It's High Time
“Morning, Grace!”
“Oh- Morning, Gideon!” Thea quickly reciprocated Gideon’s friendly smile as the latter walked past Thea’s section of the dining table. Once her fellow sixth-year had gone far enough away, she turned to her friends at the table. “Is it just me, or am I receiving more greetings from the Slytherins than usual?”
As if on cue, Thea was greeted once again by another passerby in green-lined robes.
Rosier wiggled his eyebrows and crooned, “an overnight celebrity within Slytherin, aye?”
“Hear, hear,” remarked Avery, “next thing you know, they’ll be lining up for autographs.”
“Merchandise next!”
Another croon, “great idea! How about…”
Druella and Walburga sighed in exasperation and shook their heads at the boys’ teasing. The older girl took pity on Thea’s perplexion and clarified, “what they mean is: you’re quite officially an honorary snake now.” When that earned her a raised eyebrow from Thea, she continued, “they’ve seen the way you’ve allied yourself with the purebloods yesterday and I reckon they’ve connected two and two and have made you out to be Riddle’s equal, in romance and in the plan to revolutionise Wizarding Britain.”
Druella nodded along and added in, “not to mention, your relationship with Devon. Colour me unsurprised if the second-years now regard you as an almighty saint.”
“…Oh,” flustered, Thea’s hands began fiddling with each other when she suddenly felt Tom’s hand envelop hers. Her fingers switched focus onto Tom’s hand instead and fidgeted with it absentmindedly. “That’s nice of them. I certainly wasn’t expecting that!”
“I hear they’re interested to attend more of your research showcases.”
Thea blinked, taken aback by Mulciber’s exposé of the final consensus of the snakes that he had heard in other people’s conversation last night. “More?”
Then, Lestrange perked up in remembrance. “Yeah! Didn’t you mention offhandedly about something to do with: purity of the blood does not equate to magical prowess?”
“Jenkins was especially interested to hear more about that; said he wanted to debate you if you ever come around to doing it.”
To hear from Nott that his yearmate also wanted more… just how many people…
Thea hummed as she gave it a thought. “I don’t suppose it’s a bad idea. I’ve yet to collate preliminary research on it as I had already done with inbreeding, though. It will take a while until that’s ready, especially as classes have started to assign more tasks.”
“Not an issue at all, Grace,” Avery shrugged, “just let us know when you’re ready and we’ll post it up on our noticeboard.”
“The noticeboard-” Thea nearly choked on air. The noticeboard, for something as trifling as her?! How could that be justified?! “Why would you post it up on the noticeboard?! Surely, there’s not that many people who would show up!”
When the others averted their eyes as they muttered incomprehensibly to dodge her accusations, her lips parted in shock. A chuckle sounded from her right and she turned to Tom. “You underestimate just how much word has spread of your presentation yesterday. The previous audience would be keen to attend again while those who hadn’t been there for your first one would be curious to see why you’ve become a sensation in the house.”
“A sensation…”
“A sensation, indeed!” Druella chirped when Thea had trailed off.
Her friends eventually managed to snap her out of her speechless state and moved on to other topics. As if today had somehow become ‘Thea Appreciation Day’, however, Thea found herself subjected to another talk with an admirer of her other works after breakfast.
The group of friends had gone to potions class early and it seemed that Slughorn had the same idea too, for he was already there when they had shown up. They kept chatter to a minimal volume while Thea and Tom went quiet when the professor had decided to approach the pair sat in the front row.
“Ah, Tom! So glad to see you bright and early to class today! Say, is it alright if I borrow your time for a moment?”
An affable smile on his face, Tom replied, “of course, sir. How can I help you?”
“Seeing as it has been a few weeks now since the term has started, I thought it might be time to host another Slugclub meeting! The students must have settled in by now so I figured we could all catch up sometime soon; let’s say, dinner this Friday at half past six. I’ll go around inviting the new members but- if I may ask for a favour, could you let the existing members in your house know?”
