Chapter 3
The first week flies by: chemistry with Snape, English with Lupin, Maths with Flitwick followed by lunch, then free period and her electives. She loves her electives because she gets to choose what she wants to do—her father doesn’t care enough to check what she has picked. They are the only classes of the day where she gets to truly do what she wants, except for her free period, where she usually ends up in one of her electives’ classrooms. She takes Art with McGonagall and Creative Writing with Dumbledore, the one class he still teaches after becoming headmaster.
Today is the weekend, which means the students can go into Hogsmeade, the town near the school, as long as their permission slips are signed. Luckily, Draco manages to slip Euridian’s in with his other long list of papers to sign, and their father doesn’t notice.
Draco leaves his dorm early in the morning to go for a run like always, and just like always, Potter is leaning against the wall near the Herbology wing.
“Potter,” Draco says in acknowledgment of the other boy’s presence.
“Malfoy,” Harry replies. They never speak to each other except for greetings on their secret early morning runs; they just run until they make it back to the Herbology wing and part ways.
Draco makes his way back to his dorm to get ready to go to town. As he steps into the Slytherin common room, he finds Theodore Nott lounging on one of the leather sofas, surrounded by a group of giggling girls. Theo flashes his usual charming grin, effortlessly balancing the attention of three different girls, each vying for his affection. He leans in close to one, whispering something that makes her blush furiously, while his hand casually brushes against another’s as if by accident.
Draco shakes his head slightly, not surprised in the least. Theo has a reputation for being a smooth talker, always knowing exactly what to say to keep the girls hanging on his every word. He never seems to commit to any of them, but that doesn’t stop them from trying. With his tousled dark hair, easy confidence, and sharp wit, Theo is the quintessential Slytherin heartthrob, and he knows it.
Theo whispers something to the girls and then stands to join Draco where he is waiting for the older boy.
“Have you seen my sister today, Theodore?” Draco asks with some concern in his voice.
“No, Dray, why? What’s wrong?” Theo can practically feel the anxiety radiating off of Draco.
“No reason, I just have a bad feeling about going into town today.” Draco sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. “Would you help me keep an eye on her today, please, Theo?” He looks to his friend, pleading with his eyes.
“I was already planning on doing that anyway, Dray, so don’t even sweat it.” Theo claps Draco on the shoulder. “No, really, you look like you’re about to keel over from exhaustion and anxiety.”
“Oh yeah?” Draco laughs, playfully shoving his best friend’s head toward his sweaty armpit.
“Aww, gross, Draco, I already showered!” Theo gags, playing along. “Speaking of which, why don’t you hurry up before we miss little Euridian? You know how she likes to get an early start on Hogsmeade days.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m going,” Draco shouts over his shoulder at Theo as he races to shower and get dressed quickly. Theo makes his way back over to the couch of girls, sitting in the middle of them as they immediately start their conversation back up.
Euridian stands in front of the mirror in her dorm, adjusting the collar of her coat. The weekend has finally arrived, and with it, the much-anticipated trip to Hogsmeade. She runs a hand through her hair, her fingers catching on the black streak that has caused her so much grief over the years. Despite everything, she likes it; it separates her from her father.
As she descends the stairs, she can hear the usual chatter of students echoing through the common room. Most of them are already gathered in groups, planning out their day in the village. She spots Draco near the fireplace, surrounded by his usual entourage. He looks up as she approaches, his face impassive.
“Ready?” he asks, his tone neutral, a small smile on his tight lips.
“Yeah,” she replies, pulling on her gloves. They aren’t close—never have been, really—but there is a silent understanding between them. He made sure her permission slip got signed, after all. That counts for something.
As they leave the common room, Euridian can’t help but feel a twinge of excitement. Hogsmeade trips are a rare chance to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the school and the constant watchful eyes of their father. She follows Draco and his friends as they make their way through the castle and out into the crisp autumn air.
