Matteo Sammael Riddle was an enigmatic eleven-year-old boy, with his innocent black curls and chocolate eyes. His name alone set him apart from his peers. The name Sammael, associated with one of the first angels on Earth and one of the Princes of Hell —a Greater Demon, was anything but common.
Tartarus, Gehenna, La Duat, Helheim…Hell had borne many names throughout human history, a place where the souls of sinners were condemned, forever begging for release. It was often described as a realm of rivers of lava, sulfur, and dark chambers, a place of eternal torment.
In the beginning, God had nine higher-ranking angels. However, Lucifer's rebellion against God, along with the other eight angels, resulted in their expulsion to Hell, their wings torn off. These fallen angels, now known as the Princes of Hell, held sway over the depths of this infernal realm.
Among these Princes, one stood out—Sammael. What made him particularly intriguing was his youthful appearance, despite being one of the oldest of the nine. Sammael could be seen as the demonic equivalent of the Archangel Michael. He had been associated with various roles throughout history, from the Archangel of Death to the serpent in the Garden of Eden, and even one of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Sammael, with his youthful visage, had a history of deception, manipulation, seducing and ensnaring countless women throughout the nefarious influence spawned an entire lineage of witches and wizards, his offspring stretching across generations.
So, what connection did the second oldest Prince of Hell have with an innocent eleven-year-old boy? The answer was surprisingly simple—Matteo's father was none other than Prince Sammael himself. The demon had taken on the guise of the young Tom Marvolo Riddle to seduce and marry Matteo's mother shortly after his time at Hogwarts,eventually fathering Mattheo.
Upon discovering the true identity of her child's father, Mattheo's mother had been unable to bear the presence of the demon and killed herself, promptly abandoning her son. Despite his demonic nature, Sammael was not devoid of empathy, and he made the fateful decision to entrust his son's care to his nephew, Magnus, the son of Asmodeus. Magnus would take care of the child, and Sammael could watch over him from Hell.
Despite an initial surge of anger and resentment, Magnus couldn't help but feel deep empathy for what was, in a twisted way, his little cousin. His husband, Alec, however, was delighted by the sudden addition to their family. They had long known that their unique circumstances prevented them from having biological children, leaving them with the only option—adoption. Thus, they welcomed young Mattheo with open arms.
Raising Mattheo had not been without its challenges, but the entire family cherished the boy. He was seen as a fusion of his parents in the eyes of those who didn't know his true origin—Alec's curly hair and the vivid, enchanting eyes of Magnus's mother.
Maryse was particularly taken with her grandson, as he reminded her of her own son, Alec, in his younger years. Jace and Isabelle had the honor of being Mattheo's godparents and had imparted to him the art of combat and self-defense. Meanwhile, Mattheo's uncles, Clary and Simon, had introduced him to the world of art and comics. Many evenings were filled with the sight of little Matt and his uncle Simon, engaging in lightsaber duels reminiscent of Jedi knights around the Institute.
"Hello, Papa," Mattheo greeted as he entered the loft.
Magnus immediately set aside the things he was carrying and rushed over to embrace his "son." Although Mattheo was well aware of his demonic origins, he had grown up referring to Magnus as "Papa" and Alec as "Dad."
"How was school, pumpkin? Are you enjoying it?" Magnus inquired with a warm smile.
"I've made three friends: Mia, Theo, and Adhara. I'd like to invite them to come over, if that's alright with you and Dad," Mattheo replied.
"Of course, and we can invite your uncles and your grandmother," Magnus eagerly agreed, "I haven't organized a party in ages."
"Papa, you organized a party three months ago to celebrate that I was going to start school," Mattheo pointed out, amused.
"Three months is too long for your father," Alec's deep voice chimed in from the doorway.
"Dad!" Mattheo exclaimed, rushing over to hug him.
"How's Hogwarts, buddy?" Alec inquired, giving his son's hair a tousle.
"Don't ruffle my son's hair, Alexander Gideon," Magnus protested. "It's quite a challenge for me to untangle those knots later."
"You're a warlock, Magnus, and our son is a wizard," Alec retorted, rolling his eyes. "Between the two of you, I'm sure you can figure out a solution."
"Or you could use conditioner like normal people," Mattheo's godfather suggested with a smile. "How are you, champ?"
"Uncle Jace, what are you doing here?" Mattheo asked, giving Jace a high-five.
