She reached out, her hand resting on his, grounding him in the moment. "You don't have to be scared, Mattheo," she said softly, her voice full of compassion. "You don't have to do this alone."

He looked at her for a long moment, as if searching her face for any hint of doubt. When he found none, he exhaled shakily, his fingers curling slightly around hers. "I don't know how to do this. I've never been good at it... but I want to try. I want to try with you."

Y/N's heart soared, and she squeezed his hand gently. "We'll figure it out," she said, her voice steady and sure. "Together."

The silence that followed was comfortable, filled with the unspoken promise of something more. Something that neither of them had expected, but both were willing to explore.

As they sat there, the fire flickering softly in the background, Y/N felt a sense of peace wash over her. She didn't need him to say anything else. The simple act of opening up, of being vulnerable, was enough. They were on the same page now, no longer hesitating or second-guessing their feelings. There was trust between them now, something solid and unshakable.

"I think you're right," Mattheo said after a long pause, his voice soft. "It's not just about the bunny, is it?"

Y/N smiled, her fingers still intertwined with his. "No. It's never been about the bunny."

He chuckled softly, and for the first time in a long time, the weight of everything seemed to lighten. They were still figuring things out, still navigating the complicated path of their emotions, but for the first time, it felt like they were walking it together.

And as the night wore on, with the two of them sitting in the quiet warmth of the dorm, Y/N realized that what they had was real. No more hiding, no more pretending. It was something that would take time to grow, but it was a start. And for the first time, she was okay with taking it slow. With Mattheo by her side, everything felt just a little more possible.

Part 8: A Date at Build-A-Bear

It had started like any other day. Y/N had been in the Slytherin common room, her book resting in her lap as she tried to focus on the pages in front of her. But her thoughts kept drifting to the events of the past few weeks—specifically, the growing closeness between her and Mattheo. It was a feeling that neither of them had fully articulated yet, but it was there. Every glance, every small smile, every word they exchanged seemed to pull them a little closer, until it felt like they were on the edge of something neither of them could quite name.

It was then that Mattheo had appeared, standing in the doorway with his usual air of confidence. But today, something was different. There was a glint in his eyes—something mischievous, something playful.

"You busy?" he asked, his voice casual but with an underlying hint of excitement.

Y/N looked up, blinking in surprise. "Not really. Just trying to get through this essay," she replied, though her attention was already diverted to him. She could tell something was up, and it intrigued her.

"Good," he said with a smirk. "Because I have a surprise for you."

"A surprise?" Y/N raised an eyebrow. "What kind of surprise?"

"You'll see." Mattheo's grin widened, and he held out his hand toward her. "Come with me. You're going to love this."

Without another word, Y/N closed her book, curiosity piqued. There was something in the way Mattheo's eyes sparkled that made her want to follow him without question. She took his hand, feeling a small thrill of excitement as they left the common room together.

As they made their way through the winding hallways of Hogwarts, Mattheo led her outside, the cool winter air biting at their skin as they stepped out onto the grounds. Y/N was still unsure of where they were going, but the fact that Mattheo had planned this—something for just the two of them—felt like another step forward. It was rare for him to take the initiative like this, and it made her heart flutter in ways she hadn't expected.

"Where are we going?" she asked, unable to contain her curiosity any longer.

Mattheo grinned, not offering any real answer. Instead, he only gave her a wink and a quick "You'll see."

They walked for what felt like forever, the snow crunching beneath their feet, until finally, they reached a small, unassuming storefront tucked away behind the trees near Hogsmeade. It was a cozy little shop, adorned with brightly colored banners and a sign that read "Build-A-Bear." Y/N's eyes widened as she realized where they were.

"You're kidding," she said, laughing in disbelief. "You brought me to Build-A-Bear?"

Mattheo shrugged, a playful smirk on his face. "Why not? You love stuffed animals, don't you?"

Y/N couldn't help but smile, her heart warming at the thoughtfulness behind his choice. It was silly, it was unexpected, and it was exactly the kind of thing she never would have imagined Mattheo Riddle doing. But here he was, standing in front of her with a mischievous grin on his face, ready to take her on a date to a place that was as playful as it was charming.

