Partnership
Following the study date, things did change a little. Now, Theo didn’t automatically run off when he was greeted by his fellow roommates. Sometimes, he even managed a non awkward smile ! It wasn’t much, but Harry seemed over the moon and beamed every time Theo responded to him. Even his best friends were beginning to worry about that perpetual smile. Hermione honestly thought it made him look like a junkie.
“I am not saying you should stop, Harry. It’s just a bit… frightening.”
“Gee, thanks Mione.”
The Gryffindor trio was languidly eating breakfast, today being Friday, the last day of a long and exhausting week. October had only begun and the Professors were already assailing them with assignments. A heartless bunch, Ron was constantly muttering.
“What do we have this morning, again?” Harry asked, yawning and running his fingers in his mop of entangled hair.
He looked dreadful, like he hadn’t slept in years. Maybe, just maybe, it was because he and his idiotic best friend had sneaked out last night, disappearing for most of it. They had initially gone out for a playful round of Quidditch, but pleasure and competitiveness had taken over. He didn’t even know when they got back to the castle, the thrill of the adrenaline fevering him. Playing at nightime, in complete darkness, was truly otherworldly.
“Shhh! Please, don’t speak so loud.” The redhead whined. He was slumped over the table, his head buried in his arms, little groans escaping him every time he moved. He too looked like a complete disaster, his uniform only half put on.
“Potions.” Hermione replied, loud and clear, completely disregarding her friend. “For the love of God, Ron, could you please stop whimpering like a four year old! I’m trying to read the papers.”
“I hate you. I hate all of you.”
“Yes, yes, you wish we were all dead… Harry, pass me the butter, please?”
“Here.” The boy yawned again and gave her the bread instead. He was entirely distracted by his contemplation of the Slytherin table. Hermione sighed, she really had to do everything by herself with these two dumbasses.
“Ron, eat something or you’ll be even more insufferable till lunch time.” She commanded him, tapping continuously on his shoulder.
“Wicked woman.” He muttered under his breath, nonetheless eagerly accepting the toast she handed him. His favorite! Scratch that, lovely woman.
“You do know, Harry, that Theo isn’t going to dramatically vanish if you blink an eye.”
“Shut up, Mione, let me daydream in peace.”
“Why do I let myself endure your miserable selves every day?” She pondered, rhetorically. Sincerely, it was a good question, a true mystere.
“Because, without us, life would be boring!” Harry replied cheekily, averting his stare from the greens’ table.
“Boring is good. Boring is peace and quiet.” The witch mused mournfully, finishing her tea.
Harry denied it by a movement of the head, his mouth too filled to correctly respond. He wasn’t going to add being flicked by Hermione to his list of grievances for the day. People tended to forget, but he had indeed survived countless meetings with Voldemort, so he did possess some self-preservation, lost somewhere deep inside his brain.
“I think I caught a cold.” Ron sneezed, while Harry patted empathetically the ginger mane.
Hermione smiled affectiously. These two may be irritating and careless, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. Now, did she have a Pepperup Potion in her pocket? Or at least some Invigoration Draught?
The Dungeons looked… welcoming? At least, that was what Theo thought when he sat down at one of the work tables. During Snape’s time as a Potions Professor, the class always felt oppressive and gloomy. There wasn’t much light and it was too small to contain all the students, which resulted in a crowd, accidents and desperation.
However, now that Slughorn had got comfortable with his distinguished title, he had thoroughly renovated the place. For the better, Theo believed. By all means, he clearly wasn’t an interior designer, nor had he any sense of significant taste, but he could see the improvement. Honestly, anything could be better than before. And his bum greatly appreciated the new seats.
“Did you finish the Charms essay?” Draco asked, gracefully sitting down next to him. Theo hummed in response, still observing the room.
They were usually partners in Potions. The blond was the more talented between the two of them (having a Potion Master as a godfather would do that to you), but the brunet could defend himself. Anyway, Theo wasn’t going to contradict his friend and instead compliantly followed his instructions. He preferred Draco ordering him around to nothing at all.
The rest of the class showed up eventually, the Gryffindors being the last as usual. Some traditions never changed, it seemed. Hermione entered, spine particularly upright and stride secured. She always appeared so confident to Theo, never once lowering her eyes when being talked to. Behind the witch, two slouched figures were shuffling along, without any will to live. They quickly sat down, just right next to Theo’s table.
