Mattheo Riddle - Imagines/OneShot

Teacher's Pet - Pt. 1

I would like to note that I do not condemn in this sort of behavior, this is strictly for the plot. Please read at your own discretion. 

Word Count: 936

Professor Mattheo Riddle stood at the top of the Astronomy Tower, his gaze sweeping across the vast expanse of the night sky. It was a quiet evening at Hogwarts, with most students tucked away in their dormitories, preparing for the upcoming exams. The stars shimmered above like ancient secrets, twinkling with a wisdom far beyond his understanding. He always found solace in the stars, their steady light guiding him through life's darker moments.

But tonight, his mind wasn't on the stars. It was on her.

Y/N L/N, one of his most brilliant students, had captured his attention in ways he hadn't expected. She had a natural gift for magic, a sharp min, and determination that set her apart from her peers. But it wasn't just her intelligence that drew him in–it was her curiosity, her unyielding desire to learn more, to push beyond the boundaries of what was expected.

He noticed it from the first day of class. The way she asked questions that others wouldn't even think of. The way her eyes lit up when she made a connection between theories or discovered something new. There was a passion in her that resonated with him, reminding him of his own younger self–hungry for knowledge, driven by a thirst for understanding.

But there was more to it than that, and it unsettled him.

He heard the soft sound of footsteps approaching, and he didn't need to turn around to know who it was. She had a way of moving quietly, almost like a shadow, as if she was always trying to blend in despite the fact that she could never truly go unnoticed.

"Professor Riddle?" her voice called out softly, breaking the stillness of the night.

He took a deep breath before turning to face her. "Y/N," he greeted, his tone neutral. "I didn't expect to see you here this late."

She smiled, though there was a nervous edge to it. "I couldn't sleep," she admitted, stepping closer to the edge of the tower where he stood. "I've been thinking about the lecture on magical theory today. There's something that's been bothering me."

A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Of course. Even in the dead of night, her mind was still at work. "What's on your mind?"

She hesitated for a moment, glancing up at the stars before speaking. "The connection between emotional states and the potency of spell work. I understand the theory behind it, but... I don't know. It feels like there's something more to it, something that isn't in the textbooks."

Professor Riddle nodded, impressed as always by her insight. "You're right," he said, turning his gaze back to the sky. "The textbooks can only take you so far. Magic is as much about emotion as it is about intention. Your state of mind, your feelings–those can amplify or diminish your spell work in ways that aren't easily quantified."

Y/N leaned against the stone railing, her fingers tracing the rough surface absently. "So it's about control, then? Mastering your emotions?"

"In part," he replied. "But it's also about understanding them, accepting them. You can't truly control something unless you acknowledge its existence."

She was silent for a moment, absorbing his words. When she spoke again, her voice was softer, more vulnerable. "You've always understood better than anyone, haven't you?"

His heart skipped a beat at her words, at the implication behind them. He glanced at her, and for a moment, their eyes met. There was something unspoken in that look, something that had been building between them for months but had never been acknowledged.

"I've had years to practice," he said, his voice carefully measured. "But even now, it's not easy."

Y/N looked away, her expression thoughtful. "I'm not sure I'll ever be able to control mine," she admitted quietly. "There are things I feel... things I can't quite explain."

A heavy silence settled between them, filled with the weight of all the things left unsaid. Professor Riddle felt a tightening in his chest, a mixture of emotions he didn't know how to unravel. He had always prided himself on his ability to remain professional, to keep a certain distance between himself and his students. But with Y/N, that distance had been steadily shrinking, and it terrified him.

"Y/N," he began, his voice strained, "there are lines we must not cross."

She turned to face him fully, her eyes filled with something he couldn't quite decipher—hope, fear, maybe even longing. "I know," she whispered. "But that doesn't make it any easier, does it?"

"No," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "It doesn't."

The wind rustled through the trees below, carrying with it the scent of the forest and the distant sound of the Black Lake lapping against the shore. For a long moment, they stood there in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

Finally, Professor Riddle straightened, forcing himself to take a step back. "You should get some rest, Y/N. We have a long day tomorrow."

She nodded, though there was a flicker of disappointment in her eyes. "Of course, Professor. Thank you for... for listening."

He watched as she turned and walked away, her footsteps fading into the distance. When she was gone, he let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, his hands gripping the stone railing so tightly his knuckles turned white.

He knew he had to keep his distance and had to maintain the boundaries that were there for a reason. But as he stood alone in the quiet of the Astronomy Tower, he couldn't help but wonder if those unspoken feelings would ever truly fade–or if they would linger, like the stars in the night sky. 

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Be prepared for part 2, it's going to get a bit spicy

I love reading about these types of scenarios, but only in books (obviously). It honestly freaks me out that some teacher's actually look at their students in a romantic way. Like????WHAT!!! Find someone your own age. 

Stay beautiful <3

Love, the Author