“Certainly, professor. We’ll be there.”
“Ah, much thanks, Tom!” Thea startled when Slughorn turned his glinting eyes to her next, quickly putting on a naïve smile. “And how about you, Miss Grace? Have you finally changed your mind about joining? I’m sure that you will have a marvellous time there! It’s only right that a student as talented as you should show up!”
Thea hesitated. She spared a brief glance to Tom and took in his patient smile. Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad if Tom would be there with her? “I suppose… I might?”
Slughorn brightened up and grinned in satisfaction. “Wonderful! I’m glad to hear that, Miss Grace! I won’t bother you now, then. I’ll see you both at the meeting this Friday!” He then proceeded to aim his course directly onto the unsuspecting Ravenclaw prefect who had come in a while ago, presumably to extend the same favour as he had with Tom.
Thea took Tom’s hand when he offered it on the desk, giving him her complete attention as he spoke, “will you join me for the meeting? It would be a better time with you there.”
The dread of wondering just how the gathering might go if she was to attend dissipated with Tom’s confession. She gave the back of his hand a small kiss and met her doe eyes with his. “If you’ll be there, I suppose I wouldn’t mind attending.”
His countenance softened and he squeezed her hand lightly. “I’ll make sure you’ll have a pleasant time there.”
They exchanged a brief look of compassion before Tom turned and casted a cool glance to the boys sat in the row behind; Avery and Mulciber had taken the table behind Tom and Thea’s, while Rosier was with Druella to the other boys’ left. “You boys in?” Having heard Slughorn’s invitation echoing in the quiet room, the boys understood Tom’s reference and gave their affirmative replies. When he returned his gaze to Thea, she had her bottom lip between her teeth and there was a tinge of heat in the darkness of her eyes as she stared into his. He gave a questioning hum and she refocussed into reality. “What’s up?”
Thea shook her head with a smitten grin on her face. “Was just thinking…” After a moment of hesitation, she decided to lay her thoughts bare for Tom. “I’ve noticed it very vaguely in the first meeting I had with the boys, but you really do look good when you’re in charge of something.”
“Oh?” Amusement curled his lips up further.
“Mhm,” her eyes almost visibly glazed over as her memories pulled her deeper and deeper into a chasm of want. “Merlin knows, I might just faint when you take the reins over the country.”
His eyes were now sporting the same glint. It was taking the both of them an excruciating amount of effort to not whisk one another away into a private space. Tom settled, instead, for a lingering kiss on Thea’s inner wrist. As innocent as the act had been, she was rendered nearly lightheaded when her blood rushed south. She only snapped back into her senses when he spoke again, “you flatter me, love.”
Thea had to remind herself of her own previous words, mind too occupied with Tom to remember immediately. “Just telling the truth, dear.”
The rest of the day passed by rather uneventfully. By the next morning, Thea had learned a couple more names of those in Slytherin and had gotten more familiar with the idea of being perceived as an honorary member of the house. The same went for the rest of the school population; they had gotten used to the fact that Thea tended to hang out with the snakes. That was why she frowned when Dumbledore announced a new seating chart at the next transfiguration class.
“I’ve observed the dynamics amongst the previous arrangement and have created a new one with the belief that it will improve the efficiency of the class,” Dumbledore had said when a student had questioned his motives.
As he recited the new pairings for the indefinite future, Thea shared a doubtful expression with Tom. Inter-house unity seemed not to be of the professor’s care because most of the students had been paired with their housemates, Thea and Tom included. Besides that, it was suspicious that Dumbledore had chosen to rearrange the class when it had been weeks into the semester; those usually happen earlier.
With a bitter smile, Thea gave a final peck to Tom’s cheek before joining the rest of the class in moving around for their new seats once Dumbledore had told them to. She found herself subjected to Reagan Diggory’s cheery greeting and quickly pulled up a friendly smile to return the sentiment. Guilt formed in her gut when she could only manage short responses to Diggory’s insistent attempts in getting to know her, her thoughts overly riddled with apprehension of Dumbledore’s true objective and dejection at losing the safety bubble that Tom brought with his presence. As it turned out, it was right for Thea to remain wary of the professor when, after class, he had approached her table and had asked to speak with her.
