#ronald...........................................................

Mattheo sat up, using Draco's arm to prop himself up—the boy in question shrugged away from Mattheo, huddled close to Pansy as they tried to finish homework that was due next class.

"Exactly—it's a dare!" Blaise tsked his tongue obnoxiously, eyes squinted while he tightened the green tie around his neck, "that one! She's perfect, and you've rarely spoken to her."

Theodore peeked up, staring past Mattheo, who sat across from him, trying to pinpoint whoever Blaise was referring to. "Who? Be specific!" Blaise rolled his eyes, "the one with the curly hair—sort of tall, she's friends with Luna and Hermione."

When Theodore's eyes caught on you, he nodded in approval, pleased with your appearance, "she's pretty—how long?" Mattheo smirked, ripping a square of paper from Pansy's journal, "three months to kiss and fuck, what you do after, I don't care." Mattheo shoved the paper at Theodore after writing the conditions, and Theo signed it, smiling to himself, "deal."

Theodore didn't know you, nor had he ever spoken to you, but he did see you in the majority of his classes, sitting beside Luna Lovegood or Hermione Granger, often quiet or keeping to yourself. You rarely gave input during lectures unless you were called on, but judging by the class order, you were between Luna and Neville, and just ahead of Theodore—fourth.

He'd seen you sitting in the stands with Hermione and Luna during Quidditch matches, seen you in the courtyard studying, and plenty of times, he passed you in the library during study sessions.

Theodore was brilliant, everyone knew it, but he could be awfully dimwitted sometimes. That was clear in the tradition of Blaise, Mattheo, and Theodore—make a bet on a girl each year and feel the consequences at the end of it all. Mattheo was punched in the face by Lavender sixth year, and Blaise's clothes were burned, but Theodore—nothing ever happened to Theodore because he knew how to stick it out. He knew not to tell the girls it was a bet, and most of the time, he did actually enjoy their company.

The outcome was awful either way, because most times, Theodore didn't care much for the girls besides how they were in bed and how well they could keep up conversation—and whether or not he willed it so, the girls found out the truth well after the "relationship" was over.

Mattheo, Blaise, and Theodore had only been making bets for two years—seventh year being the second, but either way, it was a source of pitiful entertainment—and pleasure when all was said and done.

Mostly, it was easy for Theodore. All he had to do was make conversation, and the girl would do the rest, then eventually give herself up, but you, Merlin, you were different.

Theodore sat beside you in Transfig., and you didn't even glance at him, your back to him as you were turned to Luna Lovegood, muttering something rapidly, your hands moving fervently as you spoke. Theodore didn't press, though; he just did his work as usual, arm brushing yours gently at times. He'd decided to move closer halfway through the class—subtly—and his leg brushed yours, hooked just slightly on your chair, and you gave him a simple glance—eyebrow raised suspiciously, you didn't say anything though.

When Theodore made the calculated choice to drop his quill, you picked it up, turning to him, pushing your hair behind your ear, curls immaculate, lips coated in gloss, eyebrows expressive, but you handed it back nonetheless. Theodore brushed your hand as he did, muttering a small thank you, leaning close so you could hear him.

"What's your name, by the way?" That was his in. He moved even closer, sort of encroaching upon your space, and you scooted back a bit, eying him, but you gave him your name, "you're Theodore, right? We've been in the same classes for seven years, and you don't know my name?" You scoffed, albeit a bit amused, your eyes rolling as you turned forward once more.

Theodore scratched his neck, shamed, but chuckling, "this is my first time sitting beside you, so..." he dragged out, deciding to give up for the day, but you surprised him by continuing the conversation, "I'm pretty sure we did a project together last year, something for Herbology. So it's sort of shocking—and maybe a little—" you hummed, still watching him, "—imprudent?"

You waited for a response, head tilted slightly, and Theodore shrugged honestly, "never—"

"—served you in any way? Never gave you an advantage?" You scoffed when he failed to reply, and Theodore stared ahead, lips pursed. He definitely didn't remember doing a project with you, nor did he recall your temperament. Merlin, were you quick—by the mouth and by the brain.

"Look, I'm sorry—" you turned to him, irritated, "you're not sorry, Theodore. You're just sorry I caught you being a dick!" You spat quietly, hand fisted around your quill, and Theodore shook his head, suddenly fed up, "and what the fuck's your problem with me? Sue me for forgetting your name!"

"Because you're ridiculous, Theodore! You don't care about anyone but yourself and those dumb little friends of yours!" You glanced over at Mattheo and Blaise, who were blatantly watching the entire thing, and that made you sigh heavily.

After class, Blaise and Mattheo drilled it in heavily on how difficult you'd be. Theodore just rolled his eyes, speeding ahead in the corridor, ears red with embarrassment, "she read you for fucking filth, Theo!" Blaise said, laughing, and Mattheo nodded in agreement, "if you fail or give up—you owe us three hundred bucks each."

"You don't have to repeat yourself, cunt!" Theodore spat, shoving Mattheo away angrily, trying to spew up a plan in his head, but he had no idea what to do. You didn't want to give him the time of day, but Theodore guessed he'd just have to be firm about it.

You, on the other hand, were furious. "He's so careless!" You complained to Hermione at dinner later that night, angrily throwing food onto your plate, and Ron glanced at you, eyebrow raised, "who?"

Hermione nodded across the room at the Slytherin table, "Theodore Nott. Tried to get at her in Transfig." You raised your hand, eyes wide, "he didn't even know my name, and we spent a month working on a project together last year!"

Ron winced, nodding in understanding, "yeah, that's harsh."

"Exactly! So it's only fair I told him the truth, right, Luna?" The girl in question was silently watching the entire conversation, a bowl of yogurt in front of her, but she nodded, "what if I play devil's advocate for a second?" You shrugged, muttering a sure.

"Perhaps he really doesn't remember you. It's been an entire year since that project, and to be fair, you have some odd observational skills."

When both Hermione and Ron agreed with her, you scoffed, rolling your eyes, "it's human decency to remember people you talk to."

You spun on the bench, deciding to let the entire topic go, "Hermione, when are you studying this week?" She shrugged honestly, "Harry and Ron want to go to Hogsmeade Saturday, so maybe Sunday—around noon?" You nodded in agreement, jotting the date down in your brain, slowly chewing on a piece of chicken.

But then you felt a stare on your face—heavy and unrelenting. You turned and immediately locked eyes with Theodore. Even across the room, you could see the green in his eyes and the never-ending curiosity towards you. It made your face screw up unpleasantly, and you turned away, head shaking.

"Stop staring at her, weirdo!" Blaise spat, hitting Theodore in the back, and he glared at Blaise, "don't you find this weird?"

"You mean a girl is finally not giving you the time of day? How crazy!" Pansy said sarcastically, and Theodore ignored her, "she won't even talk to me in class!"

Blaise shrugged honestly, "she's like one of the smartest people in our year, so can you really be too surprised?"

Mattheo shook his head, mouth full of food, "Theodore's one of the smartest people in our grade, and he still does dumb shit like bet on girls." Blaise paused, then nodded, convinced.

"So what are you gonna do?" Pansy asked, curious, and Theodore shrugged, "keep talking to her, I guess. Maybe find out her schedule and show up 'accidentally.'"

Pansy smirked at his words, "good luck with that—she'll hate you even more."

Theodore stared at her, lip curled, "then give me ideas! You're a girl after all."

Pansy didn't stop smirking, but she did turn to him fully, grabbing a quill and paper, "be touchy, but not obnoxious, 'cause that's weird—maybe brush by her in class, touch her waist gently—and don't sit by her anymore because that's blatant. Compliment her subtly—for example, maybe she's wearing a cute dress to Hogsmeade, just go up to her and compliment it, then walk away. Stare at her, not creepily, just curiously, like you were just now, but that's only after you touch her a few times. Make sure she smells you—put on some extra cologne or something."

Blaise, Draco, and Mattheo were all listening to the advice intently, nodding their heads, and Theodore grabbed the paper, thanking Pansy. "Are you sure it'll work?"

Pansy scoffed, "I'm a fucking girl, you cunt, and it works on me, so yes."

꩜ .ᐟ

The next time Theodore attempted to talk to you was back in Transfig. He'd kept his seat beside you—only because someone else took his old one—and when Professor McGonagall said to pair up for partner work, he tapped your arm gently. You took a second to turn, but eventually you did, face annoyed, chest heaving with a sigh, and Theodore smiled hesitantly, "my partner's not here today, and neither is yours."

Theodore pointed at the empty seats beside you—Luna Lovegood had gotten sick, apparently—and you nodded slowly, pulling your notes towards him as you began giving him feedback on what you thought the answers were.

He didn't listen, though, because he was too busy staring at Pansy as she pointed at you, mouthing something he didn't understand. He shook his head, eyebrows furrowed, and Pansy motioned, spraying something on herself, and Theodore finally understood, nodding. He did, in fact, put on more cologne today.

So he leaned close, but not too close—his smell wafting towards you as he went through the questions with you. Theodore saw when you smelt him because you paused—just the smallest fraction of a pause—and you inhaled, then gave him a simple look before returning to the paper. Theodore gave Pansy a subtle thumbs-up, then he noticed you moving subconsciously closer, your arm brushing his as you twisted in your chair.

"Do you think this is right? My notes say otherwise, but I'm not sure." You muttered, eyes glued to your paper while you figited with your quill, and Theodore hummed, glancing at his own notes, "right here I wrote, true, so I guess that right."

You nodded, moving even closer, your knee pressing against his as you sniffed up his scent, and Theodore smirked to himself, leaning against his arm. Then he looked at you, eyes locking with yours, "can I see your notes?" You watched him, eyes flicking down to his lips, then you nodded, "yeah. These are on king to rook—I think the spell is—" you paused, thinking, and Theodore continued watching you, not too intensely, but enough to make you pause and stare at him suspiciously.

"Why are you staring?" The corner of your mouth quirked into a grin when he shrugged, stuttering, "no reason." You laughed then—a sound so sweet to his ears that Theodore could've mistaken it for honey. He felt his heart flutter, but he sat up and coughed, "I can't look at you now?"

"I'd think you had a crush on me, Theodore Nott." At your words, he blushed, unintentionally. The tips of his ears red like a cherry, and you laughed again, "Theodore! Do you actually have a crush on me? Is that why you sat here the other day?" Theodore cursed low, scratching his neck nervously, and he couldn't fathom why.

No, he didn't have a crush on you, but fuck, the way you looked at him was intense, like you could see every lie and truth alike.

When he failed to answer on time, your amused grin fell into something a little more innocent, and you turned back to your paper, but didn't say anything else, like you were just realizing the truth of it all—and the truth was a little surprising.

