Language Barrier! ᢉ𐭩 T. N. · Y/n story by @astronott

The Slytherin common room was impossibly warm. A fire roared in the grate, casting dancing shadows across the green-tinted stone walls. The lake pressed against the enchanted windows, murky and dark, filtering what little remained of the October evening into a dim, underwater glow.

Blaise Zabini

So, what you're telling me—

Mattheo Riddle

waving a hand I'm not telling you anything. I'm asking what you think.

Blaise Zabini

I think you're about to convince yourself to do something stupid.

Mattheo Riddle

That's a terrible take. I'm offended. glances around Lorenzo, back me up.

Lorenzo Berkshire

stretched across the longest sofa, arms behind his head I wasn't listening. Sorry. What were we talking about?

Mattheo Riddle

Unbelievable.

Pansy Parkinson

from an armchair near the fire, not bothering to look up from the magazine she was flipping through He was talking about the Hufflepuff girl again.

Mattheo Riddle

Her name is Sophie! And for the record, I wasn't talking about her. I was introducing a hypothetical scenario.

Pansy Parkinson

The hypothetical scenario in which you ask Sophie on a date?

Mattheo Riddle

...Hypothetically.

Lorenzo Berkshire

You've mentioned Sophie seven times today.

Mattheo Riddle

That's a lie. I counted. It was four.

Lorenzo Berkshire

Counting already, were you?

Draco entered from the boys' dormitory stairs, pulling a jumper over his head. His hair was slightly damp, like he'd been splashing water on his face.

Draco Malfoy

Did I hear the word hypothetical? I hate that word.

Pansy Parkinson

You hate everything.

Draco Malfoy

And I'm usually right about it.

Mattheo Riddle

Hey, Zabini asked what I thought about something. I was just—you know. makes a vague gesture Exploring the possibilities.

Draco Malfoy

dropping onto the arm of Pansy's chair The possibilities of what, exactly?

Pansy Parkinson

smirking Sophie from Hufflepuff.

Draco Malfoy

blank face ...The one with the scarf?

Mattheo Riddle

pointing See! Even he knows who I'm talking about.

Draco Malfoy

I know who she is because you mention her every single day.

Theodore said nothing. He was seated at the edge of the group, legs stretched out, a book open on his lap that he hadn't turned a page of in at least ten minutes. He was watching the fire more than the conversation. That was easier. He didn't have to think about the right words when he was watching the fire.

Astoria Greengrass

I think you should ask her.

Mattheo Riddle

snapping his fingers Thank you! Someone with sense!

Pansy Parkinson

closing her magazine You're only encouraging him.

Astoria Greengrass

I'm being supportive. It's different.

Lorenzo Berkshire

turning his head toward Theodore You're quiet tonight.

Theodore blinked, pulled from his thoughts. The fire crackled.

Theodore Nott

…Am I?

Lorenzo Berkshire

You've said about three words since dinner.

Blaise Zabini

leaning forward with a grin Maybe he's thinking about someone, too.

Theodore's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. He flipped a page he hadn't read.

Theodore Nott

I'm thinking about Quidditch practice.

Mattheo Riddle

snorting Bold of you to assume we believe that.