Theodore finds Padma silently crying in the hallway after Muggle Studies, her head in her lap, no one to console her. He doesn't know what compels him to sit down next to her, but for some reason his body practically forces him too. He's unable to pick up his feet and move on once he's close to the girl.
Padma noticies his presence and slowly lifts her head. When she sees Theodore, she lets out a rather loud sob—more of a cry, really—and then returns her head to her lap. Unsure what else to do, but hoping to stop her tears, Theodore puts a hand on her back, hoping to provide comfort. Padma flinches at his touch, though, and practically jumps away from him.
"I'm just trying to help," he murmurs.
Padma's response is immediate. "What do you care?" she spits, the tears still evident in her voice. "You're a Slytherin. Your father's a Death Eater."
Theodore is suddenly filled with rage. He stands up and stares down at Padma, surprised by the stinging at his eyes. "I'm not my father," he hisses. He's never said those words before but he's thought them. When other students pass him in the hallway—Gryffindors, Muggleborns, supporters of Dumbledore—he can't help but want to tell them that alright, he's not on their side…but he's not on any side. Is there something wrong about that?
Padma just sniffs and looks up at him, her eyes as round and wide as saucers. Theodore storms off, wiping at his eyes, embarrassed at his own tears though no one else will see them. He's surprised when he feels a small hand on his shoulder and whips around to face Padma, who is biting her lip.
"I'm sorry," Padma whispers.
"Yeah well," Theodore grumbles, "I am too."
A/N: My new OTP! Review and request.