"So right here..." you continued, but Theodore was too busy trying to get himself in line—focus his breathing, stop the burning of his ears, and Merlin, did you smell good. Like vanilla—a sweet, rich scent that coated your skin and hair. He glanced at your profile, watching your mouth move as you talked, then he focused on your rich skin, the smoothness of it, and goodness, your fingers, agile as you pointed to the questions.

He glanced down at your lap—saw your Gryffindor skirt and how it slipped up your thighs, revealing plushness.

"Theodore! Pay attention." You said, poking his hand with your quill, and Theodore nodded stiffly, a bit horrified at himself because where did this come from? You were just a girl—a Gryffindor girl who he'd never focused on before now, and after a little eye contact, he freaked the fuck out. What in the world was happening?

"Well, did it work?" Pansy asked, approaching Theodore after class, and he muttered a yes, contradicting himself by shaking his head and Pansy stared at him, confused, "what?"

Theodore shrugged beginning to walk, "nothing." She rolled her eyes and grabbed his arm, stopping him, "what happened? You look red, but pale all at the same time. Did it not work, and you've realized you're going to have to lose six hundred bucks?"

She suddenly slapped his cheek, and Theodore winced, and glared at her, "this is not going to fucking work, Pansy! I can't—" she interrupted him with a scoff, "and why not? Realizing she's too fucking pretty for you to play with or something?"

He shook his head, rubbing a hand down his face, and just then, you left the classroom with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. You were laughing at something Ron was saying, one of your books tucked beneath his arm, while Ron was staring down at you, laughing himself.

Theodore could smell you when he passed, and you didn't even spare him a glance, but sweet, hot jealousy sprouted in his chest. And jealousy was a nasty thing. He wished he could beat the shit out of Ron Weasley for staring at you like that, but he didn't.

Pansy suddenly gasped, eyes moving between Theodore and you, and she chuckled, surprised, "you like her! After one fucking week, you like her—wow, did she slip Amortentia into your drink, Nott?"

Theodore grumbled, "no, but Merlin, Pansy, if you were me when she was staring, you'd understand! Her eyes are like fucking—I don't know—but they're piercing, and it's like she could see everything I've ever thought. Then, fuck, she smelt good and her hair and her skin, and that fucking skirt!" Theodore pulled the ends of his hair, slipping down the wall dramatically, and Pansy paused, nodding slowly, "yeah, you're fucked."

꩜ .ᐟ

On the second week, Theodore had decided to accept his crush on you wholeheartedly—only because he won either way. If he could get you to be his girlfriend in under three months, then so be it, because he liked you. And even if he did lose the six hundred because he didn't do it within that time, it didn't matter, because he'd have all the rest of the year to gain your favor.

But first, he had to deal with Ronald Weasley. Ron was like the monster lingering underneath the bed or that one intrusive thought you knew you shouldn't be thinking.

Every time he saw you, there was Ron, lingering beside you, holding your books, laughing with you, hugging you. It made Theodore sick to see Ron in his place, and it was even worse that he'd been getting nowhere with you.

You seemed to retreat after the previous Transfig. class, but Theodore didn't give up. He made honest conversation with you—fueled with curiosity instead of the potential of winning a bet, and slowly but surely, you opened back up.

"And what's your quickest time?" You questioned, watching Theodore solve a Rubik's Cube, and he shrugged, "look in that notebook there. I write each time down." You did as he said and flipped through the notebook until you got to the respective page, then you gasped, "five seconds? Theodore, that's insane!" You shoved his shoulder, chuckling, and Theodore smirked, eyebrow popping cockily, "took me a few years to really get the hang of it, but I just got a five-by-five cube last weekend. You should come by the Slytherin Commons and help me solve it."

It was an innocent invitation, but it was fueled with hope because Theodore genuinely wanted to hang out with you. But when he saw you pause, he shook his head, "you don't have to! It was just an offer—" you shook your head, smiling, "I'm free Saturday—but maybe we can go to the courtyard instead?"

You watched him silently, eyes glued on his, but Theodore became shy and glanced down at his cube, nodding slowly, eyelashes fluttering, "yeah, that'll work for me. Maybe around two?"

꩜ .ᐟ

Theodore Nott was confusing to you. The first day he approached you was one full of irritation and confusion, but ever since you claimed he had a crush, things were different. He went about his interactions with a little more tenderness than before and much less calculation.

He stuttered or dropped things, he glanced away from your gaze quick, or accidentally touched your hand. And that's what you enjoyed the most—the genuine conversation and clumsiness of it all. You liked his shyness, which was something you never thought he'd have.

And Merlin was he pretty. Even when you watched him, you were nervous yourself, watching the way his pale green eyes would examine you, deeply like he was trying to force vulnerable words from your mouth.

"Here, try to solve this one." Theodore moved close, his knee grazing yours, but when it knocked accidentally, he didn't move away; in fact, he moved closer, leg sliding in between yours. Your chest was a foot from his, and you could smell his woodsy cologne and see the specks of gold in his eyes, but you didn't move away—even when your chest rose and fell rapidly.

Theodore leaned his arm against the table and handed the Rubik's Cube to you, "I bet you can do it pretty quickly." He muttered, finger ghosting over your arm, but he didn't move that either. You shivered unceremoniously, hair standing on end, then you began solving the cube, fingers trembling.

"Are you nervous?" He muttered, looking at your face, and you shrugged, "are you?" He chuckled at your words, arm moving off the table and onto his leg. "Yeah, a little."

