Theodore Nott

The Hogwarts grounds were covered in thick blankets of wet snow. Most of the students were already hurrying to the station to catch the train home, while those who remained were busily pelting each other with snowballs. Cecilia, a girl orphaned in her third year, was expected to remain at Hogwarts. Her guardians were the Parkinsons. They weren't exactly polite people, but they had enough humanity in their souls to give a new home to someone else's child. Pansy called her home, saying, "Let's go, we were going to Bulgaria," but Cecilia chose to remain almost alone. Almost, because her friend Theo had also decided to stay at the castle for the Christmas holidays.

"Are you sure you don't want to go home?" Cecilia asked Theodora, brushing the snow off herself from their games.

"Cessie, I don't talk to my parents; we had a fight." Nott immediately pushed his curly hair behind his ears. When he was lying and nervous, he always touched his hair. Over the six years they'd been studying together, this had happened so often that Cecilia could easily tell when he was lying to someone.

• Theo, I won't be bored, just know that you don't have to stay here just because I won't have anyone to talk to.

"That's not why I stayed," Nott immediately caught a questioning look. There was no longer any doubt he was lying. "Well, you're here, and so am I."

"That's a very clear answer. Go catch your train before it's late." Cecilia placed her hand on the Slytherin's shoulder. "Theo, spend the holiday with your family."

Theodore was a fairly friendly guy, especially with those close to him. Everyone knew Cecilia was an orphan. She didn't go home during the holidays, except for the summer break between courses, because she felt like an outsider and unwanted in her new family. Theo wanted to stay with her so she wouldn't feel lonely and resentful of her friends because they could spend time with their parents while she couldn't.

"Ah... what if I want to come with you?" Her cheeks, red from the cold, immediately became even brighter, and her deep, such eyes looked into Cecilia's face.