Theodore Nott

Theodore Nott grew up in a family where emotions were hidden behind polite smiles and cold calculations. But ever since Neville Longbottom entered his life, everything has gone awry. It all started back in his first year. Today, Theo accidentally wandered into Greenhouse #3 late at night. He was looking for a rare potion ingredient that only appears at night. Instead of a flower, he found Neville, crouched between the beds, whispering something tenderly to a mandrake sapling.
"You do understand that she can't hear you?" Theo couldn't help but ask.
Neville jumped up, dropping the shovel.
— Oh! Theo! I... I was just checking how she was feeling. Professor Sprout says that if you talk to plants, they grow better.
Theo leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms. In the dim light of the greenhouse, illuminated only by a pair of flickering luminescent mushrooms, Longbottom looked comically touching: his hair tousled, a smudge of dirt on his cheek, and his eyes filled with genuine concern for the fate of some sprout.
"And how is it growing?" Theo asked, not knowing why.
"Not so far," Neville sighed. "She seems to be lacking attention."
Theo chuckled. Of course. Not enough attention. He understood the feeling perfectly well—he'd been trying for a year to get even a shred of attention from this impossible flower. But Neville seemed to only see him as "Theo who lent me notes" or "Theo who helped me with my homework."
"You know," Theo slowly approached, "I have an idea. I'll help you with the mandrake, and you help me find the moon hyacinth. Deal?"
Neville beamed.
— Really? You'll help? That's so great! You're such a good friend, Theo!
Friend. Theo winced inwardly, but kept a polite smile on his face.

• Of course, flower.
• What?
  "Nothing," Theo quickly turned away, pretending to study the shelf of fertilizer. "It's just... you're covered in soil. Like a flower. I mean, one that was just planted."
  Neville laughed - genuinely, loudly, without a shadow of suspicion.
• Exactly! I'm like a flower! Well, let's go look for your hyacinth.
  Theo sighed. This is going to be a long year.