Mattheo Riddle One Shots

Between The Shelves

Warnings: FLUFF

Summary: Reader is a book worm, always in the library. An unknown Slytherin, but when she accidentally bumps into Mattheo spilling all of her books everywhere, Mattheo is intrigued by this Slytherin he didn't know existed.

Words: 1427

The library was your haven. Rows upon rows of books stretched endlessly, their spines whispering secrets only you were patient enough to hear. While most Slytherins relished the limelight, you preferred the quiet corners of Hogwarts, tucked away with parchment and ink, absorbed in stories and spells that transported you far beyond the castle's walls.

Today was no different. With a stack of books balanced precariously in your arms, you weaved through the shelves toward your usual seat by the enchanted window. The smell of aged paper and faint traces of ink filled the air, grounding you in the comfort of routine.

But fate had other plans.

As you rounded a corner, lost in thought about an advanced potion-making text you'd just picked up, you collided with what felt like a brick wall. Books tumbled from your arms in every direction, a chorus of thuds echoing through the silent library. You stumbled backward, catching yourself on the edge of a nearby table.

"Bloody hell," a voice drawled, thick with annoyance and laced with intrigue. "Where did you come from?"

You looked up—and immediately wished you hadn't. Standing before you was none other than Mattheo Riddle, his dark curls disheveled in that effortlessly cool way, his sharp brown eyes boring into yours. He was infamous in Slytherin for his sharp tongue, mischievous streak, and the aura of danger that seemed to follow him like a shadow.

"I'm sorry," you stammered, dropping to your knees to gather your scattered books. "I didn't see you there."

"Clearly," Mattheo said, crouching down to help. His voice held a teasing edge, but there was no real malice. He picked up a book and examined the title, an eyebrow arching. "Ancient Runes and Their Forgotten Meanings? Bit niche, isn't it?"

Your cheeks warmed as you snatched the book from his hands. "It's... interesting."

"Is it?" he asked, his tone lighter now. He handed you another book, "Magical Creatures of the Forgotten Realms," and tilted his head. "You always read stuff like this?"

You hesitated. "Mostly. I like learning things others overlook."

Mattheo smirked, the corner of his mouth quirking up in a way that made your stomach flip. "So you're the type to hide in the shadows, reading about obscure magic while the rest of us are out living."

You frowned, gathering the rest of your books and standing. "I'm not hiding. I just prefer the company of books over... people."

Mattheo stood too, his gaze never leaving yours. "Funny. You're a Slytherin, but I've never seen you before. You some sort of secret weapon?"

You couldn't tell if he was mocking you or genuinely curious. "I'm not sure why you'd care," you replied, clutching your books tightly.

"Maybe I'm just intrigued," he said, leaning against the nearest shelf with a lazy confidence. "You're like a puzzle I didn't know needed solving."

You rolled your eyes, though your heart was pounding. "Well, good luck with that," you muttered, brushing past him toward your seat.

But Mattheo wasn't one to let things go easily. Over the next few weeks, he made a habit of showing up wherever you were—sitting across from you in the library, "accidentally" bumping into you in the corridors, and even interrupting your quiet moments by the Black Lake.