Treacherous - Theodore Nott

Chapter Twenty

Draco was discharged from the hospital wing today.

I know this because of the extremely volatile note I just received, along with every other Slytherin quidditch player, letting us know how upset he was that we hadn't practiced while he was in the infirmary.

My dearly beloved Slytherin Quidditch Team,
I'm out for two bloody days and you think you can slack off like a slew of Hufflepuffs? I want each and every one of you to know that if we lose the game to Gryffindor, it will be YOUR fault, and I will have my father hex every last one of you (yes, that includes Violet). Tomorrow's practice will be grueling, and if you aren't all throwing up from exhaustion by the end, we're going to do it again. You're all massive shitheads and your mothers hate you.
Love,
     Draco
P.S. Violet, I'm demoting you <3

Two days of rest, especially with a Gryffindor match coming up, is apparently a heinous crime.

I roll my eyes at the ending jab, knowing it isn't true.

On any other day, the information that Draco is okay would send me rushing to the common room, nasty letters aside, he's one of my best friends.

I just don't know how I'll be able to face him with my new well of information, especially if Astoria is with him.

I'm terrible at hiding my emotions and she can read me like a book; I don't want her to know that I'm hiding things from her. If only I could tell her.

I've been brainstorming ways to get around the vow, but the 'fine print' says trying to get around it has consequences and I'm not dying to know what they are. It's just a secret I'll have to live with.

Without meaning to, I find my feet leading me to the common room. Even with my conflicting feelings for Draco, I need to be with him right now.

When I enter the common room, I notice that Theodore, Mattheo, and Lorenzo are nowhere to be seen. I sigh in relief, not realizing I had been holding my breath.

I think I can manage to fake a smile around just Draco and Astoria.

As soon as Draco notices me walking over his calm expression shifts to a scowl. I hold back a laugh as he crosses his arms against his chest in a childlike way. It's so hard to be mad at him, especially in this state.

"You just thought you wouldn't hold practice while I was out? You can kiss your co-captain position goodbye," he huffs at me.

"Draco..." Astoria starts.

"No, really. I'd love to know her excuse!" He gestures pointedly at me.

"I think we can save that chat for later," I respond, forcing myself to send him a tight-lipped smile.

Astoria sends me a questioning look, but I'm grateful when she leaves it at that.

The sound of shoes shuffling against the stone floors draws my attention away from Draco, and I turn to find my four secretive friends standing an awkward distance away. It's been two days since I've spoken to any of them, and the tension just keeps building.

My eyes lock with Theodore who, for once, doesn't look like he knows what to do with himself.

I break the contact and face Draco again.

"Well," I smile, clapping my hands together. "It's good to see that you're okay. I'm going to head up to my room."

"Violet-," Theodore says my name quietly, almost hushed.

I stop my departure and look at him. He almost looks sad.

"I just- we should do something as a group. Go hang out by the lake or something. We haven't all hung out in a while."

Astoria immediately looks at me, smiling brightly.

I could never say no to that excited face.

"Yeah, sure. Let me go change though."

Astoria jumps to her feet. "I'll come with!"

"We'll wait here ladies," Mattheo calls up after us as we ascend the steps.

"So..." Astoria starts the moment the door shuts. "What's up with you and the guys?"

At this moment, I'm grateful to be digging through my trunks for a sweater, facing away from her.

"I'm not sure what you mean," I state, snagging a chunky maroon sweater.

I can practically hear her eyes rolling so I turn to look at her.

"Honestly! I just have personal stuff and Draco getting hurt was... hard on me," I lie.

She looks at me sympathetically and I want to rip my own heart out for being so dishonest to her.

"I know it's hard to see your friends hurting, but remember you can always talk to me," she smiles.

"I know," my voice cracks ever so slightly with emotion and I immediately turn around to change.

I hate this. It's been two days and I'm already being consumed by the guilt of lying to my best friend.

After shoving the upcoming tears back down, I turn around and offer the best smile I can.

                               —————————

As much as I hate to admit it, hanging out with these friends almost feels normal right now.

We're at the lake, sitting on a collection of picnic blankets. It's still chilly out, but not to the point where it's uncomfortable. The sky is in the transitional state from daytime to dusk, and orange hues are just beginning to appear and reflect on the water.

Mia is sitting next to me with Astoria's head resting in her lap and Blaise showed up with this muggle device called a 'bong'. We've been messing around with it and I must say, I feel incredible.

I'm currently listening in on a debate between the boys on whether or not reincarnation is real.

"I just think if it was real, we'd know," Lorenzo says.

"How would we know?" Blaise questions, pointing at the whomping willow in the distance. "Is it supposed to tell us it used to be a wizard but was reincarnated and came back to earth as a violent tree?"

"Hold on- I thought you could only get reincarnated as an animal. You're telling me this is a person too?" Mattheo asks, picking a leaf off the ground.

"Well, I hope not," Draco laughs, snatching the leaf and ripping it.

Mattheo's face shifts to one of horror as he stares at the leaf.

"That very well could've been one of my grandparents, Draco," he whispers.

"If I got reincarnated as a leaf, I think I would want to die. Again. Your grandmother owes me a thank you, Mattheo."

Blaise and Lorenzo are in stitches at this exchange and both are rolling around on the blanket in fits of laughter.

I take in Draco's smug demeanor and Mattheo's distraught expression, smiling at the togetherness of this happy memory we're creating.

Theodore is sitting on the blanket's corner, smiling, content to just watch as his friends laugh.

I love days like this. I love them so much, it almost makes me forget about the looming shadow that is the secret I now keep. Almost, but not quite.

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OMG where to begin? Thank you guys so much for 1k views. That's insane. I think I've held 10-12 in #theonott for the last month (without publishing I might add)- which is insane. If you've read and/voted you are one of my favorite people ever!!!

Sorry for not updating in so long, life is kicking me in the butt rn. I started a new job and it's EXHAUSTING but I love it. I hope to update again soon, but I can almost guarantee updates won't be coming as fast as the first 19 did. Hopefully you won't have to wait another month for me to update though lol.

Anyways if ur reading this ILY and pls vote! :)