#lightning era

The first night back at Hogwarts always felt like stepping into a dream after a long summer of reality. The enchanted ceiling above your head in the Great Hall glittered with stars that weren't really there, casting an ethereal glow over the sea of students. Professor Dumbledore's welcome speech had been as eccentric as ever, mentioning something about the house-elves improving the treacle tart recipe and warning first-years not to tickle the sleeping dragon in the third-floor corridor (a joke, risen from the schools motto that sent most new students into a panic, much to the upper years' amusement).

You'd sat with your friends at your house's table, laughing and catching up, but now that you were back in your dormitory, the reality of being back at school had started to sink in. The four-poster bed felt too large, the curtains too heavy, and the familiar sounds of the castle seemed amplified in the darkness.

"Can't sleep?" whispered your roommate from the bed opposite yours, her voice barely audible in the moonlight streaming through the window. You’d shared a dorm with her at hogwarts for as long as you can remember.

You rolled onto your side to face her. "Just restless," you admitted quietly. "First night jitters, I suppose."

"It's the full moon," she noted, her eyes glinting. "Always affects people differently. Especially magical folk."

"Maybe I'll go for a walk," you suggested, already swinging your legs over the side of the bed.

"Be careful," she warned, though she knew you could handle yourself. "Filch is extra vigilant during the first week."

"I'll be fine," you promised, pulling on a soft sleeping robe over your pajamas. "Just need some fresh air."

The common room was nearly empty, save for a few seventh-years already hunched over textbooks by the dying embers of the fire. You slipped past them unnoticed, the portrait hole swinging open with barely a sound. The corridors of Hogwarts at night were a different world entirely; shadows danced where portraits snoozed, and the moonlight through arched windows created silver pathways on the stone floors.

You walked through the corridors, your footsteps echoing in the silence. Each step brought you closer to the entrance hall and the freedom of the grounds beyond. The castle seemed to hold its breath around you, as if aware of your late-night wandering.

As you rounded the corner to the next flight of stairs, a sudden voice made you jump.

"Boo!"

You spun around, your heart hammering against your ribs. Leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed with that trademark smirk, was Fred Weasley. His red hair seemed almost fiery in the moonlight, and his eyes sparkled with mischief.

"And where are you sneaking off to?" he asked, pushing himself off the wall and approaching you.

You straightened your robe, trying to regain your composure. "That's none of your concern, Weasley."

Fred chuckled, the sound echoing slightly in the empty corridor. "Touchy, aren't we? Couldn't sleep either?"

"Something like that," you replied, continuing to walk through the corridor. He fell into step beside you, his presence somehow both irritating and comforting. "The beds too soft for you? Or is it the company?"

You shot him a sideways glance. "If you're trying to be charming, you're failing miserably."

"Never been accused of that before," he said with mock offense. "Usually it's the opposite. Women can't resist my Weasley charm."

"Is that what you call it?" you retorted. "I would have called it 'annoying persistence'," you added, narrowing your eyes at him.

He laughed, a genuine sound that made something in your chest flutter unexpectedly. "You know, most people would be flattered that I'm taking time out of my busy schedule to walk with them."

"Most people aren't trying to enjoy a peaceful walk alone," you countered, though you didn't actually mind his company as much as you pretended to.

"Peaceful? At Hogwarts?" He gestured around them. "This place is never peaceful. Especially not at night."

You had to admit he had a point. The castle was always alive with magic and mystery, even in the quietest hours. "Fine. A relatively quiet walk, then."

"Better," he nodded approvingly. "Though I must say, your pajamas are quite fetching. Very... comfortable looking."

You looked down at your flannel pajamas decorated with tiny snitches . "They're warm and they’re cute, which is more than I can say for your fashion choices."

Fred pretended to be hurt, placing a hand over his heart. "That's cruel. And here I thought we were bonding."

You reached the entrance hall, the massive oak doors looming ahead. "We're not bonding. You're following me."

"Semantics," he waved dismissively. "So, outside then? Brave of you. The grounds can be dangerous after dark," he said teasingly.

"I can handle myself," you said, quietly pushing open one of the heavy doors. The cool night air rushed to greet you, carrying the scent of dew and distant pine.

Fred followed you out, his footsteps crunching on the gravel path. "Never doubted it for a second. Still, it's good to have backup. You never know what's lurking in the shadows."

"I'm more worried about what's lurking in the open," you replied, looking him up and down, though a smile tugged at your lips.

The grounds were bathed in silver moonlight, transforming the familiar landscape into something otherworldly. The lake glittered like liquid mercury, and the Forbidden Forest seemed to whisper secrets at its edge.

"You know," Fred said after a moment of comfortable silence, "I've always liked the full moon. Makes everything look... different."

"Mysterious," you supplied.

"Exactly," he agreed. "Though I prefer the word 'magical'."

You rolled your eyes. "Everything is magical to you, Weasley. You probably think the house-elves' midnight snack raids are 'magical'."

"They are!" he insisted. "Have you ever seen them work? It's like a coordinated dance of culinary perfection."

You couldn't help but laugh. "You're ridiculous. Actually, scratch that. You’re an idiot."