The young wizard could see the pale and tired face of Harry, who had apparently plopped down at his right, groaning softly. Well, the drained boy had challenged Theo’s most prized podium : he wasn’t the one with the most gigantic shadows under his eyes anymore. What a shame! He almost asked Potter if everything was okay, but thought better of it. In his shoes, he most certainly wouldn’t have wanted someone talking to him. Imagine the headache…
Yet, the presence, if you could say that looking like a corpse rather than a human being was in fact a presence, made Theo nervous. The guy was always smiling at him, engaging him or simply waving in his direction. It was bloody stressful to have someone scrutinizing him like that all the time! Theo couldn’t prepare himself in advance for how to talk or act normally anymore. Which in return made him incredibly anxious. Damn Potter and his spontaneity! Couldn’t he understand that Theo wasn’t normal? That he was complete bollocks at behaving like a proper human? He really shouldn’t have spoken to the guy at all. Now, he regretted it enormously. He could do without the social pressure, the apprehension or the fluttering in his stomach.
So, yes, Theo was a tad nervous (no euphemism here obviously). And if last night he vented about the utter frustration that was Harry Potter’s existence to Draco, nobody else needed to know. Even himself was surprised by how many synonyms to nuisance he could come up with. They weren’t all very… nice. Sue him!
The lesson began with whispered chatters in the background and Slughorn’s overly joyous tone. He was reviewing their previous brewed potion, sprinkled by light comments and a few serious remarks. The majority of the students weren't paying any attention, too sleepy or uninterested to care. Only Draco and Hermione took notes, which caused the apparition of a wry smirk on Theo’s face. It was interesting how they couldn’t stand being within ten feet to each other without bickering, but functioned the exact same way.
“Now that we are done with the Muffling Draught, dear students, let’s commence the serious chapter! As you surely know, in seventh, or eighth year of course - he smiled broadly - we have to tackle an important subject in the art of Potions : poisons!”
That seemed to attract the attention of everyone, for a total silence took possession of the room. At his left, Draco had raised one eyebrow in a very elegant manner, his gaze entirely focused on Slughorn.
“The potion we’re going to study today is called the Moonseed Poison, due to its main ingredient. A very effective and deadly poison, indeed. Because the brewing lasts one week, we’ll only approach its theoretical side in this class. Then, you’ll have the whole week to make it, in pairs, and hand it back finished to me. The grade you’ll obtain on this assignment will greatly determine your semester, of course. Shall we start?”
An enthusiastic murmur crossed the dimly lit room. Knowing how to poison somebody was always a useful skill in the Wizarding World. Thus the lesson carried on with a bit more eagerness than before. Theo zoned out after a few minutes : theoretical potioning wasn’t his strong suit. He wasn’t the only one, as Harry fell asleep by his side, lulled by the soporific words.
An hour later, Slughorn was finished with the lengthy and boresome rambling. Finally!
“Theo, focus,” Draco nudged him discreetly in the ribs.”He’s announcing the pairs.”
“It’s fine. We already know wé’re going to be together.” He mumbled, but even so concentrated on the Professor’s plump face.
“...Harry Potter and Theodore Nott…”
“Fuck!” Theo swore accidentally, jumping wide awake on his seat. Harry, startled from his snooze by the sudden movement, lifted himself up immediately.
“I’m awake, I’m awake!” He stammered, wide eyes and hoarse voice.
“Clearly.” He heard on his left, the timber familiar. The wizard turned his head, cheeks reddening. “Oh, Theo! Hum, hi?”
“Potter.” His apparently neighbor sighed, rubbing his temples with weariness.
“What happened? What did I miss?”
“Fate is a sodding traitor, that’s what happened!”
Okay, maybe Theo was a little vindicated. But who could blame him? The person making him very much frustrated and anxious was now his partner in Potions for the whole week. If it wasn’t a massive joke from the universe, he didn’t know what it was! That was it, the universe was a bully. Now, Harry was staring at him, alarmed by the outburst of unnecessary (not really) violence. Gritting his teeth, Theo explained:
“We’re partners for the new assignment.” Short, succinct, a perfect non revealing answer.
“Awesome!”
Oh great, the boy was grinning again. Fucking universe! He politely nodded (because yes, he could be polite) and silently gathered his stuff. Draco was already waiting for him outside and the brunet completely missed the name of his partner. Theo hoped his friend had had a better fortune than him.
“Tonight, the common room, eight pm.” He signaled placidly to his neighbor. And he left within the next seconds, not waiting for any response.
Harry stared at the departing silhouette, still propped on his chair. The smile stayed, but his gaze softened. Theo was even cuter when he was pissed off. Bloody hell, he was lucky. Thank you dear universe!
