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THEODORE NOTT was everything you thought you wanted - thoughtful, caring, and attentive in the beginning. a year ago, the two of you had fallen into a seemingly perfect relationship. you remember it so clearly - the way he'd hold your hand at every opportunity, how his fingers would trace circles on the back of your palm while you talked about nothing in particular, the stolen moments in quiet corners of the castle when his smile made your heart skip a beat. theodore wasn't like the other slytherins, at least not with you. he was soft in his affections, constantly doing little things to make you feel cherished.
one memory stands out: an evening in the library, after a long day of classes, when theodore had brought you a small bouquet of enchanted lilies, your favorite. the petals shimmered faintly in the dim light, and he had grinned, that soft, knowing smile. "i knew you needed something beautiful today." he had said, his voice low, meant only for your ears. you remember how he kissed your temple then, and for a moment, everything had felt perfect.
but now... now things had changed.
the distance between you had crept in so slowly you hadn't even noticed at first. a missed date here, a vague excuse about studying for exams there. at first, you brushed it off, thinking maybe you were overanalyzing things. but the small neglects began to pile up until you couldn't ignore them anymore. his once frequent owls had dwindled to quick responses - sometimes he didn't reply at all. the boy who had once seemed to crave your presence now seemed to avoid it.
tonight, as you sit in the slytherin common room, your book forgotten in your lap, you glance over at him. he's seated on the far side of the room, engrossed in conversation with draco and blaise, a glass of firewhiskey in his hand. his laughter, loud and unbothered, rings out across the room, yet you feel no connection to it. you haven't had a real conversation in days.
you bite your lip, wondering when the last time he'd kissed you like he meant it was. when was the last time he'd even held your hand? as you watch him now, something feels... off. he's here, physically, but emotionally, it's like he's miles away.
you decide to confront him, your stomach tightening with nervous energy. you wait until the common room begins to clear, and he's finally alone, sitting by the fire, scrolling absentmindedly through his parchment.
"theo." you say softly, sitting down next to him. he barely glances up, his eyes not meeting yours. the tension between you feels palpable, thick in the air. "what's going on?" you ask, your voice trembling slightly. "you've been distant lately. you don't talk to me anymore... we haven't had a real conversation in weeks."
theodore sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. "it's just... things have been stressful. exams, family..." his words sound rehearsed, detached, and there's no sincerity in his tone. his eyes dart back to the parchment, and you feel a pang of frustration rise in your chest. "but you've been hanging out with draco and blaise every night. you don't seem too stressed to spend time with them."
