Babysitters

Chapter 32

THEODORE NOTT

Not a day went by with me not thinking about Veronica.
I wished things could be different, easier. I wished I could direct all my attention on her and forget all about Voldemort and his tasks. If only I could bring V here, to Paris. It'd be just the two of us, in peace, with no one to burst our small bubble.
Maybe someday.
But for now, I had to focus on the task on hand.
Enzo seemed nervous as we walked toward the house in silence. The streets were quiet and eerie in the dim moonlight on the late-night hours. From our hotel to here we hadn't seen more than three people, since all normal human beings were deep asleep at this time. Not walking towards a large house outside of the busiest streets, ready to commit a crime or few.
I held my wand in my hand, hidden under my sleeve, as we finally stepped through the low stone fences that went around the small plot of forest behind the house. The path looked scarier now at night than what it did when the warm sunlight put all its effort into reaching the ground through the thick-leaved trees. Neither of us had said anything in fifteen minutes, making the atmosphere feel cold and threatening, when in reality me and Enzo were the ones others were supposed to fear. Our footsteps took us closer to the house with each stride, leaving behind only the sound of crushing leaves under our shoes.
Enzo sneaked up to the door after seeing no lights on any of the windows, and used a spell to open it as quietly as he could. I followed him stealthily, stepping from the cool outside air inside to the house. I closed the door after me and glanced at Enzo who was wearing a wary expression on his face.
Now or never.

VERONICA VALDEZ

I leaned back into the cushions of the couch, keeping my eyes glued to the screen of my phone. The Netflix series I was watching was so nicely keeping my thoughts involving Theo at bay, and I enjoyed the feeling of not worrying even if it was for just a moment.
Recently, there had been another boy who'd been occupying my thoughts. A boy I was supposed to marry in just a few years.
Tom had been approaching me during the past few days, and confusingly Mattheo hadn't said anything about it. I'd been trying to keep my distance on the older brother, but since I was locked in the manor, it'd been getting increasingly hard, especially when I still didn't fully know my way around the building. The usual routes I used when going to the dining room, bathroom or living room had become familiar, but for some reason I'd never taken the time to inspect more or the countless hallways and rooms the old mansion held within.
I struggled to keep my focus on my phone as both my eyes and thoughts constantly wanted to wander elsewhere. I forced my attention back on the show for the third time I'd caught my gaze wandering around the luxurious room afforded by old money.
Theo, Theo, Theo and Tom, Tom, Tom.
And perhaps a little Enzo too.
How was it so hard to keep my mind off boys?
As the episode ended I shut my phone off and set it down beside me. I'd spent so much time in my room recently that I felt like going crazy. The determination I had earlier in becoming the best version of myself was still there, nevertheless I couldn't help but wonder how I could achieve that here. I was practically locked inside four walls, currently with no one else to talk to except Mattheo. How could I ever improve myself here, when all there was to do was to think of either Theo and his well-being or Tom and the upcoming marriage.
I groaned, threw my head back and stared at the ceiling. I wished I could've gotten a break from my thoughts, escape my own mind. I shut my eyes, listening to the old manor's faint creaks and scrapes. I'd gotten used to the noises by now, but I still remember when they spooked me. I'd never expected my summer to go this way, and there was still left of it.
How would things be when we'd finally get back to Hogwarts?
Hold on...
There wouldn't be no 'we' anymore. How could I have forgotten? The only one of us who'd be returning to Hogwarts was me. The group of boys were in their seventh year last semester, they had already graduated.
The thought sent a shiver down my spine. Before this summer happened I would've been delighted, but now? I knew I would miss Theo, more than I'd like to admit.
I still had two more years to go, before I'd graduate and turn eighteen and—marry Tom.

It took me a moment to realize I was doing it again. Worrying about things that were out of my control. Exactly what I wasn't supposed to do. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding before grabbing my phone and standing up.
I decided I'd go to my room to take a nap, since a so called 'princess in a tower' doesn't have much else to do.
My feet carried me through the hallways with dark walls covered by paintings of different people. I wondered if Mattheo was here, or if he'd been requested to show his face at the Riddle manor, again.
While walking, my mind was beginning to wander again before a deep voice from behind startled me, interrupting the path my thoughts were going to.
I didn't know whether to be grateful or annoyed.
"Hey, Veronica." Tom's voice was deep and intense, like always. It managed to make my skin crawl every time, and I thought he knew that too.
I turned around, facing the tall dark haired boy. "Hey, Tom."

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A/N:
Hello loves
How has your week been so far? Good, I hope.
I've been really busy lately but somehow I've still always managed to write an update, however, I can't seem to find a time to continue my other book, 'Slytherin Boys Oneshots'. I'll try to get to it as soon as possible, though :)
Love u all x