Tamblin crept down the staircases, level by level. He'd done it so many times that he barely had to think about it, even with the halls darkened. He moved wraithlike through shadows until he reached the main hall. There he stopped and came fully back to the world. Waiting in the place they used previous years to play Wizard's Chess was Nott. Tamblin held up a small white pawn from the Slytherin's chess set as he walked toward Nott.

"I got your message, Theodore. Why couldn't you just send me a note?"

Nott smiled. "Anyone can read a note. This," he tapped the pawn in Tamblin's hand, "was more secure."

Tamblin said nothing; he felt that it was up to Nott to explain his recent distance from Tamblin and closeness with Malfoy.

"Follow me, we should find a place less likely to be interrupted."

Tamblin assumed he meant an interruption by a wandering teacher or the caretaker Filch, but Nott's eyes watched the entrance to the dungeons. They made their way up to the third floor. Tamblin was surprised by how loud and clumsy Nott seemed compared to his own silent movements. Nott led them to a corner junction of two hallways. They would be able to see anyone approaching from a distance, and there were no alcoves in these hallways for a person to hide and eavesdrop.

"I witnessed an interesting thing today," Nott remarked casually, as if they were chatting over tea rather than conspiring under cover of darkness.

"What was that?"

"Malfoy asked me if I could possibly see my way to loaning him some galleons."

Tamblin smiled. "And what did you say?"

"Oh, what I said doesn't matter. The interesting thing is what he wanted the money for."

"And what was that," Tamblin asked.

"Nothing in particular. It seems he just was a bit strapped for cash. Doesn't that seem odd?"

"You mean because his family is wealthy enough to be able to afford him a decent allowance?"

"Precisely. And I've seen the scions of the Crabbe and Goyle families shaking down a number of younger students for coins."

"I'm having an effect."

Nott looked very serious; the hard look was unusual coming from his rabbit-like features. "Yes, you are. Or rather your campaign is putting a significant pinch on their families. And they strongly suspect your role in the matter."

Tamblin shrugged. "That was probably unavoidable. And I like them knowing why they are being ruined."

"They won't just sit by passively while you take revenge on them, Tamblin. Your presence in this castle is probably the only reason you are still alive."

Tamblin gave back an equally hard look. "They tried to kill me once, when I was unaware. They failed then. I'm ready for them now."

Nott pursed his lips for a moment. "They are not unmindful of your resources. They want my help in bringing you down, because I seem to know you best, at least of the people they could turn against you."

"And will you help them?"

Nott looked angry for the first time Tamblin could ever recall. "You gave up the Narrow Ground, not I!"

For a moment Tamblin could see past Nott's mask to the loneliness and betrayal he felt.

"It was not a choice. I would have remained neutral, but the Death Eaters attacked me. They chose to make war on my house."

"After you chose to shelter Karkaroff, their enemy. No, don't answer- I didn't ask you here to argue your actions. I understand why you have taken the course you have. I do not want to descend into recriminations. Not with you. But understand that your actions have put me into a very precarious position."

Tamblin nodded. "I do understand that. But you've always been an outsider among the Slytherin…"

"An outsider is one thing. That's something they fear but can ignore because it is no threat to them. Now they view me as someone close to their enemy. That they cannot accept. They must either be sure that I do not work against them, or they must treat me as an enemy. They cannot countenance neutrality from me now."

"I think I understand you as well as anyone, Theodore. And I respect you. You will do right by your house. I cannot, and do not, expect more from you than that."

Nott closed his eyes for a moment. When they opened they were glossy. "I will try to lull and mislead them, to let them hear what they want while staying to the Narrow. That is the best I can do."

Tamblin held out his hand and Nott shook it.

"Actually," Tamblin said, "I had wanted to discuss a matter with you, Theodore. We both know your father is involved with the Death Eaters. I suggest you disentangle your resources from that of your father. So far I have left him alone, but I do not mean to spare him."

Nott's eyes were now clear and very cold. He spoke with a clipped and precise pronunciation.

"I would consider that a diffidation between our houses," Nott said, using the term for a formal severing of peaceful relations.

There was a long pause as they measured each other's will.

"I will keep that in mind," Tamblin said finally.

They left each other then, one going up and the other down.