Disclaimer: I don't own the HP universe. Give me a few million years, I might have enough to buy it. Or not.
AN: This is a response to the uncommon people challenge by Amortentia-of-Nyx.
Theodore Nott spotted the girl as he entered the library. With a malicious grin, he sneaked over towards the table she was sitting at, to focused on her homework to notice his approach. With a slight wave of his wand, her notes went flying.
"Sorry Patil." he said with a smirk as she scrabbled about grabbing her notes.
"Nott! What the HELL do you think you're playing at?" she bellowed and he noted that she was wearing Ravenclaw blue and not Gryffindor red. He never could tell those Patil twins apart.
"Just having a little fun Patil." he replied, continuing to smirk. She gave him a withering glare and a stream of colourful terms about his parentage and person. "Now, now Patil, you don't want the Carrows to have to discipline you." Padma Patil's face turned slightly pale and he decided to press his advantage. "I mean, what with father being such a good friend of theirs and a colleague as well, I'm sure that you might want to watch your language around me." He grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet. She was so close that he could feel her figure against his body as they leaned on the table. "They might even let ME discipline you."
"You wouldn't d-" she started and Theodore cut her off.
"Don't tell me what I wouldn't dare do Patil, my word and blood is considered far better than yours." he growled, before twisting away and pushing her to the ground. "Just remember your place."
Padma glared at Theodore's retreating back until he had left the library. Then, when he was firmly gone, she picked up her notes and Theodore's latest note to the DA. As she read the note, she smiled.
"Thanks Theo." she whispered and hurried to pass on Theodore's latest piece of intelligence.
Theodore continued his journey to the Slytherin common room, feeling a sense of amusement. While he didn't agree with the ideals of the DA and the light side, he wasn't stupid enough not to hedge his bets, especially as Harry Potter and his followers did seem to succeed more often than luck would allow. And besides, being a Death Eater involved, as far as he could tell, far too much kissing up an hoping for favour from the Dark Lord. No, as far as Nott was concerned, it was far better just to play both sides and make your own rules.