"Your father and I had to discuss some Clave matters," Jace explained casually.
"Listen up, everyone," Magnus announced, clapping his hands. "My son wants to invite his three friends to this loft, and you're all going to behave like ordinary people."
"What does that mean?" Jace inquired with a hint of offense. "You did not just call me mundane."
"It means no talk of demons, the Clave, Nephilim, Runes, Shadowhunters, or anything like that," Magnus clarified, eyeing his husband and his husband's parabatai. "We will be a perfect, normal and mundane family."
Two weeks later, Mia, Adhara, and Theo, along with their parents, arrived at the loft where Mattheo lived. They were not particularly surprised by Magnus's extravagant attire, as in the magical world, unusual clothing was quite common and didn't raise many eyebrows.
"Good afternoon," Magnus greeted with a warm smile. "I am Magnus Bane, High Warlock of Brooklyn and one of Mattheo's fathers."
The parents exchanged pleasantries with Magnus, and he offered them drinks, which they gladly accepted.
"Anyone want a Martini or something to drink?" Magnus asked.
"I'll have a whiskey," Lucius requested.
"Whiskey for me as well," James agreed.
"Nothing at the moment for me," said Narcissa.
"If it's not too much trouble, I'll have a glass of water," Lily said.
As they sat in the living room, more people began to arrive. A woman with black hair and blue eyes introduced herself as Maryse, Mattheo's grandmother. Soon after, a brown-haired man with glasses and a younger version of the Maryse arrived, identifying themselves as Simon and Isabelle. Finally, three other individuals appeared, a blonde, a redhead, and a man who looked much like Isabelle.
"Look, she's just as redheaded as you, Lils," James commented, referring to the redhead.
"My name is Clarissa, but I prefer to be called Clary," the girl said with a smile.
"I'm Jace," the blonde introduced himself, "and Clary is my wife."
"I'm Alec," the black-haired man said. "Mattheo's other father. We're delighted to finally meet you."
Meanwhile, Mattheo, Mia, Theo, and Adhara gathered to chat and eat. While the parents conversed with Magnus, the children's laughter could be heard from Mattheo's room. As the evening wore on, the atmosphere became lively with more guests. Suddenly, Theo's attention was drawn to a photo on a shelf.
"What's a photo of my mother doing there?" he questioned, his eyes locked on the picture.
The room fell silent as everyone turned to look in the direction of Theo's gaze. Frowns and nervous glances were exchanged among the Shadowhunters, who had hidden any connection to their world.
"There's nothing there, Teddy" Lily assured Theo as she examined the shelf.
The Shadowhunters breathed a sigh of relief, as it appeared to be a false alarm. However, Theo persisted.
"The photo is there," he insisted, furrowing his brow, "it's my mother next to Magnus."
"It's impossible," Magnus whispered, taken aback.
"I don't see anything," Narcissa remarked.
"I've seen that ruby before," Adhara stated suddenly.
"What ruby? Isabelle inquired, her nerves becoming more apparent.
"The pendant around Theo's mother's neck," Adhara clarified.
"Is that... is that the Angel Raziel?" Mia questioned, looking at another wall.
"Salazar bless us," Adhara added. "Look at that, Teddy. It's the Angel Raziel."
"What's happening here?" James asked, a note of confusion in his voice.
"That's what I'd like to know," Alec commented.
"Let's calm down," Magnus suggested. "There's no painting or photo of that angel or your mother, young Theodore."
Theo got up and examined a framed photo more closely. It was a picture of his mother, the only one he had ever seen of her at the Nott Manor. She looked radiant: her black hair was tied back with a brooch, and her violet eyes sparkled with happiness. Around her neck, she wore a pendant with a beautiful ruby.
"I've seen that mark before," Adhara said as she pointed to a person in the photo.
"Addie, how many times have I told you?" Mia sighed. "They're not marks; they're runes."
The room was filled with confusion. James, Lily, Lucius, and Narcissa looked at their children as if they were out of their minds, as there were no paintings or photos. However, the Shadowhunters glanced at each other and Magnus looked both fascinated and concerned at Theo.
"What the fuck is going on, Magnus?" Alec asked his husband. "That photo... the woman in the photo is... please tell me it's not what I think."
"I know," Magnus replied. "I fear it might be true."
