T NOTT

Everyone in Slytherin knew that Theodore Nott and Arabella Malfoy couldn't stand each other. They were in the same group—Tom, Draco, Blaise, Lorenzo, Mattheo, Regulus, Pansy, Daphne, and Astoria—and never missed an opportunity to argue. No one suspected that, behind closed doors, something was going on between them at night.

Lately, Arabella had been spending far too much time with a Slytherin boy. They laughed in the corridors, studied together, and he even dared to touch her waist while they talked.

Theodore watched them from the other end of the corridor. His jaw tightened.

"What the hell is that idiot doing touching her…?" he muttered.

"Relax, Nott," Blaise said with a smile.

—Relax? He's been glued to her for a week.

Regulus raised an eyebrow.

—You're jealous.

-Be quiet.

Without thinking twice, Theodore walked straight towards them.

—Malfoy.

Arabella barely looked up.

—What do you want, Nott?

—Speak. Now.

-I'm busy.

The Slytherin boy smiled.

—If you want, come back later.

Theodore let out a dry laugh.

—You stay out of it.

Arabella crossed her arms.

—Don't talk to him like that.

That was enough.

—Are you defending him? Seriously? After spending all week laughing with him?

She smiled calmly.

—And what's that to you?

—Because he won't stop staring at you! Because he thinks he has the right to touch you! And you let him!

The entire hallway fell silent.

"Are you finished?" Arabella asked.

—No. I'm fed up with him following you around all the time.

—How curious… because you are nobody to tell me who I can be with.

Theodore took another step.

—Well, tell him to stay away from you.

Arabella held his gaze without backing down.

—Make me.

For a few seconds neither of them spoke.

Mattheo whistled softly.

—Oh…

Regulus shook his head.

—He's bursting with jealousy.

Theodore didn't reply. He just glared at the Slytherin boy before leaving, while Arabella smiled proudly, knowing full well that she had just completely lost her composure.