quirked up, just a little. "Unexpected doesn't even begin to describe it. What... made you think of this?"

Y/N chuckled, the sound light and easy, as if the absurdity of the situation was making her feel more relaxed than she had in ages. "I thought you could use something that doesn't take itself too seriously. You're always so... serious, Mattheo." She paused, watching his reaction carefully. "I wanted to do something that would make you smile, even if it's just for a second."

For the briefest moment, Mattheo's gaze flickered to her. It was subtle, but Y/N noticed it. His expression softened—just enough to make her stomach flutter. He didn't say anything at first, his eyes drifting back to the bunny, but she could see the gears turning in his mind. He was processing her words, but there was something else there too. Maybe he was touched by the gesture, though he wasn't ready to admit it. Mattheo never was.

Instead of giving an immediate response, he reached out and gently tugged on one of the bunny's ears, watching as it responded to his touch. The soft fabric seemed almost alive in that moment, the enchantment giving it an eerie yet charming sense of realism. He raised an eyebrow, glancing at Y/N. "You really went all out, didn't you?"

Y/N smirked, crossing her arms over her chest. "Of course. I didn't just want to give you some ordinary stuffed animal. It had to be special."

Mattheo's gaze shifted back to the bunny again, his lips pressing together in what was likely an attempt to suppress a smile. Y/N knew him too well by now to be fooled by his façade. She could tell that, even if he wasn't letting it show, the sight of the absurdly large bunny was having an effect on him. There was a slight change in the atmosphere, a subtle shift in the way he carried himself. It was as if the walls around him had softened just a little.

Mattheo finally let out a small, reluctant laugh—low, deep, and quiet. It was the kind of laugh that Y/N cherished, the one that slipped out when he didn't expect it. It was rare, and it always felt like a small victory when it happened. But she didn't want to push him. She wanted this to feel natural, not forced.

"You're going to leave it here?" he asked after a beat, his voice more serious now, but there was a hint of curiosity in it.

Y/N nodded, stepping closer to the bed where the bunny was sitting. "I thought you might want it around," she said softly. "You can do whatever you want with it. Keep it, toss it, I don't care. But it's there if you need it."

Mattheo's expression softened again, his lips barely parting in something that resembled a small smile. "You're unbelievable."

Y/N laughed, turning her back on the bed to face him. "Is that a compliment?"

His eyes glinted with amusement. "Maybe. I'm just not sure whether I should be offended or impressed."

"Don't be offended," she teased. "It's just a silly gift, Mattheo. But sometimes, silly things are what we need the most."

There was a long silence between them, one that felt different from the usual silences they shared. This one was warm, comfortable, the kind that came when two people understood each other in ways they couldn't quite articulate.

Mattheo finally stepped closer to the bunny, running his fingers through its fur again, this time more thoughtfully than before. Y/N watched him, her heart racing, unsure of what he was thinking. She had no expectations, not really. She just wanted him to know that she cared, that she understood him better than he probably realized. He didn't have to say anything, but she wanted him to know that she was there for him, even in his quiet moments when he was alone with his thoughts.

When Mattheo spoke again, his voice was quieter, more vulnerable than Y/N had ever heard it before. "I didn't ask for this. But... it's... nice." His words were deliberate, as if he were still trying to figure out how to express himself. "I don't know what to do with it."

Y/N smiled, a soft, understanding smile. "You don't have to do anything with it. Just... leave it there, if that's what feels right. Sometimes, you just need to let things be."

He nodded, his gaze lingering on the bunny for a long moment before he turned his attention back to Y/N. "You really think this will help?"

"I think it'll help more than you realize," she said honestly, her eyes meeting his. "Sometimes, we all need a reminder that it's okay to stop taking everything so seriously. You don't have to be the dark and brooding Mattheo Riddle all the time. You can be something else too, if you want to be."

For the first time in their entire relationship, Mattheo seemed to let his guard down, even just a fraction. He looked at her for a long time, his dark eyes searching hers, almost as if he were trying to gauge her sincerity. Then, unexpectedly, he reached out and placed a hand on the back of her head, pulling her into a gentle embrace.

