took my chance. I interrupted the encounter and asked her to dance with me, feeling like a fool for a split moment until she smiled at my motive. That night, as we danced under the enchanted ceiling, I knew that I couldn't keep my feelings hidden any longer. It wasn't just the way she looked that night. It was the way she had always been–the way she made me feel whole, like I wasn't truly myself unless she was beside me.

After the ball, I walked her back to the Slytherin Dungeon. The snow was falling softly outside, and the air was crisp and cold. I stopped just before the entrance, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Y/n," I began, my voice barely above a whisper. She turned to look at me, her eyes full of warmth and curiosity. "There's something I need to tell you."

She waited, and for a moment, I almost lost my nerve. But then, taking a deep breath, I found the courage that had always come too easily when I was with her.

"I think I've been in love with you for a while now," I said, my voice slightly trembling. "I just didn't realize it until now."

For a heartbeat, the world seemed to stop. I held my breath, afraid of what she might say. But then, a smile spread across her face, and she reached out to take my hand.

"I think I've been waiting for you to realize that," she said softly.

And just like that, everything, in that moment, fell into place.

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I'm feeling really sappy in my feelings, so the next few chapters are probably going to be all lovey-dovey....or heartbreaking, I don't know yet, haha

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!

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Stay beautiful <3