Mattheo Riddle One Shots

Torn Between Shadows •Prompt 1•

Continuation: Desperate Redemption

Mattheo watched you disappear into the shadows of the Forbidden Forest, his chest constricting with a pain so fierce it nearly dropped him to his knees. You were gone—he had driven you away, the one person who had ever made him feel like he was more than the darkness consuming his life. And yet, despite the finality in your voice, the look in your eyes, he couldn't let you go.

He didn't deserve you. He knew that. But love wasn't logical, and it wasn't forgiving. It clung to him like a lifeline, whispering that maybe—just maybe—there was still a way to make things right.

Mattheo's attempts to sever his ties to the Death Eaters began quietly. He couldn't simply walk away—not with his father's gaze constantly on him, sharp and unrelenting. But he could undermine them from the inside. A whispered warning here, a sabotaged mission there. He treaded a dangerous line, each act of rebellion another step closer to discovery.

He started leaving anonymous messages for the Order, carefully placed clues that could help them avoid ambushes or secure victories. He knew you were still with them, and though he doubted you'd ever forgive him, it gave him some small solace to think that, in some way, he was protecting you.

But Voldemort wasn't a fool.

"You've been... distracted, my son," Voldemort said one evening, his voice smooth and cold as he regarded Mattheo with piercing crimson eyes. "Your commitment to the cause appears to waver."

Mattheo stood stiffly, his hands clenched behind his back. "I am loyal, my Lord."

Voldemort's thin lips curled into something like a smile, but there was no warmth in it. "Loyalty is earned through action, Mattheo. Prove yourself, or I will find someone more worthy of my trust."

The threat hung heavy in the air, and Mattheo's heart sank. He knew Voldemort was testing him, and he also knew that failure would mean more than his own death—it could mean yours, too.

The next time Mattheo saw you was by chance, though part of him wondered if fate had intervened. The Order had launched a strike on a key Death Eater outpost, and Mattheo had been ordered to defend it. He hadn't planned to fight. He'd planned to slip away in the chaos, but then he saw you.

You were locked in a fierce duel with a Death Eater, your movements precise and graceful, but you were outnumbered. A spell struck you in the shoulder, and you stumbled, just enough to make Mattheo's heart lurch.

Without thinking, he was at your side. A stunning spell shot from his wand, knocking your attacker unconscious.

You spun around, your wand raised, but froze when you saw him.

"Mattheo?" you whispered, your voice laced with disbelief.

"Come on," he said urgently, grabbing your arm. "We need to get out of here."

You yanked your arm free, your eyes blazing. "I don't need your help!"

"You're hurt," he argued, his voice desperate. "Please, [Y/n]. Let me help you."

For a moment, you hesitated, your eyes searching his face. You didn't trust him—how could you? But something in his expression gave you pause.

"Fine," you said finally, your voice hard. "But don't think this means I've forgiven you."

Mattheo led you to safety, shielding you from stray spells as the battle raged on. When you finally reached the cover of the trees, you turned to face him, your wand still drawn.

"Why are you doing this, Mattheo?" you demanded. "What do you want from me?"

"I want to make things right," he said, his voice raw. "I know I've hurt you. I know I've done things I can't take back. But I'm trying, [Y/n]. I'm trying to change."

You laughed bitterly, shaking your head. "Change? Do you think saving me once erases everything you've done? The people you've hurt? The lives you've destroyed?"

"No," he said quietly. "But it's a start."

Your anger faltered, replaced by a deep, aching sadness. "It's not that simple, Mattheo. You can't just undo the damage. And I can't... I can't keep doing this."

"I know," he whispered, his voice breaking. "But I can't stop loving you. Even if you never forgive me, even if you never take me back, I'll spend the rest of my life trying to be someone worthy of you."

Tears welled in your eyes, but you refused to let them fall. "I don't know if I can believe you, Mattheo. You've lied to me before."

He stepped closer, his eyes pleading. "Then don't believe my words. Believe my actions. I'll prove it to you, [Y/n]. I swear."

Before you could respond, shouts echoed through the forest—reinforcements from both sides were closing in.

"Go," you said, your voice trembling. "If they find you here—"

"I'm not leaving you," he interrupted.

"Yes, you are," you said firmly. "Because if you really love me, you'll do what's right. Go, Mattheo. Prove that you can change."

His gaze lingered on you, pain and longing etched into his features. Then, with a reluctant nod, he turned and disappeared into the shadows.

As you watched him go, you couldn't help but wonder if this was the end—or if it was the beginning of something new.