Theo and Draco were idly resting on the edge of the Forbidden Forest. It was lunch time, but both students didn’t have the will to deal with the Great Hall and all its glory. You would have thought, after six weeks, people would stop staring. Evidently, no. So, the brunet was leaning against the trunk of a tree, a book in one hand and a grilled cheese sandwich in the other, while his friend was observing with great interest the Thestral herd graze.
A mostly clear sky above them, there wasn’t another human being in the vicinity. Just them and the pleasant company of Hogwarts’ flora and fauna. Something rare and very much treasured by the two Slytherins.
“Are we going to talk about it?” Draco suddenly asked, still focused on the creatures, but a teasing smile blossoming.
Theo shook his head and grumbled, aggressively eating his sandwich. Nop, no comment, absolutely not fuming.
“Come on, it’s not that bad! You do know I was paired up with Ronald.”
“Pity you. We can exchange if you want, Slughorn wouldn’t even notice.” Theo suggested, hope slithering in his eyes.
Draco laughed. “No, I bizarrely don’t want to die. Maybe, Ronald and I aren’t the best of friends, but I really don’t want to risk this beautiful face with Potter’s talent.”
“He’s a disaster, especially in Potions.”
The wizard groaned. He dropped his book on his lap and began rubbing his nose anxiously. Draco noticed the frenetic stroking out of the corner of his eyes, and immediately put his own hand on Theo’s. His friend had always been a nervous person by nature, yet it seemed his stress levels had escalated exponentially these last few days.
“But you’re good, Theo. So, if you take the reins, everything is going to be alright. It’ll only be one week and I’ll be here all the way, okay?”
Theo nodded, although his face was still filled with apprehension. It wasn’t that much of a big deal, to be honest. However, it was the accumulation that threatened the boy to push him over the edge. He just wanted to be left alone, to go about his routine without the crippling sensation of being watched or the fear of being talked to. Maybe he shouldn’t have gone back, maybe he should have stayed with Blaise. His best friend would have helped him desensationalized his thoughts, comforted him with his pragmatic view.
“I miss Blaise.” He sighed, sliding nearer to his friend's side. Draco put his arm around Theo’s shoulder, while the other laid his head on him. It was comforting, filling this shitty void in them, the lack of physical affection so particular to the Slytherins.
“How’s he doing in Italy?”
“Last I heard of him, he had been arrested by Muggle police. Apparently, you can’t be naked in your own house anymore.”
“Can’t say I’m shocked.” The blond chuckled.
“Yeah, he had it coming, with his naturist tendencies.”
“Do you remember in fourth year, when Snape came to our dorm and Blaise was sprawled out, butt naked on one bed ?” Draco recalled, eyes shining with laughter.
Theo’s face twisted in horrified expression. “Oh Merlin, yes! I will never forget Snape’s face. I never saw him that much appalled by something before or after. It was bloody hilarious and horrendous at the same time.”
They stayed like that for a few moments, cuddled and quiet against the tree, as they both remembered precious memories of their past school years.
“How’s your mother doing?” Theo questioned softly. He knew it was a sensitive subject for the young man.
“Good for the most part - his eyes turned sad - but I worry for her. She’s all alone in the Manor, you know. And with the hexed letters or the solitude, I think it’s hard. Sometimes I regret leaving her like that. It was her who insisted on me coming back to Hogwarts. In the end, a small part of me wished it too, so I agreed. But still, it doesn’t erase the guilt.”
“I don’t have any family left, luckily for me, so I can’t really understand. But I can empathize. I do empathize, Draco.” Theo squeezed his friend’s fingers to further emphasize.
They returned to their serene contemplation of the Thestrals, each a little bit more relieved of their own personal burden.
Harry was late and annoyed. Honestly, the former wasn’t even his fault and the latter was the direct consequence of it. He didn’t want to be late to his appointment with Theo, definitely not! But it seemed that every person on the path to their quarter, had decided to stand in his way. The young wizard had to pass through a crowd of enamored witches, which, really, was harder to manage than facing a fucking dragon. Then, Ginny had stopped him to talk strategics for the team. And when Harry had reached the entrance of the eighth year's residence, the bloody pear wouldn’t even let him enter!
In short, he was late and annoyed, ready to profusely apologize to Theo, who seemed already pissed at the fact that they were now partners in Potions. Well, he couldn’t actually blame him, Harry knew his poor talents in that class. Only Slughorn hadn’t caught on to his deficiency. How the professor didn’t know was a mystery.