“How can I help you, professor?”
Her scepticism only grew when Dumbledore waited for the last person to leave the room, leaving her alone with the scheming man. Once the door had shut behind the final lagging person, he turned and regarded her with his iconic twinkling eyes. “If you may entertain an old man’s mindless worries, Miss Grace, I simply wished to make sure that you aren’t in any trouble.”
Careful to fake naivete in her composure as best she could, as if she was one of his impressionable admirers, she queried, “what kind of trouble do you mean, sir?”
“It is of the staffs’ unanimous agreement that you are particularly gifted in magic – charms, especially – and that makes you a valuable student, Miss Grace. Many others strive to achieve grades as outstanding as yours, and it seems that some are in the path of doing so – such as Mister Rosier, if I were to name one; his report has been particularly impressive lately. Powerful family, the Rosiers, very prone to suppress those weaker. You see, Miss Grace, Hogwarts tolerates no such power play and I only strive to ensure that it remains the case.”
Was he suggesting that Rosier had intimidated Thea into doing his schoolwork?! That was laughable! She had seen the boy deep in conversation with Tom before about school subjects and she had even, at one point, helped the boy with his charms essay when he had complained about it for a solid five minutes during lunch! For all the cheekiness that Rosier was capable of, he was an honest student who aimed to improve himself in academics. It was frankly disrespectful for Dumbledore to even imply otherwise!
Thea had to disguise her sharp intake of furious breath as a sigh and forced her features to ease up at Dumbledore’s expectant look. She cocked her head lightly to the side, modelling a perfect example of a calm and collected person, as she kept her tone level. “I can assure you, professor, that I have not seen Rosier act in such a way. It has only reminded me, however, of a recent bullying incident; I do hope that Lowe has received an appropriate punishment for tormenting Devon, sir.”
Dumbledore blinked twice, caught off-guard. That was as much of his true self that he was willing to show and his smile stiffened. “Ah, that is relieving to hear, Miss Grace. Do fret not, Mister Lowe has served his retribution as he deserved. Alas, it pains me that a student from my house has shown such behaviour and it has taught me, once again, that we should see the best in people-” Thea had to swiftly bite her tongue from retorting with his hypocrisy, and fumed when he continued with, “-unless, of course, they are beyond saving.”
Plastering on an ignorant look, Thea asked, “and how do we know if they are beyond saving, sir?”
At this, Dumbledore gave a sorrowful smile as if pitying her. “When they are incapable of remorse and kindness, my dear. As wonderful as the world is, there are those who choose to view their surroundings in shades of grey. They cannot love – nor will they try – and it is best to not associate with them lest they corrupt your vision too. It is regretful, but a necessary sacrifice to not grace them with our hearts. They will only cut it up and burn it to ashes without regret.”
“I see.” As much as she had tried to not let his condescendence get to her, her voice had let slip of the fact that his words had affected her. She hastily rectified it with a faux understanding smile and thanked him for his advice. “It is always delightful to be guided by a wise figure.”
Seemingly pleased, he gave a hearty laugh. “Perhaps my age has caught up with me, Miss Grace! I see that the time has come for me to accept my fate as a wise old man.” Thea hoped that her attempt in resembling amusement didn’t make her look too stupid. “I won’t hold you back any longer, Miss Grace. Although, just as a final… acumen, I suppose; do rely on your housemates when you need to. You’ve been with them for years now, they’re quite like your family here.”
“Of course, professor. Thank you, once again, for your worthwhile insights. I will see you again in the next class.”
He nodded. “Take care, my dear.”
Her eyebrows furrowed the moment her back had turned towards Dumbledore and she took care to not sprint out of the class instantly. Upon exiting the room, her eyes immediately fell onto Tom, back against the wall and sporting a worried expression, and the transfiguration professor’s comments reverbed in her head mockingly.