"This is... actually kind of perfect," she said, laughing softly as she looked up at him. "I never thought I'd be here with you, but I'm kind of excited now."

Mattheo's grin softened, and for the first time in a long while, Y/N saw something vulnerable in his eyes—something that had been there all along, just waiting to be revealed. "Good. Let's go make some memories then."

They entered the store, the warmth of the building wrapping around them as they were greeted by the cheerful music and colorful displays of bears, animals, and clothing. The shop was cozy and bright, with various sections dedicated to stuffing, dressing, and accessorizing the soft creatures. Y/N couldn't help but feel like a child again, the excitement bubbling up inside her as she looked around.

"So, what's the plan?" Y/N asked, turning to Mattheo with a grin. "Are we building a bear or something?"

"Well," Mattheo began, his smirk returning as he walked over to a nearby table. "We're going to build a bear. But you're going to help me pick it out."

Y/N raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? And what makes you think I'll help you pick it out?"

"Because I trust your taste," Mattheo said with a wink. "And because you seem to know everything about stuffed animals. Plus, I've never done this before. I figured you could guide me."

Y/N's heart skipped a beat at his words. The fact that Mattheo, the ever-confident Slytherin, was admitting to something he'd never done before was oddly endearing. It showed a side of him that was less guarded, less sure of himself, and it made Y/N want to help him in any way she could.

"Alright, alright," she said, laughing as she walked over to him. "Let's see what we can do."

They moved to the section where the unstuffed bears were lined up on shelves, waiting to be brought to life. Y/N picked up a small, brown bear, feeling its soft, unfilled body between her hands. "What do you think of this one?" she asked, turning it around in her hands.

Mattheo eyed the bear for a moment, then nodded approvingly. "Yeah, that works. I like its color. But it needs a little... something extra."

Y/N smiled. She knew exactly what he meant. "Alright, we can give it a little personality," she said. She led him over to the accessories section, where they could pick out clothes, shoes, and even a small soundbox to put inside the bear.

"Should we make it match you?" Y/N teased as she picked out a tiny leather jacket that would fit perfectly on the bear's frame.

Mattheo chuckled. "I don't know if I want my bear to be as dark and brooding as me."

Y/N laughed, her eyes glinting mischievously. "Oh, come on, it'll be fun. Maybe some dark sunglasses too, just to make it extra Mattheo."

As they continued picking out clothes for the bear, they moved through the store together, laughing and talking. Y/N couldn't remember the last time she'd felt this carefree with him. There was something about being here—something so simple and yet so intimate—that made her feel closer to him than ever. It was easy to forget about all the complications that surrounded their relationship when they were just two people, picking out outfits for a stuffed animal.

When it was finally time to stuff the bear, Y/N took the lever that filled the bear with soft fluff, watching as Mattheo held the bear carefully, giving it a slightly playful pat to make sure it was just the right amount of filled. It was a small but meaningful act, the way they worked together to create something from scratch.

"You know," Mattheo said as they stood in front of the machine, "this is kind of fun. I didn't think I'd enjoy this, but... I'm glad we're doing this."

Y/N smiled, her heart swelling. "Yeah, me too. It's nice to just... have fun sometimes."

Once the bear was fully stuffed, they moved to the final step: giving it a heart. Y/N took the small, red heart from the table and held it over the machine, then let Mattheo do the honors of placing it inside the bear.

"This is the part that makes it come alive," she explained, her voice soft and full of wonder.

"I think it's already alive," Mattheo said quietly, his gaze meeting hers. "With you here, it feels... right."

Y/N's heart fluttered in her chest, and for a moment, it was as if everything around them faded away. They were just two people, standing in a store full of stuffed animals, creating something together. But in that moment, it felt like something more. Something deeper.

Finally, with the heart inside the bear, they moved on to dress it up. Y/N slipped the leather jacket onto the bear, the sunglasses perched just above its eyes. When it was finally finished, they both stepped back to admire their work.

