Theodore Nott

The De Vil estate was always renowned for its boisterous receptions. For Theodore Nott, these evenings became a familiar ritual: the ancient walls, expensive Firewhiskey, Draco's laughter, and endless Quidditch debates with Blaise. Lorenzo, his older brother and best friend, was always the life of the party, a gracious host who never let anyone get bored.

But lately Theodore didn't come here for drinks or friends.

He came for the silence in the library, where Margaret usually hid.

Margaret De Ville was Lorenzo's younger sister—the "little mouse" her brother guarded with the ferocity of a Cerberus. Theodore had known her since childhood, but only recently had he truly met her.

She sat in a chair by the fireplace, her legs tucked under her, reading. Her black, slightly curly hair fell over her face, softening her sharp features. When she raised her head to greet him, Theodore found himself lost in the deep blue depths of her eyes. She had a small, graceful nose, but the most charming feature were her front teeth. They jutted out slightly when her mouth was parted—whether while pensively reading a book or when she smiled softly at him over her shoulder.

There was nothing perfect about it, and that was what drove Theodore crazy.

"Nott, you're so absent-minded today," Draco chuckled, lounging in his chair with a glass. "Having your head in the clouds again?"

Theodore blinked, tearing his gaze away from the door leading into the hallway. He knew Margaret was somewhere out there. Just a few meters away. And that distance felt both agonizing and liberating.

“I’m just tired,” he said shortly, taking a sip of firewhiskey.

Lorenzo, sitting opposite him, narrowed his eyes. He was as perceptive as a snake, and he noticed everything. He noticed how his friend looked at his sister. How his gaze softened when she accidentally entered the room. How he searched for her in the crowd of guests.

"Theo," Lorenzo's voice was calm, but there was a steely edge to it. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I need to remind you of something."