"Ouch! you wound me.” he said, feigning a stab in the heart.

“And I dare say you're enjoying my company more than you'll admit," he countered, grinning.

The path curved around the lake, taking you farther from the castle. The moon was high and bright, illuminating everything with an ethereal glow. For a while, you walked in silence, the only sounds being your footsteps and the distant call of an owl.

"What are you doing out here anyway?" you asked eventually. "Shouldn't you be planning your next prank or something?"

Fred shrugged. "George fell asleep early. And honestly, I'm trying to behave a bit more this year. Fifth year and all."

You raised an eyebrow. "You? Behave? I'll believe it when I see it."

"Hey, I can be responsible when I want to be," he defended. "Just... not very often."

"Wow, understatement of the century," you muttered, though without your usual bite.

As you rounded a bend near the edge of the forest, Fred suddenly stopped, his eyes fixed on something in the distance.

"What is that?" he asked, pointing. "Do you see it?"

You followed his gaze but saw nothing unusual. "Stop trying to scare me, Weasley." you said, nudging his shoulder.

"No seriously, look," he insisted, grabbing your arm and turning you toward the spot. "Over there, by those trees."

You squinted in the direction of his raised hand, and then you saw it, a small, pale creature with enormous eyes that seemed to reflect the moonlight. It moved with an awkward grace, its long limbs carrying it in a strange dance-like motion.

"Oh," you gasped, your annoyance forgotten. "It's a mooncalf!"

"A what?" Fred asked, clearly confused.

"You seriously don't read or pay attention in class do you?" you asked rhetorically, already moving toward the creature.

"Hey!" he called, hurrying to catch up. "I pay attention! To the important stuff. Charms, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts... Care of Magical Creatures isn't exactly top priority when you're trying to survive your N.E.W.T.s."

You slowed down slightly to let him catch up. "Mooncalves are shy creatures that only come out during the full moon. They're supposed to be incredibly rare, and magical."

Fred looked skeptical. "It looks like a cross between a cow and a garden gnome."

You rolled your eyes. "Ugh, you have no appreciation for natural beauty."

"I appreciate plenty of things," he countered, his eyes flicking to you for a moment before returning to the creature. "Just not weird cow-gnome hybrids."

“Oh shut up.” you muttered back, giving him a quick, jokingly annoyed, glance.

As you drew closer, the mooncalf paused its dance, turning its enormous eyes toward you. It was even more beautiful up close; its skin shimmered with an iridescent quality, and patterns of light seemed to pulse beneath its surface.

"Wow," you breathed, stopping a respectful distance away. "I've only read about them. I never thought I'd actually see one."

Fred was quiet beside you, and when you glanced at him, you noticed he wasn't looking at the mooncalf anymore. His gaze was fixed on you, a soft expression on his face that you'd never seen before.

"What?" you asked, suddenly self-conscious.

"Nothing," he said quickly, looking away. "Just... you look happy."

The observation caught you off guard, and you turned back to the mooncalf to hide the warmth spreading across your cheeks. "It's hard not to be... Look at it."

The mooncalf seemed to sense your appreciation and began to dance again, its movements more elaborate this time. It was inviting you closer, you realized.

Fred noticed too. "I think it wants us to join."

"Don't be ridiculous," you said, though you took a hesitant step forward.

"Why not?" he asked, grabbing your hand. "When else will you get a chance to dance with a mooncalf?”

His hand was warm in yours, a startling contrast to the cool night air. Before you could protest further, he was pulling you forward, toward the clearing where the mooncalf continued its ethereal dance.

"What are you doing?" you asked, your voice a mix of alarm and something else you refused to name.

"What, you don't trust me?" he smirked, his eyes glinting in the moonlight.

"Not in the slightest," you replied, but your feet followed his, betraying your words.

He led you into the center of the clearing, close enough that you could see the mooncalf's iridescent skin shimmer with every movement. The creature paused, tilting its head as if watching them expectantly.

"Alright then," Fred said, turning to face you but not letting go of your hand. "Follow my lead."

"You don't have a lead," you pointed out, but he was already moving, with a hand suddenly on your waist, attempting to mimic the mooncalf's awkward yet graceful steps.

He was terrible at it. Absolutely terrible. His long limbs flailed about, and he nearly tripped over his own feet twice. But he was laughing, a deep, genuine sound that echoed through the clearing.

"You look ridiculous," you said, though you were smiling too.

"Ridiculously charming, you mean," he countered, spinning you in a clumsy circle that nearly sent you both tumbling to the ground.

You couldn't help it, you laughed. Really laughed, the kind that made your sides ache and tears well up in your eyes. Fred joined you, and soon you were both leaning on each other, breathless and giggling like children.

As if encouraged by your mirth, the mooncalf began to dance again, more enthusiastically this time. And that's when the magic truly began.

The clearing started to glow brighter, as if the moonlight had decided to concentrate in this one spot. Fireflies drifted in from the forest, their tiny lights joining the mooncalf's dance. The grass at your feet began to ripple like water, and flowers you couldn't name started to bloom near the creature, their petals unfurling in shades of silver and blue.

