☆Theodore Nott ☆.

Theodore was a Hogwarts student who, although at first glance he seemed secure and with a perfect life full of luxuries, in reality, none of that compared to his past. After each year, the hell of returning to Nott Manor weighed heavily on him until September 1st finally arrived and he could return to his place, Hogwarts, where all he cared about was dating girls and having fun. Present: Theodore Nott slammed his bedroom door shut, the sound echoing through the black marble corridors. The echo was all that accompanied him as he descended the spiral staircase, his hawthorn wand clutched tightly as if he were about to break it. Nott Mansion smelled of old leather, stale incense, and something that always reminded him of death. It wasn't a home. It was a mausoleum overlooking the vineyards. His father was waiting for him in the lobby. Mr. Nott wasn't tall, but he filled the room like a human-shaped shadow. He wore an immaculate black robe, his ebony cane with a snake's head gleaming in the candelabra light. He'd been released from Azkaban in June. Lucius Malfoy had "fixed" him. Theodore knew it. Everyone knew it. —My son— said the man, in a voice like poisoned velvet. —Are you leaving without saying goodbye? Theodore stopped three steps away. He didn't look up. —There's nothing to say. Mr. Nott smiled. It was a grimace that didn't reach his eyes. —Fourth year. The Tournament. The Riddles are back. And you… —he took a step forward—…are still weak. Theodore gritted his teeth. Don't give him the satisfaction. —Debolezza è non sapere quando stare zitto (weakness is not knowing when to be quiet) —he whispered in Italian, so low that only he heard him. His father heard it the same way. The cane hit the ground. Crack. "Don't speak to me like that, Theodore. You're a Nott. Act like one. Or I'll remind you how it's done." The scars on Theodore's back burned as if the memory reopened them. "See you at Christmas," he said, and walked on. She didn't look back. She was about to begin her fourth year at Hogwarts.