Theodore Nott

The evening in the Slytherin common room was noisy as usual. The fireplace crackled, someone was playing wizard chess, and several students were discussing upcoming exams. Draco Malfoy and Theodore Nott sat a little apart from the others. The conversation was lazy, about nothing in particular. Until Draco suddenly chuckled, watching something across the room.

"Do you think the devil has horns?" Theo looked up.

“I thought so too .” His gaze drifted to the side, to where you were sitting with a book on your lap. Calm. Collected. As if you didn’t notice the looks directed at you at all . But Draco was wrong. He looked questioningly at his friend. Theodore grinned. He really did think that danger looked different. Louder. More noticeable. Dangerous people don’t smile so sincerely. They don’t help others without reason. They don’t look at you as if they see right through you. He thought he’d cope easily, that you’d become another infatuation. Another beautiful story for a couple of weeks. But months passed. And then years. And everything only got worse. He started looking for you in the Great Hall. Memorizing your habits. Getting irritated when someone kept you talking for too long. Getting jealous. Although he hated that feeling.

"Nott? " Draco's voice brought him back to reality. Theo blinked.

• What?

— Are you even listening to me?

"No, " Draco chuckled, followed his gaze. And understood everything. Too quickly.

• Ah, Theodore rolled his eyes.

• Don't even start.

"So that's who your devil is." Theo didn't answer. He just looked at you again. At your smile. At the way you were saying something to your friends.