"There. Perfect," Y/N said with a satisfied smile.

Mattheo looked at the bear, then back at Y/N, his eyes soft. "I think we've created a masterpiece."

Y/N laughed, shaking her head. "Maybe not a masterpiece, but it's definitely something memorable."

As they checked out, the small bear, now fully dressed and complete with its heart, was placed in a little box for safekeeping. Mattheo handed it to Y/N, a proud look on his face.

"Take care of it," he said, his voice almost tender. "It's a reminder of this."

Y/N nodded, clutching the box to her chest. "I'll treasure it. Thank you, Mattheo."

With that, they left the store, the chilly air greeting them once again as they walked back toward the castle.

And for the first time in a long time, Y/N felt like she had everything she needed—right in her hands, in the form of a small, stuffed bear, and the boy who had made her heart feel like it was alive again.

Part 9: Matching Bears, Matching Hearts

The late afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting a soft golden hue over the snow-covered grounds of Hogwarts. Y/N and Mattheo walked side by side, the crisp air biting at their cheeks, but neither of them seemed to mind. The warmth of their shared experience still lingered, and it was enough to make the cold seem insignificant.

They had just left Build-A-Bear, the box containing their newly made creations clutched between them. It was a small, insignificant thing to some, perhaps, but to them, it had become something far more meaningful. The playful nature of the date had allowed them to shed their usual guarded personas, if only for a moment. In the midst of the whimsical charm of the store, they had both revealed a side of themselves that was rarely seen by others—soft, vulnerable, and unguarded.

"So," Y/N said, her voice light as she glanced over at Mattheo, "what now? Are we just going to walk around with our bears, or...?"

Mattheo chuckled, his gaze softening as he looked at her. "Well, considering how long it took us to pick out the perfect outfits for them, I think it'd be a crime not to show them off."

Y/N laughed, the sound light and carefree. "True. I guess we do have a couple of masterpieces in our hands."

With that, they made their way back toward the castle, the soft crunch of snow beneath their boots a rhythmic backdrop to their laughter. They were quiet for a moment, the kind of comfortable silence that spoke volumes about the ease of their relationship now. It wasn't strained or awkward, not like it had been when they first started spending time together. They had moved past all of that, hadn't they? Now, it was just them, enjoying each other's company in the simplest of ways.

As they entered the common room, Y/N took a moment to set her bear on the couch before turning back to Mattheo, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "I'm curious... did you plan on getting matching bears all along, or was that just a happy accident?"

Mattheo's lips twitched into a smile, but he didn't hesitate to answer. "It wasn't an accident," he admitted. "I wanted to do something that would make you happy. Something... memorable."

Y/N blinked, surprised by his words. He had always been so guarded with his emotions, so reserved in the way he expressed himself. For him to openly admit that he had thought about her happiness—it meant more to her than she could put into words.

"Memorable, huh?" she said, her voice quiet but full of warmth. "Well, mission accomplished."

They both stood there for a moment, looking at each other, their bears sitting innocently on the couch between them. The air between them felt charged, but not in a way that was tense or uncertain. It was more like the quiet building of something new, something that neither of them had expected but both were beginning to embrace.

"You know," Mattheo said after a beat, his voice lowering slightly, "I kind of like the idea of us having matching bears. It feels... like a little piece of us, you know?"

Y/N's heart skipped a beat at his words, and she found herself nodding. "Yeah," she said softly, "I know what you mean. It's like... a symbol, right? A reminder of today."

Mattheo's gaze softened as he walked over to the couch, sitting beside the bear he had made for himself. He picked it up carefully, as if it were the most precious thing in the room. He looked at it for a long moment before turning his attention back to Y/N, his eyes almost searching.

"I think we've both needed something like this," he said quietly, almost to himself. "Something to remind us that it's okay to just... be. To not always be so serious."

Y/N's chest tightened as she moved toward him, sitting down beside him on the couch. "I agree. It's nice to just... be here, with you."