“I’m so sorry for not being on time!” He said as soon as he arrived in the warm common room. “I was… hum, actually, it was pretty awkward and I’m sure you don’t want to hear it. So, yeah… I’m sorry.”
Theo was tucked in one corner of the brown couch, his hands full of scribbled papers. He didn’t seem to be mad, nor bothered anymore. In fact, Harry thought he looked so peaceful, the flames dancing on his cheekbones, giving to his dark curly hair some auburn reflection. Beautiful.
“It’s alright,” The Slytherin slightly smiled. “I was so deep in these calculations, I didn’t even notice the time.”
“Great!” Harry sat down next to him reassured. He plopped his head down on the back of the couch and breathed out slowly. “So, what do we do now?”
“Potions.”
“Hmm, not my forte.”
Theo snorted derisively, putting down his parchments and stared incredulously at the boy.
“Really? I didn’t know - he lifted an inquisitive finger, frowning - Wait! Now, I remember. I believe there was an incident involving a redhead, a basic Strength Potion and oh, an explosion!”
“Don’t mock me, it’s a disease.” Harry grumbled, a little embarrassed now confronted with his mistakes. “And I swear I really didn’t do anything this time!”
“The fact that you just said “this time” tells me everything.” Theo flatly commented. He raised up from the couch and headed towards the portrait. “You coming?” He asked, his profile above his shoulder. ( Why is this man so handsome? was the only thought floating in Harry’s brain at that moment.)
The raven-haired simply made a noise of affirmation and quickly followed him. He didn't know where they were going, but who cared? Certainly not him. He was pretty content to gaze at Theo’s back (and ass, but shhh). Apparently, this walk’s purpose was an empty classroom. How interesting.
“We’re going to use it as a spare workshop.” His classmate announced as he opened the door.
“Didn’t know we could practice in unused classrooms.”
“We can’t.”
“Oh! Oh .” Harry smirked at Theo’s blushing face. “You’re quite the delinquent. Fascinating.”
“I-I only train in them!”
Theo was now totally red. Not in shame, rather in self-consciousness. He hadn’t thought twice about sharing that secret with the Gryffindor. He had done it without even deliberating on the matter for hours, like he was used to. What was happening to him? Why was he changing his concerning, but normal behavior? And for Potter?
“It’s okay, Theo, I was just teasing you.” Harry tried to soothe his apparent discomfort. “I tend to do that a lot, but I forget that not everybody understands or even likes it. Forgive me, I didn't want to make you feel bad. I honestly think it’s pretty cool!”
Well, Theo did not expect that. An apology from Harry (Potter felt oddly wrong now?). It was actually nice and quite… empathetic of him. Like the Gryffindor understood his problem at discerning the meaning behind people’s words.
“That’s a lot of apologies for one day, Harry.” He managed to let out, preferring to scan the room instead of holding the other’s too perceptive eyes. He suddenly heard a crashing sound, like someone had just stumbled on their feet. Theo turned his head and asked, curious : “You good?”
“Yeah, yes, I am. It’s just… well… you called me Harry.” The boy stuttered, rubbing his neck and now he too avoided visual contact. He seemed shy?
“Well, that’s your name, is it not?” Theo stated bemusedly. Did he really fall and break his brain, or something?
“No, I mean yes, it is my name. I-I just like that you’re using it, that’s all.” Merlin, he was such a clumsy idiot. Congratulations Harry James Potter, you’re incompetent at talking like a basic human being. You’re lucky if by now he doesn’t believe you only possess half a brain! You made it real easy.
“We’re partners. I figured it would be weird if I didn’t call you by your first name.”
“Yep, you’re right - weird and hot -, so how are we going to do this?”
“As we both didn’t listen in class this morning, I think it would be a good idea to at least read the preparation, no?”
Harry barked out a laugh. “Or we could go in blind? Won’t it be fun?” He sat on one of the desks, legs widely spread and arms stretched behind him. His eyes were sparkling with mischief. The picture of boldness itself.
Theo sat down on the chair next to him, unpacking his potion equipment. “You and I have a very different definition of fun.”
“Maybe you could try mine.”
“Will you stop distracting me if I do?”
Harry tilted forward, approaching his head to a few centimeters only from Theo’s scoffing face.
“Most assuredly.” He whispered, his voice deep and smooth like velvet.
There was a new intensity to his stare, something else that Theo couldn’t figure out. A strange shiver traveled all across his body. The silence was deafening, the air heavy. What-what was happening to him?
“O-Okay.” He could only hoarsely murmur.
