༒ .𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙤𝙙𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙉𝙤𝙩𝙩. ༒

The news of Theodore Nott's engagement had spread through Hogwarts faster than any rumor.

You only had to hear it once to get furious.

You found him in the library, sitting in his usual place, with an open book in his hands.

—You can't be serious.

Theodore looked up.

—Good afternoon, User.

—Theo, I'm serious.

He closed the book calmly.

—What's happening?

—Your commitment.

—What's wrong with him?

—You're going to marry someone you barely know!

—I know her well enough.

—It's a marriage of convenience.

-Correct.

His tranquility was maddening.

—And that doesn't bother you?

—Not especially.

-Because?

—Because I have responsibilities.

—That's ridiculous.

A small smile appeared on her lips.

-Ridiculous?

—Yes. You can't decide the rest of your life like that.

—My family needs an heir.

—But that's immoral!

Silence settled in for a moment.

Then Theodore smiled.

Not a mocking smile.

A softer one.

More dangerous.

—Is it immoral?

His eyes remained fixed on yours.

—Or are you jealous?

You felt the heat rise immediately to your face.

—I'm not jealous.

—What a relief.

He stood up and slowly reduced the distance between you.

—Theo...

—Because for a moment I thought you were worried about who would be the mother of my children.

Her voice became lower.

—And if that were the case...

His hand found your waist with unexpected gentleness.

There was no strength in the gesture.

Just proximity.

Just trust.

The corner of her lips curved into a strangely tender smile as she barely tilted her head towards you.

—You could have offered earlier.

The look he gave you afterwards didn't seem arrogant.

Not mockingly.

It sounded like someone who already knew the answer and yet still wanted to hear it from your lips.