The Serpent & Hawke | Mattheo Riddle | Enemies to lovers

Part 64 - Not afraid

Mattheo's POV

Lyanna's arms wound around me like she could keep me anchored to life through sheer force of will, her tears soaking through my shirt to my skin.

I held her just as tightly, trying to memorise everything.

Her scent, the way she fit against me, the sound of her breathing.

Meeting Snape's eyes over her head, I managed to ask.

"Will you give us a moment?"

My voice cracked on the words.

But before he could leave, one last question burned in my throat.

"Was it planned? Killing Dumbledore?"

His curt nod carried years of burden.

"Yes. He was dying from the cursed ring, and knew Voldemort had asked Draco to kill him."

Snape's eyes dropped to the floor, showing rare vulnerability.

"He asked me, if Draco should fail, that I be the one to do it. That act alone would prove my loyalty to the Dark Lord."

Understanding dawned — Dumbledore's death, like everything else, had been carefully orchestrated.

Even the gifts he'd left for Harry, Ron, and Hermione made sense now.

"So you've been on our side this entire time?"

"Always."

The word carried such weight that it followed him out of the room.

As the door closed, Lyanna's quiet sobs filled the space between us.

I tucked away my wand and cupped her face in my hands, forcing a smile I didn't feel.

"I'm going to need you to do something for me."

I said quickly, brushing away her tears with my thumbs.

Her eyes searched mine, already dreading what was coming.

"When I'm gone—"

She shook her head violently, chin dropping as fresh sobs wracked her body.

I gently lifted her face back to mine.

"When I'm gone, I'm going to need you to kill him." The words came out steady despite everything. "When you do that, everything — all of this — will be over. Do you understand?"

She squeezed her eyes shut like she could block out reality, but I pressed on softly.

"Lyanna. Look at me."

When she finally opened her eyes, they were red-rimmed and glassy with tears.

"Can you do that for me?"

My own composure finally cracked.

Her small nod broke something in me.

Tears fell freely as I pulled her back into my arms, holding her as tightly as I dared.

How was I supposed to say goodbye to her?

This woman who'd given me everything, who'd taught me how to love, who'd made me believe I could be so much more.

"How are you going to do it?"

Her question was muffled against my chest.

The truth — that I hadn't planned this part — felt too heavy to share.

"Just you worry about killing him, ok?"

She pulled back, swiping at her tears before meeting my gaze again.