Y/N froze at the unexpectedness of the gesture, but she quickly relaxed into him, her arms slipping around his waist. The world seemed to pause for a moment as they stood there in the quiet, the only sound the soft rustling of the bunny's ears as if it, too, were content in the stillness.

After a few moments, Mattheo pulled back slightly, his fingers brushing against her cheek. "You're impossible, Y/N," he said with a hint of fondness in his voice, the words almost a whisper.

"I know," she replied, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "But that's why you love me."

He didn't say anything to that, but the slight curl of his lips, the way his gaze softened as he looked at her, was answer enough.

For once, Mattheo didn't seem like the distant, aloof figure she'd met months ago. He wasn't the cold and unapproachable person he often tried to be. Instead, in that moment, he was simply Mattheo—a person who, despite everything, let someone in. He was allowing himself to feel the warmth of her presence, even if it was in the form of an oversized stuffed bunny.

"Thank you," Mattheo said quietly after a long pause, his voice low but sincere. "For this. For... everything."

Y/N smiled, reaching up to kiss him lightly on the cheek. "Anytime, Mattheo. Anytime."

As the night wore on, Y/N found herself lingering in Mattheo's dorm, her gaze occasionally drifting to the bunny that now sat on his bed, as though it had always been a part of the space. Mattheo, for his part, had become more relaxed than she had ever seen him, his usual intensity softened by the strange, ridiculous comfort that the bunny seemed to provide.

It was an unexpected victory—one that neither of them could have anticipated. Yet, there was something profoundly simple about it. Sometimes, the smallest, most absurd gestures held the power to break through even the most stubborn of walls. And as Y/N sat beside Mattheo, watching the way he seemed more at ease than before, she realized that maybe, just maybe, she had succeeded in her goal.

Mattheo looked over at her, his expression a mix of quiet gratitude and something deeper—something he wasn't yet ready to fully express. But Y/N knew it was there.

For once, she wasn't in a hurry for him to say the words. She already knew.

Part 4: The Unexpected Warmth

The days following the stuffed bunny incident felt different. There was a quiet shift in the atmosphere between Y/N and Mattheo. While they hadn't explicitly discussed it, the presence of the enormous bunny in his dorm seemed to act as a gentle bridge, one that connected them in ways neither had anticipated. Mattheo, who had always kept his distance emotionally, now found himself reaching out in subtle, almost imperceptible ways.

He no longer carried himself with the same harsh exterior. His usual indifference was tempered with moments of warmth, small gestures that weren't there before. For Y/N, it was a new, delicate kind of victory. She hadn't been sure whether the bunny would have any lasting impact, but it was clear that it had done something. Whether it was because of the gift itself or the simple act of taking time to think of him in a way no one else had, Mattheo had softened, if only just a little.

It was the morning after the first night the bunny had been in his dorm that things began to feel different. Y/N was sitting by the fire in the Slytherin common room, flipping through an ancient tome on shadow magic, when Mattheo walked in. She had become used to seeing him enter with his usual quiet confidence, his dark eyes scanning the room with barely concealed wariness. But today, he seemed... lighter. His steps were more relaxed, and when his eyes met hers, there was a small, almost unnoticeable glimmer in them.

"Morning," he said casually, though there was something in his tone that made Y/N pause and look up from her book.

"Morning," she replied, her voice warm. "You look... different."

Mattheo smirked, though it wasn't the usual sly, mocking grin she had grown accustomed to. There was something more genuine about it, something softer. "Yeah, well," he shrugged. "I guess the bunny's working its magic."

Y/N laughed softly, closing the book and setting it aside. "I'm glad to hear it. I wasn't sure if you'd ever even look at it again."

Mattheo sat down across from her, his posture more relaxed than usual, as if he wasn't quite the same person who had greeted her with such indifference just days ago. "It's growing on me," he said, his voice less guarded. "I don't know how, but... I kind of like it. Feels... comfortable."

Y/N felt a small thrill run through her at his words. It was unexpected, but she was glad to hear him admit it. She had never been one to demand praise or validation, but hearing Mattheo express appreciation for something so simple, something so utterly ridiculous, made her heart swell.