…incapable of remorse and kindness… cannot love – nor will they try… a necessary sacrifice… will only cut… burn…
Frustration filled her bones at Dumbledore’s impudence towards Tom- who deserved so much more.
Tom, who took initiatives to ensure her comfort; who had promised her a beautiful future with him; who had taught her romantic love by loving her. He wasn’t some robot programmed to act human, he had feelings just as much as the next person and had shown to be unafraid to express them to her. Time and time again, he had proven himself as someone who loved and cared. Helga- she was proud to love him with all her heart.
Thea barely fathomed a voice off to her side asking her if she was alright as she stalked straight for Tom. Her sights narrowed on the boy who had given her so much and she didn’t register anyone else in the vicinity. His worry only intensified upon seeing her unresponsive and serious – and fierce – and he straightened up at once, reaching for her as she approached closer. “Love-”
He was promptly cut off when her hands flew towards him and held him by the juncture of his head and neck, pulling him forwards to meet her halfway as she tiptoed to collide his lips with hers strongly. There was only a split second of hesitation from Tom before he matched her eagerness and kissed her back, pulling her body closer by her waist and tilting his head to the side slightly. The feel of his lips and caress as he reciprocated her feelings only strengthened her idea of him as a man who could – and will – love with passion, and she felt her tempestuous nerves soothed by him, gradually grounding herself back into the physical world and regaining control over herself.
Thea pulled back and planted her forehead with his, taking a deep, shaky breath in. Tom’s left arm went to wrap itself around her waist while his right brushed against her cheek softly. The air was silent as she took the time to recollect herself, releasing a heavy sigh out as she opened her eyes and retreated further to meet his eyes properly. The concern written clearly in his countenance had yet to be assuaged and she gave a lopsided smile, volume low as she spoke. “Sorry, that came out of nowhere. I’m just- frustrated!” Her frown took over her lips again.
“He didn’t hurt you, did he?” Tom’s mind had been wrought with mental images of all the terrible things that could’ve possibly happened, anxiety only worsening the longer she had been in that room.
Thea shook her head. “He was just being stupidly ridiculous. Advised me against giving you a chance and convinced that I’m around your lot only because Rosier’s taking advantage of me.”
A strangled choke sounded behind her and she turned to see the aforementioned boy looking at her incredulously. “Taking- what!”
It was then that Thea realised that Tom hadn’t been alone, waiting for her to come out unscathed. Judging by Druella’s teasing – and worried, still – grin and the fact that none of the boys – bar Rosier – could look her in the eyes, she was safe to assume that they had been there all along. She cleared her throat and fought against averting her sights. “I know! It’s baffling, really.”
“But you’re alright?”
She turned back to Tom and covered his hand on her waist with hers reassuringly. “Yeah, just beyond miffed.”
As they headed to lunch, Thea told them all about Dumbledore’s warning. In response, she had received their aggressive support.
“Just saying, if you ever need to hide a body…”
“I’ve got bleach.”
“My jinxes could always do with some practice.”
They prided themselves in Thea’s laugh as she thanked them. The same reaction came from the seventh-years when they regaled the story again upon meeting them in the Slytherin table. It was with great sorrow that she had to disappoint them all. “Unfortunately, he’s needed to defeat Grindelwald. I don’t know for certain how he would do it and where it would take place, so I can’t manipulate the circumstances.”
That reminded the boys of her nature as a clairvoyant, and only proved to Druella and Walburga that their suspicions based on the boys’ hint were right. Grumbles were shared upon her admission and they glared at the blasé Dumbledore who had just walked into the hall.
“Can’t wait for you all to win over the ministry. Oh, the spectacle it would be to watch you overthrow him.”
Walburga muttered in agreement to Druella’s words. Thea stabbed her plate with her fork, her acute dislike for the man getting to the best of her as words left her venomously.
“Mark my words; he will go down.”