"Is this... normal?" Fred asked, his laughter subsiding into awe.

"Nothing about tonight is normal," you whispered, watching as the moonlight formed swirling patterns around them, like liquid silver weaving through the air.

It felt like Hogwarts itself was watching and smiling, blessing this strange, unexpected moment between you. The mooncalf danced on, and you and Fred followed its lead, your movements becoming more synchronized, more natural. You weren't clumsy anymore; you were part of the magic, part of the dance.

When the mooncalf finally finished, it stood still for a moment, its enormous eyes seeming to take in both of you. Then it nudged Fred's leg gently, before doing the same to you, almost like a goodbye. With one last shimmering glance, it disappeared into the trees, leaving the clearing dimmer but still magical.

The fireflies remained, though, and the flowers continued to glow softly at your feet. You and Fred stood there for a moment, hands still clasped, both breathing heavily from exertion and wonder.

"I've never seen anything like that," he admitted, his voice quiet with reverence.

"Me neither," you agreed, finally clearing your throat and letting go of his hand. You then sat down comfortably in the grass. "I've read about mooncalf dances, but the books never mentioned... all this."

Fred sat beside you, close enough that you could feel the warmth radiating from him. "I'm glad I didn't see it alone," he said, turning to look at you.

The sincerity in his voice caught you off guard. This was a different Fred than the one who constantly joked and pranked, the one who never seemed to take anything seriously. This Fred was vulnerable, open, and somehow even more charming.

"Me too," you admitted, pulling your knees to your chest and resting your chin on them.

For a while, you just sat in comfortable silence, watching the fireflies drift and dance. The castle loomed behind you in the distance, its windows like scattered stars.

"You know," Fred said eventually, "I always thought you hated me."

You turned to look at him, surprised. "I don't hate you. You're just... a lot."

"A lot of what?" he asked, though he was smiling, as if he already knew the answer.

"A lot of everything," you replied, widening your eyes for effect. "Loud, annoying, constantly joking..."

"Charming, handsome, brilliantly funny..." he finished.

You rolled your eyes, but you were smiling. "See? A lot."

His expression softened. "I only joke so much around you because I don't know how else to talk to you."

That caught you completely off guard. "What do you mean?"

Fred picked at a blade of grass, avoiding your gaze. "You're smart, and you're funny, though you'd never admit it, and you don't put up with my nonsense. Most girls either fawn all over me or can't stand me. You're... different."

"Different good or different bad?" you asked, your voice barely above a whisper.

He finally looked at you, his eyes earnest in the moonlight. "Different good. Definitely good."

Your heart did something strange in your chest, a fluttery sensation that had nothing to do with nerves and everything to do with the boy sitting beside you.

"Fred," you started, not sure what you wanted to say but feeling the need to say something.

"Yeah?" he asked, leaning slightly closer.

Instead of answering, you found yourself leaning in too, drawn by some invisible force. The space between you shrank until you could feel his breath on your cheek. Just as your eyes started to drift closed, a distant sound broke the spell, the howl of a werewolf, faint but unmistakable, coming from the direction of the forest.

“holy shit!” you said, jumping slightly at the sound.

You both pulled back, the moment shattered but not entirely lost.

"We should probably get back," Fred said, chuckling, though he made no move to stand up.

"Yeah," you agreed reluctantly. "Before someone notices we're missing… or we get eaten by a werewolf."

He laughed, but stood up then, brushing grass from his trousers before offering you a hand. You took it, letting him pull you to your feet. His hand lingered on yours for a moment before releasing it.

"Thanks for making my evening eventful," he said, his usual playful tone returning but with a new warmth beneath it.

"Thank you for following me," you replied, surprising yourself with your honesty.

The walk back to the castle was quieter than the walk out, but not uncomfortable. The silence was filled with unspoken words and possibilities. When you reached the entrance hall, Fred stopped.

"I should probably let you go up alone," he said. "Less chance of us both getting caught."

"Probably for the best," you agreed, though you found yourself wishing he could come all the way to your dorm.

"Hey," he said, catching your arm as you turned to leave. "This was... nice. Unexpected, but nice."

"Nice," you repeated, smiling. "I'll agree to that."

You hesitated for a moment, then acted on impulse, standing on your tiptoes to press a quick kiss to his cheek. Before he could react, you turned and hurried toward the stairs.

"Goodnight, Fred," you quietly called over your shoulder.

"Goodnight," he replied, his voice sounding distant and dazed.

As you walked through the hallway back to your house's common room, your fingers touched your lips, then moved to where you had kissed his cheek. The night air still carried the scent of moon-blooming flowers, and somewhere in the back of your mind, the image of a dancing mooncalf and a red-haired boy with a surprisingly soft smile played like a dream you never wanted to wake from.

The first night of the school year had started with restlessness, but it ended with magic, the kind that doesn't come from wands or spells, but from unexpected connections and moonlit dances. And as you slipped back into your dormitory, you knew that this year at Hogwarts would be anything but ordinary.

