Part 1: The Gift That Stands Tall

It was late in the evening when Y/N found herself staring at the fire in the Slytherin common room. The flames danced with a life of their own, casting flickering shadows across the stone walls, the heat radiating a comfort she wasn't entirely able to enjoy. Despite being surrounded by her friends, Theo Nott chatting animatedly in the corner, Blaise Zabini lounging lazily on the couch, and Draco Malfoy lost in a quiet conversation with his familiar, Ferret, Y/N felt a strange sense of solitude creeping in.

Her thoughts were elsewhere. It had been a while since she'd really thought about it—about him—in this way. The usual chatter of the group blurred into the background, and she found herself distracted by a thought that had been slowly growing in her mind for weeks. A gift.

Not just any gift, but one that could express the way she felt.

The relationship between Y/N and Mattheo Riddle had been intense from the very beginning, but it wasn't always the easiest thing to navigate. He wasn't the easiest person to read, and often, he would retreat into his own world when things got difficult. They'd been through a lot together in the short time they'd been dating, and Y/N had quickly learned how to give him the space he needed without pushing him too far. But she also knew that every once in a while, he needed someone to pull him out of his shell, to remind him that he wasn't alone.

That's when it hit her.

A gift.

A small, silly thought at first, but the more she pondered it, the clearer the idea became. She didn't want to just give him something practical. Mattheo was one of those people who didn't ask for things—he was perfectly content with his own space, his own things. Yet Y/N wanted to give him something that would surprise him, something he could never have expected, something that would make him smile.

But what?

Her eyes wandered around the common room, taking in the familiar sights: the polished stone walls, the portraits of past Slytherins, the soft, green lighting from enchanted lamps. It all felt comfortable, a space she had come to know well. But in the midst of the comfort, her mind still lingered on the idea of finding the perfect gift.

Then, in a flash, it came to her.

A stuffed bunny.

The absurdity of the thought made her freeze for a moment, but the more she thought about it, the more it made sense. Not just any bunny, though. No, this needed to be a special bunny. It needed to be massive, towering in size—nearly as tall as Mattheo himself. Something so out of place in his dark, serious dorm room that it would make him pause in disbelief.

She could already picture it. A bunny with large, floppy ears and a soft, silvery-gray fur. Its innocent eyes would look at him with the same unassuming trust that she always saw in him when he let his guard down around her. The thought of Mattheo, with his tall, imposing frame, sitting next to this huge, ridiculous stuffed creature would be enough to crack the hard shell he wore every day. She imagined the small, incredulous smile that would tug at his lips, the rare laughter that would escape him as he stared at it, utterly perplexed by her strange gift. It was perfect.

Y/N couldn't help but chuckle to herself at the thought. A giant bunny for Mattheo Riddle? It was so unlike her, so unlike anything she had ever done before, but that was exactly why it would work.

She wasn't the kind of person who typically indulged in silly gifts. But Mattheo was different. He was quiet, intense, always carrying an air of mystery and danger. She'd seen him in moments of rare vulnerability, where the walls he built around himself crumbled just for a second, and she knew there was something more to him than the cold exterior he showed the world. This bunny—this ridiculous, oversized stuffed bunny—would be the key to unlocking that side of him.

Y/N stood up, her thoughts racing. She had to find it. She had to make this idea a reality.

The next day, Y/N was still caught up in the idea, carrying the thought of the giant stuffed bunny with her wherever she went. It was nearly impossible to focus on anything else. She'd spent most of her day in classes, but even when she tried to pay attention, her mind wandered. She couldn't stop thinking about how perfect the bunny idea was. But finding one in the vastness of the wizarding world was going to be another challenge altogether.

After lunch, as her friends dispersed to their various activities, Y/N made a quiet excuse to Theo, who offered her a curious glance, and slipped away from the Slytherin common room. She had a destination in mind.

There was one place where she was certain she could find what she needed: Diagon Alley. It wasn't far, and despite the threat of crowds, Y/N was determined. She had a particular store in mind, one that specialized in enchanted plush toys: Fluff and Fuzz. The shop was known for its whimsical creations and enchanted plushies—some of them so large and lifelike that they almost seemed like real creatures.

