Dear Nott. A theodore nott letters story

twenty three

Theodore's pov

The Hospital Wing of Hogwarts has always had a particular smell—something between disinfectant and old parchment—that I've never been fond of. Today, though, as I lay on one of the stark white beds with bandages wrapped around my knuckles and a potion-induced dizziness fogging my brain, that smell seems almost comforting. It's a distraction, at least, from the throbbing pain and the reason I'm here in the first place.

I can't help but chuckle to myself, though the action sends a sharp pain through my ribs. Cormac McLaggen, of all people, turned out to be the root of all the trouble—spreading rumors that somehow twisted my words and actions into a narrative so far from the truth it would be funny if it hadn't cost me Camila's trust.

When I confronted him, things escalated quickly, far more quickly than I intended. But as punches were thrown and spells cast, all I could think about was setting the record straight, defending my honor, and perhaps foolishly, proving to Camila that I was nothing like the person McLaggen had made me out to be.

The door to the Hospital Wing creaks open, pulling me from my thoughts. I don't need to look up to know who's stormed in; Camila's presence is as fiery as her temperament, and right now, I can almost feel the heat of her anger from across the room.

She approaches, her footsteps quick and purposeful, and when I finally raise my eyes to meet hers, the mixture of fury and concern I find there almost knocks the breath from me—what little breath I have that isn't already knocked out, that is.

"You're an idiot, Theodore Nott," she declares, her voice trembling with emotion. Her gaze sweeps over my injuries, her anger battling with the worry that's clear in her eyes.

I can't suppress the laugh that bubbles up, despite the pain it causes. "You might be right"the humor in the situation not lost on me even through the haze of pain. "But you should have seen the other guy."

Her scowl deepens, and she crosses her arms over her chest, though her concern doesn't wane. "You think this is funny? You could have been seriously hurt. All over what? Some stupid rumor?"

Sitting up a bit straighter, I wince but manage to keep my voice steady. "Not just any rumor, Camila. A rumor that made you look at me like I was the worst kind of person."

She sighs, the fight seeming to drain out of her as she takes a tentative step closer. "You could have just talked to him, Theodore. You didn't have to resort to...to this," she gestures to my bandaged form, her frustration giving way to a softer, more tender concern.

I shake my head, a rueful smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. "Maybe so. But in the moment, it seemed like the only way to make things right."

For a long moment, she just looks at me, her eyes searching mine as if looking for something she's not quite sure she'll find. Then, slowly, a reluctant smile forms on her lips. "You're still an idiot," she murmurs, but the warmth in her voice tells me all I need to know.

For her, i'll be an idiot.