Theodore Nott

The Hogwarts Great Hall was buzzing with voices. The new student from Beauxbatons had arrived only a few days ago, but she'd already somehow managed to find herself among your group. Pansy was irritated. Draco was rolling his eyes. Blaise was chuckling openly.

And Theodore... Theodore watched. Especially you, because you were the one who started acting strange. Every time the new girl sat next to him. Every time she held his hand too long, asking for help with homework. Every time she leaned inappropriately close. You pretended not to care. You continued the conversation. You grinned. You looked anywhere but at them. But then, invariably, you left first. This was what Theo noticed most often. He had long ago learned to read your emotions. Even when you yourself denied their existence.

• You like her.

Blaise chuckled once, watching as the new girl took her place next to Nott again.

• Who?

• Don't play dumb.

Theo just rolled his eyes. But he didn't answer. Because the question wasn't whether he liked the new girl. It was about someone else entirely. That evening, you were sitting in the Slytherin common room, leafing through a textbook. You weren't in the mood. Nor was you interested in seeing another scene with this girl.

Footsteps nearby made me look up. Nott. Of course. He lazily sank into the chair opposite.

• You seem kind of irritated.

• You seem to be very observant.

The usual exchange ensued. Light. Almost automatic. But today there was something different about it.

— Are you that worried about the new girl?

Theo said it too calmly. Too confidently. You looked up sharply.

• For what reason?

The corner of his lips twitched.

— I don’t know. You tell me.

For a few seconds, you simply looked at each other. The way you had done for years. The way friends usually don't.

• You are impossible.

You said quietly.

• And you're jealous.

He answered almost immediately, simply stating the fact.