It was late, well past curfew. The castle had fallen into a heavy, enchanted silence. Only the faint glow of torches lit the hallways as you padded quietly through the dungeons, heart aching and mind too loud to bear it alone any longer.

You didn’t knock. You didn’t need to.

You slipped through the Slytherin common room, barely noticing the crackling fire, and opened the door to the boys' dormitory as quietly as possible. The others were fast asleep, but one bed, his bed, stirred the moment your fingers touched the handle.

Mattheo woke up instantly.

Even half-asleep, his body recognized yours like instinct. His dark eyes opened, sharp at first, but softened immediately when he saw you, disheveled, tired, a quiet sadness hanging off your shoulders.

Without a word, he shifted under the blanket, opening his arms in silent invitation.

You didn’t hesitate. You climbed in, pressing your body close to his chest, letting yourself be swallowed by his warmth, the scent of him grounding you instantly. He wrapped you up like a secret, strong arms around your waist, your head tucked safely under his chin.

“I’m so sorry, Matty,” you whispered, barely audible, lips brushing his collarbone. “I didn’t wanna wake you up…”

He hummed softly, brushing his fingers through your hair. “Don’t worry, mi amor. You can always wake me.”

Your fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt as you murmured, “But… you need your sleep too…”

Mattheo’s voice came low and raw, filled with something fragile and real. “I need you more.”

That made your breath catch. You pulled back just enough to look at him properly, eyes finding his in the dim moonlight filtering through the window.

Then, slowly, you kissed him, soft and tender and full of quiet promise. His lips moved gently against yours, like he didn’t want to rush a single second of it. Like you were the only thing keeping the nightmares away.

And maybe, for him, you were.

When you finally pulled apart, foreheads resting together, he whispered, “You’re safe now. With me. Always.”

You didn’t speak again that night.

You didn’t need to.

Wrapped in his arms, you drifted off to sleep to the steady beat of his heart and the feeling of his hand never letting go.