Cupid's Parchment

THEODORE

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Theo went alone to HIS party. He danced with many, spoke with others and even flirted with anyone in range. It wasn't enough. It would have been easy to write down his name, create a list and see who fancies him. The idea terrified Theo, because he knew what lists he would appear on, yet the idea of creating his own and finding it empty was too much. The thought was paralysing and so he just.... didn't.

By the end of the party Theo found himself completely sober and alone. It had happened so fast and everyone had left and in the arms of another. Truly it made him happy that his fellow students were able to gain from his parchment. But he was also jealous. Extremely so. He desperately wanted to experience what they all had. His cowardice stood in the way. It wasn't just him, Theo was part of the problem, but he knew he would appear on many lists, and if he was desirable wouldn't they seek him out? So maybe it was all his fault. Too weak to see who might desire him, and not quite enough to be desired. It hurt but at least he knew, and he wasn't just hopelessly waiting for somebody to say something, if somebody was going to they would have by now.

So at least he knew. Theo could move on to bigger and brighter but for now, he had an entire common room to clean.

Party streamers had already begun to fall from the ceiling and the walls that had been charmed pink were beginning to fade. Theo knew it wouldn't take long, but he chose to sulk in his situation. One charm per streamer rather than doing it all at once, if he was good at anything it was self-pity.

The streamers were down, and Theo had moved on to pulling the shrunken furniture out of the box he had left them and began to put them back in place. He barely registered the sound of the door open and took it for somebody sneaking from a dorm and making it back to their room in a different house.

Theo's head snapped at the sound of somebody clearing his throat. Neville Longbottom stood by the door with his hands in his pockets.

Theo furrowed his brow, "Longbottom, did you forget something?"

Nevile began to walk forward. "Er no. Just thought I'd stop by to see if you needed any.... help."

Theo stared at Neville for a moment too long, "Uh, well the couch is the last item I have to put back, and the walls will fade back to green so, it's pretty much finished."

"Oh." Neville almost looked disappointed but Theo really couldn't be sure.

Theo moved to sit on the couch. "You can stay if you want. I'm sure that's not why you actually came, if you're waiting to meet somebody" he gestured towards the rest of the room, "feel free."

Neville shuffled over and sat by Theo. "No I- I didn't come to meet up with anyone." Theo glanced down to see him wringing his hands together. "Did you, do you have your parchment?"

Theo looked at him for a moment. Nevile was seriously confusing him and was too nosy for his liking. "Uh no I didn't, rather not face the disappointment."

"WellIthinkyoushould."

"Pardon?"

Neville flushed, Theo was staring at him like he was snuggling with a basilisk, but he couldn't say it. It had taken a lot for Neville to return to the Slytherin common room, he had done it on a whim and Theo had actually been there.

So Neville did the only thing he could without spelling it out for Theo. He pulled out the extra parchment he still had and began to jot down Theo's name with the special ink.

Theo's hand shot out and wrapped around Neville's wrist. Neville sucked in a breath.

Theo ducked his head "Don't, I don't want to know."

"Why, you created the list."

"I just," Theo squeezed his eyes shut.

He was a Gryffindor, and Neville was meant to be brave, so slowly he leaned forward and pressed his lips against Theo's. And they met for just a moment before Theo jerked back and Neville's plan was crumbling and he had fucked it all up.

"I just thought you should know, if you wrote your name the rest of the way down Theo, mine would be on there." Neville moved to stand up and leave before he embarrassed himself further. But hands wrapped around his wrist again and Neville was pulled clumsily back down onto the couch and their lips met again.

Theo was right, he didn't need to make a list, not out of fear, just necessity.

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