Temptation

As the first week of school flew by, most students found themselves adjusting to the rhythm of classes and settling into their routines. But for Theo, exhaustion seemed to weigh heavily upon him, dragging his body down onto the common room sofa. His gaze fixated on a spot on the back of a bottle of Ogden's, yet he lacked the strength or desire to indulge.

Blaise pulled it out of some stash he wouldn't tell his friends about, something about „them drinking it dry in the first week if not less“, one would call them alcoholics but they prefer the prefined term Whiskey Enthusiasts.

As Theo sat in sober silence, his friends, already feeling the effects of the alcohol, began to tease Blaise about his latest stepfather. Despite their tipsy banter, Theo remained detached, lost in his own thoughts, and too weary to engage in their joviality.

„So what are your thoughts? How long will this one last?“ Number 7. Blaise had long since stopped getting close to his mother's partners after the second or third, Theo couldn't recall, instead opting to assign them numbers rather than learn their names. Though Blaise was very defensive when it came to his mother, he knew his friends never meant any harm with the jokes they'd often tell.

„I'm putting my money on 7-9 months!“ Draco raised the stakes with his prediction, his eyes on Blaise who usually aloof and guarded, watched the exchange with a faint smile playing on his lips, amused.

„We'll have to get more specific if we're going to bet money on it!“ Enzo, emboldened by the alcohol coursing through his veins, eagerly joined in the wager, his voice cracking mid-sentence but his confidence unwavering. The boys erupted into laughter, their camaraderie evident even in the midst of their drunken antics. When usually not much opinionated, he was a part of the group and even though many wouldn't be able to tell at first, he fit in well, he's a Slytherin after all. „I'm going to say a year and 20 days!“

„Alright then 15 galleons, and I'm going to bet 7 months and 7 days...“ Draco, ever the competitive one, placed his bet with precision, the weight of his words carrying more significance now that galleons were on the line. The boys listened carefully.

Theo shifted in his seat lazily, his eyes switching between his friends, as yet another bet came on. The last time they bet Mattheo won, it was a bet that got him a week's worth of detention because he had run up to Snape and without a warning pet him on his head, the expression on Snape's face was worth it of every galleon Theo had lost that day. They had laughed about it for half an hour straight. But this kind of bet was something that took time, more serious, and worth more.

„10 months and 3 days!“ Mattheo confidently placed his bet on the table. Theo had thought about it, he wasn't sure, he could go for luck, as Blaise hadn't told them much about him, probably because he himself hadn't bothered to know anything more than the fact that he wore that ring that 6 others wore before him.

„I'll say 8 months, round.“ He spoke, his words not starting to slur like his friends. He didn't feel like drinking tonight, especially being this tired, he still debated if he should get a few sips down. His hand hovered over the bottle of whiskey, a fleeting moment of hesitation before he ultimately chose to leave it untouched on the table

They all switched looks over to Blaise who nonchalantly lit up a cigarette, his closed eyes and sly smile didn't escape the notice of his friends, Theo could only recognize it as him knowing something they didn't. Information that stayed unsaid, secret.

„Will the son be putting down the money or does he think that Number 7 is finally the one!?“ Mattheo mocked, making Blaise open his eyes, his response a mere shrug. They all knew that, when it came to Mrs. Zabini, there was no right one.

„5 months tops!“ Blaise's proclamation hung in the air like a lingering haze, his words carrying a weight that seemed to settle over the group. Theo watched as the smoke from his cigarette curled into a perfect circle before dissipating into the surrounding air, a visual echo of the fleeting nature of Blaise's prediction. „This one won't last long!“ He added almost silently.

Theo could sense the unease that rippled through the group, Enzo's panicked expression betraying his realization that his own bet was far off the mark. But amidst the tension, a chuckle erupted from Mattheo's direction, breaking the silence and diffusing some of the tension that had settled over them.

„I bet I'd last the longest if Mrs. Zabini would give me a chance, I'd be such a good step-daddy to you Blaisy...“ The playful banter continued, with Mattheo's jest about being a stepfather to Blaise eliciting laughter from the group. Even Blaise couldn't suppress a smile at the absurdity of the suggestion, though it quickly faded into a more somber expression, trying hard not to look as amused as he was.

„You'd be gone by the end of the week if that long...“ Blaise's tired voice cut through the laughter, his words carrying a hint of resignation.

„I'd die a happy man!“ Mattheo added and it sparked another round of laughter. Mrs. Zabini was a beautiful woman, one of class and manners. Every last one of Blaise's friends had thought about her in an unholy way, how could they not, she was a remarkable kind of beauty, one that had heads turning. But Blaise would often shut those thoughts of theirs. Comments like those would often drift to the other side too, Draco's mother. The blonde witch who had them in a chokehold the first time they saw her, every last one of them. Theo found her more his type. However, Draco was far closer to his mother than Blaise was with his, and therefore much more defensive, though he would let a comment or two pass. Mrs. Malfoy was, similar to Mrs. Zabini, of high class and exuded charm and grace, but much closer to the boys. The comments had, luckily for Draco, dwindled as time passed and Narcissa Malfoy was seen as the mother of the group. Often sending packages of sweets tailored to each boy's preferences, that she had probably learned through Draco. And Draco didn't mind that, or if he did he never mentioned it.