"Why's that?" You wondered, glancing up at him, before looking back down at the cube and Theodore shrugged, "plenty of reasons." When you finished solving the cube, you smirked at him, "I can definetely beat that five seconds if I really try."

Theodore grinned, "think you're better than me, huh?" He reached over to grab your hand, and you didn't pull away, nodding, but then Theodore spoke once more, a bit quieter this time, "are you and Ron together—because—" your eyebrows furrowed and you laughed, "what? You think Ron and I are together? He rubs boogers on me, Theodore!"

Theodore blushed, spinning away shyly, "just thought because the two of you are so close—" you grabbed Theodore's hand, tugging him back your way, "he's been my friend for seven years—of course we're close, but not in the way you think. So no need to worry."

"I wasn't worrying." Theodore lied, and you scoffed playfully, "sure. Only guys who want to be friends worry about other guys." He bit his cheek and nodded, yielding, "fine."

꩜ .ᐟ

"Have you gotten anywhere yet?" Mattheo asked, lying across his bed in the dormitory, trying to finish homework, and Blaise perked up at the thought, eyebrow raised in curiosity.

Theodore didn't look at them, and at first he didn't want to answer, because he already knew they would go insane if they knew he was the one falling instead of her. So he just lied—simple. "Almost there, I think. She's practically in love with me." He muttered, heart thrumming, but Mattheo and Blaise just sighed, "fuck man! I really thought I was getting three hundred bucks!"

Mattheo jumped up, throwing his notebook across the room angrily, and Blaise just shook his head, running a heavy hand down his face, "how the fuck does she like you? That girl is like a fucking genius, so what's so special about you?"

Theodore shrugged, smirking, "she likes my personality, I think."

"Your personality is terrible!" Blaise spat, and Mattheo nodded in agreement, "you're obnoxiously smart and always fucking around with those!" Mattheo snatched the Rubik's Cube from Theodore's fingers and shook it angrily before throwing it back in his lap.

"I'm meeting her tomorrow in the courtyard."

"And you're just going to talk? Or do you have something else planned?" Mattheo quirked his eyebrow, smirking, and Theodore didn't answer, because no, he didn't want to do anything but talk to you. He didn't want to lead you to his dormitory and slip underneath the covers, nor did he want to seduce his lips against yours.

He just wanted to solve Rubik's Cubes and have sweet, nonsensical conversations while in your presence.

Was that so wrong?

꩜ .ᐟ

You were already sitting in the courtyard when Theodore approached. A shawl was wrapped around your shoulders, blocking the chilly gusts of wind, while you wore a pair of glasses, your bag at your feet. Theodore smiled at you, "you look like a grandma, you know that?" You glared at him playfully, but smiled nonetheless, "how so? Is it because of the glasses and shawl?"

He nodded, picking at the fabric, before reaching into his bag and grabbing the five-by-five cube, already beginning to work at it. "Have you made any progress since you got it?" You scooched closer, leg pressing against his, and Theodore shook his head, "can't even get the first side solved."

You hummed to yourself and grabbed the cube from him, biting your cheek as you thought, beginning to spin certain pieces of the cube, until you got one line on a side. Theodore leaned closer, hovering just slightly above you while you and he went back and forth on plans of action.

"Here, twist this one." He muttered, tapping a side, and you nodded, leaning back with your arm resting against his thigh as you sighed, your brain muddled with confusion about what to do next. Theodore could smell the vanilla scent of your hair, and his nose wrinkled as a bit of your hair tickled his face, "look, we got the first side!" He said, excited, face alighting with a bright smile, and you chuckled, "put two big brains together and we actually figured something out."

You glanced up at him, pulling off of his thigh, and Theodore locked eyes with you. The two of you watched each other for a millisecond, then you glanced away, smiling to yourself, and handed the cube back to him.

Once the cube was finally solved, you and Theodore broke off into the castle, knocking shoulders every so often as you spoke about nothing in particular. Your bag was thrown over his shoulder, the shawl from earlier tied around him, which you'd done when he said he was cold. "And how long do you spend studying each week, do you think?"

Theodore hummed to himself, pausing in the corridor to turn to you, a piece of his hair slipping down to his forehead, "fifteen, perhaps?" He stared up at the ceiling, thinking, and you cocked your leg out, tapping your chin, "that's—what—three hours per day?"

He nodded, "yeah, because I don't study on weekends." He continued walking, elbow poking your arm, "so what do you do on weekends?" You asked, voice light and curious, and Theodore glanced at you, smiling, "spend it with you, I guess."

You forced your smile into something a bit more subtle, nodding slowly, "it seems you really do like me then." Theodore scoffed, playfully, "I let you wrap this thing around me, didn't I?" You shoved him in the side, but Theodore grabbed your wrist and tugged you into him. You stumbled a bit, and then Theodore lost his own footing, surprised by his strength, and within a second, he was flat on the ground, and you were on top of him—laughing so hard that only wheezing came from your lips.

Rolling off of Theodore, you clutched your stomach, "you fool!" He rolled his eyes playfully, his own shoulders shaking with a laugh while he pulled himself up, hand in yours.

But when you suddenly pushed yourself up to your toes and kissed him, he was genuinely surprised—but content. Theodore pulled you closer by the waist, the bags still at his feet, his heart bursting with satisfaction.

You reached up, hand against his jaw, while your other was tucked in his belt loop, "is this what you want?" You muttered, pulling away, lips swollen and red, chest heaving, and Theodore nodded, hugging you tighter, lips pressing against yours once more. He couldn't get enough of you, like you were the oxygen in his blood.

