Book 2 Chapter 7.5
As Harry and Hermione conversed for the first time in days without sniping at each other, Theo slipped between two shelves. The Gryffindors remained oblivious to the Slytherin watching them with a smile as the world seemed to right itself a little more. Hermione would stop moping, Harry would stop snapping as much, and Theo had two of his best friends back. Not that he would dare tell them that. No need to give his forbidden Gryffindor mates big heads. Yes, things would go much smoother now that the Gryffindor duo had made up.
“You got some nerve, Nott. Trying to convince Potter not to accept my deal?” Draco’s voice drawled from a nearby bookshelf.
Theo hated how he flinched. But growing up in the Nott household, he always flinched when someone managed to sneak up on him. It rarely boded well for Theo’s well-being.
“Draco, think about it. The best way to convince a Gryffindor is to tell them they shouldn’t do it. Especially for the likes of Potter and Granger. I was helping you.”
“You have gotten awfully chummy with those two last year. Don’t think your pathetic cover of ‘re-educating them’ and ‘teaching them their place’ is fooling anyone.”
“Like you’re much better,” Theo snapped back. “Making open-ended deals with Potter? What would your father say?”
“Don’t you dare talk about my father, Nott,” Draco growled, drawing his wand and pointing it at the dark-haired boy.
Theo looked down at the end of the wand calmly. He’d been hexed by far scarier wizards with far worse than whatever Draco could throw at him. “Touchy. All I’m saying is, don’t go judging me for dancing in the flames when you’re playing with fire yourself.”
“A word of any of this, Nott – “
“Yes, yes, we all get burned. I’m not an idiot, Malfoy.” Theo drawled and stalked back to the common room. Though he was. He was the worst idiot. If Malfoy was found consorting with muggleborns and dark-lord-killing-halfbloods he’d be punished. If Theo was found out, he’d probably be killed. Dancing in the flames indeed.