Alec turned his attention to Theo, who was a mix of curiosity and worry
"What do you know about your mother, Theodore?" Magnus inquired.
"She died when I was little, and my father never really got over it," Theo explained
Mia and Adhara gave Theo a comforting hug, knowing that discussing his mother was a difficult topic for him.
"I don't think I heard your last names correctly," Magnus said as he examined Adhara and Mia more closely.
"Potter," Mia said, tilting her head.
"Malfoy," Adhara added, raising an eyebrow
"It can't be," Maryse whispered, staring at the two girls, "that's impossible."
"I demand to know what's happening," Lucius said, eyeing his daughter and Magnus with concern
"Family reunion," Magnus replied and rose from the table. "Now."
The Shadowhunters quickly followed him into Alec's office, where voices were raised and arguments erupted.
"Magnus, what the fuck?" Alec exclaimed, his agitation evident in the way he ran his hand through his hair.
"Are we not going to comment on the fact that they know who the Angel Raziel is?" Jace added, his brows furrowing.
"Those girls have the Sight," Maryse explained, "it's practically impossible."
"Why do these last names sound familiar?" Isabelle asked.
"Because they were part of the Circle," Maryse said, "Alain Malfoy and Cesare Potter were members of the Circle during the Rising. They were Parabatai."
"Are you telling me that almost a hundred years later these two girls have had the Angel blood of their ancestors activated?" Alec questioned, his disbelief apparent.
"I don't know how it could have happened," Maryse admitted, "but my grandson's friends have the Sight."
"Do we know if they're registered in Alicante?" Clary inquired.
"I'll look into it," Alec replied. "But we need to explain. Are you one hundred percent sure that Theo is..."
"The evidence is there, Alexander," Magnus confirmed. "It's the only explanation I can think of."
"Okay," said Alec, "then we have a long night ahead of us."
They left the room and rejoined their guests, each of them wearing somber expressions.
"What's going on?" Theo asked, holding the photo. "Why do only Mia, Addie, and I see this photo?"
"Theo," Magnus began, his voice gentle, "the woman in the photo is Lilith, and if what you're telling me is true..."
"What? It's impossible!" Theo exclaimed. "She can't be my mother."
"Who is Teddy's mother?" Narcissa inquired, her concern evident.
"Theo's mother is Lilith," Magnus admitted. "She is a Greater Demon and a Princess of Hell."
The revelation triggered chaos. James and Lucius stood up, demanding explanations from Magnus and Alec. Narcissa looked on with worry, while Clary tried to calm Jace. Alec argued with James and Lucius as Magnus attempted to separate them.
"SHUT UP, ALL OF YOU!" Lily shouted over the noise.
Instantly, everyone fell silent and settled back into their seats, feeling embarrassed. They looked at the children sitting at the end of the table, who were clearly scared and confused.
"I... I'm sorry," Alec said, "it's not common for kids who aren't officially Shadowhunters to have the Sight."
"Let's start from the beginning," Lily suggested, taking a deep breath. "Who are you?"
"We are Nephilim, or Shadowhunters," Alec explained. "We're a hybrid race, half-angel and half-human, created by the Angel Raziel. We've been on this earth for over a thousand years, and we remain hidden from humans. So, it's quite curious that your children have the Sight."
"What exactly is the Sight?" Narcissa asked.
"The Sight is a gift, a kind of magic, that all Nephilim are born with," Maryse explained. "It's hereditary."
"Are you telling us that our children are Nephilim?" James exclaimed in disbelief.
"No," Magnus corrected, "I am a warlock. I'm the son of the Prince of Hell, Asmodeus. All werewolves, fairies, vampires in our world are hybrid species with both demon and human lineage."
"So Teddy's mother is a Demon?" Lily inquired.
"That's what I meant," Magnus replied. "My son Mattheo is the child of the Prince of Hell, Sammael, and a witch who attended your school."
"I understand about Teddy and his mother," James acknowledged. "But I don't understand how my daughter and her best friend are able to see what you say."
"You and Lucius carry angel blood," Maryse explained.
"What the fuck?" Lucius exclaimed in surprise.
"Alain Malfoy and Cesare Potter were members of a group called the Circle," Maryse continued. "The group was led by a man named Valentine Morgenstern, who believed in the supremacy of Shadowhunters and that anyone who was not a Shadowhunter should be exterminated."