Pleasure bubbled in his chest—pleasure so deep that nothing and no one could ever extract it unless it was you physically digging through him. You sucked on his bottom lip, and Theodore pushed you back against the wall—eliciting a low gasp as your spine slammed against it, but you didn't stop him, even when he tugged your shirt from your skirt and slipped his hand underneath it.

He roamed over your back, fingers chilly, and you shivered in response, goosebumps pearling over your skin, hand tangling into his hair and tugging just the slightest bit, and Theodore moaned against your lips.

When he finally pulled away for air, and your eyes opened, a laugh bubbled from your lips as your palm wiped over his mouth, "there's lip gloss all over you."

꩜ .ᐟ

The first time Blaise realized something was off was when Theodore went out of his way to buy your favorite candy at Honeydukes. He'd spent at least ten minutes staring down at notes about your favorite things, then he spent another ten minutes going back and forth with Pansy on what exactly to get you.

Blaise knew Pansy knew what was up, just because she didn't comment on Theodore's attentiveness towards you—and in fact, it seemed Pansy rooted for whatever odd relationship was blooming. And Blaise realized Theodore was falling for you when he saw that fucking shawl lying across his pillow.

Theodore spread it delicately over the pillow one night, just as he was preparing for bed, and Mattheo asked what it was. "Nothing special." But both Mattheo and Blaise could see the blush on Theodore's cheeks and that tell-tale sign of nervousness as he scratched his neck. Afterwards, Theodore peeled the covers back, hopped into bed, and slept for ten hours straight.

If Theodore and you were already dating, it was guaranteed that he would get the six hundred. Theodore was a damn good actor, pretending like he didn't know you just so he could fool Blaise and Mattheo. And Blaise was furious, but he didn't act immediately—he just watched as time went on and Theodore went deeper and deeper with you.

Blaise watched Theodore blow off him and the others to spend time with you, he watched Theodore sit with you in the Great Hall, he watched Theodore and Pansy speak to each other, trying to plan out cute dates for you and Theodore. And Merlin Blaise hated it. So he pulled Mattheo aside after Transfig. and sprouted the plan.

"You really don't see what's going on?" Blaise spat, pushing Mattheo in the chest gently, and Mattheo shrugged, flipping through his notes, trying to figure out what he was willing to study. "I really don't care, Blaise. It's only three hundred dollars, and if we're being serious, none of us actually need the money."

Blaise scoffed, shaking his head, "I don't care! Theodore is fucking lying to both of us! He pretended not to know the girl, just so he could make a quick buck—does that not bother you?" Mattheo began walking away, waving Blaise off, "you suck, mate. And honestly, I think you're jealous!"

But Mattheo stopped suddenly, a smirk overtaking his face as he crossed his arms, "you hate that Theodore always has such luck with these girls, and once he finally finds someone that he actually likes, you hate it because no one wants you."

Red flashed in Blaise's eyes as he shot towards Mattheo, hand tightened into a fist as he tackled him. A gasp escaped Mattheo's lips as he hit the floor hard, scrambling against Blaise as he attempted to punch him, but Mattheo blocked the hit, spinning the two of them around and delivering a solid hit against Blaise's jaw.

"You know I'm right!" Mattheo spat, grabbing Blaise's collar and shoving him against the floor. When Blaise finally got free—a purple bruise on his jaw—he muttered curses and walked away, knowing he'd have to take matters into his own hands.

꩜ .ᐟ

Theodore invited you for coffee on Saturday in Hogsmeade. He wore a nice t-shirt and jacket, hands a little shaky, because he hadn't seen you since class the day before. He sent letters to you, just for quick communication, and often, Luna or Hermione kept him updated about your schedule when you couldn't.

A month had passed now—a month of smiles, kisses, and time spent together. And Theodore loved it wholeheartedly. You were his better half—you told him when he was being inconsiderate or arrogant, but you also boosted his confidence during study sessions or told him his hair looked nicely done. Theodore did his best to treat you well too.

He opened all the doors, complimented your hairstyles and outfits, became touchy, only because you liked it that way, and he got you little gifts that he saw in Hogsmeade when he thought of you.

Most of these ideas had come from Pansy during their late-night sessions on how to make you happy, and Merlin, Pansy was amazing at it, because you adored Theodore. You loved his smile and his humor, you loved how intelligent and nerdy he was.

When you walked inside the cafe, you glanced around for him, heart already pounding because it always did in his presence. Things had started out with Theodore being the submissive one, always a victim of your piercing gaze, but these days, it was fifty-fifty. Theodore knew what made you nervous—and he especially used it to his advantage.

Once you saw Theodore, you sat across from him at the table, smiling, and Theodore returned it, already admiring your appearance. "You look beautiful." He muttered, ears red, and you thanked him, foot grazing against his as you became comfortable in your seat.

"Guess what I saw on the walk here?" You sipped the steaming coffee in front of you, warmth spreading in your chest as you swallowed the liquid. Theodore reached across the table and grabbed your hand, the silver ring on his finger starkly cold against your skin.

"What'd you see?" His voice was light as he said it, lips quirked into a sort of grin as he watched you.

"A Niffler, but it was sitting on a large pile of jewelry—watches, bracelets, everything. Wouldn't be surprised if it had some of my things." Theodore intwined his fingers with yours, "a Niffler stole my watch from my wrist once. I was just outside Hogwarts in my fifth year, and I was sitting on a bench with Pansy. As soon as I looked down, it was running away."

