BED CHEM, theodore nott

chapter two

The next day, Theodore approached the History of Magic classroom with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. He checked his watch as he stepped inside, noting that he was right on time. The room was empty, its dusty shelves lined with ancient tomes that seemed to whisper secrets of the past. He took a seat at one of the worn wooden desks, glancing at the door every few minutes.

After ten minutes of waiting, he sighed, feeling a knot of worry twist in his stomach. "Maybe she forgot," he muttered, half to himself. Nova Malfoy was known for being organized, but life at Hogwarts could be unpredictable. He decided to check her quarters, hoping to find her there.

Navigating through the familiar hallways, he arrived at Nova's door. He knocked gently, calling out her name, but there was no answer. Frowning, he twisted the handle, surprised to find it unlocked. "Nova?" he called as he stepped inside.

The room was warm and inviting, with a few personal touches that made it feel homey. The walls were adorned with posters of magical creatures and historical events, each piece reflecting her passion for knowledge. Just then, he heard a soft hum coming from the bathroom. Curiosity piqued, he took a few steps further in, but his heart nearly stopped when Nova emerged from the bathroom, wrapped only in a fluffy towel.

Theodore's eyes widened in shock, caught off guard by the unexpected sight. He admired the way the towel accentuated her figure, her hair damp and cascading around her shoulders. She looked effortlessly beautiful, completely unaware of his presence.

As she rummaged through her wardrobe, humming a light tune, Theodore stood frozen, a mix of admiration and embarrassment washing over him. He couldn't help but notice how graceful she was, lost in her own world.

Suddenly, she turned around and spotted him. "Ah!" she shrieked, her eyes wide with surprise. The sound jolted Theodore from his reverie, and he immediately turned on his heel, bolting out of the room, his heart racing and cheeks burning.

Once outside, he leaned against the cool stone wall, trying to collect his thoughts. The unexpected encounter replayed in his mind, and he felt a rush of heat at the memory. After a few moments, he heard her calling out his name.

"Theodore! Are you okay?" Her voice was a mix of concern and lingering embarrassment.

He hesitated before stepping back inside. "Yeah, I'm fine," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just came to see if you were ready for our tutoring session."

Nova appeared in the doorway, still looking flustered. "I'm so sorry for being late. A few of the male students kept bombarding me with questions. It was... a bit overwhelming, to be honest."

"Don't worry about it," he replied, trying to sound casual despite his lingering embarrassment. "I didn't want to miss out on the session."

She nodded, her expression shifting to one of determination. "It would be a waste of time for you to go to class when you need help. Let's get started."

As they settled at her desk, Nova spread out her notes, her focus shifting to Theodore's studies. "Okay, let's review what you struggled with last time. Your understanding of the Goblin Rebellions could use some improvement," she said, pointing to a section in her textbook.

Theodore tried to concentrate, but his mind kept drifting back to the moment he had walked in on her. He stole glances at her as she explained the material, her hands moving animatedly as she spoke, her passion evident in every word. Each time he looked at her, he felt the warmth of embarrassment creep back, battling with a newfound appreciation for her intelligence and charisma.

"Are you with me, Theo?" she asked, noticing his distracted demeanor. Her brow furrowed slightly, concern replacing the previous lightness of their exchange.

"Uh, yeah! Totally," he stammered, forcing himself to focus. "Sorry, it's just... a lot to take in."

Nova smiled, her eyes sparkling with understanding. "I get it. History can be overwhelming, especially with all the details. Just take it one step at a time."

"Right," he said, attempting to redirect his thoughts. They dove into the notes together, with Nova pointing out key events and dates, her explanations clear and concise.

As the session progressed, Theodore found himself genuinely trying to absorb the material. But every so often, he would catch a glimpse of her, and his mind would wander. He admired the way her hair caught the light, how she would occasionally tuck a strand behind her ear, or the way she smiled when he finally grasped a concept.

"Okay, let's tackle this question," she said, pulling him back to the task at hand. "Why do you think the Goblin Rebellions were significant in the context of wizarding society?"

Theodore opened his mouth to respond, but his thoughts tangled. "Uh... they showed how..." He trailed off, his gaze inadvertently drifting to her.

"Hey," Nova said, a teasing tone in her voice, "focus! You're better than this."

With a small laugh, he nodded, feeling a mix of embarrassment and camaraderie. "Right. Sorry. Just trying to wrap my head around it."

As they continued to study, Nova's patient guidance helped Theodore regain his footing. Despite the earlier distraction, he felt a sense of progress, fueled by her encouragement. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling of her presence, the warmth and determination she exuded, making it increasingly difficult to concentrate fully.

And as they worked through the material, Theodore realized he was grateful for this unexpected turn in their relationship, even if it came with its own set of challenges.