Depths of Despair ✶ Theodore Nott

fifty seven, inevitable disappointment

                                               It was easier said than done, catching their dearest professor Snape on his lonesome. Theodore had suggested simply launching attacks on his mind midst potions class — an idea Valerie rejected as quickly as it had been spoken aloud.

Discretion was her greatest ally, and quite frankly Snape would not take well to uninvited mental intrusions.

"Do you have any other ideas, then?"

Yes. She did indeed. Casting a glance around the classroom, her gaze landed upon a target, and with a swift movement she reached down into her bag, fingers grasping around the handle of her wand. Within seconds, Ron Weasley's potion burst like an erupting volcano from within his cauldron — a high-pitched shriek sounding throughout the classroom.

Theodore swore he'd get whiplash from the amount of times looking back and forth between the red-head and Valerie, however when having caught up to speed with what had happened, a chuckle bubbled from within his chest.

Although part of a somewhat hasty plan pieced together in the matter of seconds, Valerie herself was rather proud of her course of action. After the insults having been spoken a few weeks prior when bumping into the squad of Gryffindors outside the room of requirement, Weasley certainly deserved some payback.

"Leclere." Valerie had expected Snape to quickly pinpoint her as the culprit — all going according to plan — however the professor sounded less stern than he perhaps should. She looked up, meeting Snape's gaze whilst awaiting punishment, however then a second shriek broke the  silence apart.

This time, it was Theodore who sat with his wand at hand, having decided to not let Valerie take the fall alone. It was now Hermione Granger who muttered profanities, in despair over her almost finished potions having ended up all over her robes as a consequence of the spell casted aloud.

Although maintaining her eye contact with Snape, Valerie could do little to stop a smirk from spreading across her lips.

"Nott. Lecelere," Snape stated simply because he had to, offering Hermione and Ron a disinterested glance each before proclaiming his sentence. "Detention tonight at 7 o'clock."

"Real mature, Leclere," Weasley muttered when walking past her on his way out of the classroom to tidy himself up. It was difficult to take him seriously with potion distributed over his hair and clothes, hence why all he received in response was a chorus of laughter.

Ignoring Kieran throwing questionable glances her way, Valerie turned around to overlook a smirking Theodore Nott — the two performing a discreet high-five underneath the table. Now, all that remained was to get Snape cooperating, however Valerie had realized Theodore was right.

Snape was deep within the order, playing the role of double agent to perfection. Although his loyalties were somewhat uncertain, he would only incriminate himself by refusing her plea for help. For the first time in weeks, Valerie swore she could see the light at the end of the tunnel.

It was at supper that Theodore and Valerie got their first interrogation. Kieran had, prior to his intervention, sat silent, observing the two with an unreadable look materialised across his features. Then, when deciding he'd finally had enough of trying to answer the why's himself, he  put down his fork and pinned Valerie with his gaze. "You two are up something."

A statement, not a question. Valerie knew her best friend was frustrated, and the guilt of not including him in her schemes was weighing down upon her on a daily basis. "Huh?" she spluttered out, trying to achieve an act of confusion — as if not knowing what he was talking about.