The conversation was nonsensical, and something simple to fill the silence, but you enjoyed it nonetheless. Conversation with Theodore was easy, and had been ever since the two of you started really liking each other. And oftentimes, it was things each of you found interesting.

Theodore's eyes were especially pale today, like sapphires—and the perfect gleam of sunlight made them twinkle. His fingers were slim and delicate in yours, rippled with veins and muscles that twitched each time his thumb caressed your hand.

And when the coffee was finished, the two of you walked throughout Hogsmeade.

"Do you think Pansy would actually like me, though? It's an unknown fact that you and your friends are biased against Gryffindors." Theodore scoffed, although not unkindly, arm around your shoulder, "she's the one helping me plan these dates! Of course, she likes you."

You smirked at Theodore, "you plan out all the dates?" He nodded blushing, "I want you to have a good time—besides, it'd be awfully boring if all we did was sit and stare at each other."

"Like in the cafe?" Theodore poked you in the side, and you chuckled, flinching away from him, but Theodore pulled you close once more and kissed you—just something quick.

"This was an impromptu date, so Pansy and I couldn't plan anything too crazy." You nodded, "it's fun anyway, Theo—doing anything with you is fun." Theodore pulled you just past Hogsmeade and into the Forbidden Forest. The sun was peaking through the canopy of trees, but you shivered as a sudden gust of wind drifted past you.

Theodore pulled off his jacket and wrapped it around your shoulders, wand loose in his grip just in case something decided to sneak up.

"Where are we going?" You wondered, hand tucked into the pocket of his pants, and Theodore smirked, "its a surprise."

"Theodore Nott! This seems like you planned it." Theodore shrugged, his hand slipping up your back, a loose grip on the back of your neck as he guided you ahead of him, "just keep an open mind, alright? It may not seem like anything at first, but I promise it's amazing."

You grumbled at his vagueness, but continued walking anyway, stepping up stone stairs cracked by time.

"What should I be looking for?"

"A ladder." You glanced at him, but he just smiled and shrugged, both hands on your shoulders, thumbs pressing against your neck delicately.

When you saw a ladder leaning against a humongous tree, you paused, Theodore's chest against your back as he leaned down, chin against your shoulder, "my friends and I found this huge tree first year, and we made it into a tree house." He pushed you ahead gently, and you climbed up the ladder.

When you pushed open the latch door, you paused at the interior. It was cozy, despite the Forbidden Forest surrounding it—fairy lights hung within the leaves and branches, while a thick piece of wood served as the floor, little bits of magic keeping everything secure. There was a small kitchenette, and a couch in the center of the room, books on a shelf, then another ladder that led up to the second floor, where multiple little pallets laid.

"Do you like it?" Theodore questioned, voice vulnerable, and you nodded, spinning, "yeah, this is fucking cool. Does anyone besides your friends know it's here?" He shook his head, approaching you, hands landing on your hips, and when you saw the look in his eye, you knew what this was, so you smirked.

"Theodore?" he hummed, leaning closer, nose ghosting against yours, "did you bring me here to fuck?" He blushed so red it made you laugh, and Theodore pushed away from you, hand running down his face, "Pansy suggested it, but I refused—"

You grabbed his arm, "why? Did you think I'd say no?" You raised your eyebrow, piercing gaze forcing truth from his lips.

"Yeah—it's been a month, I don't know if that's too soon or—" you shook your head, kissing him delicately, then pulling away and walking over to the couch where you plopped down and began removing your shoes.

"I've decided worse things in less time than that." You pulled your shirt over your head, all the while Theodore stared, eyes wide, a bit surprised at your eagerness, but he loved it nonetheless, so he sat beside you, unlacing his own shoes.

"Can I tell Pansy she was right?" He questioned, eyes glued on you as you pulled your pants down—panties matching the red fabric of your bra.

"I'll thank her myself, actually. How long has Pansy given you relationship advice?" You said nonchalantly, helping Theodore unbuckle his belt, and he leaned back, a bit surprised, chest huffing with a satisfied sigh.

"This is the first time." Theodore inhaled a shaky breath as you pulled his pants off, his bulge growing by the second. Your hand grazed his dick, and he moaned, head falling back, hand palming your ass as you leaned over him, removing him from his drawers.

"And before this, I've never seen you in a successful relationship, so maybe keep listening to her." You chuckled as Theodore failed to answer, his toes curling as you rubbed up and down his shaft, tongue lolling out to lick the pink head of his dick.

"You're my favorite person, you know that? I can't even wake up without thinking of you." He gasped out, fingers slipping past the band of your panties, thumb rubbing up and down your slit—heart fluttering at your moans against his dick.

You moved away from Theodore, smiling as his eyes popped open, confused, but then you took off your panties, and pushed him down on the couch, cunt hovering over his face while your mouth encompassed his dick. You were glistening above him, tendrils of your arousal dripping into his mouth.

Theodore's belly rolled with pleasure as your lips wrapped around his dick, the back of your throat vibrating against him as you moaned. Theodore flicked his tongue against your clit, hands reaching up to grip your ass firmly and spread you apart for better access. Your moans were a symphony to his ears, and Theodore's chin was covered in your juices as he devoured you, tongue moving from flicking against your clit to delving within you.