"Comfortable, huh?" she teased, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "You're starting to sound like a softie."

Mattheo rolled his eyes, but there was no real annoyance in the gesture. Instead, his lips curled upward in a small smile that tugged at Y/N's heart. "I'm not a softie," he muttered, though the slight blush on his cheeks said otherwise.

"I never said you were," Y/N replied, her tone light. "But you've definitely been... softer than usual."

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, though the smile never quite left his face. There was an unspoken understanding between them now. Y/N didn't need to push him; she could sense the subtle changes. The distance he had maintained between them had decreased, and while Mattheo wasn't one to lay himself bare emotionally, there were little signs that spoke volumes. The way he allowed himself to laugh, the small touches here and there—he was beginning to let down the wall that had always stood between them.

Mattheo leaned back in his chair, his eyes drifting toward the fire. "I don't know why... but I feel like I can breathe more lately. Maybe it's because of the bunny, or maybe... maybe it's because I'm not trying so hard to push everyone away all the time."

Y/N felt a sudden lump form in her throat at his words. There was something vulnerable in the way he spoke, something that didn't come easily to him. It was as if, for the first time, he was giving her a glimpse into the turmoil he had been hiding behind that cool exterior. She had known he was troubled, knew there was more to him than the cocky façade he wore, but hearing him admit it was different. It was real.

"You don't have to push people away, Mattheo," Y/N said quietly, her voice soft but firm. "You don't have to do it alone."

He turned his gaze back to her, his expression unreadable. For a long moment, there was silence, but it wasn't the same cold silence she was used to. This one was charged with something unspoken, a mutual understanding that had only just begun to take root. She could see the conflict in his eyes—the internal battle between letting her in and keeping up the walls that had protected him for so long.

"I don't know how to... let people in," he admitted finally, his voice low, almost ashamed. "It's easier to just keep everyone at arm's length. Easier to protect myself."

Y/N felt her heart ache for him. She could sense the weight of his words, the deep-rooted fear that had shaped his behavior for so long. But she also knew that he was stronger than that, that he was capable of more than just keeping people at bay. She had seen the layers beneath the mask he wore, and she knew that, in his own way, he was trying. Trying to be something more than the person he thought he had to be.

"Then let me help," she said softly. "You don't have to protect yourself from me."

Mattheo blinked, as if the simplicity of her words had caught him off guard. He didn't answer right away, but Y/N could see the internal struggle in his eyes. It was clear he wasn't used to this kind of vulnerability, and yet, here he was, opening up in ways that surprised even him.

Before he could say anything more, there was a soft rustling sound from the corner of the room. Y/N glanced over her shoulder, and to her surprise, the massive stuffed bunny was standing upright on the floor. Its large, floppy ears twitched again as if in response to the conversation, and for a moment, it almost felt like the bunny itself was part of the conversation—watching, listening, and quietly offering its own brand of comfort.

Mattheo noticed it too and couldn't help but chuckle. "Is it... trying to be a part of the conversation now?"

Y/N raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a playful grin. "It seems like it. Maybe it's trying to give you some advice."

Mattheo gave a dry laugh. "Well, I'm not sure I can take advice from a stuffed animal, but it's good to know it's got my back."

Y/N chuckled along with him, feeling the tension between them ease. "Hey, if it can help you relax, I'm all for it."

He looked back at the bunny, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Maybe I should take it with me to my next round of classes. Might make me feel less like a total mess."

"That's the spirit," Y/N teased, her voice full of warmth. "Carry it with you everywhere. Make it your new sidekick."

Mattheo shot her a sideways glance, clearly trying to hide the smile that tugged at his lips. "You're impossible," he muttered, but there was no bite to the words. It was clear he wasn't angry—in fact, he seemed... content.

Y/N watched him, her gaze softening. This wasn't the Mattheo she had first met—the distant, emotionally guarded young man who kept everyone at arm's length. This was a Mattheo who had allowed himself to let go, if only just a little. He was still a work in progress, but Y/N could see the potential, the glimmer of something more behind the walls he had built.