─˖· masterlist

To go along with that, his entire life pre-Hogwarts (and honestly during Hogwarts) was a game of “runaway for as long as you can until you can beat the game”, so he’s built up a lot of beneficial habits associated with being a flight risk that stresses everyone out.

For example, he keeps food on him constantly in pockets you didn’t even know he had. He shares when asked but Ron has an ongoing theory that Harry has a secret hiding spot he doesn’t tell anyone about.

Furthermore, following mostly canon, he spends hours upon hours flying. He’ll do this naturally, but when he’s close to that month long mark he starts getting obsessive with it as it’s the only way he doesn’t feel constrained. He also becomes more risky on his broom, it gives everyone grey hairs not just Severus.

Usually he doesn’t get to that month mark thought since he’ll sneak away in the middle of the night under his invisibility cloak without telling anyone.

Somehow, Snape always finds out the day after and gives the sad disappointed father sigh (TM) - yes he did put a tracker on him, no Harry has not figured it out yet.

Moving onto more general stuff though, Harry never unpacks his bags. Whether it’s the Dursleys, The Weasleys, Grimmauld Place, or Spinners end, he never unpacks. The only exception to this is Hogwarts after Christmas break.

It becomes more obvious in classes just how uncomfortable he is with the act of staying. Of course part of it could be blamed on undiagnosed ADHD, but he seems to chronically fidget, and has a fixation on cataloguing all possible exits in any given room.

On especially bad days he’ll give his professors whatever excuse he can come up with just to walk around Hogwarts for a couple of minutes.

The worst part is I can’t even imagine him losing this flight risk status as an adult. In fact, it would probably be worse with access to the floo, brooms and apparition.

“She only throws it when he’s on some bitch’s story,” Daphne corrected. 

“Right. Well, Theo, go see what’s up,” Pansy said as she leaned over Draco’s chair. 

“Why would I do that?” Theo asked. 

“She tolerates you when she’s in a mood. If we send Enzo, he won’t be able to have kids.”

Theo signed, but set his book down on the table and got up. He walked over to you. You didn’t look up from your phone, but you knew he was there. 

“Amore,” he said. 

“Theodore.”

He sat down next to you. “Pansy wants to know what pretty boy did this time.”

“You don’t look like Pansy.”

“That’s for the better. I don’t need to be receiving Malfoy’s dick pics.”

You exhaled an amused breath. Theo nudged your shoulder with his, glancing at your phone screen. 

“So what’d the twat do?”

“Hasn’t texted me yet. We’re going to bar, but-“

Your phone vibrated in your hand. You frowned. 

“Nevermind. I’ll be staying in.”

“That doesn’t sound right. You’re already ready.”

“Apparently there’s some pick-up quidditch match in the gardens.”

“The bars are still open.”

You gave Theo a look that said So?

“Merlin, we’ll,” he said with a gesture to the group, “go with you. You don’t need that sorry Gryffindor to be let in.”

“Yeah! Let’s go out! No moping like last week!” Pansy said. She was still bent over Draco’s chair but had been eavesdropping. 

“Last week he said he’d come over late,” you said, not denying that you had been moping. 

“And did he?” Theo asked. 

“No.”

He stood up and held his hand out to you. Slightly begrudgingly, you took it and allowed him to help you up. 

“Wait! Wait! We need to finish this hand!” Lorenzo yelled. 

“It’s cards,” Theo said flatly. 

“Enz just wants to lose officially,” Daphne said with a laugh as she laid down her hand. 

“Fuck!” Lorenzo swore. 

“My point.”

The rest of the table laid their cards down, some with more emotion than others. Draco had to stop by his dorm before heading out. Then you were walking to the bars with your friends. You could almost forget about Cormac for the night.

The walk to the bar wasn’t too long and soon enough, you all had drinks in your hands. Pansy immediately dragged Draco towards the dance floor. Daphne, Blaise, Mattheo, and Lorenzo followed shortly, leaving you and Theo standing off to the side. 

“Are you at least going to dance tonight?” you asked Theo, despite already knowing his answer.

“I don’t dance.”

“You always say that.” You grabbed his arm and gave it a quick squeeze. “And we both know it’s a lie.”

“We don’t speak of that night.”

“It was a great night and I think it’d do you some good to do more.”

“Right,” he said with an eye roll. 

“Hey, you’re the one who wanted me to come along.”

“We all wanted you to come along.”

“Uh-huh. Then why wasn’t Blaise asking about my evening plans?”

Theo took a sip of his drink. “Worried you’ll give ‘im a concussion.”

“They’re so dramatic,” you said with a quiet laugh.

“Look who’s talking.”

It was your turn to roll your eyes.

“Well, I can’t stop you from being a wallflower all night. I won’t be.”

You gave Theo one more smile before joining your dancing friends in the crowd, leaving Theo to stand against the wall alone. He was always one to help get a group together to go out, but he’d participate the least. He called it observing, supervising even. Lorenzo called it being lame. Sometimes Theo would retort with something about not wanting to make a fool of himself. Draco would add that he already did that. 

Theo had no problem with coming along to make sure you had a good time and stayed safe. He liked watching you dance and have fun. He liked that you looked over at him and smiled, sometimes waving him over to join but he never does. 