As Theo reclined in his seat, his fatigue weighing heavily on him, he found himself drifting away from the laughter and banter of his friends. His mind slipped back to one of two open tabs of worries. He had thought about his own mother, or better say the few memories he managed to preserve of her throughout the years since her death. He loved his mother, she was his favorite person, his person. After her death, just around when he turned 8, he was left with only his father, who had never remarried, and Theo didn't know if he was more grateful or ungrateful for that, though it waged more to the grateful side, he wasn't ready to have another woman acting like a mother to him around his house. Unlike his mother, Theo resented his father. And for the time after her death, he had made Theo's life a living hell. The man's disapproval, a constant shadow looming over Theo's every move. Despite his best efforts to live up to his father's expectations, Theo found himself falling short time and time again, his rebellious nature clashing with the rigid standards set by his father. He was, for the most part, the reason for Theo's excessive drinking and smoking problem. And was the reason why Theo was drinking the first day he was back in Hogwarts this year. He was never happy with Theo, but that didn't bother Theo anymore, he had, for a long time now, stopped caring about his father's expectations for him. „You are a Nott, my son and you will act like it!“ His father has reminded him, he often would, not letting him forget the reason his life was so miserable lately. Hogwarts became an escape for him, he didn't have to look at him here, here, nobody actually cared for his father, here, he was his mother's son.

Theo's attention snapped back to the present as Mattheo's words pierced through the haze of his thoughts: „So, I think we're drunk enough here for Draco to tell us about his sister!“ He glanced towards Draco, his curiosity piqued by the mention of his sister, Cassiopeia. However, instead of meeting Theo's gaze, Draco's eyes bore into Mattheo with a glare that mirrored the stern intensity of his father, Lucius Malfoy.

It was a glare that Theo had become all too familiar with over the years, one that spoke volumes without uttering a single word. It was a reminder of the authority and control that Draco wielded, inherited from his esteemed Malfoy lineage. But beneath the facade of poise and composure, Theo sensed a hint of vulnerability in Draco's expression, a reluctance to delve into the topic of his sister.

 „We will never be drunk enough for that!“ Draco's stern warning echoed in the air, his words carrying a weight that left no room for doubt. „And while we're at it, if any of you fuckers even think of stepping near her in any way other than strictly friendly, I will curse you so every time you just as much look at any other woman, you see your boggart!“ The intensity in his expression mirrored the seriousness of his threat, leaving his friends momentarily silenced by the gravity of his words. It was a side of Draco that Theo had seldom seen, one born out of a fierce protectiveness over his younger sister, Cassiopeia. Draco was always very protective over his mother, but never in this matter, his sister was a new pushing point for him, one that was only awaiting to be used by his mates. Every one of them was aware of her in one way or another, but not as much as they were now when she was here.

As the tension settled over the group, Theo couldn't help but sense the underlying dynamics at play. While Draco's warning was undoubtedly rooted in genuine concern for his sister's well-being that lay underneath their suggested distant relationship, there was also an unspoken challenge embedded within his words. Mattheo's mischievous grin hinted at the temptation to push Draco's boundaries, while Enzo's solemn nod suggested a respect for the boundaries set by their friend. Though he himself wasn't sure he was far from it, as he had already gotten onto some thoughts about her the first night he saw her, but to be fair, he didn't know it was her, and it was before Draco made sure to warn them. As for Blaise, it's been a talk around the school that he has been hooking up with one girl for the whole timing of last term, but he denied when asked about it, which made Theo wonder more about it, but not as much as to make him make any kind of effort to find out for himself.

„Mama bear is back...“ Theo's light-hearted comment elicited a chuckle from his friend, a brief moment of levity amidst the underlying tension that had permeated their interactions. Theo couldn't help but notice the subtle shift in Draco's demeanor.

„Piss off!“ Theo also noticed that his best mate, Draco, was more often not in the mood lately, but then again, he couldn't blame him, Theo wasn't either, none of them were. Unspoken burdens settled on their backs over time, the kinds none of them had dared to share, however much they trusted each other. Each of them found the weight lightened while in each other's company. They mostly understood, and didn't question, that was what made it easier.

An hour later, at almost 3 in the morning, Theo rose from his seat, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling in his bones. The hour was late, and he knew it was time to call it a night. His friends, a bit more inebriated than him, had already stumbled off to their respective dormitories, leaving Theo to take care of the aftermath of their late-night gathering. The responsibility fell onto the person who drank the least that night, and tonight it was Theo's turn.

With practiced efficiency, Theo waved his wand in a series of flicks, banishing any evidence of their impromptu hangout. The empty bottle vanished into thin air, along with the lingering scent of cigarette smoke that hung in the room.

The common room was now empty and quiet, bathed in the soft glow of the remaining embers in the fireplace. Theo paused for a moment, taking in the peaceful atmosphere before turning to leave only to catch a certain blonde sneaking inside. He smirked at the sight.

