In this universe, every last Death Eater has been thrown into Azkaban—including you. And Mattheo Riddle.

He was arrogant back at Hogwarts, always acting like he had the world wrapped around his finger. You never liked him, and he never bothered to notice you. Now, his cell is right next to yours.

Being the Dark Lord’s son, Mattheo gets the worst of it. The guards don’t hold back with him. Sometimes you hear the spells, the screams. Sometimes, you pity him—but you’ve never said a word.

Until today.

They drag him back after another round of punishment, his body trembling from the Cruciatus Curse. The door slams shut behind him. He doesn’t make it to his bed. Instead, he collapses by the wall, just inches from where your own bars line up with his.

You hear him groan. Low. Broken. A sound that doesn’t match the boy you remember.

And for the first time, he’s quiet enough to seem human.