𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒯𝓌𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓎-𝒪𝓃𝑒

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The week leading to the Hogsmeade trip had... certainly been a time to be at Hogwarts. The illustrious journalist Rita Skeeter had dropped a masterpiece of an article after interviews with the four champions of the Triwizard Tournament.

And masterpiece is a very subjective term, of course, only to be considered one if you needed some ammunition to throw at Harry Potter.

Somehow interviews about four fascinating people, from a girl of Veela descent to a world-famous Quidditch player, had been turned into a three-page masterclass in bullshit about none other than the boy who lived himself... Harry Potter. It certainly was no help to the boy's reputation, which had already been damaged by convincing everyone his ego was so large he had found a way to join a death tournament to really show off.

And when the article dropped with his face taking up half the front page and the crafted words of Rita Skeeter to really help... it was horrible for Harry.

From quotes such as "Yes, at night I sometimes still cry about them..." about his parents and "...like Harry, is one of the top students in the school," which is an absolute lie. Harry couldn't go down a single hall without some form of insult.

And Hermione Granger had been mentioned more in the article than any of the other actual champions. Painted as a "stunningly" pretty girl with whom Harry had at last found love. Pansy Parkinson liked to screech about that quite a bit, to the point even Jane had snapped at her once.

As the week went on with the endless stream of teasing Harry that not even bystanders could escape, the anticipation for the fast-approaching first task grew, which just added to the energy in Hogwarts.

An energy that was quickly wearing on Theodore Nott specifically.

Peace could no longer be found anywhere in the castle. From Draco Malfoy spouting off the article any chance he got, even in the common room. To Viktor Krum and his crowd of admirers always in the library. To the French scoffing at every meal. To the growing excitement between classmates for Cedric Diggory. To Dante fucking Marcella following everywhere like a shadow.... It was all so much. And as the weather outside grew colder and everyone was trapped inside.... There was no escape.

So, in the strangest twist of the century. No one. Not a single soul was nearly as excited for the Hogsmeade trip as Theodore Nott was. He was ready to go pick a nice little table in the Three Broomsticks, order his butterbeer, and spend the day reading away.

And when Iris walked down for breakfast with her own book and a notebook in hand... maybe his excitement rose a bit. An involuntary happiness when he realized she, too, was opting for a relaxed day... an involuntary happiness at the idea of just the two of them and their peace for one full, undisturbed day.

An involuntary happiness that would die at just the beginning of the walk to Hogsmeade.

Dante pushed Theodore from Iris' side, sending back a smirk as Theodore gave him the typical loathing look.... It was just the audacity of it that beat away at Theodore's patience. Constantly being pushed away from his seat at the table, pushed away from his spot in the group to walk, pushed away from his spot at her side... pushed away from his friend. And then being smirked at by the one who does it.

It was frustrating. But Theodore just kept it to an eye roll as he moved to Iris' other side. Mood quickly turned sour as Dante opened his mouth.

Standing tall, Dante shot his usual troubling smile at Iris, the girl's own energy evaporated as she stared ahead, "My father has been sending me letters regularly to keep me up to date. Still trying to lock me into an engagement with Edith Highmore... hard not to tell him that the original plan is back on.”

Iris gave him a cold look, "You and I are never marrying.”

Theodore wasn't quite sure why he glanced over at that... taken back to the conversation on the train.... This nuisance was who Iris would marry if political reasons were the only factor.... Theodore didn't allow himself to think about the way that felt unsettling, ignoring when Dante sent a look at him again.

Dante was undeterred, smiling to himself as he caught the rest of this Slytherin group walking up ahead, "Probably good you stay away from Edith. She catches wind of you being alive, and she'll write straight to her parents. If I'm out of the picture, she is guaranteed their support towards Peverell.”

"Hard to believe you are an option at all. Your sister gets the Crest. You'll be lucky to get a second thought in the will.”

It was Dante's turn to grow cold, narrowed eyes on the girl, "And you'll be lucky if anyone can even look at you again after you just—“

"Go away." It was one of those cold demands of hers. One of those tones that had everyone freeze. Their minds blank as the command consumed them. One of those moments where you remember that Iris Blackwell had more power than she ever let on.

Dante would break from it easily, irritated as he stalked off, ego hurt and in need of repair. Popping over Sally-Ann's shoulder to fix it.

Theodore watched Iris closely, always quick to notice her. In that moment, specifically how her hand had twitched while watching Dante smile at Tracey and Sally-Ann. Theodore just knew that she wanted nothing more than to reach for her wand... and that confused him, "Why don't you just hex him already?”

"Yes, because attacking essentially a noble is a great move." It came out sarcastically and quite a bit harsher than she would have liked upon reflection, especially seeing that quick flinch of his. So taking a breath, she sent Theodore a forced smile, "He's always been like this; just takes time to get used to ignoring him again. And the fault in our culture goes to whoever throws the first punch; anything done by the other in retaliation is fair game."

