Wolves Without Teeth ── theodore nott ¹ ( UNDER EDITING )

chapter ten

        "𝕬re you going to ask her?" Winnie jumped, spilling the warmth of her camisole tea over the front of her robes as she hissed, staring wide-eyed at Hermione Granger. The pair had left the comfort of the library only forty minutes earlier, Hermione's head held high with determination while Winnie braced her lips with a smile and pretended nothing was wrong.

        She thought she was doing a damn good job, too, until Hermione appeared by her side at the table and reminded her of the fuckery that was her life.

        "Merlin's saggy ball sack! Are you planning to kill me yourself?" Winnie hissed as Hermione rolled her eyes and muttered a drying spell over the blonde. Instead of answering, Hermione raised her eyebrow pointedly at her, her head tilting as the other female grumbled. The tea that seeped into Winnie's blouse and skirt disappeared quickly, leaving behind a tingle of heat rubbing against her skin.

          "It's no good, she'll shut down like a bloody bludger aiming for their target," Winnie spoke as she stuffed her face with a fork full of vegetables. Hermione had managed to drag out the questions in the blonde's head about her grandfather's death and Max's. Ultimately, both girls were determined that there was something concerning about both ends, leaving Hermione now insisting on Winnie asking Cordelia about it, which the blonde couldn't help thinking was an awful plan.

             "Well, ask Marcus then," Hermione suggested matter-of-factly as Winnie dropped her fork, pinching the bridge of her nose before swinging her leg over the bench. Her eyes move to stare at the Slytherin table, watching Marcus Flint whisper to his friends on the quidditch team. Winnie didn't acknowledge Marcus, and she didn't care to. Winnie and Marcus were content living their lives, pretending the other didn't exist. It was an almost secret deal between them. Survival of the fittest, Marcus didn't acknowledge Winnie. He was allowed to live.

          "You're sending me to my death," Winnie huffed, looking back at Hermione, who rolled her eyes, pushing herself up off the bench. Her hand fell to wrap around Winnie's wrist and pulled her up.

           "No, I'm trying to save you. The only way I can find out what exactly Millicent meant, and well ... only they would know," Hermione spoke, frowning as she pulled Winnie between the row of the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor table. Winnie's eyes fell to the Slytherin table once more, the dread burying itself back inside of her as she came to a halt.

           "What if I don't like what I find out?" She questioned, pulling Hermione to look at her. She ignored the curious looks of people staring at the two girls, confused as to why they looked like they were fighting death itself.

             "Well, at least you know the truth," Hermione whispered, squeezing the girl's hand before nudging her towards the Slytherin table. Winnie stumbled slightly, glaring at the first-year Slytherin, who giggled slightly at her. Just as she turned to walk down the aisle, Hermione ran back up to her, stopping her before whispering in her ear. "Tell Cordelia about the DA meeting tomorrow at eight."

          Winnie glared at the female, who grinned and returned to their table. Feeling eyes on her, she pushed her face to remain passive. Squaring her shoulders back and walking towards Cordelia first, who had seemed to notice her and Hermione's interaction, for she was watching her with raised eyebrows. Winnie tried to ignore Theo's watching eyes.

          Of course, she's the bloody circus act. She twisted the silver ring on her finger as she approached, her heart thumping as she fluttered her eyes to Marcus, who had also begun to watch her. The female stopped abruptly before her cousin, who stared up at her with a raised eyebrow. Clearing her throat, Winnie leaned to whisper in her cousin's ear.