HIDDEN REFLECTIONS

SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

I gently rub my tired eyes, struggling to comprehend how Theodore appears completely unaffected and shows no signs of exhaustion or readiness for sleep. We have been spending hours reviewing the practical aspects of the different potions that he has previously failed to create.

At one point throughout our study session, he even suggested sneaking into Snape's classroom to attempt redoing one of the many potions he struggled with. I immediately dismissed the idea, as I have no interest in receiving additional detention.

❝Don't fall asleep on me, brownie,❞ he remarks, seemingly noticing my eyes drifting. He lightly flicks the side of my head with his finger.

I shake my head, blinking a few times while placing my hand over the spot. ❝I'm not falling asleep, asshole,❞ I grumble in response, even if I long to sleep.

❝Sure, your eyes just happened to close,❞ he mumbles, nodding along.

❝I was blinking,❞ I retort.

❝For two minutes straight?❞ He questions.

❝Shut up,❞ I tell him, throwing his notebook his direction.

He catches it with ease, and Lu lets out a meow. His gaze briefly lingers on the cat, as if the animal has conveyed something important to him.

After a moment, Theodore shakes his head and shares with me, ❝We should make an appearance at the party.❞

❝Why?❞ I frown, feeling a sinking sensation at the thought of leaving the comfort of my dorm.

❝So they know we haven't killed each other,❞ he shrugs.

I chuckle, but deep down, I lack the desire to go down to the common room and engage with others. However, there's a part of me that feels the need to check on Mattheo and ensure Pansy's well-being.

Rolling my shoulders, I express, ❝I feel like it's a mess downstairs.❞ I haven't really checked my phone since Theodore entered my room, so I can only assume and guess.

❝I've already heard rumors of things getting out of hand. There's a video circulating of Enzo vomiting in a plant, and I believe I saw another one of Mattheo snorting cocaine off Pansy's arm,❞ he informs me.

I grimace at the thought.

Sleepily, I ask him, ❝Do you usually keep an eye on your friends?❞ as I try to shake off my drowsiness. I sit up at the edge of the bed in the process.

He scoffs, pushing himself up and replies, ❝Sometimes, they don't always use their brains.❞

As I rise from the bed, I catch a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror, reminding me that I'm still in my pajamas. Letting out a deep sigh, I realize that I need to change into more suitable attire for a party I have no desire to attend.

❝Just change into some pants. You'll only be there for a few minutes. You're just telling Pansy to go to bed,❞ He suggests, as if reading my thoughts.

I sigh once again and gather a few discarded pieces of clothing from the floor. ❝Give me a second,❞ I say as I disappear around the corner, out of his sight.