You squeezed his balls, chuckling as he trembled beneath you, stomach tensing with pleasure, toes curling, moans vibrating against you. "Fuck, that's good, sweetheart." He muttered, reaching up to slip a finger inside you, curling it effervescently. Your back arched as you and he came in tandem, moans mixing, his spend sprouting against your face.

Theodore twisted off you then climbed on top of you, kissing at your lips while he used his forgotten shirt to wipe your face clean. "Was that good?" He muttered, so desperately wanting to please, and you nodded, smiling, "it was perfect, Theodore." He ran a hand over your forehead, pushing your hair back, then he lined himself up with you, your knees on either side of his hips.

"Merlin, you're wet." He muttered, penetrating your clit with his tip. When he slipped into you, hips wiggling to reach the deepest depths, your eyes rolled back, and you let out a sultry moan, your chest heaving with it as you wrapped your arm around his neck, pulling him down for a kiss.

Theodore rocked back in forth inside of you slowly, each time deeper than the last, his hand tugging down your bra so he could suck on your nipple, tongue swirling while he gripped your other tit. The skin of your ass waved as Theodore pulled out, then snapped back against you, your legs trembling and toes curling.

"Fuck, Theodore, right there," you muttered, eyebrows furrowed as hot pleasure filled your belly. A cry seeped from your lips as Theodore's cheek pressed against yours, his groans enveloping your ears.

"Almost there?" He questioned, lips against the corner of your mouth, and you nodded, eyes glued to his. When both of you came, Theodore didn't look away; he reveled in the beauty that was you, watching your mouth fall open as you moaned, eyebrows furrowed harshly, spine arched, neck tense.

You rolled onto your side after, Theodore slipping behind you, his body curved against yours.

Grabbing his hand, you said, "you love me, don't you?"

He bit his cheek, then nodded gently, and you smiled, "don't worry, Theodore, 'cause I love you too." He wrapped his arm around your waist and smiled against your shoulder blade, "no one fucks someone like that and doesn't love them."

꩜ .ᐟ

Theodore couldn't stay away from you after that. And everybody noticed.

"Hm, how do they go from strangers to absolutely obsessed with each other?" Ron questioned, hand against his chin as he watched you and Theodore sit beside each other in the library. You invited him to a study session with the others, and the entire thing quickly turned into the funniest inside joke between only the two of you.

Hermione shrugged, honestly, "no clue, but they're cute. Right, Luna?" Luna nodded, "it was pretty obvious this would happen—especially when they used to sit in class huddled together 'doing work.'" Harry scoffed, chewing on a biscuit, "it was obvious when she was upset over him not remembering her name."

Hermione chuckled, agreeing, "there was a certain passion there, I think."

But one thing did change for Theodore, which wasn't particularly good.

Blaise.

Blaise was different these days, distant—to everyone, not just Theodore. He rarely spoke to Mattheo unless it was something dry and harsh, and Pansy, Merlin, he only opened his mouth to insult her.

Draco didn't really care about anything besides his own personal problems, so he didn't confront Blaise about his foreign attitude, unless it was directed at him. And that wasn't surprising.

"Get the fuck—Pansy, stop touching my shit!" Blaise spat in the Great Hall, snatching his bag from Pansy's grip, and she sneered at him, raising her hands mockingly, "I just needed a quill, asshole!" He rolled his eyes at her, "the last time you borrowed my quill, you snapped it in two."

Theodore rolled his eyes, "calm the fuck down, Blaise! It's just a quill—you can get free ones from Dumbledore." Blaise focused a glare at Theodore and scoffed, "you shut your fucking mouth, dick! Matter of fact, you think I haven't realized what you're doing?"

Blaise stood, hands slamming against the table, causing attention and Mattheo shook his head, sighing. He approached Blaise and attempted to calm him down, but Blaise shrugged away and continued, "that bitch we made the bet on has been your girlfriend all along, hasn't she? Been keeping her a secret just so you could steal six hundred bucks from us?"

Theodore paused at his words, still staring down at his book, then he chuckled humorlessly and stood, chest pressing against Blaise's, fists clenched tightly by his side.

Draco cursed low, arm wrapping around Theodore while Pansy stood between the two of them, "Theodore, he didn't mean anything—" Theodore scoffed, "oh fuck that! He just called my girlfriend a bitch, and now you're saying I'm cheating?"

"You fucking heard me, Nott!" Theodore pushed away from Draco and grabbed Blaise by the collar. Chaos erupted then—Slutherin students gathering and screaming while the professors were trying to push through the crowd, but it was far too thick.

Pansy and Mattheo were trying to pull Theodore away while Draco's arms were wrapped around Blaise's middle, but Theodore kept his grip on Blaise's collar. "Her and I were never together before now—and Pansy can attest to that, so what do you mean?"

Blaise attempted to remove Theodore's grip, but it was too tight, so he just smirked, up on his tippy toes to loosen the tension around his throat. "Well, that's even better, Theodore. Because what if I tell her you were never actually interested in the first place? Think she's going to be happy when she knows the truth?" Blaise whispered, but the smirk was quickly wiped off when Theodore glared hard and sure, punching him square in the face.

Blood sprouted from his nose, and Theodore shoved Mattheo and Pansy off of him roughly, hand reeling back to punch Blaise again. But Draco rounded the pair and grabbed Theodore's arm, "calm the fuck down, Nott!"

Theodore ignored him, and Draco winced as Theodore smashed his head back against his nose. Pansy dragged Draco away, then Blaise caught Theodore in the stomach. "Think this is going to change anything, Theodore? As soon as I see her, I'm spilling it all!" Blaise spat, teeth shining with blood as he smiled.