He couldn’t look away from those green eyes. It was physically impossible to break from their charged exchange. Charged with what, Theo couldn’t say. But he could feel, feel something burning in him, yearning to get free. And it scared him to death.
So, he cleared his throat and began listing the ingredients for the poison, using that as an excuse to escape whatever the hell that was. However, somewhere in his mind, still awed, he was wondering how someone could go from being totally flustered to having that much confidence.
The next week went by pretty fast for the Hogwarts students. It was filled with moments of new discovery. For example, Ron and Draco found common ground in chess and spent the whole seven days competing against each other, both equally admiring their opponent. They quickly dismissed their Potions assignment, the blond achieving it like it was a simple shopping list. Besides, without Ron nagging and them bickering, it was pretty much a vacation.
Now the rest of their dorm could behold the sight of them, craned over a chessboard, a smirking Draco and a smug Ron lightly chatting of everything on the earth, while they tried to destroy each other (in chess of course). Harry found that view mesmerizing, Hermione annoying because they took her favorite table and Theo, well, he didn’t care but cheered for his friend anyway.
As for the duo of dark hair, they had managed to finish their potion without any explosion or injuries, which was a disappointment to Harry, but a relief to Theo. The latter may have asked his best friend for help, demanding Blaise what insignificant tasks his partner could do, without feeling worthless, and even so succeed in brewing the right poison. By the way, Theo wondered how Slughorn was gonna test whether the poison worked or not…
Presently, at soon eleven pm, the studious wizard was writing half heartedly on his parchment scroll, a yawn escaping him every few minutes. He realistically knew he wasn’t going to last very much longer, yet his determination to wrap up this sodding homework on the usage of Streeler’s venom still held.
Theo’s stomach abruptly gurgled, the loud noise resonating in an empty Library. Madam Pince, or any other student, was long gone by now. Shit, he shouldn’t have skipped dinner. Maybe he could go to the kitchens on his way back. No, he didn’t want to wake up any house-elf, even if they would serve him instantly. Then, he would have to wait for tomorrow morning, if he had the time to go to breakfast.
“Is that your stomach I heard from the hallway?” Oh great.
“Harry, what are you doing here?” Theo asked, not bothering looking at the newcomer. He was particularly familiar with the Gryffindor's voice, after all these hours spent together the previous week.
“I should be asking you the same question. Actually, I am: why in Merlin’s name are you still at the Library? You really need to sleep.”
Exhausted, the studious boy couldn’t even protest or voice anything, really. He just slumped over his table, finally closing his dry eyes. God, sleep, yes, he wanted sleep.
“Okay Theo, I’m going to help you get up and you’re going to lean on me for the trip back to our beds. Agreed?”
“Hmm.”
Harry promptly gathered his stuff, then clasped Theo’s waist to lift him up. The poor boy sagged completely against his chest, nestling his mop of hair in the crook of Harry’s neck. The taller wizard smiled fondly, seeing his classmate so cuddly and soft. He strengthened his hold and guided them to the exit.
They were on their way back, Theo fully dazed by sleepiness, when he murmured almost inaudibly:
“You smell nice.”
It was true, Harry had that comforting musky scent, along with a welcoming warmth radiating from his body. Theo just had to inhale and let himself drift into the wonderful realm of dreams. He could stay here forever.
“I don’t think forever is quite possible, but you’re welcome to rest against me any time.” Harry chuckled, the low laugh reverberating in his chest and soothing Theo’s mind. The sleepy boy didn’t even realize he talked out loud, not that he cared anyway.
“Hey, Theo? - he hummed in response, a little bit of consciousness still there - Did you eat at all this evening? I didn’t see you at dinner.” Concerns tainted Harry’s voice. And if Theo had been in a better state, maybe he would have noticed the fact that the Gryffindor had searched for him.
“Nuh.” Was the only sound he could muster, nuzzling even more against the chest.
Harry sighed. Well, that explained it.
“I’m going to ask the house-elves to bring you something to eat tomorrow morning. It’ll be Saturday, so you’re going to stay in bed and rest. You know, you’re pushing yourself too much, Theo. I’m aware we don’t know everything about each other yet, but I can see it. And it saddens me as much as it worries me.”
Harry lowered his eyes on the figure against him. He was sleeping peacefully, his features usually stretched out by nervosity were now perfectly relaxed. Such a pretty sight. He couldn’t help himself but wanted to take care of him. Harry knew that it wasn’t just a crush anymore. He wasn’t the most well-versed man in love, yet he was certain he was far beyond infatuation’s level now.
And he wasn’t really upset about it.