"Thanks," Mattheo said quietly, looking at her with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat. "For all of this. For... not giving up on me."

Y/N smiled gently, her heart full. "You don't need to thank me. You never have to thank me. I'm just here, Mattheo. I'm not going anywhere."

For the first time since they had met, Mattheo seemed truly vulnerable in her presence. His usual mask of indifference had slipped away, leaving behind the person he had been hiding all this time. And for once, Y/N realized that he didn't have to carry the weight of his burdens alone. She would be there for him, no matter what.

As they sat there in the quiet of the Slytherin common room, the bunny still standing beside them as if guarding the space, Y/N felt a sense of peace she hadn't expected. It wasn't a perfect moment—nothing ever was—but it was real. And sometimes, real moments were enough.

Part 5: Growing Closer, One Moment at a Time

Over the next several days, the unusual presence of the six-foot-tall stuffed bunny in Mattheo's dorm room became an unexpected catalyst for change. At first, Y/N had only hoped it would break the ice, but she had no idea how profoundly it would affect the dynamic between them.

Mattheo, for all his aloofness and guardedness, had always been a puzzle to her. He was a mixture of contradictions: on one hand, cold and seemingly impervious to anyone's attention; on the other, fragile and deeply conflicted, a person constantly torn between the walls he built up to protect himself and the vulnerability he wished he could share. The bunny—absurd as it was—had given him a reason to smile, laugh, and even relax. He didn't need to talk about his feelings for it to be evident that something inside him was shifting.

One afternoon, several days after the gift had made its impact, Y/N found herself walking through the hallways of Hogwarts, a book tucked under her arm. Her thoughts were on the upcoming exams—always a worry for any Slytherin, especially someone like her who cared about success. But then, she spotted a familiar figure down the corridor: Mattheo. He was leaning against a pillar, looking as composed as ever, but there was something subtly different about him. His usual scowl had softened, and his posture was less rigid than usual.

"Hey," she called out, walking toward him with a smile.

He turned toward her, his eyes lighting up ever so slightly at the sight of her. It was one of those small gestures that most people would have missed, but Y/N had learned to read Mattheo in a way no one else could. His walls, which were usually impenetrable, were now a little less fortified.

"Hey, yourself," he replied casually, though his voice had a warmth to it that he never seemed to have before. "What's up?"

"Not much," Y/N said, slipping her book into her bag. "Just heading to the library, trying to prepare for the exams. You?"

Mattheo smirked slightly, his gaze flicking toward the open door of a nearby classroom where several students were passing by. "Same. I've got some catching up to do too. But..."

His voice trailed off for a moment, and Y/N couldn't help but notice the small hesitation. It was rare for him to leave any thought unfinished, but when he turned his eyes back to hers, she could see something in his gaze—a depth she wasn't accustomed to seeing.

"What is it?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, her curiosity piqued.

He glanced toward the corridor, making sure no one else was around, before looking back at her. His usual arrogance seemed absent, replaced by something more sincere, maybe even hesitant. "I was actually thinking about... the bunny," he admitted with a slight chuckle, clearly trying to make light of it. "It's... been a weird few days. But I don't know. It's been... comforting."

Y/N couldn't hide the grin that spread across her face. She had known that he'd come around to it, but hearing him admit it so casually was enough to make her heart flutter.

"Comforting, huh?" she said, her voice light but laced with affection. "I'm glad to hear that. It wasn't exactly a traditional gift, but I'm happy it's helped."

Mattheo nodded, his fingers tapping against the stone pillar as he continued to look at her. "I've been trying to get used to this whole... not always being so defensive thing. And it's hard, you know? But..." He trailed off again, his lips curling into a small but genuine smile. "I guess it's not as bad as I thought. The bunny, I mean."

Y/N stepped closer, her expression softening as she watched him. "It's okay to let go sometimes. You don't have to carry the weight of everything all the time. Especially not alone."

He exhaled slowly, his breath steady, but the weight of her words seemed to land on him in a way that she hadn't expected. Mattheo, the person who had