Lorenzo took your hand and spun you around. Theo could faintly hear your laugh through the music. Dancing with Lorenzo was an exaggerated experience. He was all about big movements and extra steps. If people didn’t move out of the way or get pushed, you’d run into them. After a few more spins and two dips, Lorenzo left you for a girl Theo didn’t know. You laughed with Pansy at Lorenzo’s attempts to find a girl to take back to his dorm later. 

Theo stepped away from his spot to refill his drink. When he got back, someone had their hands on your hips. He took a slow sip. 

That boy’s hands should’ve been seared. You weren’t his to touch. 

Not that you were Theo’s to touch either, but at least he wasn’t actively doing it. 

You didn’t necessarily lean into the stranger’s touch, but you also didn’t pull away. There was no turning around and saying that you have a boyfriend. It wasn’t lewd dancing. After two songs, the guy looked Theo’s way without realizing he was being watched. The stranger didn’t last two seconds in Theo’s glare. 

You kept dancing with your friends. Every few songs, a new guy would appear. Sometimes you left them to get a new drink, but other times they spotted Theo and got the message real quick. 

There was one guy who wasn’t looking Theo’s way and he didn’t like how he was touching you. His hands were going too high and too low. 

Something in him snapped. He threw back the rest of his drink, set the cup down on the counter, and walked over to you. His expression was dark enough that people stepped out of his way. You smiled at Theo briefly. You didn’t think you’d ever seen him look like that; it was downright murderous. Even worse, you thought he looked hot. 

“Alright, mate, think it’s time you moved on,” Theo said. 

The guy barely glanced at Theo, but the look in his eye was disbelieving. 

“Yeah right,” he said. “Who’re you? Her boyfriend?” The stranger laughed. 

The guy had watched you long enough to know that if you had a boyfriend, he certainly wasn’t here tonight. 

“No, I’m worse,” Theo said. 

It happened so fast that you didn’t even realize you screamed. Theo’s fist hit the guy’s cheek bone, and then his jaw. A shove had the guy on the ground and Theo would’ve kept going if Lorenzo and Blaise hadn’t grabbed his shoulders to pull him back. 

“Merlin, Nott, calm down,” Lorenzo hissed in his ear. 

Your whole group was summoned. Lorenzo and Blaise didn’t let go of Theo. Pansy and Daphne put themselves between you and the stranger and Theo. One of the bouncers was coming over to investigate but Mattheo and Draco stopped him. 

“Don’t bother. We’re leaving. He’s just going to pay,” Mattheo said. 

The bouncer nodded and turned back around. Mattheo had that effect with people - when he spoke, people listened. Your whole group was pretty sure it was a mix of his anger issues and family name. Draco could also get people to listen, but right now he was more useful for his wallet. 

After your group had successfully escorted him outside, Theo tried to pull free of Lorenzo and Blaise, but they kept their grip on him. They didn’t seem pleased that the night had been cut short. Mattheo and Draco weren’t too far behind you. Draco handed everyone except Theo their cards. 

“We’re advised to not go back for two weeks,” Mattheo said. “Nice going.”

Before Theo could respond, Blaise added, “I think that’s the first time Theo’s gotten us thrown out. Usually it’s Mattheo.”

He let go of Theo at the same time as Lorenzo. Theo stumbled forwards but it wasn’t enough for him to fall. He regained his footing and kept going. 

“Wow, not going to tell us what happened?” Pansy called after him. 

Theo kept going. So the group looked to you. 

“Any idea?” Pansy asked. 

“No clue,” you said, hoping you conveyed more confusion than you felt. 

Theo clearly didn’t like you dancing with that boy, based on what was said. You didn’t know why. Theo wasn’t your boyfriend. He was just a life-long friend. But he had said that he was worse, worse than being your boyfriend. You didn’t know what he meant by that. 

Possibly your brother?

You didn’t necessarily like that thought. Then your brother was one of your best friends and extremely fit and, more times than you’d like to admit, in your dreams. 

As you walked back with Daphne and Pansy at your side and watching Theo stalk ahead of the whole group, you thought more about Theo. He was your first real crush. He wasn’t some famous actor or singer or other celebrity. He wasn’t a hot employee at a cafe you frequented that you could dream about while knowing there was only a fraction of a chance of it happening. Theo was real. He was close. He was an almost. 

If cards were played differently… If he drew your hair tie for seven minutes in heaven or spun the bottle your direction… If you played strip poker rather than exploding snap… Maybe… 

But it didn’t so you weren’t and you were dating someone else. An older boy who had actually asked. Someone who made a move. Except Cormac wasn’t really a man of action anymore. It was almost as difficult to get a “No” or “I’m busy” out of him as a commitment to do anything. 

Once you were back at the dorms, Theo didn’t go inside. He stepped off to the side and lit a cigarette. 

“Night, ladies,” Mattheo said, joining him. 

Everyone else went inside. You went with Daphne and Pansy into their dorm while the rest of the boys started a new card game.  

“So the anger issues are new,” Mattheo said after his second drag. With the group gone, he felt they could talk. 

