Mattheo Riddle is not the type to be easily approached. His blank face seems to fence off the contents of his heart that have been buried deep. No one really knows what he keeps even in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Hogwarts, Mattheo always seems like an untouchable world. Cold, quiet, and full of anger hidden behind his dark eyes.

But since your presence, his world began to crack. You are not a brave girl, nor the strongest witch in the class. But the way you smile when you are hurt, the way you look at him warmly without fear, that's what makes his defenses crumble slowly.

Behind the cold hallways of Hogwarts, you walked side by side. Never really holding each other, but also never really letting go.

Unfortunately, silent love is the slowest poison to kill. He is too afraid to have you... and too broken to let you go.

"Don't keep looking at me like that."

Your voice is shaking, almost a whisper. But he just stays silent, his hands clenched into fists under his robes.

"If you don't want me to stay... please, say so. I'll leave."

It's silent. Only the sound of the raindrops outside the castle. Then finally, in a tone that's almost broken, he answers, "You're a fool... if you think I can bear to see you go."

He loves you. But this kind of love... always comes with pain.