"Valentine rebelled against the Clave, which is like our Government system," Isabelle continued, "all those who were part of the Circle were forced to disappear from the Shadowhunter World."
"What does this mean for them?" Lily asked.
"We can forget about this, or we can train your children in Shadowhunter tradition," Alec suggested.
"If we accept," Lily began, "what dangers could my daughter and her friends face?"
"Don't worry about that because there are specialized units in charge of exterminating the demons," Jace assured.
"She is my daughter," James emphasized, "if I can't protect my daughter from something I can't see, I need you to guarantee me that she will be safe."
"Let¡s come to a compromise," said Maryse, "we will send you all the information you need so that you understand our customs and way of life, and we'll talk again in the summer."
"I think that's a good idea," said Lily.
"Merry Christmas?" Simon added hesitantly.
Everyone fell quiet for a moment until Mia and Adhara burst into laughter. Soon, the entire table joined in, sharing a moment of laughter and relief. Merry Christmas indeed.
The rest of the year passed quickly for the Horsemen, and they continued to play pranks and receive detentions, keeping Minnie cursing the day she decided to become Headmistress. However, some students had noticed the unusual amount of time the four friends spent in the library. It was not common to see Mia and her friends in the library; they usually preferred to be near the Black Lake.
Mia, Theo, Adhara, and Mattheo had decided not to tell Jace what they had discovered at Christmas, nor had they told anyone else. They knew that even though the magical community accepted werewolves and other creatures, they were not sure how they would react to knowing that Hogwarts housed four students descended from angels and demons. Mia and Adhara were especially worried about Theo.
Theo had been very paranoid upon returning to Hogwarts and often had nightmares, which caused Mattheo, Adhara, Mia, and Theo to sleep together in Mia and Adhara's beds with Regulus' permission.
Slytherin house greatly respected the Four Horsemen, and despite being only eleven years old, they were considered royalty. Even though the quartet lost points for playing pranks, they always made up points in classes with their excellent grades.
The Four Horsemen might be troublemakers, but they were extremely intelligent, and that frustrated the other Hogwarts houses. They couldn't comprehend how the four students with the most detentions at Hogwarts could top the academic charts and ensure Slytherin won the House Cup. Theo smiled arrogantly every time a Gryffindor or Ravenclaw looked at them angrily, claiming that not everyone could be handsome and intelligent at the same time.
Remus and Regulus were very amused by all the chaos their goddaughters caused. From time to time, they pretended to get angry with each other since Remus was the Head of Gryffindor House and Regulus was the Head of Slytherin House. They maintained a fun rivalry.
Another thing that had surprised the Hogwarts student population was that now Mia and Jace seemed to get along well. Jace could usually be seen at the Slytherin table, which increased the rumors that there was something between Mia and Jace. It didn't help that Jace glared at Mattheo every time he saw him near Mia and did everything he could to get Mia's attention, instead of Mattheo.
Remus asked Regulus, "What do you think about that?" as they ate.
Regulus responded, "What do I think about what exactly?"
Remus gestured toward the Slytherin table where Jace and Mia seemed to be arguing, "That."
"We see them arguing every day," Regulus said, looking at his niece, "it's nothing new."
"Don't they remind you of anyone?" Remus asked curiously.
"You're not suggesting that Jace and Mia are this generation's James and Lily," Regulus said, looking at Remus in surprise.
"Jace behaves just like James did when he was young," Remus said.
Regulus replied, "Just because Jace is a Gryffindor and has a huge ego doesn't mean he's James 2.0."
"That's not what I'm talking about, although it supports my theory," Remus said. "Jace actively seeks Mia's attention and resents seeing Mattheo near Mia, just like James did."
Regulus said, "This is not enemies-to-lovers, Remus."
"I'm just saying it's like seeing James and Lily again, nothing more," Remus sommented throughtfully.
Regulus noted, "You're not the only one who thinks so. There's a bet pool in which the entire school is participating, and I've placed a bet myself."
Remus exclaimed pretending to be hurt, "And why haven't you told me before?"
"Only James doesn't know about it," Regulus explained, "and only Salazar knows what James will do when he finds out that Hogwarts is betting on his little princess's love life."
Remus asked, "How many bets are there?"
Regulus replied smirking, "There are loads. The most famous one is about who will be your goddaughter's future boyfriend: Gryffindor's Golden Boy or Slytherin's Bad Boy."