She made her way through the twisting corridors of Hogwarts, her black boots echoing against the stone walls, and muttered a few incantations to open the secret entrance to the tunnel that led to the passageway toward Hogsmeade. Once she reached the village, she made quick work of the walk to the apparition point and was soon standing in the heart of Diagon Alley.

The familiar bustle of the marketplace greeted her as she walked past the shops, the shouts of vendors selling their wares, and the clink of coins being exchanged filling the air. Her pace quickened as she made her way to the corner of the alley where Fluff and Fuzz was located. It was easy to miss, nestled between two larger shops, but once she spotted the sign—soft, pastel colors that spelled out the store's name in whimsical letters—she knew she was in the right place.

The bell above the door jingled as she entered, the scent of freshly baked pastries and lavender filling the air. The shop was cozy, shelves stacked high with plush animals of all kinds—some enchanted to move, some just charmingly lifelike. There were bunnies, owls, dragons, and even a few creatures she had never seen before. A few of them were twitching, their eyes following her every movement. She couldn't help but smile at the absurdity of it all.

A tall, elderly man with bright blue hair and a kindly face looked up from behind the counter. He wore an apron that read "Magical Toy Maker Extraordinaire" in bold letters. His eyes brightened when he saw her.

"Ah, Miss Kane, welcome!" he said with a warm smile. "Looking for something special today?"

Y/N's heart skipped a beat. She had no idea how the shopkeeper knew her name, but she wasn't about to question it. "Yes," she replied, her voice steady despite the excitement bubbling inside her. "I'm looking for a very... special stuffed bunny. One that's, well, quite large. About the size of a person."

The shopkeeper's eyes twinkled. "I think I know exactly what you're looking for," he said, his smile widening. "Follow me."

He led her to the back of the store, where the shelves grew sparse, and there were fewer creatures. The air felt charged with anticipation. And then, she saw it.

There it was—a massive stuffed bunny, sitting serenely on a pedestal in the center of the room. It was at least six feet tall, its ears long and floppy, its eyes wide and innocent. The fur was a soft, silvery-gray, almost like moonlight, and its paws were outstretched in front of it as if waiting for a hug.

Y/N's heart skipped a beat. This was it. This was the one.

The shopkeeper noticed her reaction and grinned. "This is one of our more... unique pieces. The charm we've placed on it makes it bigger than life. It's a rare item, and we don't often sell them, but for you, Miss Kane, I think we can make an exception."

Y/N's grin was wide as she nodded. "I'll take it."

The purchase went smoothly, and within minutes, the giant stuffed bunny was wrapped in enchanted cloth, ready to be delivered to her. Y/N couldn't wait to get it back to Hogwarts and set it up in Mattheo's dorm. She had a few ideas for how to surprise him, but she wanted to take her time, make sure everything was perfect. She could already picture the look on his face when he walked into his room and saw the absurdly large bunny waiting for him. She smiled to herself.

No matter how many times she imagined it, the thought still made her heart race.

And so, with a bounce in her step, Y/N made her way back to Hogwarts.

Part 2: The Search for the Perfect Place

Y/N's mind raced as she walked back to the castle, the massive stuffed bunny carefully levitated by an invisible charm, following her like a loyal, oversized shadow. The anticipation bubbled inside her, a constant hum that kept her moving forward, eager to get back to Hogwarts and set the stage for the surprise she'd been planning for days. She had no doubt that Mattheo would be caught off guard, but the deeper satisfaction came from knowing that for once, she'd be the one to show him something unexpected. Something that might finally make him crack the hard, cold exterior he wore so often.

The air had a chill to it, a reminder that spring was just beginning to take hold, but Y/N couldn't focus on the temperature. She had bigger things on her mind. Her thoughts were a blur of potential outcomes, all of them leading to one single goal: seeing Mattheo's reaction.

