Always : Theodore Nott

Chapter 48

MATURE CONTENT.

"Look who finally decided to join us,"Malfoy said.

Nott scanned the crowd until he found her. But when he did, the look on her face made his heart sink. She looked hurt, but he didn't know why? Astoria placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Well, if it weren't for Theodore here we'd be even longer,"she said kindly with a smile.

Theo gave a tight lipped smile.

The crowd's chatter started back up again. The conversation surrounding Aurora filled her ears as she looked on at him, eyes blown wide open.

This was torture. He couldn't even go and get her to ask what was wrong. The twins would become suspicious if he did. No doubt the others would put it together as well.

But he didn't care.

The look in her eyes as she stared straight at him made his heart race.

His feet moved before his thoughts could stop them. Before he knew it he was stood straight in front of the group of Gryffindors.

Their conversations stopped and all heads turned to stare at him.

"Evening,"he coughed awkwardly.

Oliver Wood smiled at him.

"Evening Nott, good game last week against Hufflepuff. I know it was a friendly game but you played well all the same,"he said kindly.

Nott shot him an appreciative smile.

"Thanks Wood. Evening Jenkins,"he said, turning his attention to Aurora.

Almost immediately, he felt the twins' eyes begin to burn into him. Aurora slowly looked up from her cup, she hadn't yet looked at him since he walked over.

"Evening,"she said sharply.

The tone in her voice confirmed his suspicions.

"Did you finish that potions essay?,"he asked, taking a seat beside her.

Conversations rekindled around the fire, and Theo was grateful that the awkward stares ceased.

"Finished it ages ago,"Aurora said as she toyed with her cup.

Theo grimaced.

"Want to help me with mine? I've a few ideas that I need critiquing,"he said, nudging her with his knee.

Aurora lifted her head to look into his eyes.

"Not particularly."

His brows furrowed.

"Now I'm lost, what's wrong?,"he asked, stretching out his hand to rest on hers.

Aurora immediately snatched her own hand out of the way.

"Stop, we have an audience in case you forgot,"she snapped.

Theo felt a twinge in his chest when the words left her mouth. How could he forget? They're the reason he can't call her his and let everyone know he was hers. They're the problem. Merlin forbid they would actually fuck off and mind their own business.

But, he had still forgotten they were there.

"Can we talk in private? Please Aurora-,"he started.

Aurora downed the rest of her drink.

"Dressing rooms in ten, if you're not there I'm going to bed,"she said.

And with that, she got up and walked off.