Theodore stuffed his free hand into his coat pocket, thinking over the whole situation, reaching the only obvious conclusion... "Has to be some way you can get him to snap first."

Iris just shrugged, "Dante is... he always has been very in check. Sometimes it comes off that he likes to push people just to feel what any real emotion is like. Only way to explain why he pushes the old-fashioned way instead of skipping right ahead and amplifying emotions." She paused... taking a breath before humming and shooting Theodore a smile; she went on, "Always put me at a disadvantage against him. I have far too quick of a temper. Couldn't imagine how easy it would be for him to mess with my emotions to the point of blind rage in a fight.”

The mood lightened a bit. Theodore has to find a shared bit of humor in her admission against herself.

Iris would keep her gaze ahead, focused on their friends up ahead, watching carefully as Dante gave his most charming smile to Sally-Ann and Tracey... Jane and Valeria are immune to his silly charms.

Theodore eyed Iris, "Do you worry about him with Perks?"

She shook her head, "No... I trust Sally... just..."

Iris wouldn't get to finish her thought. Someone else decided to ruin the peace that had just been slowly returning. This one was a more pleasant arrival than the last... to Iris, at least.

Cedric Diggory looked nervous as he approached, rightfully, I guess. He and Iris hadn't exactly left off on the best of terms after he had chosen to throw his name in the Goblet of Fire. And while caught up in his growing fame and her in her want to ignore everything... the two hadn't talked.

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Still, Iris was far from threatening as she watched him join at her empty side; she seemed more disturbed by the crowd of fans Cedric had walked away from. A comment slipped out before Cedric could open his mouth, "Enjoying your posse?"

Theodore and Cedric both flinched back... the chill in her voice proving that even if not angry... Iris wasn't exactly happy with how things had gone.

Looking back to the group watching him like a hawk, Cedric couldn't really deny... "Can't say I hate it. Nice having some attention, people cheering you on."

Iris was looking ahead again, and she hummed again... not the same lighthearted hum from before, though, something Theodore knew as he eyed his friend again, "How do you feel knowing you joined to make a name for yourself and then weren't even mentioned in the first article? Sidelined by Harry Potter yet again."

It has been said before... Iris Blackwell knows how to hurt people.

Cedric actually seemed a fair bit upset at that, pausing in his step for a moment. He needed to let those words hit as he watched Iris keep walking, and Theodore cast Cedric an empty look from her side. Cedric needed to just let the words sit... so he could eventually shake his head and try again.

Maybe it was a Hufflepuff thing? To take an insult and just keep going, keep trying? To handle something like that so calmly... to not let your anger spike and snap right back? Not even Theodore had that sort of patience. The kind that pushed Cedric to catch back up and push for resolution.

“I know you are still frustrated. You don't like my reasons for joining. You don't see why anyone would want fame and glory. And you can call me an idiot all you need, but..." Cedric glanced at Theodore as he took a breath, "But I am a bit nervous. And would really like having someone whose only response is not to pat me on the back."

Cedric looked forward briefly as he paused, seeing the village approach. He grew a bit desperate at that, "I would like to have a friend who has taken whatever is coming seriously. Krum is in the library studying all the time. Fleur has this easy confidence. Harry has Hermione Granger. I feel a bit lost on what to do and have no one to talk to because all my friends just give me pep talks when I say anything. Dumbledore doesn't seem nearly as involved as the other school headmasters. I'm just kinda alone. And you have probably been the most sensible person when everyone else is focused on how exciting it all is."

There was a silence in the air between them. Iris still just looking forward, swinging her arm that held her book and notebook. Casually going about as if Cedric was hardly even there.

And seeing the village grow closer and closer... and his chance of winning over the girl, slimmer and slimmer... he finished off with a sigh, "And I really would just like if you would smile at me again. I just want at least one chance to get you to smile at me again."

Again Theodore would glance over... unsettled. Eyeing Cedric Diggory, this golden boy, as he tried to reach out for the girl between them. Theodore... involuntarily, almost kinda hoped—

“I'll meet you at the Three Broomsticks at around... one?”

Theodore had to blink as he realized she was talking to him... confirming her plans with him. Waiting for a nod so she and Cedric could go off and have a moment alone and talk. Waiting for Theodore to acknowledge that she was leaving him.

And Theodore did nod. Of course he did. And he would acknowledge her quick flash of a smile. And he would watch as she walked off, Cedric all smiles as he asked her why she wasn't wearing a coat.

