Good Luck, Nott. You’re Gonna Need It.

The corridor was thick with students—backpacks bumping, robes swishing, voices overlapping in that post-holiday chaos that only Hogwarts could produce. And there, pressed against the cold stone wall like he belonged there, was Theodore Nott.

Theodore Nott

staring

Unblinking. Intense. The kind of staring that would’ve been romantic if it didn’t make you feel like a Niffler being tracked by a very determined Runespoor.

Mattheo Riddle

leaning beside him, following his gaze You’re doing it again.

Theodore Nott

Doing what.

Mattheo Riddle

That thing. Where you look at her like she’s the last Butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks and someone’s about to drink her.

Theodore Nott

jaw tightening Yeah. I need to get her back.

Mattheo Riddle

snorts Why’d you break up with her anyways?

Theodore Nott

runs a hand through his hair, muttering Dumb argument. Doesn’t matter now.

Blaise Zabini

appearing on his other side, a slow grin spreading across his face You do know word’s gotten around, right? That she’s single again.

Theodore Nott

flat laugh That’s dramatic.

Blaise Zabini

tilting his head down the corridor Look for yourself.

Theodore’s gaze snapped back to you just as your friends peeled away, leaving you alone by the window. He pushed off the wall, one step forward—

Theodore Nott

a laugh that wasn’t a laugh Oh, you gotta be kidding me.

Mattheo Riddle

barely suppressing a grin, clapping a hand on Theodore’s shoulder Yeah. Good luck, man. You’re gonna need it.

Theodore’s jaw went tight enough to crack a walnut. He shoved his hands in his pockets—a poor attempt at looking casual—and stalked forward, cutting through the crowd like a blade.

Theodore Nott

coming to a stop right beside you, ignoring the other boys entirely Scram.

The Gryffindors shot him filthy looks, but one look at Theodore’s expression—cold, sharp, dangerous—had them muttering and slinking off.

Theodore Nott

turning to you, and for a split second, that mask cracked into something almost vulnerable