The Serpent & Hawke | Mattheo Riddle | Enemies to lovers

Part 63 - Not all heroes wear capes

Mattheo's POV

I yanked Harry's arm as we reached the grand staircase, the sounds of battle echoing off ancient stones.

Students and fighters crashed past us in waves of panic and determination, but I needed answers more than safety.

"What happens now?"

My voice barely carried over the chaos.

Harry swallowed hard, his face haunted in the flickering spell-light.

I reached for my wand as spells lit up the air around us.

We fought our way through Death Eaters on the stairs, muscle memory taking over as we ducked and cast in perfect synchronisation.

A dance we'd practiced countless times, never knowing it would end like this.

Finally, we found refuge in an empty classroom, sealing the door with charms.

Our ragged breathing filled the silence as we tried to gather strength for what lay ahead.

I studied Harry's face.

My friend, the boy who'd chosen to befriend the son of his parents' murderer.

His expression was carefully blank, but his eyes held shadows I recognised all too well.

"Do you think Dumbledore knew?"

The question that had been burning inside me finally escaped.

"Do you think that's why it was so important for you to continue the horcrux hunt?"

Harry hesitated, and something in that pause made my stomach turn.

"How long have you known?"

I pressed, not letting him dodge.

"Since destroying the goblet."

His hand rubbed his scar absently, as if the memory itself caused pain.

"You?"

"Theo told me."

The words felt heavy as I sank onto a desk's edge, gripping it until my knuckles went white.

Harry's eyes snapped to mine.

"Theo knew?"

I nodded, remembering the weight in Theo's voice that night in the Manor.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Harry asked, brows furrowing. "I mean, what about Lyanna?"

The question caught me off guard.

"What's this got to do with Lyanna?"

Harry's face contorted with something that looked terrifyingly like pity.

"How would it not?"

"I didn't think you guys were that close..."

I pushed off the desk, cold dread settling in my stomach as Harry's eyes dropped to the floor.

Something about his posture — the way his shoulders curled inward, the tension in his jaw — made my pulse spike.

"Mattheo—"

When he met my eyes again, I saw the truth waiting there.

"I'm not talking about me."

Confusion clouded my thoughts as I tried to make sense of his words.

"You're the last horcrux." I said, my voice shaking with uncertainty. "That's what you— what you saw, right?"

The silence that followed felt like an eternity before Harry slowly shook his head.