Pulling Strings - Theodore Nott

6. A favour

The walk to Snape's office was horrible. You could cut the tension in the air with a pair of scissors. Professor Snape had looked surprised when he opened the door to the boy's room and found Ophelia there. She half expected him to shout at her, waking every single student who had gone to bed already. But he didn't. Instead, in a very calm tone he ordered both of them to follow him to his office.

Theodore had not looked in her direction once since then. Deep down she knew that he blamed her for everything since he had warned her not to go into his room, but she was the only one doing something to protect her friend. It was enough that she was feeling quite embarrassed to be walking over to their head of house's office.

In the six years she had spent at Hogwarts, not once had she been called to his office. She never got in trouble since she was always looking at everything from outside, not actively participating in anything forbidden. Seems like there was a first time for everything. She only wished that it hadn't happened with Nott.

When they were at the door, Professor Snape allowed them to go in first and closed the door after him. The silence was too loud in the gloomy room so she took the opportunity to inspect it. As one would expect it looked dark and...wet. The walls were of black stone that seemed to be constantly dripping water from somewhere —she didn't want to guess where— and the furniture consisted of different types of cupboards and closets full of different vials and potions.

Two chairs were set in front of Snape's desk but since he didn't allow them to sit, both of them remained standing in front of them. Snape didn't sit either, choosing to remain standing too, and after a few seconds that felt like ages, he spoke.

"What were you doing in Mr. Nott's room, Miss Selwyn?" Snape's deep voice made the question sound ten times more incriminating. It certainly didn't help that he was solely focused on her, Theodore didn't exist it seemed.

"I–I was—" she cleared her throat, trying to rid herself of the nerves. "I was looking for—" She cut herself off. No, she couldn't say that she was looking for Anna because that would only get her into trouble, and she couldn't be the one to do that. She needed to think of another excuse and the most difficult part was that Nott needed to play along with her. But what could she say?

"Speak plainly, Miss Selwyn."

She forced herself to look at Theodore and once more she found herself surprised. He had been looking at her too. Great, at least she wouldn't have to think of a way to get his attention. The only problem now was how to ask him to help with her lie. She only hoped that her eyes could deliver the message that she couldn't speak. "Well...I–I was there obeying a request from Theodore's grandfather." His eyes bulged at the lie and she made the effort not to roll her eyes. Could he be any more obvious?

She waited for him to say anything. Rat on her. Tell Snape that she was lying so the punishment would fall only on her. But none of those things happened and she breathed a little bit more at ease. Still, she wasn't in the clear yet. Snape looked dubious.

"I hardly doubt that Lord Nott asked you to get into his grandson bedroom and–"

"He did!" Snape looked even angrier now that she had raised her voice, if possible. She didn't know what was the problem with her lately that she couldn't control her tone. "Sorry professor, I meant that...he did ask me to speak to him alone because it is a...private matter." She spied Nott's face beginning to change from the confused expression that was there until moments ago and she calmed down a little. Maybe he was not such a complete knob and he had gotten her message to play along. She could only wish. "So, naturally, I was only following orders."

She was already smiling with triumph, feeling that she had executed a brilliant lie when suddenly, Snape stood before her, a bit too close for comfort and with a flick of his wand forced her to sit in the chair behind her. Theodore for his part, at least had the decency to look surprised.