Amortentia - Theodore Nott x Athena Primrose

Chapter 6

The next day Athena woke to a pounding headache. Her eyes felt swollen and dry, and she remained in her clothes from the day before.

On her nightstand was a vintage cherry-red clock, and her glasses, which she rarely wore, sat next to it.
It was super early, the other girls were still sleeping.
She stood up and got ready as quiet as she could to not wake up the others.

She and few fellow Ravenclaws were sitting in the common room, some were reading some were drinking a tea and some were studying, It was very quiet.

Athena fought against her tiredness, washing her face with cold water and drinking a cup of black coffee. She decided to clear her head, so she climbed the astronomy tower, seeking some of the morning fresh air.

Upon reaching the top, Athena noticed Theodore smoking a cigarette. She did her best to remain unnoticed, then she heard few steps approaching her, Athena leaned against the railing, gazing at Hogwarts below.

The question of a cigarette from Theodore caught her off guard, even as she tried to ignore him, hoping he'd get the hint that she didn't want to talk. The silence stretched on, and Theodore gave up,
He put the box with one cigarette left on the railing.

"Suit yourself," he remarked, turning away to look at Hogwarts. "Giving me the silent treatment, eh? Well, these jokes were hilarious, you just don't have a sense of humor."

As Athena reached for the cigarette, she hesitated, after all, she'd never smoked before. But Theo held the lighter up, and suddenly a sense of recklessness overtook her. She accepted the lit end and took a long drag, coughing violently despite having only a single puff.

Athena looked up at Theo, who smirked behind the thick cloud of smoke. "I didn't even know you smoked," he said, a little surprised.
"Why do you always mess with me?" she asked, her eyes looking on the horizon. Theodore raised an eyebrow. "Because it's fun." He smirked and took another drag of his cigarette. "Besides, you're always so easy to provoke." He threw the cigarette butt from the tower.

Athena took another deep drag from the cigarette, "Do you want the rest?" she asked, holding the cigarette in between her coughs and offering it to Theodore "But you've only had two drags," he remarked, his lips turning into a small smirk.

Athena shrugged, "I don't feel like smoking this morning anyway," she felt embarrassed for accepting the cigarette in the first place, as she handed him the cigarette back.

"I should probably get going," Athena said awkwardly, "Already?" Theodore asked, "I thought we were going to be smoke buddies." "Are you even allowed to smoke here?" she asked, Theodore shrugged. "Not really, but I only smoke early in the morning and deep in the night, when no one is around to catch me, except you" "Yeah, right," Athena remarked, "Are you always here in the morning?" "Yes," he replied.

"The tower is usually off-limits, except for classes taught by Professor Sinistra at midnight" Theodore said. "Some students manage to sneak up there anyway, though." "I should really go now" Athena turned away leaving the tower. Theodore quickly waved goodbye without saying anything.

(In the Ravenclaw common room)

Athena joined the now crowded common room and found an empty blue sofa. The noise level was rising, and she watched as students gathering. After a moment, a Ravenclaw student sat down next to her  and asked, "Did you actually go to the Tower with him?" It was the Student she met in the Bathroom few weeks ago.

Athena replied "Yes, I went to the tower, but how did you know that?" she said, her voice quiet.

The girl looked back to her book, it was about Fantastic beasts and where to find them, by Newton Scamander, "Dunno just guessed" A moment of silence passed before she spoke again. "You're brave for going up there," she said, her voice low. "Sinistra would kill us if she found out."

"I'm really curious, I just came back how did you know I was on the tower, and Theodore too" Athena asked, "don't worry, I warned you about him if you don't take the warnings seriously it's your problem"
She stood up and disappeared in the crowd.

Athena looked at her watch, it was almost breakfast time. She left the common room and walked down the Spiral staircase leading down the Ravenclaw tower.

(In the Great hall)

As Athena took a seat next to Iris at the Ravenclaw table, her younger sister looked up from her book, noticing the dark circles under Athena's eyes. "Well, you look tired," she remarked with a sly grin.

"No shit, Sherlock," Athena retorted dryly, rolling her eyes. Iris laughed, closing her book and setting it aside. Athena felt a light tab on her shoulder, she turned around to see who's approaching her, it was Mary and Lilith sitting right behind her at the Slytherin table.

Mary motioned her to come over to the Slytherin table, but Athena hesitated. "But that's the Slytherin table," she said, looking uncertain.

Lilith rolled her eyes. "The breakfast hasn't started yet," she said, waving her over. "Just come here." Athena followed their lead and joined them at the Slytherin table. She had always been taught that the houses were meant to be rivals and that Slytherins were not to be trusted.

Mary and Lilith approached Athena, Mary said "We have come to the conclusion to take you into our group" Athena asked what they mean by group, they tell her that they are referring to their friend group. "It's rare that we let someone join it, especially a non-Slytherin," says Lilith, "You're adorably clueless Athena" continued Mary "Without us you'll wouldn't survive a whole year at Hogwarts."