“I don’t have anger issues.”

“And my father isn’t a murderer.”

Theo took a drag to give him time before he responded. 

“I just lost control for a second. I’m fine,” he said with too much conviction. 

“What’d the bloke do?”

A pause. 

“Nott?”

“Riddle?”

“What’d he do?”

Theo didn’t say anything. Mattheo didn’t push. Not even as Theo flicked away his butt and lit another. 

“He needed to be punched,” he finally said. 

“I don’t doubt that,” Mattheo chuckled with a shake of his head. “But why’d you do it?”

Theo didn’t answer again. 

“Okay. So, when did you start fighting McLaggen’s battles for him?” Mattheo asked. 

The subtle shift in Theo’s demeanor told Mattheo he was dead on. 

“I don’t,” Theo growled. 

“Then what’s with punching the bloke dancing with his girlfriend?”

Nothing. 

“He cancelled, right? They didn’t break up?”

“He’s a bloody shitshow.”

“Uh-huh. Go on,” Mattheo said with a wave of his hand. 

Theo paused. “There’s nothing more to say. He was a proper twat who needed to be punched and McLaggen wasn’t around to do it, so I made sure it got done.”

“So there’s nothing… No other reason you punched him? All just taking care of business?”

Theo flicked his cigarette. “Yes.” 

Mattheo dropped it for the time being. Theo was mentally hitting himself for being so obvious. 

That night didn’t change anything. Life continued the same as ever. Going to class, studying in the library, returning to your dorm at night, and seeing Cormac whenever he made time for you. 

You made plans with him to hang out after his last class. Your last class was before then, so you were passing the time in Theo’s room. You attempted to work on assignments, but that led to you ranting about your Muggle Studies’ professor. Theo liked to remind you that you chose to study that subject.

“It’s not the subject that I mind. It’s the professor,” you said in a huff. “It’s really fascinating what muggles have done without magic. Need I remind you that muggles invented that device you’re currently using?” 

Theo looked back at his phone and shrugged. “Doesn’t mean the study of them isn’t boring. I’m sure lots of important stuff happened in history but you won’t see me taking that class.”

“Binns really lost us with that class, didn’t he,” you laughed before your previously sour expression returned as you refocused on your notes. “But if I have to teach myself another chapter, then I’m asking for a refund for this class. It’s ridiculous.” 

A few minutes passed. Your phone rang and with a quick glance at it, you answered it. 

“Hey, Cormac,” you said. 

“Where are you?”

“My friend’s room. Why?”

“Did you forget I was coming over?”

You frowned. “You have class until 4:30 and it’s-“ You paused as you pulled your phone away from your face to check the time. “-3:15. Are you calling me from class?”

“I’m in your room? Class got cancelled.”

“My room? How did you get in?” you asked, sitting up straight. 

“I think her name’s Astoria?”

“Uh, alright,” you sighed. “Give me a minute and I’ll be right over.”

You hung up and then gave Theo a forced smile. “Guess I’m heading out early. See you later?”

“Yeah. Later.”

You ignored Theo’s tone. You knew he wasn’t a fan of Cormac and he never tried to hide it. You didn’t think about it often, but Theo didn’t really like any of your previous boyfriends. You swore it was an overprotective best friend thing. He just really, really didn’t like Cormac. Nor did he like being ditched for Cormac. 

Later that week, Cormac told you he’d take out for dinner, someplace fancy to make up for something or another. It always seemed like he was making something up to you. So once again, you were sitting on the couch in the common area, scrolling on your phone as you waited for him. At least he had texted you that he was on his way to pick you up. You really should know better by now. Some excuse is bound to light up your phone and then you’ll be ordering delivery because you can’t be arsed to go to the cafeteria. 

Theo walked out from his dorm with the intention of going to said cafeteria. At least until he say you and the slight frown that was etched onto your face more often than not. Unlike you, he did know better. 

“Pizza or Chinese?” he asked. 

“We’re going to a Mexican place,” you said. Your finger paused mid-swipe as you gave Theo a weak smile. 

He plopped down unceremoniously on the couch next to you and threw his arm loosely around your shoulder. 

“And when your shitshow of a boyfriend cancels again, what do you want?”

You exhaled heavily through your nose. “Chinese. Extra sauce.”

“I know.”

Your smile grew slightly. Besides the fact that your order hadn’t changed in years, it was nice that Theo knew. He remembered. He probably knew you’d pick Chinese but still gave you an option. Cormac had simply chosen the restaurant. 

Part of you thought that you had a better time with Theo than you would’ve if Cormac hadn’t cancelled. Chances are you would’ve ended up fighting over something stupid. That was also becoming as common as him canceling the dates he suggested and planned in the first place. 

It was an evening when you hadn’t even tried to make plans with Cormac. You were just going to have a good time with your friends. You weren’t going out. Someone brought out some drinks and snacks. Between your group and other people living in Slytherin, there were three card games going, a game of truth or dare, and a drinking game you didn’t care for. 