"Fuck you, Blaise! Think I don't see past this little confident front you put on? Think I don't realize how infatuated you are with Pansy—but you're too fucking cowardly to actually tell her!" Theodore avoided another punch and then shot his fist out, clipping Blaise in the cheek. Just as Blaise fell to the ground, head spinning, Snape pushed through the crowd, yelling.

He locked his arms around Theodore's middle and dragged him away, all the while Blaise chuckled weakly on the ground.

꩜ .ᐟ

"Why were you fighting?" You asked Theodore later that night, sitting up in the clock tower, a blanket wrapped around your shoulders. Theodore shook his head, "it doesn't matter—he barely fucking touched me anyway."

You rolled your eyes, sighing, "you think I give a fuck about that, Theodore? I care why, all of a sudden, I'm hearing people talk about how our relationship is fake. How did that even spread?" You asked, picking at your nails, and Theodore glared ahead, already knowing it was because of Blaise.

Theodore opened his mouth, trying to think up a plausible excuse, but you caught on immediately and glared at him, "are you about to lie right now? Right now, you're about to lie? Theodore, is this a joke to you?" You stood suddenly, hands on your hips as you paced, and Theodore stood too, shaking his head.

"This is nowhere near a fucking joke! I just—" you stared at him with devastation, eyes watering, and Theodore shook his head, jaw clenched, "no, no don't you dare cry." He hugged you tight, trying to force the tears back inside, and you didn't pull away, face shoved into his chest.

"Tell me the truth then. Why did you fight Blaise, and where did the rumors come from?" Theodore didn't even let a proper lie conjure up before he was spewing out words, "he liked you before I did, so he's jealous."

You shook your head, inhaling deep, but you nodded in acceptance, only because you wanted to believe whatever he said, even if it didn't make all that much sense.

"What'll you do then?" Theodore shrugged honestly, wiping the tears from your cheeks, "I don't know what the fuck to do."

꩜ .ᐟ

You were sitting in the library with Hermione, Luna, and Theodore when Blaise approached, Pansy's hand locked around his arm as she tried to tug him away, panic on her face. Theodore watched incredulously, eyes squinting as he paused writing in his notebook.

"Blaise! You will ruin everything!" Pansy spat, but Blaise wrenched away from her grip and tilted his head at you. Theodore stood, but Blaise suddenly pulled out his wand and pointed it at Theodore.

Everybody jumped out of their chairs then, both Hermione and Luna glaring at Blaise, their wands raised, while you were staring at him, confused. He smiled at Theodore, shaking his head pitifully, "all of this could've been avoided, Theo."

Theodore scoffed, "Could it, though? I've done nothing to you, Blaise! You're just jealous." Blaise rolled his eyes, moving closer, his glare shifting from Theodore to you, and you let out a deep sigh, shaking your head, "Blaise, it's okay—"

"I don't want to hear anyone besides myself!" He spat, face red with anger, and Pansy suddenly approached you, arm around yours, face pinched into sadness, and you were surprised by her sudden comfort, but you didn't shrug away from it.

"Want to know why Theodore approached you that day? Want to know why he suddenly sat beside you? Well—" Theodore shot towards Blaise, eyes wide, but Blaise casted Immobulus, jaw clenching as he focused his wand on the rest of you.

"Theodore, Matteo, and I play this little game where we bet on girls in our grade. You so happened to be Theodore's target this year." You froze, mind not catching up with his words. You shook your head, confused, eyes moving from Blaise to Pansy, then finally to Theodore. Your eyebrows furrowed as you let out a soft chuckle, shaking your head once more.

"What are you talking—a bet?" You shrugged out of Pansy's grip, eyes watering, chest heaving with panicked breaths as you watched Theodore, shocked. "You bet on me, Theodore?"

Blaise removed the spell, and Theodore stepped towards you, trying to grab your hand, but you flinched away from him, tears slipping down your face. "How much!" You spat, shoving Theodore hard in the chest, and he fisted his hair, eyes glued to his feet, "six hundred."

Hermione and Luna were at your back, each of them hurting, but they couldn't hurt Theodore more than you could—so they let you be angry.

"You bet six hundred fucking dollars on me—what, to fuck me, to make me love you?" You slapped him clean in the face, and Theodore winced, but didn't stop you. Pansy was standing beside Hermione, a weak glare on Blaise, "this is your fault, Blaise!"

He just walked away, smirking to himself, but Pansy quickly followed him, yelling.

"Did you think about the bet when you fucked me in that treehouse? Or did you think about it when you kissed me in the corridors?" Theodore didn't answer, face pinched, eyes blurry, and he grabbed your fist when you tried to hit him again.

"Answer me!" You spat, ripping your hand from his grip, and Theodore inhaled deep, "at first, it was a bet—but it quickly changed! You were more than six hundred dollars to me, and I forgot all about it until Blaise—"

"—until Blaise reminded you?" Your knees buckled, but Luna and Hermione were there to hold you up, Hermione's glare heavy against Theodore, while Luna pushed your hair back and wiped your tears.

"I loved you, Theodore! And you broke my heart."

That shattered Theodore. His face split into agony, and he shook his head, reaching out for you, but Luna and Hermione pulled you away, quickly gathering your belongings and leaving the library.

Theodore slipped down the bookshelf behind him, staring ahead blankly, "what the fuck have I done?"