i hear a symphony · Y/n story by @unethical

The Hogwarts library was warm and quiet, the kind of quiet that settles into your bones. Late September sunlight slanted through tall windows, catching dust motes as they drifted over old wooden tables.

Theodore

The problem with libraries, he thought, is that no one ever actually shuts up. He turned a page just to do something with his hands.

The door on the far side of the library creaked open, soft and careful, like whoever was there didn't want to disturb anyone. Light footsteps crossed the stone floor. He didn't look up.

Theodore

Not Slytherin. Not Draco or Mattheo — they'd never walk that quietly. Could be a first-year lost between shelves. The thought drifted through him without much interest.

And then, very faintly, a voice that wasn't spoken aloud at all touched the edge of his awareness.

Theodore

Hope the second-years got enough at breakfast. The little one with the red scarf looked like he was about to fall asleep in Charms.

Theodore's hand stilled on the page. He looked up.

Theodore

What?

The Ravenclaw's Amortentia ingredients were still buzzing somewhere behind him, and two tables left someone was stressing over a Potions essay, but your thoughts kept slipping through, clear and warm, like a voice he hadn't known he'd been waiting to hear.

Theodore

Who is that?

You turned slightly, still searching the shelves, and another small, unguarded thought followed.

???

I hope he slept well. He always looks tired on Mondays.

Theodore blinked.

Theodore

'He'? He glanced around, then back at you. You're not talking about me. You don't know me. Probably some Hufflepuff friend. Or maybe a cat. He watched you for another second, then dragged his eyes back down to his book.

The words on the page hadn't rearranged themselves. He still wasn't reading.