Despite her confidence in the gift, Y/N knew she had to be careful with how she set everything up. She didn't want to overwhelm him too quickly—Mattheo was unpredictable. One wrong move, and he could shut down. But the more she thought about it, the more she realized that this was the perfect way to break through the walls he had so carefully constructed. It wasn't just about the bunny. It was about her intention behind it. He didn't have to understand the logic, he just had to see that she saw him.

Back in her dorm, Y/N set the bunny down gently on the floor, stepping back to survey the room. Her heart was racing with excitement as she looked around Mattheo's private dormitory. She had been in here plenty of times before, but today, it felt different. There was a purpose to the space now—one that made her feel like an intruder. She wasn't supposed to be messing with his personal space, but this felt necessary. It felt right.

The room itself was large and meticulously organized, the walls lined with dark wood bookshelves that housed an impressive collection of tomes and texts. The rich green curtains blocked most of the daylight, allowing only the faintest sliver of sunlight to creep in. The bed, pushed against the far wall, was large, imposing, and perfectly made, as if the space had been waiting for something to happen. Mattheo's taste in decor reflected his personality—dark, brooding, and clean-cut—but it lacked warmth. It lacked life.

That's where the bunny came in.

Y/N smiled as she looked at the giant stuffed animal in the middle of the room. It was utterly out of place—its soft gray fur a stark contrast to the dark greens and blacks that filled the space. It seemed almost ridiculous, yet it was the perfect touch. It was absurd, comical, and she couldn't help but feel an enormous sense of satisfaction. The bunny, though still somewhat lifeless in its stillness, would fill the room with a warmth that nothing else could.

She'd decided on one key detail that would make the bunny even more absurd: she'd place it on the bed, but in such a way that it seemed to take over the space. The bunny would be sitting up, its oversized ears flopping to the sides, its paws spread out in front of it. But the most important part? She'd place a note in its paws, written in her neat handwriting: "For your comfort."

It was simple, yes, but the sentiment behind it was far more important. The note would be a signal, a quiet reminder to Mattheo that she was there for him. He didn't need to ask for anything, but she would give it anyway. She wasn't about to wait for him to tell her he needed comfort. She would offer it, freely and unconditionally.

The next part of her plan involved making sure the bunny had some... movement. There was an enchantment she knew that could bring the stuffed animal to life in small bursts. She didn't want it to move around too much, but she thought it would be amusing if the bunny would gently wave its large ears every time Mattheo entered the room. It would seem absurd and strange, and perhaps that would make him laugh. And if it didn't? Well, then at least it would make him think. And thinking was half the battle.

With her wand, she began weaving the necessary spells, muttering under her breath as she cast the charm. The bunny's ears twitched, and for a brief moment, it almost seemed like it had come to life. It was a delicate thing, not too overpowering, but enough to catch Mattheo's attention when he came back from his rounds.

Y/N stepped back again, admiring her work. The bed was now dominated by the oversized bunny, its large, almost comical presence filling up the entire space. But somehow, it didn't feel out of place. It felt like it belonged there, as if the bunny were always meant to be part of Mattheo's room.

After casting the final spell that would keep the bunny stationary in that position until Mattheo arrived, Y/N took a deep breath and began to walk toward the door. She couldn't stay here. She had to give him space to process. And so, with one last glance over her shoulder, she left the dorm, leaving the door slightly ajar, hoping that the next time Mattheo walked through it, he would have the reaction she was hoping for.

The hours felt like they dragged on as Y/N tried to go about her usual activities. Her mind kept slipping back to Mattheo's dorm, to the image of the giant bunny just waiting for him. She kept telling herself that everything was fine—that she hadn't done anything too drastic, too over-the-top. After all, what was the worst that could happen? He could laugh, maybe even roll his eyes. Or, if he was feeling particularly unbothered, he might ignore it altogether.

But the longer she thought about it, the more she realized that even if Mattheo didn't immediately show any outward signs of appreciation, the thought would still be there. The absurdity of the situation would linger in the back of his mind, reminding him that someone cared enough to do something ridiculous for him. And if that couldn't make him crack a smile, Y/N wasn't sure what would.

