Control ▸ Ron Weasley [2]

XV. COMING OF AGE

CHAPTER FIFTEEN:
COMING OF AGE

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      The time after Valentine's Day passed with little to no fanfare. 

      The only thing that had changed was the hesitant smiles that Weasley gave her if they happened to be in the same room. They were by no means the exuberant grins he'd given her when they were together, and they still tore at her chest just the same, but it was better than what it had been. Even Nova could admit that. If Blaise and Daphne noticed, they didn't say anything, choosing to keep quiet and let Nova have her secrets.

      Nova tried to ignore when Draco would flit off somewhere before the meals in the Great Hall were actually over. It was then that she'd share a look with Theo, and he'd solemnly shake his head, telling her it wasn't worth it to go and investigate. Though, it was a testament to how little she was talking to her twin this year that he didn't know about the fight that she'd had with Draco in Knockturn Alley. All she could do was watch him hopelessly, her heart wishing that he didn't have to carry the burden.

      Underneath that, though, she was selfishly happy. If Draco was the one who had the Dark Lord's attention, then it meant it was off Theo. At least for now.

      She managed to corner Theo alone in the Slytherin Common Room, spotting him with Blaise as they walked in too late to be completely innocent. By the flushed looks on both their faces, she didn't want to know about what activities they'd gotten up to. She supposed the deserved it, as when they'd all awoken that morning, it had been to the news that the Hogsmeade trip that had been scheduled for that day was cancelled.

      "How are you?" she asked immediately, launching herself into his arms. He hugged her back happily, letting out a sigh into her hair.

      "The heat's off me for now. But Nova..." Theo trailed off, releasing her with a grim look on his face. "Draco's not well. This mission, it's affecting him mentally. He could really use your help."

      With the Dark Lord, I can feel powerful. You'll just continue to feel unwanted.

      His words from that day in Knockturn Alley almost knocked her off her feet. She'd remembered those words and thought about them at least once a day. Mostly because it reflected the darker thoughts she'd had about herself. But she knew she was loved enough (by Theo, Blaise, even Daphne and Astoria) to not succumb to the false sense of belonging the Dark Lord provided. 

      Draco didn't have that. Maybe from Narcissa, but even Nova didn't know how much she loved her son and would protect him from Voldemort.

      "I'll try and talk to him," Nova said, though her entire body was screaming at her that it was a bad idea.

      "That's all I ask," Theo said, giving her shoulder a squeeze. "Now, tell me what's been going on in your life."

      "Ha! I doubt it's as interesting as what's been happening here," she responded, pointing to the two of them. "Don't think I'm dumb, Theodore."