Something In The Way

18

𝘾𝙤𝙧𝙖 𝙈𝙖𝙡𝙛𝙤𝙮

Fred and George's legendary leaving was the subject of the next few days. During dinner I even heard a few Slytherin girls, friends of the Inquisitorial Squad, admit it was quite amazing.

One afternoon I lay down on a couch in the common room, attempting to study Arithmancy. It wasn't interesting, but I was quite good at it. Not better than Granger, to my annoyance. Sometimes I wondered if that girl did anything else than study. Then again I had spent almost the entire Holidays reading.

For the other subject, I'd chosen Divination. It was much worse, but with the centaur Firenze teaching, I'd almost grown to like it. And I didn't have Hermione as my competition.

Theodore Nott took a seat on the free space left on the couch. He glanced at the book in my hands.

"Arithmancy, huh?"

I raised my gaze, nodding.

"Yeah. It's not that bad."

"I chose Ancient Runes and Muggle Studies," he said, leaning back.

I furrowed my eyebrows slightly at the mention of Muggle Studies. I hadn't even thought about choosing it. Didn't feel very Malfoy-like. Nor did it sound fun. After all, muggles did seem quite pathetic. At least I was meant to think so.

"Muggle Studies? Why?" I asked, genuinely intrigued.

"I'm not sure. There are some interesting parts," Theo answered, "did you know muggles can communicate with each other by some device even though they're miles apart?"

"No, I didn't," I admitted, amused. "How come you're so interested in muggles?"

"They're actually smart," he said, giving me a playful glare, "we also read about how they build these big machines that fly without any magic. It's a little fascinating, don't you think?"

I shrugged, laughing. "Not really."

"Of course you don't," Nott laughed, shaking his head.

His eyes were now fixated on me, but I ignored it.

"You and Draco still haven't worked it out, hm?"

"Nope, I'm not planning to," I muttered. I'd expected this question sooner or later.

"Don't worry, I won't beg you to tell me why," he said, "Draco hasn't said a word either. I mean, he did mention something about Potter, but.."

My head shot up.

"Potter?"

"Yeah, I could've sworn I heard him mutter something about how you 'may as well be mates with Potter'.."

"Oh.." I breathed out, my eyes still wide. "You must've heard him wrong."

"Yeah, probably.." Theo shrugged, "but I hope you two sort things out. Draco's been grumpy."

I was surprised, putting down the book.

"He is sort of always grumpy."

"True, but it's different. I'm pretty sure he secretly misses you."

I bit my lip, thinking. My thoughts were interrupted by Draco's impatient voice.

"Hey, Crabbe, Goyle!" he hissed, gesturing for the two to follow him.

Together the trio left, seeming to be in a hurry. I frowned. Theo was confused but not too curious. He turned back to the fireplace, coolly blowing his hair from his forehead.