Inglorious Bastards [Theodore Nott]

Chapter Forty-Six

"You know, I've been wondering, what should we call our little group – I mean, we gotta have a name right? How about The Three Bs? That's fitting – it stands for the Brains, the Brawn, and the Beauty – and Carina, we both know that you're the brawns in this group -- Malfoy's black eye was the evidence, and Theodore's the brains, so that leaves me with the..." Roman trailed off when he finally saw his two best friends. While he was randomly saying his thoughts as he played with the Niffler he had in his hands (the little rodent-like creature let out a giggle as it settled in Roman's hands while pocketing a shiny-golden wrapper that Roman gave it) Carina and Theodore were wrestling with their own Nifflers, trying their hardest to keep it from taking Theodore's shiny belt. Prior to their current state, Hagrid had everyone paired with a Niffler for a little "game" to make the lesson interesting. He reminded everyone to hide all of their valuables – especially shiny ones – because these little things would nick them off when they have the chance. Carina had to hide the necklace that Remus gave her, and as well as the earrings, and watch deep in her back just to makes sure the Nifflers wouldn't spot it. Theodore did as well but forgot one small thing. His polished belt-buckle.

"Of all the bloody things you could wear, why a shiny belt!" Carina grunted as she tried to keep her Niffler in her hold.

"It's not my fault – I didn't know we were handling Nifflers!" Theodore argued.

"You know, there is a way to stop it from pulling your pants off, Theodore," Roman said as he continued to tickle his own Niffler.

"Then what is it?!" Theodore almost let go of his Niffler but managed to catch it.

Frustrated, Carina said what she could think about to stop the energetic creatures, "Just take off your pants, Nott!"

Silence came to the three and other students, and all eyes went to Carina who finally got her Niffler in control by giving it a shiny button from her uniform to play with. Theodore stood in shock with Carina's words that he let go of his Niffler and lets it dangle at his belt. Roman and his Niffler too fell silent and had a gaping look at Carina.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who were not far, turned to the small group that consisted of two Slytherins and one Gryffindor with a look of disbelief.

"Did I hear that right or did Carina just asked Nott to take off his pants?" Ron said.

"I don't think Sirius would like to hear that," Harry said, as he recalled talking to his friends about what he should write to Sirius and Vivian.

Hermione closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, "Please, help me forget about that."

The trance was lifted when Hagrid came back with something to tell them. The other students seem to simply shrug off what they heard, as it was just another normal day of Carina and Roman's random antics, while Harry and the others pretended to have not heard it at all. Roman, who finally felt pity for Theodore, took out a shiny candy wrapper from his pockets and held it up before the Niffler. Theodore's Niffler took interest in the wrapper and jumped to get it. Roman then grabbed the little bugger and handed it to Theodore, and to fix his shiny belt problem, he took a handful of dirt and threw it all over Theodore's pants.

"You know, sometimes I wonder who is actually the brains in our little group," Roman said as he followed after the others.

Theodore looked down at his soiled clothes and sighed. Now, he needs to make do until the end of the day.

"We are never speaking about this, again, agreed?" Carina said.

"You're the one who asked me to take my bloody pants off!" Theodore hissed at her.