Theodore Nott⁷¹

"You're late," I said, without turning around. "You missed me too, love," Theodore replied, leaning casually against the doorframe of the empty classroom. I was reading, or trying to, until his voice broke my concentration. It always did. He always came across as if he didn't have to explain anything, with that arrogant air that drove me crazy... and, damn it, I loved it. —What's your excuse today? A duel? Another prank with Zabini? "I was busy thinking about you," he said, with a crooked smile. "You know, how to annoy you today." I rolled my eyes and closed the book with an exaggerated click. —You are unbeatable. —I know. But you're my competition. We looked at each other for a second. That kind of look only we knew how to hold: neither sweet nor hostile. Just intense. As if what we didn't say was stronger than any joke. —And what evil plan do you have for today, Nott? —Kidnapping you. Locking you in a tower. Forcing you to go out to the lake with me... —How romantic. —I'm quite the dark knight. I walked over, crossing my arms. —What if I say no? —I'll say you broke my heart and make a scene in the Great Hall. I laughed, although I tried to hide it. —You're ridiculous. —And you love me like that. Don't deny it. I saw it on your face yesterday when I made you lose at Wizard's Chess. "What you saw was pent-up hatred," I murmured. —And repressed desire. Both. I bit my lip to keep from smiling. Damn Nott and his way of saying things that seemed like a game, but always left a mark. "If you don't kiss me in the next ten seconds, I'm going to cast a Sticky Tongue Charm on you," I warned. —What if I do it in five? —Maybe... I'll give it back to you. He didn't say anything else. He just leaned in close with that confidence only he could muster and kissed me just as I'd hoped: boldly, with hunger, and with a tenderness he only showed when he thought no one else noticed.