You were sitting next to Daphne as she played cards. Lorenzo was making a crude joke. You looked down to check your phone, hoping that maybe Cormac had sent you a text or a snapchat, anything really to prove he was thinking about you. No notification, but you went to check the apps individually. He had posted to his Snapchat story. 

You shouldn’t have opened it. 

“Fuck me sideways,” you muttered before tossing your phone to the side with far more force than necessary. 

There was an audible shattering sound. 

The room stilled momentarily before crescendoing back to its original volume. Daphne could feel the tense irritation radiating off of you but she made no comment. 

It was Theo who took action. Of course it was him. 

“Repairo,” he cast, pointing his wand at your phone but leaving it where it was. 

He thought you didn’t need to keep scrolling and refreshing apps to see what your sorry excuse of a boyfriend was up to. Everyone knew that’s what you saw without seeing it for themselves: Cormac was with another girl and they were posting about it for you to see. 

Your mood was ruined. Those sitting directly around you felt it and they walked on eggshells all night to not make it worse. You stayed sitting by Daphne. Theo watched you carefully from where he sat. He wasn’t sure how much longer you’d last in the common area. He got up and fetched your phone for you. 

“Movie?” he asked as he held out your phone. 

You nodded and the two of you went back to his dorm. No one ever whispered about it. No one speculated about what went on between you two. It was far too common knowledge that you were life long best friends and when you needed to cool off, you went to him. 

Theo immediately fell onto his bed, reaching for the remote. Sometimes you laid next to him. His shoulder made a great pillow when you were sleepy enough. This time you sat on the floor with your back against his bed. He picked a movie, one he’d seen before but was positive you hadn’t. To be fair, that category had a lot of movies in it. 

He lasted fifteen minutes before the question that was eating him alive fought its way out of him. 

“Amore.”

“Theodore.”

“Can I ask you something?”

Theo only prefaced his questions with that if he was about to irritate you. He knew it, as well as he knew you. Assuming he wasn’t an idiot, you guessed at what he wanted. 

“No, you can’t have my Transfiguration essay for Draco to copy.”

“Don’t need your essay. He already has mine,” Theo said with a huff of a laugh. He paused. Then, “Why’re you still with McLaggen?”

He was an idiot. But you still sat up and turned so you could see him. 

“What do you mean?”

“He’s a fucking shitshow and you deserve better.”

Straight to the point. That’s how you knew he wasn’t messing around. There was no flowery language, no beating around the bush; he was looking straight in the eye. 

“Wow, thanks, Theo. Tell me how you really feel,” you said dryly with an eye roll. You turned back to watch the movie. 

“I’m just saying. He cancels on you all the time. He lets other girls crawl over him. He posts about. Bastard doesn’t even have the decency to do it in private. From where I sit, you’re begging for his attention and he’s treating you like a second thought, if that.”

“Thought about this, have you?” you snapped bitterly. Then you added, “What’s it to you anyways?”

I’m in love with you was what Theo wanted to say. He wanted to whisk you away from that asshole so that you could know what it was to be so very loved and adored in a way that a friend couldn’t. However, it was a delicate situation. He was well aware of how it could all backfire. So he took the safe route. 

He shrugged and said, “I’m your friend. Jus’ think you’d be happier with someone who actually gave you the light of day.” Another pause. “I told you, you deserve better.”

“Right.”

You slouched more against his bed. He didn’t say anything more. He knew you well enough to know when he needed to shut his mouth if he valued his life. Besides, he had brought it to your attention and now, you were thinking about it.

You did deserve better. You thought so every time Cormac ditched you for something, or someone, else. Then you would think that maybe you didn’t deserve better because you’d caught yourself more than once thinking about Theo in ways that you shouldn’t. Especially when you caught yourself doing it when it was just you and Cormac. 

Less than a week went by before you threw your phone again. Your friends all stared for a moment, like last time. And then they went on as if nothing happened, like last time. And like last time, Theo didn’t just let it be. 

He got up and picked up your phone. 

“Repairo.”

That wasn’t new. He always fixed it for you, even though you were perfectly capable of casting the simple spell. This time he didn’t hand it back right away. His fingers moved across the screen. Then he held it out for you to take. 

It was open to your text conversation with Cormac. A message was typed but not sent. 

<we’re done>

Simple. Succinct. 

You looked at Theo with a melancholy expression. 

“I’d block his number too and unfollow him on everything.”

Daphne, who was sitting next to you again, stared at Theo shocked. Everyone knew that you and Cormac couldn’t last, but they all assumed you’d grow tired of his behavior. They never thought that someone else would have to suggest that you break up with him. 

Your eyes flicked between Theo and the message he had typed. 

You hit the send button. Within seconds, your phone started ringing and Cormac’s face stared up at you. At least, it did until you sent it flying across the room with a yelp. All of your friends had gone silent and were either staring at you, your still-ringing phone, or going between the two. 

The ringing paused momentarily. Presumably your voicemail greeting was telling Cormac to leave a message and you’d listen to it in 3-5 business days, responses not guaranteed. Then it started ringing again. 

“Do you want me to…” Theo asked you in a low voice with a barely-there gesture towards your phone. 