The path to Hogsmeade is bustling with students, their breath visible in the cool morning air. Euridian walks a little behind Draco and his friends, content to let them chatter amongst themselves while she loses herself in the sights and sounds of the bustling crowd. She notices Theodore glancing back at her every now and then, a bright smile playing on his lips. She can’t look him in the eye, not after he got so close to her on the train. He always seems to have a soft spot for her, even if it’s buried beneath layers of teasing.
When they finally reach the village, the group splits off in different directions. Draco and his friends head towards Honeydukes, no doubt planning to stock up on sweets. Euridian lingers for a moment, glancing around at the quaint shops and cozy cafes. She has always preferred wandering on her own, soaking in the atmosphere.
She makes her way down the cobblestone streets, her steps light as she passes by the familiar storefronts. The Three Broomsticks catches her eye, and she decides a warm butterbeer would be the perfect start to her day. As she steps inside, the warmth of the pub envelops her, and she quickly finds an empty table near the window.
Looking out the window, she quietly puts her earbuds in and starts up her favorite playlist of music. As she sits drinking her butterbeer and writing in her journal, she spots her brother and his friends outside the window. They are all just standing around, deciding where to go next, but Theodore catches her eye. He is sitting on a bench, staring up into the sky, watching the snow fall to the ground. Euridian quickly pulls out her sketchbook and pencil from the small bag she brought. She goes to work sketching him; the lines begin to take shape, the slope of his nose and furrow of his brow as his eyes strain against the light of the sky. When she’s almost done, she glances back up to see that the boys are gone. She looks out the window frantically, disappointed she can’t finish her drawing. Turning away from the window dejectedly, someone tugs an earbud from her ear. She looks up, and Theodore is standing hunched over her, holding her earbud to his own ear, listening to what she is. She freezes in disbelief; he is too close again, much too close. He isn’t looking at her but is listening intently to the song still playing. She finally comes to her senses and scoots away from him, dragging the earbud with her and out of his grip.
He smirks down at her, laughing quietly at the look on her face. “What’s wrong, Réalt? Did I scare you?” he asks, sitting down on the window seat next to her.
“No, you didn’t scare me, Theodore,” she answers, glaring up at the boy next to her. She can feel her heart beating inside her chest, all of the air has left the room to make space for Theodore. Her hands are shaking and she thinks she might faint.
He laughs again and pokes her in the cheek. “Then what’s with that look on your face?”
“You are too close to me,” she responds, batting his hand away from her face, ‘you can’t touch me’ she thinks to herself. “Draco might punch you if you don’t back up; it doesn’t matter if you are his best friend.” She closes her journal and starts to put away her sketchbook. If he saw she had been drawing him she would die of heart attack.
“Draco won’t mind; he’s the one who sent me to check on you.” Theo reaches out and takes the sketchbook out of her hand, flipping through the pages. She reaches for it but his arms are too long so she can’t reach it. The pages are filled with sketches of animals and plants, and even a few of Draco. The last page, however, is what interests Theo. “Drawing me, are you?” he says, teasing her.
Her face flushes pink, even reaching the tips of her ears. “And so what if I was? I draw my brother too, and that doesn’t mean anything. You are no different.” She holds out her hand for the book, ‘everything about you is different’ is what she doesn’t say. Theo frowns reluctantly and hands it back to Euridian.
“Admit it, I’m wildly more attractive than your stick-in-the-mud brother.” He reaches out and touches the black streak in her hair again, fascinated by the way it feels against his fingers. ‘Stop touching my cursed hair’ she wants to say but the light catches his face and she studies the shape of his lips. “See something you like Réalt?” he says teasing her.
“No, I just thought I might finish my drawing if you do not mind” She replies once again opening her sketchbook to the correct page. Theo smiles widely and strikes a strange pose flexing his arms. “What are you doing? You look absolutely ridiculous” Euridan laughs at Theo, he likes the sound.