Eventually, the evening came, and she found herself in the Slytherin common room again, surrounded by her friends, though her attention was solely on the door. The clock ticked on, each minute dragging as she waited. She tried to focus on Theo's latest story about some prank he'd pulled on Draco, but the words felt distant. She had made up her mind: she wasn't going to wait for Mattheo here. She would go to his dorm, let him experience the surprise on his own terms.

When the moment finally came, Y/N excused herself from her friends with a muttered, "I'll be back in a bit," and made her way through the labyrinthine corridors of the dungeons. She could feel the excitement building in her chest as she approached his private dorm.

She paused just outside the door, taking a deep breath before pushing it open. The room was exactly as she had left it—dark, brooding, but with an air of stillness that felt almost sacred. And there, on the bed, was the giant bunny, sitting as she had left it, just waiting for Mattheo to return.

The door creaked shut behind her as Y/N waited in the shadows, her heart racing in anticipation. The longer she stood there, the more she felt the gravity of what she had done. She was about to see Mattheo's reaction, and for better or worse, she couldn't take it back.

The sound of footsteps approaching broke her thoughts, and within moments, Mattheo pushed open the door, his usual nonchalance evident in the way he stepped into the room. But when his eyes fell on the bed, everything seemed to stop.

His gaze locked onto the massive bunny, and for a moment, there was nothing but silence. He stood frozen in the doorway, his jaw slightly ajar, and Y/N could practically hear the thoughts running through his head. She stayed hidden, watching from the corner of the room, holding her breath.

Slowly, he took a step forward, then another, as if approaching the bunny as one might approach a strange creature that might suddenly spring to life. He reached out, his hand brushing against the bunny's ear. The enchanted ears flicked up in response, and for a split second, Y/N thought he might actually laugh.

But instead, Mattheo's expression softened, a faint hint of amusement flashing across his face. His lips curled into the faintest of smiles. It was small, almost imperceptible, but it was there. It was real.

Y/N exhaled, the tension in her body melting away. He hadn't turned away, hadn't gotten upset. Instead, he was standing there, almost mesmerized by the absurdity of the situation.

Mattheo looked around the room, and his eyes finally settled on Y/N. "You know," he began, his voice low, "this is... the weirdest thing anyone has ever done for me."

Y/N grinned, stepping out of the shadows. "I figured it was about time you had something to lighten the mood."

For a moment, they just stood there, the giant bunny between them, and in that strange, quiet way, it felt like something had shifted. Mattheo's usual guardedness wasn't as sharp as it had been. Maybe this silly, over-the-top gift had done the impossible: it had made him let his guard down, just for a second.

Mattheo's smile widened, and this time, it reached his eyes. "Well, thank you. I guess."

Y/N grinned back. "You're welcome."

Part 3: The Shift

Mattheo stood there, still a little frozen in place, his dark eyes fixed on the massive stuffed bunny in front of him. Y/N could see the wheels turning in his head, the confusion, amusement, and maybe even a hint of bewilderment flashing across his face. She could tell he was trying to process what had just happened.

She had expected some kind of reaction—after all, who wouldn't react to seeing a six-foot-tall stuffed bunny placed delicately on their bed, seemingly out of nowhere? But Mattheo was always so controlled, so composed. He wasn't one to let his emotions show, especially not in front of anyone, let alone her.

A small smirk played on his lips, and Y/N felt a wave of relief wash over her. He wasn't angry, and he wasn't dismissing the gesture. Instead, he was... amused. Maybe even intrigued. That was good enough for her.

Y/N took a step forward, her footsteps barely making a sound against the cool stone floor of Mattheo's private dorm. She crossed the room to stand beside him, glancing at the stuffed bunny that dominated the bed. The charm she had placed on it worked perfectly—the giant bunny's floppy ears twitched ever so slightly, as if responding to Mattheo's presence. Its innocent, almost childlike expression was absurd in such a dark and moody space, but that was precisely why it worked.

"It's ridiculous, isn't it?" Y/N asked, her voice teasing but soft. "I figured you could use a little something... unexpected. Something to shake things up a bit."

Mattheo shifted his weight, his eyes still focused on the bunny. The corner of his mouth