If you spend any time on TikTok, Wattpad, or fanfic sites, you have probably seen the name Mattheo Riddle. He shows up in POV videos, dark edits, and “x reader” stories as a brooding Slytherin boy with a famous last name and a cigarette between his fingers.
Here is the key thing. Mattheo is not a real character from the Harry Potter books or movies. He is a fan-made version of what a Riddle kid at Hogwarts might be like.
Fans built a shared image of him: dark academia style, Slytherin bad boy, enemies to lovers plots, and complicated daddy issues. If you are searching his name, you are likely a fan looking for context, headcanons, or ideas for your own stories. This guide walks through who Mattheo Riddle is, where he came from, and how to enjoy or create content around him in a fun and safe way.
Mattheo Riddle Origin: Where This Fan-Favorite Character Came From
Mattheo Riddle lives in fanon, not canon. In canon Harry Potter lore, we have Tom Riddle, who becomes Lord Voldemort, and his daughter Delphini appears in the stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. There is no Mattheo Riddle in the original novels, the movies, or any official Wizarding World guide.
He exists because fans wanted a morally gray Slytherin love interest that fit inside Hogwarts. So they took the Riddle name, mixed it with common romance tropes, and built a new character together.
Early versions of Mattheo appeared in Wattpad and Archive of Our Own fanfics. Then TikTok edits and POVs boosted him, and more people started using the same name and basic idea. Pinterest boards filled with green ties, cigarette smoke, messy handwriting, and dim libraries helped lock in his style. The more people posted, the more “shared” he started to feel.
There is no single “original” writer for Mattheo Riddle. Every story and edit adds another layer to the loose template. That is why details can change a lot from one creator to another, even though he still feels like the same boy.
Is Mattheo Riddle Canon in Harry Potter?
No. Mattheo Riddle is not canon in Harry Potter.
Canon gives us Tom Riddle, a cold, power-hungry boy who becomes Voldemort. Mattheo, in fanon, is usually imagined as Tom’s son, grandson, or some other close relative. Fans borrow Tom’s dark history, then ask a simple question: what if his kid went to Hogwarts and tried to live with that legacy?
This is where confusion starts. New readers sometimes think Mattheo appears in a lost book or a side story. He does not. He is fan-made, just like many original characters in fanfic, only with a shared name and look.
So when you see “Mattheo Riddle x reader,” you are reading a fan’s version of Tom Riddle’s imagined descendant, not an official character.
How TikTok, Wattpad, and Edits Helped Create Mattheo Riddle
Mattheo Riddle grew fast because so many platforms fed into each other.
On TikTok, creators made POVs like “you are dating Mattheo Riddle” or “Mattheo finds you in detention again.” These short videos often used the same type of music and filters, so they felt like parts of one bigger story.
Fanfic sites like Wattpad and AO3 hosted longer stories with tags such as “Mattheo Riddle fanfic,” “Slytherin x reader,” and “Tom Riddle’s son.” Readers who found him in one place went hunting on others.
Fancasts helped too. Many edits use young male actors with sharp features to “play” Mattheo, for example Benjamin Wadsworth or similar faces. Pinterest and Instagram moodboards tie it all together with green lights, dark hallways, and scribbled notes.
Even though every creator puts their own twist on him, these shared visuals and tropes make Mattheo feel like a character fans “know,” even without an official source.
Mattheo Riddle Character Guide: Personality, Aesthetic, and Popular Tropes
If you want to write, roleplay, or just understand this character, it helps to know the common version most fans picture.
How Fans Usually Imagine Mattheo Riddle’s Personality
Most Mattheo Riddle versions follow a clear pattern.
He is Slytherin, clever, and fast with a comeback. He often has a short temper and gets into fights or detentions. He cares deeply about a small circle of friends, even when he acts annoyed by them.
His morals are not simple. He may hex people, break rules, or scare bullies right back. Many writers show him struggling with anger or shame tied to the Riddle name. Under the hard shell, he is usually protective and soft with the person he loves.
This “bad boy with a soft side” idea pulls readers in because it mixes tension and safety. The key is to show that growth and kindness are real, without glamorizing abuse or controlling behavior.
Typical Hogwarts Backstory and Relationships
In fanon, Mattheo Riddle almost always ends up in Slytherin house at Hogwarts. Many stories place him in the same era as Draco Malfoy and the Golden Trio, so he brushes past Harry, Hermione, and Ron. Others move him into a modern AU, where magic and smartphones exist together.
Teachers often treat him with suspicion because of his last name. Some fics give him a rough home life or strained link with Tom Riddle, which adds to his anger and rule breaking.
Common relationship setups include:
- Reader x Mattheo Riddle, written in second person so you are the love interest
- Original character x Mattheo, with a detailed OC backstory
- Friend groups with other Slytherins, like Draco, Theodore Nott, or Enzo
Writers use these ties to build house drama, classroom tension, and late-night talks in the common room.
Aesthetic and Tropes People Love in Mattheo Riddle Stories
Mattheo’s aesthetic leans hard into dark academia and Slytherin pride. Picture:
- The green glow of the Slytherin common room on the Black Lake
- Silver rings on his fingers and ink stains on his hands
- Cigarettes in some AUs, or sugar quills in canon-friendly ones
- Late nights in the library, reading banned books or scribbling letters
Popular tropes include:
- Enemies to lovers, starting with sharp insults and cold stares
- Grumpy x sunshine, where Mattheo is the grump and the reader is light
- Detention together, which forces him to soften
- Protective love interest, stepping in when someone hurts you
These patterns feel safe and familiar. Fans know the beats, so they can relax into the story and focus on emotion and comfort.
How to Enjoy or Create Your Own Mattheo Riddle Content Safely and Respectfully
Fandom should be fun. A bit of care keeps it that way for everyone.
Finding Mattheo Riddle Fanfic, Edits, and Headcanons
If you want more content, start with tags and keywords. On Wattpad or AO3, search for “Mattheo Riddle,” “Mattheo Riddle x reader,” or “Mattheo Riddle headcanons.” On TikTok and Tumblr, look for the same tags plus “Slytherin POV” or “Riddle OC.”
Use filters and content warnings. Many sites let you sort by fluff, angst, smut, or hurt/comfort, and creators often add warnings in the description. Read those before you dive in.
Support the people who make what you love. Leave likes, kudos, bookmarks, or kind comments. If something is not for you, click away instead of attacking the creator.
Tips for Writing Your Own Mattheo Riddle Story or AU
Want to write your own Mattheo Riddle fanfic or AU?
Start by picking:
- His backstory; is he Tom’s son, grandson, or a distant cousin
- The era; Hogwarts during the Golden Trio, post-war, or a modern AU
- His core traits; what makes your Mattheo different from others
Give him flaws and soft spots that feel human, not just “hot and angry.” Maybe he is great at Potions but bad at talking about feelings. Maybe he loves music, cats, or star charts even though he pretends not to care.
Respect copyright rules. Keep your work non-commercial, avoid selling Harry Potter branded merch, and remember that J.K. Rowling still owns the base world. Also be kind when using real actors for fancasts. Do not tag them in NSFW edits and do not act like they are the character.
Conclusion
Mattheo Riddle is not a lost Harry Potter character. He is a shared fan project built from thousands of fics, edits, and headcanons, and that freedom is what makes him so fun. Fans can shape him into a soft protector, a reckless troublemaker, or a mix of both, all within the magic of Hogwarts.
He shows how powerful fandom can be when people build new stories inside a world they love. If you enjoy Mattheo Riddle content, keep it healthy, respect limits, and support the creators who make your favorite versions of him.
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