Treacherous - Theodore Nott

Chapter Eighteen

The three boys share a look, as if mentally communicating their decision to one another.

Theodore nods, eyes dark. "We can't talk about it here, let's go to the dorm."

The boys turn and walk nervously up the stairs to their room and I, in turn, follow them.

Their refusal to speak on the subject in a public place has me growing more worried, how bad could this possibly be?

We get to their three person suite and walk through the door.

I take in the dark and vast room.

This is much bigger than Astoria's and my room.

The three four-poster beds of dark oak are cloaked in silver and Slytherin green finery. Stunning dark green Persian throw rugs are scattered across the room, covered in plush seating cushions. A sparkling silver liquor cart is sitting in the corner, set with crystal cups and an endless supply of Jack Daniels.

I laugh as I take in the fine room, thinking of how fitting it is for these boys.

We walk to the seating pillows and sit, Lorenzo muttering silencing charms to cover us, even though the room itself is soundproof.

"Alright, who's telling her?" Lorenzo asks, looking between Theodore and Mattheo, "Because it's not going to be me."

The remains two stare each other down and I see a pleading look flash in Mattheo's eyes. He doesn't want to tell me either.

"Fine," Theodore growls. "I suppose I'll tell her."

We face each other, and our eye contact is quickly broken when his gaze shifts to the ground.

"We- me and the guys... I mean, we transferred here because of something we have to do, not for classes. Our futures are already laid out for us, and we don't need N.E.W.T.'s to obtain them."

"What kind of future job could you get without N.E.W.T.'s?" I question.

Any high ranking job a noble Slytherin would go after requires the test scores. Even if they're not good, the scores can always be forged. But simply not taking them is unheard of, for these families at least.

"We serve... the Dark Lord. We're here at Hogwarts at his request."

I stare blankly at him, unblinking. His words settle over me, but I don't react. I think I'm in shock.

"That can't be- you can't-..." I start, stuttering. "Who else?"

If any of my other friends are involved with this, I don't know what I'll do.

Hopelessly, I look at Theodore, waiting for him to continue.

"Well- us," he gestures to himself and the two boys who are currently looking at me, eyes full of nervous apprehension. "Mia, and Draco."

"Draco is working... directly for the Dark Lord?" I whisper.

I look from boy to boy, my eyes trying to meet with theirs. I need someone to acknowledge what I'm feeling right now, but their eyes are all diverted to the floor.

I can honestly say I'm shocked, but thinking about it, Mia and the boys seem perfectly capable of serving him. They are all members of high ranking pure blood houses who have publicly known ties to the Dark Lord. I know the Malfoys have that same reputation, but I just can't picture my Draco working to fulfill the Dark Lord's wishes.

I sit, mulling the new information over in my head and waiting for him to continue, but he doesn't.

"So... what is your task, or mission or whatever," I question.