They both turned their attention to their bears, the small, stuffed creatures sitting between them. Y/N's heart softened as she looked at the little creature—dressed in its leather jacket and tiny sunglasses—and then at Mattheo's. It was uncanny how similar the two bears were, down to the smallest details, as if they were a reflection of themselves. They shared the same spirit—playful, adventurous, and just a little bit mischievous.

"They're like us, aren't they?" Y/N said, her voice barely above a whisper as she looked at their matching bears. "In a weird way."

Mattheo smiled softly, his fingers brushing the fur of the bear in his hands. "Yeah. I guess they are."

There was something about the simple act of having matching stuffed animals—something so innocently childlike—that felt like a bond between them, a quiet, unspoken promise. They had both experienced so much chaos in their lives, from the pressures of being students at Hogwarts to the expectations of their families, but this moment—this simple, playful moment—felt like a reprieve from all of that. It was a moment just for them, something that didn't need to be analyzed or complicated. It just was.

"I think I might actually keep this little guy on my bed," Mattheo said, his voice light but sincere as he looked at the bear. "As a reminder."

"A reminder of what?" Y/N asked, her voice soft with curiosity.

Mattheo met her gaze, his expression quiet but meaningful. "Of this. Of us."

Y/N's heart fluttered in her chest, and she felt her cheeks flush slightly. "That's sweet," she said, her voice a little breathless.

They sat there for a while, neither of them speaking, just enjoying the presence of the other. It was simple, but it was enough. The two of them, side by side, their bears between them. In that moment, nothing else mattered. It was as though the weight of everything else had been lifted, leaving only the quiet comfort of each other's company.

Eventually, Mattheo stood up and stretched, a mischievous glint returning to his eyes. "I think we need to go out and show them off," he said, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "What do you think?"

Y/N laughed, the sound light and free as she stood up as well. "You're unbelievable," she teased. "But fine. I suppose they do deserve their moment in the spotlight."

With that, they left the common room, the two bears in tow. They made their way through the hallways of Hogwarts, drawing curious stares from other students who couldn't quite figure out what was going on. But for Y/N and Mattheo, none of that mattered. They were together, and in that moment, it was all that they needed.

Part 10: The Tattoo of a White Bunny

The evening had fallen quietly over Hogwarts, the castle's towering spires silhouetted against the deep purple sky. It was a chilly night, with a slight breeze rustling the trees outside, but the warmth of the common room felt inviting. Y/N sat in front of the fire, the soft crackle of the flames filling the space as she absentmindedly scrolled through a book, though her thoughts were far away.

Lately, she'd been lost in the pleasant routine of her relationship with Mattheo. It wasn't just the sweet gestures or the playful moments—though those were plenty—it was the way they seemed to fit together, like two pieces of a puzzle that had been waiting for each other all along. The connection they shared had only deepened, and with each passing day, it felt like they were discovering more of each other's layers.

Just then, the door to the common room opened with a soft creak, and in walked Mattheo, his tall frame almost instantly drawing her attention. He looked a little different tonight—there was an air of anticipation about him, a slight tension in his usual confident stride. He smiled when he saw her, but there was something more behind it. Something mysterious.

"Hey," Y/N greeted, closing her book and looking up at him, her curiosity piqued. "What's up with you tonight?"

Mattheo grinned, but there was an almost mischievous glint in his eyes. "Nothing, really. Just got something on my mind."

Y/N raised an eyebrow, wondering what was going on. "Oh? Something interesting?"

"You could say that," he said, walking over to her, his steps slow and deliberate. He leaned against the back of the couch where she was sitting, his gaze never leaving hers. "How would you feel about... me getting a tattoo?"

Y/N blinked in surprise. Mattheo had always been one to keep his body a mystery, never the type to openly show off any personal markings. She wasn't against the idea—if anything, she was intrigued. "A tattoo? What kind of tattoo?"

Mattheo's smirk deepened as he sat down next to her. He leaned closer, lowering his voice as though sharing a secret. "A white bunny."

Y/N's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "A white bunny?" she repeated slowly. "You want to get a tattoo of a white bunny?"

He