Theo allowed his eyes to set upon the younger Malfoy as he stood by the fireplace, far enough for her not to notice him looking. Theo leaned casually against the warm stone fireplace, his gaze fixed on Cassiopeia as she tiptoed into the common room with her shoes in her hands, so as to not make any noise, her blonde hair catching the soft glow of the firelight. He watched with a mixture of amusement and curiosity as she navigated the room, her movements careful and deliberate.

It was 2 AM, Friday, and her first week in Hogwarts, where had she been? Already getting herself into trouble. As Cassiopeia dropped one of her shoes, Theo resisted the urge to chuckle at her predicament. Instead, he remained silent, observing her with a knowing smirk playing on his lips. It was evident that she was trying to be stealthy, but her efforts were not entirely successful.

With a subtle shift in his posture, Theo made his presence known, he observed her in a relaxed manner. „Need some help with that?“ He smirked in her direction. She looked up startled, only now noticing she was not alone, and her position was compromised, she was not happy about it, especially after her eyes landed on the figure that was watching her from a distance. She froze momentarily, her eyes widening in surprise. However, she quickly regained her composure, flashing him a mischievous smile in return.

„No thank you!“ She spoke in whispers, so as not to bring any attention to herself from anyone that might hear her from the dorms.

„Are you sure, because you sure look like you do!“ His face was smug, proud like he intended to catch her.

His gaze inadvertently drifted downward, drawn to her with an irresistible pull. Cassiopeia caught the subtle movement, her keen awareness evident, yet she made no move to chastise him. Instead, she offered a playful rebuke in a soft whisper, her eyes never leaving his. "Staring is impolite," she teased, retrieving her lost shoe with a graceful motion.

Theo was acutely aware of the breach in etiquette, a lesson ingrained in him since childhood. Yet, despite his best efforts, he found himself captivated by her presence, unable to tear his gaze away. It was a dilemma made all the more complicated by the warning echoing in his mind from just an hour ago, a cautionary reminder from his closest friend.

After a brief pause, Theo made a conscious decision to bridge the gap between them, closing the distance with purpose. With a smirk playing on his lips, he addressed her with a hint of amusement in his tone. "Cassiopeia Malfoy sneaking in, a week into starting Hogwarts?" he remarked, his smirk widening as they stood mere meters apart.

„And Theodore Nott after me. Tell me did my brother put you up to this? Hm?“ The subtle hum she emitted reminded him unmistakably of her heritage, echoing the same mannerisms he had observed in Narcissa. „Though I don't see how he would pay for your service, you surely don't need money, and as I've caught on, you two are still pretty close, so he has no leverage on you, or if he does, he wouldn't use it against you. Tell me, Theo, what do you do this for? Or is it just a hobby of yours, in that case, I'll have to say, it doesn't suit you!“ Her words were barely louder than a whisper, yet they carried the weight of her scrutiny. Cassiopeia didn't avert her gaze, even as she brushed a few strands of hair back behind her ear.

„And maybe it just so happens I catch you sneaking in past curfew?! But if that is what you would like for me to do, to alert your brother, surely I won't mind, and I'm quite sure he's not yet asleep...“ His tone was sleepy but cocky, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes. Suddenly, all the tiredness had evaporated from his body.

„I'm sure you've got better things to do than act as a nanny!“ But she didn't falter, her voice steady and unwavering, refusing to tolerate his attitude.

„Actually, lucky you, I do not. And as for the position, it's called doing your brother a favor...“ He smirked, meeting her gaze with a playful glint in his eyes. The platinum-blonde witch eyed him carefully, her expression unreadable as she weighed his words. She wouldn't back down, and neither would he, especially not while sober.

Cassiopeia chuckled softly, shaking her head in mock disbelief. „I see you've found yourself a new pastime – playing errand boy for my dear brother. How positively thrilling for you. But just a word of caution: if you're going to play the lackey, at least try to look the part. It's not a good look on you, pretty boy. And as for me, I have much more exciting things to do than babysit grown wizards. So, by all means, carry on with your little favors, it is thrilling to see what has become of you after all this time, though I had higher expectations for you! Ta-ta for now!" With a wink and a flick of her hair, she turned away, leaving Theo with a sly smile on his lips.

He should have expected what he got, but surprisingly he wasn't mad, he was amused, intimidated, in the best way possible. For a second there he had forgotten about everything his best mate told him and found it rather hard to back away, as he has, not in a long time, had a girl backfire at him.

When he came back to his dorm, he looked at the bed to his left where Draco slept, even when asleep tired lines marked his face, Theo noticed that more lately, but never dared to ask him about it, if he was going to talk about whatever it is that's bothering him he would, it wasn't Theo's place. And he surely wasn't going to distress him about what happened tonight, he didn't have to know, it was nothing, even more, that Theo had not actually seen anything other than her sneaking in, but that was harmless, Theo knew from experience. If it was something bigger, it wouldn't be a question if Theo would go to Draco about it, but it wasn't, so there was no reason.