Pulling Strings - Theodore Nott

41. I Want None of This

Theodore's POV

"Ophelia, open the door," The slow tapping he had begun with had quickly turned into a hasty knocking, careless of the late hour or the possibility of being found out in the girl's corridor. "Ophelia, I know you're in there, we need to talk,"

He had stood frozen for a few seconds, back at the Astronomy Tower, after her quick escape. He simply...didn't understand what had gone wrong. It usually had something to do with him, but he was sure that he hadn't done anything wrong. At least...not on purpose.

Actually he had...thought that he had done something right. His heart had been beating too fast in anticipation before everything went sideways. He had finally, sort of, opened up. About his feelings.

Or something like that.

Yes, he had tried to...show her how much she meant–

Apparently it was too much. He had miscalculated. She didn't want him opening up, she didn't want him to show her how much he lik–

No. He needed to stop thinking about that. It was better to shove it back down, lock it and throw away the key.

He had scared her off, he was sure of it. It was too much too soon. Why did he think that just because they had shared some good conversations, she had any need for that? That just because she had been there, time and time again whenever he felt like the world was coming down on him, that she was interested in him –as a person?

It was evident now that she wasn't.

His knocking grew more insistent.

I am grateful for you.

He was pathetic. No wonder she ran away from him.

He hadn't been raised like this. To show vulnerability to the first person that gave him an inch of affection, of understanding.

And the kiss! Salazar, he was a prick.

Was he really so starved of affection that he confused friendliness for something more? Yes, Ophelia had reciprocated his advances but...had she any other choice? Perhaps she didn't mind but still, it didn't mean that she had felt the same.

She had kissed him before so maybe she just thought he was a good kisser. That was all. She didn't want to deal with anything else.

"Ophe–" His knocking was interrupted when the door suddenly opened. He allowed himself a few seconds to hope, before it all came crushing down. His eyes narrowed, "Daphne."

The girl standing in front of him looked pissed, and he would know about it, he had seen it several times. A heavy robe was draped over her and despite looking like she had just woken up, he found her appearance no different from any other day.

"I am going to count to five," she began, showing him her raised fingers. "And if you are not gone by the time I reach the number five, I'll go and wake up Snape to come get you." Before he could say anything, she continued. "Do not test me, Theo, you know I will."

Theodore knew she meant it. Daphne was not one to make void threats. Still, he had to try.

He put on his most charming smile, trying to appeal to some hidden part of her that didn't loathe him. "Daphne, have I ever mentioned you look lovely when you just woke up?"

She groaned. "Please, do not lose what little respect I still have for you by doing...this," She pointed to his whole persona, and he let the smile drop. "And before you try to convince me, Ophelia is sleeping, she said she doesn't want to talk so...goodbye." She began to push the door closed, but he was faster and he put his whole body weight to stop her from doing so.