And Theodore would stand there... this whole walk a blur to him. Acknowledging only that he was just robbed of his alone time with her. And that fact kinda... maybe... involuntarily ruined his mood a bit.

~~~~~~

It didn't take long for Theodore to wish he was back in the castle.

He was almost okay for a moment. Found a quiet little table hidden in the back of the Three Broomsticks. He ordered his butterbeer, cracked open his book... almost got over how he was just abandoned.

But his peace was very suddenly ruined when chairs started scraping around him. Sally-Ann, Tracey, Jane and Valeria... and of course... Dante.

Theodore blamed Iris. She was the reason why all these people felt comfortable sharing a table with him. She was the reason he now had friends who would ruin any opportunity for peace he could find. She was the reason Dante was sitting right beside him.

And sadly... he was so losing the ability to even pretend to be mad at her. For these headaches were just consequences of having her in his life... and he really couldn't pretend to not like having her around.... He wouldn't think about why.

He couldn't think about why because his brain cells were too busy rotting as he watched Sally-Ann poke at Dante's arm, "Would still have to see you in action to believe it. Hard to tell under all these clothes."

Dante was smug as he rattled on, "Don't need to have giant arms to be good at fighting. I'd bet that I could have anyone down in seconds."

Theodore would blame the way he had been stuck listening to this moron rave about himself for hours, that is what brought an audible scoff out of him. One he was really quite a bit proud of as Dante turned a raised eyebrow on him, a question following, "Have something to add?"

And Theodore did, "Does anyone include Ryker Peverell?" Theodore wasn't quite sure where that came from... but he thought it was a valid question. If anything had stood out about Ryker... it was that he was a giant. Inches taller than Theodore even, and arms that Sally-Ann had been obsessed with before being told just who that mystery boy that caught her eye was.

The girls did share a look. The taboo of the name hit first before the realization that Iris wasn't around to react poorly to the shift in conversation.... And once that hit, there was a shared smirk... Sally-Ann even went as far as to tease, "Would have to agree with Nott, hard to imagine you laying one hit on him."

Theodore's addition had done its job. Dante looked irritable, especially after Sally-Ann had so quickly switched sides... making it clear that she wasn't some obsessed little girl over him. He sat taller in his chair, his dark eyes narrowing, "I mean it when I say that a good fighter has more to them."

Valeria decided to speak up, "He is your superior in a sense, though, right? So you'd never even get the chance to prove yourself there?"

Theodore had to smile a bit; how quickly this had turned into an attack on Dante was fun. Seeing him slowly lose his cool... a glare jumped to his eyes as he looked at Valeria, "Peverell is, at best, my equal. He is acting as an unofficial placeholder based on nothing but generations of his ancestors kissing ass." His words were sharp... almost cold... but nothing compared to how scary Iris would have been in that same position.

And Theodore almost wanted to keep pushing. Payback in a way. But Tracey and Jane were voices of reason, settling the group for the better of everyone. Messing with the temper of someone who probably, despite his leaner figure, could show you what's what was not a smart decision.

So as Dante silently composed himself and the girls turned to each other for conversation, Theodore slipped out of his chair to go up to the bar. Figuring it was time to finally order for Iris... and get some lunch. The girls all shouted some orders at him, Theodore well versed in what they would want whether he heard them or not.

This was their thing, after all. One of those consequences of having Iris around. Acting as the only boy of the group, their little personal errand boy. Typically even the one that paid... but he really couldn't bring himself to much mind. Not like he had money to spend on much else, and typically he was thrown a few coins as "my share" at some point or another.

Really, even if he would never admit it, Theodore did, in small part, like all of the girls and what their overall dynamic had evolved into.

What he didn't like was Dante finding ways to mess with it. Steps behind Theodore as he reached the counter. That stupid smirk on his face while he listened to Theodore rattle off the order. And as Iris' cherry syrup and gillywater hit the counter... Dante cut in, grabbing the two drinks and adding, "Can we also do seven more butterbeers and put it all on my tab?"

Theodore didn't care who was paying; save him the giant bill. But he did care about two things. First, the irritation as Dante held onto Iris' drinks, leaving Theodore to eye them. And second, "Iris doesn't like butterbeer. Don't order one for her."

"The seventh isn't for Iris." That look of his was annoying.

But Theodore did look back at the table, confused, and almost wished he hadn't. Not really ready to turn and see that Iris had already snuck in, sitting at the table with Cedric Diggory and his stupid boyish smile right next to her. His coat around her...

Theodore would really try his best not to think about it, though... that spark of... irritation.

Dante sent Theodore a smug little look, going off with Iris' drinks back towards the table. Theodore still eyeing them the whole walk over. Another bit of irritation hit at him when Dante took the seat on Iris' empty side... leaving Theodore separated from her.

Irritation at just the audacity... of just everyone. His day that he hoped would be peaceful... left him nothing but irritated. Uncaring of everyone awing at Cedric because he insisted she keeps his coat on. Uncaring of the way, Dante seemed amused over this new boy who was clearly in the dark about several things. Uncaring of Cedric's big smile as he looked at Iris, their friendship mended.

But... caring of those stupid drinks. His eyes were on them even as Dante slid them in front of Iris. Watching as she looked down and grabbed at the cherry syrup first to take a sip and then switched to the gillywater to wash it down... her eyes quickly darting up to meet Theodore's... sending a quick smile his way...

And just like that... that quiet little moment as she acknowledged him, thanked him in her own way... that washed all his irritation right away. Maybe he didn't get that peaceful day... but he still had her.

It was a bit scary how that had turned right back around his whole day.