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── .✦ THE SLYTHERIN COMMON ROOM is bathed in a soft amber glow, the flickering candlelight casting long, cozy shadows across the green and silver walls. the fire crackles softly in the background, the heat radiating off the hearth, providing a warm cocoon amidst the cold dungeons. the chairs are plush, and students are scattered throughout the room, but the noise is minimal, a quiet murmur of conversations and the rustling of parchment.
you and theodore are seated at a secluded corner table, away from prying eyes. books are sprawled between you, open to various pages, though neither of you seems particularly focused on studying at the moment. the air between you feels comfortable, yet charged with something neither of you dares to fully acknowledge.
your elbow brushes against theo's as you reach for a book at the same time. there's a momentary pause as your fingers touch. a subtle spark. you glance up, locking eyes with him for just a second longer than usual, before both of you retreat, pretending to focus on your respective pages.
he hands you a quill you've dropped, his fingers lingering a fraction longer when he places it into your hand. his smile is small, almost shy, but warm. it feels different, like there's more behind it than just friendly reassurance. he's been doing that a lot lately - paying closer attention, offering little gestures of care that seem more intimate than casual.
you're talking about your day, but the conversation dances around trivial matters - homework, the upcoming exams, and the antics of your slytherin classmates. it's easy, familiar, yet underneath, there's an unspoken tension.
"you reckon pansy will actually study for once?" you tease, scribbling something on your parchment before glancing over at him. theo chuckles, the sound soft, barely audible over the crackle of the fire. "not a chance. she'll probably just charm blaise into giving her his notes again." you grin, shaking your head. "typical."
there's a pause, and you catch theo glancing at you out of the corner of his eye, quickly looking away when your gaze meets his. his brow furrows slightly, but he says nothing, pretending to flip through his book.
"you seem distracted." you point out, half teasing. he shrugs, a little too casually. "just... thinking." "about what?" "nothing important." his voice is quieter now, a little distant, but before you can press, he offers a small smile, shifting the conversation back to lighter topics. still, you can't help but wonder what's on his mind. lately, his quiet moments feel... different, more charged, as if he's holding something back.
the next day, potions class is over, and students are filing out of the cold dungeon. the lesson was long, and the pressure of upcoming exams is weighing heavily on you. the stone walls feel like they're closing in as the noise of the bustling corridor fills your ears.
