Theo was finding it hard not to smile as his Slytherin counterparts and the Gryffindorks tried to mesh their idea of what a party should be. Gryffindor was loud and bright, where as Slytherins always prefered to have the lights low, it could get loud but usually ended up with people sneaking away and casting silencing charms.
The Gryffindors won the argument this time because they were backed up by the Hufflepuffs. Ravenclaw didn't care either way, which made Theo roll his eyes. He hated people who couldn't form an opinion about something.
Hermione walked down the stairs then in muggle jeans and a chunky red sweater. Her wild hair was pulled back into a ponytail. "Hey Theo," she said, her head bobbing with the greeting.
"Granger," Theo greeted back.
She looked him up and down. "It's a party Theo, why are you in a suit?"
Theo rolled his eyes. "It's a party Granger, why do you have a book?" He wasn't even sure she did but one look at her after his comment gave him the affirmation.
Hermione pulled a book out of her small beaded bag. "How did you know I had a book?"
"Cause you're you." She did something that surprised him then, she smiled at him.
"Am I truly that predictable?"
Theo took a sip of firewhiskey from his glass, he refused to use the plastic cups that the Gryffindors provided. "It's a good thing Granger. Too many of these gits do stupid things to prove that they aren't predictable. You're dependably smart, swotty, brave, annoying, but it's good."
Granger shook her head. "Is that a Slytherin thing, or just a you thing? Complimenting and insulting people in the same breath?"
"I didn't mean for it to be insulting."
"Annoying? Swotty?" She looked up at him with her brown eyes. Most girls Theo knew would have worn makeup to make their eyes seem darker or lighter, even his sister did that, but not Granger. She just stood there unconcerned with the fact she was at a party without any cosmetics.
Theo swirled his drink in his glass. "Well you are Granger. The truth doesn't have to be nice, but you shouldn't be offended." She looked at him skeptically.
"Sure. I hope your sister doesn't mind I invited a few people," she commented changing the subject.
He rolled his chocolate eyes. "Tell me you didn't invite the two buzz kills, Weasle and Potty." He glanced down at her and she could see the amusement in his eyes. He was teasing her.
"No," she shook her head, a few stray curls detaching themselves from the ponytail. "Just Ginny and Luna."
He nodded. "I like Lovegood. She's not boring." Then he walked off catching a glimpse of Malfoy and Zabini at the other end of the room. He called over his shoulder, "Granger, don't be shy, come mingle." She saw who Theo was walking towards and just shook her head, reaching for her book to show him what she would be doing instead. He smiled and shrugged at her.
"Slumming it with Granger now?" Malfoy asked when he reached his friends.
"Shut it," Theo warned. He didn't need his friend's judgment.
Zabini smiled his usual mischievous smile. "She was watching tryouts and they looked very cozy." He wiggled his eyebrows. "Maybe I'll take up a Gryffindor habit as well."
Theo just rolled his eyes, "I don't have a Gryffindor habit." But no one was listening to him, they were looking at something behind him. He turned around to see Campbell descending the stairs into the common room. She had on a Slytherin silver dress that left nothing to the imagination. It looked like something Pansy would wear.
Campbell made her way over to the boys giving them a small wave.
"Look at you Little Nott," Blaise whisled. She shook her head. Her normally straight hair was curled slightly at the ends and bounced when she moved.
"Yeah yeah, get it out already," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
Malfoy turned to Theo then. "And she wonders why people call her a slag."
Campbell's cheeks burned then, not with embarrassment but rage, and maybe a touch of embarrassment. She pulled at her fingers in front of her, an old habit that she had meant to break a long time ago.
"Mate, if you don't apologize to Campbell we aren't mates anymore." Theo looked very serious as he said this to Malfoy.
Malfoy looked to Blaise but Zabini just held up his hands letting Malfoy know that he was on his own. Malfoy rolled his grey eyes dramatically. He turned to face Campbell. "Ms. Nott, please forgive me for my rude comment."
She crossed her arms. "Sod off Malfoy." Then she stomped off towards Peaks and Coote. They beamed down at her as she approached and handed her a horrendous red cup filled with probably butterbeer, perhaps something worse. She accepted it with a smile and drank from it. The rest of the team, Bones, Boots, and the keeper, whatever his name was, came up and they all started chatting away.
Theo looked at Malfoy. "Start being nice to my sister," he said. It wasn't a request.
"Why?" Malfoy stuffed his hands in his pockets.
"Because if you want any part of my friendship you will have to be, or you'll keep getting hit."
Malfoy huffed. "Yeah alright, but if she slaps me again, I will not be nice or kind to her, sister or not."
Zabini spun at this. "You are a real prat sometimes."
"I don't," Malfoy started, but Zabini continued.
"Little Nott is great and bright and opinionated and she is giving you a run for your money being a stubborn ass, but she is loyal and she has always been there for us, give her a break or Theo is right, you will be left alone with just Parkinson to talk to."
"Sod off," Malfoy mumbled and walked away.
Oh boy oh boy. I had a lot of fun with this chapter. I really am looking forward to Theo and Hermione.