You nodded. Part of you assumed he was just going to get it for you. You didn’t expect him to silence the call and then unlock your phone. Unlocking your phone wasn’t really an issue. Everyone in the group knew your password was your birthday. Then he started blocking Cormac everywhere. His number. Instagram. Facebook. Twitter. WhatsApp. Snapchat. VSCO. Even his email. If there was a way for him to contact you via that phone, Theo was removing the older boy.  

Then he went back into your contacts and found his own name. 

/id treat you better/ he typed in the notes under his contact. Then he closed out of the app, reopened messages, and gave you your phone back. 

“Didn’t break this time. I think that’s a first.”

You made a weak noise that might’ve been a laugh. You took your phone back and tucked it into your pocket. Theo sat on the armrest of the couch. 

“Well? Carry on,” he said. 

Lorenzo cleared his throat. “Did you see that Hannah Abbott’s trying to sell some of the stuff she grows? And it’s, uh, heh, not for potion making.”

“Doesn’t she need a permit or something for that?” Daphne asked, and conversation took over the group. 

You were no longer the center of attention. You sank deeper into the couch. You kept glancing at your phone, expecting Cormac’s name to appear. It never did. He was blocked. Theo reached over and comfortingly rubbed your back. He saw you turn your phone over and over in your hands and the way your eyes looked down every time it was screen-side up. 

After a while, you set your phone down and got fully immersed in the conversation. You were laughing and snarking off like usual. Theo relaxed. Eventually he got tired of being around people so he headed back to his dorm, and, not surprisingly, you weren’t far behind. 

You knocked on his door before opening it. 

“Hey, d’you mind if I-“ you started to ask. 

“Like I’d say no,” Theo said. 

He was already laying on his bed shirtless as if talking off his shirt had been the first thing he did when he got back. It was, but that wasn’t here nor there. When you followed Theo, you also didn’t want to be in the big group; however, you also didn’t want to be alone. Your roommate, Millicent, was probably in your dorm already since she didn’t really socialize with the group much. She didn’t count as company. Not in your mind. Not when your other option was Theo. 

“I don’t want to be alone,” you said quietly. 

“I know.”

Theo scooted over to make room for you. You climbed onto his bed and snuggled into his side so that he’d place his arm around you protectively. He did. Sometimes you hated how well he treated you when you were only friends. How were you supposed to find someone better than him?

Your phone started to ring and Theo felt you tense. You were shocked for a moment that it wasn’t Cormac. Then you remembered he was blocked. 

“Millie?” you asked, answering the call. 

“Hey, um, where are you?”

“Theo’s room. Why?” 

You figured she had looked in the common area for you. You partially assumed that she locked herself out again. 

“Your boyfriend’s here and he wants to talk to you.”

You frowned. “Ex-boyfriend,” you corrected. “Just tell him to leave.”

“Can’t.”

“Can’t?”

“Might want to tell Nott to lock his door.”

The call ended. You looked up at Theo. 

“Can we lock your door?”

“What for?” As if he hadn’t been able to hear the entire conversation. 

“Corma-“

There was pounding on the door. 

“Heh.” Theo got up and opened the door. He stood in the gap so that Cormac couldn’t enter nor see you. “Can I help you, mate? I’m trying to study.”

“I want to talk to my girlfriend,” Cormac said in as gruff of a voice as he could manage. 

His meager attempt to intimidate Theo only made him smile. He leaned his weight on the side of the door and put his other hand in his pocket. Theo was an image of cool, calm and casual. 

“Sorry? Last I checked you didn’t have a girlfriend?”

“I know she’s in there, Nott. I need to talk to her.”

“Oh, it’s a need now? Interesting.”

“How about you butt out of my relationship and let me speak to my girlfriend?”

“Since there’s no girlfriend, there’s no relationship to butt out of,” Theo said. “You found your way into the building. How ‘bout you find your way out, hmm?”

Then he closed the door and locked it, immediately followed by an anti-alohamora charm.

“He wants to talk,” you said in a soft voice.

“Don’t you even think about giving him the light of day.”

“He came all the way here… so he must actually care about me.”

“No, he cares about not controlling you. Not having you at his fucking beck and call. If he actually cared about you, he wouldn’t be posting bitches on his story and blowing you off every week.”

“Theo-“

“You deserve someone who sees your worth,” he said. He paused as his stomach clenched. “Like I do.”

It wasn’t a declaration of love but to Theo, it felt like it. For better or for worse, you interpreted it as him being your best friend and standing by that title. 

“I think you put me on a pedestal, Theo,” you said. 

“It’s where you belong.”

He said it just a little too earnestly, like he meant it more than anything. 

“Theo.” Your tone was serious. 

He sighed and sat on the bed next to you. 

Then it fell out of his mouth. 

“You need someone who loves you like I love you.”

You shifted slightly. “I mean, with that logic, I need someone who loves me more.” 

You felt stupid saying it. It sounded stupid coming out of your mouth. You cringed. You were about to stand up, tell Theo to forget about it, and leave the room. 

Then his lips were on yours and his hand was cupping your face. 

“There’s no one who loves you more.”