Chapter 4
Draco and Theo stood in the dimly lit hallway of Slytherin Tower, a chill from the cold stone walls seeping through their robes. The common room was quiet, the usual buzz of conversation replaced by the low murmur of students preparing for bed. Theo had managed to keep his anxiety in check for the moment, but Draco could see the tension in his friend’s shoulders, the way he fidgeted with the hem of his sleeve.
“Goodnight, Theo,” Draco said, his voice softer than usual. He could sense that tonight was different, and he didn’t want to press, but the concern in his eyes was clear. “Try not to let Umbridge get to you too much.”
Theo forced a smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’ll be fine, Draco. Thanks.”
Draco watched as Theo headed toward the door that led out of the common room, disappearing into the shadows. He wanted to say more, to offer some kind of reassurance, but he knew Theo wouldn’t appreciate it. So he simply turned and made his way to his own dormitory, hoping that whatever awaited his friend wouldn’t be too terrible.
Meanwhile, Theo walked through the corridors, his footsteps echoing eerily in the empty hallways. The castle seemed colder tonight, the silence more oppressive. He checked his watch, noting that it was nearly curfew. His heart pounded in his chest, and each step felt heavier than the last.
When Theo reached the classroom for detention, he was met by a sight that made his blood run cold. The room was starkly lit, with candles casting long, flickering shadows on the walls. Dolores Umbridge stood at the front, her smile disturbingly wide as she glanced up from her desk.
“Mr. Nott,” she said, her voice like honey laced with venom. “So punctual. I do appreciate that.”
Theo swallowed hard, trying to steady his breathing. He nodded curtly and took his seat, preparing himself for whatever was to come. But even as he braced for the worst, he couldn’t shake the unease that had settled in his stomach. The room felt wrong, and the atmosphere seemed to thicken with an unsettling tension.
As Umbridge began to assign him lines, Theo’s mind started to wander, slipping into darker memories. The way she spoke, the way she moved, it all seemed to echo with the past. He tried to focus on the task at hand, writing lines that seemed to blur together in his vision, but the effort was almost unbearable.
Theo’s thoughts drifted back to his uncle—his abusive, sadistic uncle who had relished in Theo’s suffering. Umbridge’s voice, her tone, everything about her reminded him of those nights spent in fear and isolation. He couldn’t help but see the similarities, couldn’t ignore the way his hands trembled as he scribbled words on parchment.
The flashbacks came unbidden, vivid and sharp. Theo was a child again, locked in a dark room, his uncle’s laughter echoing in his ears. The pain, the helplessness, it all came rushing back, making it difficult to breathe, to think.
Umbridge watched him with a predatory gleam in her eyes. She seemed to sense Theo’s distress, her smile widening as he faltered. “Is there something wrong, Mr. Nott?” she asked sweetly, her voice laced with mock concern. “You seem… distracted.”
Theo struggled to compose himself, but the effort only seemed to make things worse. The words on the parchment became a blur, and he found himself lost in a whirlwind of memories and fears. Umbridge’s voice became a distant murmur, punctuated by the cruel laughter of his past.
As the hours dragged on, Theo’s mental state deteriorated further. The detentions seemed endless, the lines stretching on and on. He felt trapped in a nightmare, unable to escape from the relentless torment of his own mind and Umbridge’s oppressive presence.
When the detention finally ended, Theo staggered out of the classroom, his face pale and his movements unsteady. The corridors of Hogwarts felt like they were closing in on him, and he was acutely aware of every creak and whisper in the darkness. He could barely make it back to the Slytherin common room, his legs feeling as though they were made of lead.
As he finally reached the safety of the common room, he collapsed onto a couch, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of the fire providing a faint comfort. Draco was asleep, his breathing steady and calm.
Theo sat there in the silence, the echoes of his past and the harsh reality of his detention swirling around him. He knew he would have to face Draco, to explain what had happened, but for now, all he could do was try to steady his breathing and push the haunting memories to the back of his mind.
Draco's eyes flew open to the sound of his phone buzzing. He blinked rapidly, his heart racing as he saw Theo's text.
dAzAiKiNnIe: pain makes it allllllll better
Draco’s breath caught in his throat, and a curse slipped out before he could stop it. His mind raced as he jumped out of bed, barely registering the sound of Blaise’s surprised grunt from the common room. Without a second thought, Draco bolted out of the dormitory, his footsteps echoing in the empty corridors.
As he ran, he collided with Professor Snape in the dimly lit corridor. The professor's stern gaze met Draco’s frantic one, and Snape’s eyes narrowed.
“Mr. Malfoy, what is the meaning of this disturbance?” Snape demanded.
Draco barely registered the question, his mind focused solely on finding Theo. “Sorry, Professor, I—I have to go!” he stammered, shoving past Snape and continuing his desperate sprint.
Ignoring Snape’s calls for him to stop, Draco darted through the castle, searching every possible location Theo might have gone. He reached the entrance hall, his breath coming in ragged gasps, but there was no sign of Theo. Panic surged through him as he pulled out his phone again, hoping for some kind of update.
Just then, his phone buzzed with another message from Hermione:
**Athena: how do I get someone out of the Forbidden Forest!?**
Draco’s heart sank.
TargaryenBoy: it’s Theo, isn’t it!?
Athena: I don’t see him anymore
Fuck.
Draco’s mind raced even faster. The Forbidden Forest was a dangerous place, and if Theo was out there alone, it could be disastrous. He started moving toward the castle's entrance, determination replacing panic. He had to get to Theo before it was too late.
As Draco made his way outside, he spotted Hermione and Luna rushing toward him, their faces set with concern.
“Draco, we need to go now!” Hermione said, her voice urgent. “We’re going to find Theo.”
Without waiting for a response, Draco and Hermione led the way toward the Forbidden Forest. Luna followed closely, her eyes scanning the surroundings. The moon was high in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the forest’s edge.
As they entered the forest, the darkness seemed to press in on them, the trees whispering ominous secrets. Draco’s heart pounded as he and Hermione moved through the underbrush, calling out Theo’s name. Every snap of a twig, every rustle of leaves made Draco flinch, the anxiety eating at him.
Meanwhile, in the Forbidden Forest, Theo had wandered deeper, his mind still haunted by the detention. The memories of his past and the cruel gaze of Umbridge seemed to follow him, their weight almost unbearable. He stumbled through the forest, his thoughts a jumbled mess of fear and pain.
It wasn’t long before they found him. Theo was crouched against a tree, his face pale and eyes wide with a mixture of terror and exhaustion. Draco and Hermione rushed to his side, their faces a mix of relief and concern.
“Theo!” Draco said, his voice hoarse. “Are you okay?”
Theo looked up at them, his eyes still haunted. “I— I couldn’t handle it,” he said shakily. “Umbridge—she’s like—”
Hermione placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “We need to get out of here,” she said firmly. “You’re safe now.”
As they turned to leave, Draco glanced back at the forest’s dark depths, his thoughts troubled. The forest was known for its dangers, and their encounter with it had only intensified the night's chaos. They made their way back to the Slytherin common room, the atmosphere heavy with unspoken fears and worries.
Draco was particularly troubled, his thoughts a swirl of guilt and anxiety. As he lay in bed, his phone buzzed with a message from Hermione.
Athena: I’m really sorry for what happened tonight. We’ll talk more later.
Draco’s fingers lingered over the screen, and he sighed, feeling a mix of relief and worry. He knew the challenges ahead would be difficult, but with friends like Hermione, Luna, and Theo by his side, he felt a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos.