The Serpent & Hawke | Mattheo Riddle | Enemies to lovers

Part 49 - The Serpent & Hawke

Mattheo's POV

I woke to a world of soft edges and blurred shadows.

Through the haze, one shape stood out.

A figure haloed by copper hair that caught the light like a captured flame.

As my vision cleared, Lyanna's face came into focus.

She knelt before me, her fingers running through my hair with infinite gentleness, a small smile playing at her lips that couldn't quite hide her concern.

"Hi."

I managed, my voice like sandpaper against glass.

"Hi." She whispered back, her touch anchoring me to the present. "How are you feeling?"

The question triggered an avalanche.

Memories crashed through the fragile barriers of my mind, each one more brutal than the last.

Alfred's screams echoed in my head, the way his body had convulsed under my wand.

The metallic taste of blood in the air.

The way his eyes had dulled when the life finally left them.

Then my own torture, layered over years like sediment forming stone.

"I'm s-sorry, I won't d-do it again."

The voice was mine but younger, higher with terror.

Twelve-year-old me cowered at the foot of the grand staircase, my body shaking so hard my teeth chattered.

Lucius's cane dug deeper into my shoulder, the silver snake head burning like branded ice against my skin.

His breath was hot against my ear, reeking of expensive whiskey.

"If you wish to survive in my house, you obey my rules, not my wife's, mine."

Tears burned down my cheeks as I nodded frantically, desperate to make it stop.

The memory shifted — rough hands yanking me up by the collar, nearly crushing my windpipe.

Young Malfoy stood watching, twisting his hands in that nervous habit he'd later train himself out of, his pale face a mask of carefully cultivated indifference.

"If I ever catch you in my office again..." Lucius's fingers tightened around my throat until black spots danced in my vision. "I'll add to those scars on your back."

I tried to blink away the memories, but they came faster now, like a stream.

"You useless, pathetic boy! Crucio!"

My father's voice carried that particular blend of disgust and pleasure that only came when he was causing pain.

My body hit the floor as liquid fire replaced my blood.

Every nerve ending screamed in unified agony as my jaw clenched so hard I felt my molars crack.

"Professor, something's wrong, come quick!"

Lyanna's voice seemed to come from very far away, but the memories were louder.

I was strapped to a cold table, my bare chest a canvas for their cruelty.

Silent sobs wracked my body as new Death Eaters practiced their craft, treating me like a training dummy.

Blood trickled down my sides as I fixed my gaze on the ceiling, praying for death or unconsciousness — anything to make it stop.