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THE FIRST TIME you met theodore nott, you were both eleven, freshly sorted into slytherin, and completely unimpressed with each other. he was leaning against the wall in the common room, giving off an effortlessly bored vibe, like he'd been plucked from a dramatic novel and dropped right into hogwarts, entirely unimpressed with his surroundings. you, on the other hand, had just fallen on your way in, tripping over your own shoes.
he raised a brow as you scrambled to your feet, dusting off your robe with a huff. a few other first years snickered, but theodore just tilted his head, examining you with cool, assessing eyes.
"trying to make a grand entrance, are you?" he asked, voice dripping with mock amusement.
"only for people who know how to appreciate it." you shot back without missing a beat, straightening up with an exaggerated flourish.
that was the beginning of everything. you wouldn't have guessed then that this quiet, smug boy with his arms perpetually crossed would become the most important person in your life.
as the days turned into weeks, and then into years, you and theo settled into the kind of friendship that only made sense to the two of you. you balanced each other out: where he was reserved and witty, you were bold and a little reckless, often dragging him into (or rescuing him from) whatever you'd gotten yourself into. he had a knack for keeping you grounded, while you had a talent for making him smile - something he did so rarely that it felt like a personal victory every time you managed it.
together, you were known as a bit of a slytherin dream team. you were the one people went to when they needed someone on their side, and theo was the one who would reluctantly tag along, hands in his pockets, rolling his eyes but always showing up for you. your friends, draco, pansy, and blaise, would tease you both mercilessly, hinting that you were destined to end up together - but you and theo just brushed it off, laughing along, calling each other "best friend" just to annoy everyone.
now, in seventh year, things are more complicated, even if neither of you would admit it. you'd started noticing things, like how theo's hand would linger on your back a little too long, or how he seemed to get a little edgy when you joked around with other guys. not that you'd ever point it out, of course. you were just best friends, and that was that - or so you told yourself, every time your heart did a ridiculous somersault when he smiled at you.
one chilly afternoon, you're sprawled on the sofa in the slytherin common room, flipping through your potions notes while theo sits next to you, reading, but you know he isn't really paying attention. every so often, you feel his gaze drift over to you, and you pretend not to notice, trying to keep a straight face.
eventually, you can't resist. "see something interesting, theo?"
he raises a brow, entirely unfazed. "just making sure you actually read the material this time. merlin knows you're not acing potions by yourself."