Theo’s arms fall to his side and his face contorts into a fake frown “What do you mean ridiculous I thought that was a good pose.” Euridian can’t help but laugh as the older boy pouts like a child. “Oh and now you are laughing at me, that is just great,” Theo leans back on the bench crossing his arms over his chest, he wants to hear her laugh again
“Alright I am sorry Theodore the pose was fine but it is not what I needed” She reaches out and hesitantly lifts his chin up in the air and turns his head slightly. “There that's where I need you, don’t move a muscle.” Theodore stops breathing, she had touched him, his chin still feels warm where her soft fingers had caressed his skin. Euridian moves to finish her sketch and Theodore holds still dutifully.
She finishes Theodore’s portrait and sets the sketchbook down, Theo doesn’t move, “Theo you can move now” she says laughing quietly. There it is, that sound, he could drown in that sound and say thank you to the rain.
Theo suddenly takes a deep breath in “Oh thank the gods my vision was starting to go black.” Euridian laughs so hard she snorts, realizing what just happened she covers her mouth. “Did you just snort?” Theo asks eyes twinkling with mischief.
“No no, I did not.” Euridian replies trying to deny it. She looks away from Theo intensely examining the way the wood grain in the table looks like lightning.
Theo leans in closer, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Oh, you definitely did, Réalt. You snorted! How absolutely adorable.”
Euridian's face flushes a deep crimson, and she pulls her coat tighter around her, turning away to hide the embarrassment crawling up her neck. “Shut up, Theodore,” she mutters, trying to maintain some dignity.
“Admit it, you’ve got a soft spot for me,” he teases, still grinning like a Cheshire cat. “First, you draw me, then you laugh at my jokes, and now you're blushing.” He pokes at her flushed cheek, only making her more flustered.
She rolls her eyes, pretending to be annoyed, though her heart still races in her chest. “I’m not blushing,” she insists, but it’s clear that Theo isn’t buying it.
He chuckles, leaning back against the window, his expression softening slightly. “You’re not as cold as you pretend to be, you know,” he says quietly. “I see through that ice queen act of yours.”
Her eyes meet his for a moment, the playful atmosphere suddenly charged with something heavier. Euridian can feel the walls she’s built around herself starting to crack under his gaze, and it makes her nervous. She’s not used to anyone seeing her—not like this, not so closely.
Before she can respond, the door to the Three Broomsticks swings open, and Draco steps inside, shaking the snow from his coat. His eyes immediately find Euridian and Theo sitting together. A small frown creases his brow as he strides over.
“Everything alright here?” Draco asks, his tone casual, though there’s an edge of protectiveness in his voice as he looks between the two of them.
“Of course, Dray. Just keeping an eye on your sister like I promised,” Theo says, standing up and giving Draco a lazy grin as if nothing had happened. He runs a hand through his hair, looking far too pleased with himself.
Euridian quickly shoves her sketchbook back into her bag and stands up, avoiding her brother’s gaze. “I was just about to head back to the school anyway,” she says, trying to brush past the tension.
Draco raises an eyebrow but doesn’t push it. “Alright then. We’re heading to Zonkos, Blaise has ‘an incredible idea about how to get back at the Weasley twins for their prank yesterday’. Be safe, and don’t get lost. Oh, also are you coming to the game tomorrow?”
“Im not an imbecile Draco I’ll be fine” she mumbles, she looks up at her brother and gives him a reassuring smile, "Yes I'm coming to your football game." Then she makes her way toward the door. But before she leaves, she glances back at Theo one last time. He’s still watching her, that same cocky grin on his face. Flustered at the unprovoked eye contact she looks away quickly and opens the door.
As she steps outside into the cold air, Euridian exhales, her breath visible in the chilly morning.
As she walks away from the Three Broomsticks, the sound of snow crunching beneath her feet, she allows herself one small thought: Theo wasn’t so bad, after all.
From the warmth of the pub, Theo watches her go, a small smile still tugging at his lips. He doesn’t know what it is about Euridian that makes him so curious, but he does know one thing: he’s not going to stop until he figures it out.