… Umbitch …
I stare at him in partial shock. "If you can't look at me while you lie to me don't bother trying to lie." He mumbles. I close my eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about. You don't know me. I didn't question your past." I mumble. "I had a few flings with a few girls trying to forget about seeing you leaving the party with him. It was so blatantly obvious what you two were going to do. I don't like the idea of another guy touching you love. Sometimes I hate the way guys look at you like they're undressing you. Darling I want you to be mine and mine only." He mutters.
I open my eyes looking at him incredulously. "Amelia, I really like you." He whispers and pulls me into another kiss. I respond immediately putting my hands on his shoulders. "I don't want you to date anyone else. I don't want you with anyone else. I want you to be with me." he kisses me softly.
"Where did you disappear to?" Padma ask as we walk into the Great Hall. "I had to talk to someone." I mumble. Marietta examines my face. "Did you talk to Theodore? He was looking for you. Said he thought he saw you this summer." She smiles. I shrug. "Who knows if he saw me or not, but I did talk to him. I actually had to talk Hermione on the orders of the parents." I mutter which is true. After my little run in with Theodore I had to find and talk to Hermione which was not a fun event.
She looks over to where Hermione sits who looks as frustrated as I do. Not in the least bit shocking it did not end well. "She looks mad. What did you do?" Marietta asks in a slightly teasing voice. "I told our parents about her and Victor since she wanted to run her mouth about me and Jason." I smirk. Her mouth drops open and before she can question me further the sorting begins effectively cutting her off for the rest of the evening.
I'm looking for a book for a report when someone taps my shoulder. I turn slightly and see Theodore. "Am I blocking a book you need?" I mumble. "You're the book I want to read." He whispers. I roll my eyes and turn back to the bookcase. "What report are you working on little firecracker?" he asks following me. "Potions, Snape is not in a very good mood. He doubled the homework because of one badly brewed potion. So, now I have to write a 20-page detailed report. And you? Why are you following me?" I wonder.
"I am making sure you're not talking to anyone else." He smirks. "Then I think I'll go talk to an old fling." I smirk back. Theodore's eyebrows raise slightly as if challenging me. I grab the book I'm looking for and get my things. He catches up to me as I'm leaving the library. "What old fling?" he demands. I smile and laugh.
I start down another corridor, and he pulls me to the side. "What old fling Amelia?" he grumbles. "We're not dating. I don't have to tell you a damned thing!" I tease sticking my tongue out and skip down the hall. "That was really mean. Now answer my question." Theodore puts an arm over my shoulder as we walk. "None of your concern." I giggle.
He frowns and pulls me to him as he leans against a wall. I bite my lip nervously and try to look away. "No, no, no. You started this topic. I was all prepared to help you with your report, but you brought up talking to an old fling. Oh no, no, no. I can't have that." His hands rest on my hips keeping me from moving away. I hum quietly as if this all a dream. "Amelia." He whispers softly. I turn and he kisses me.
I'm not sure of what to do. I feel conflicted. "Don't mention ex flings again. I don't like it." he mumbles. I'm speechless and just stare at him. "Answer me." Theodore cups my face. "I'm going to go to talk to someone else anyone else that isn't you!" I state defiantly. Something flickers in his eyes. I squirm in his arms. He picks me up and carries me over to a nearby bench. He puts my legs around his waist. I squirm uncontrollably in his grip.
I hit his chest with my hands and pout. "You really are stubborn." He smirks kissing me again. I give in as soon as our lips meet, and my fingers tangle themselves in his hair. I don't want to let go anytime soon, and he knows that. I wrap my arms around him and put my face in his neck trying to catch my breath. "You evil boy. I can't do this." I mutter. Theodore laughs and kisses my cheek. "Can you at least try? We can keep this secret if you want." He whispers. I shake my head.
"I think we can try." I whisper trying to keep my voice even. I don't have to look to know that he's grinning like a fool. I peek out from my hiding place, and he is indeed smiling like an idiot. I kiss him softly and smile. "This is so adorable." Someone says from behind us. Theodore looks behind me still smiling. "Hey there Blaise. Amelia this is Blaise. He's one of my friends." Theodore gives Blaise a look. I turn and wave seeing Blaise leaning against the opposite wall watching us.
"You two look rather good together. Well, don't let me take up too much of your time. I just wanted to tell you that Draco wanted to talk to us in a few hours. I'll see you back at the dorm. Amelia." Blaise nods at me before walking down the corridor and disappears. I turn back to Theodore who has yet to unwrap his arms from my waist. I clear my throat and squirm. He shakes his head. "I still have a few hours. So, let's get your homework done." He stands and places me on the ground.
I frown and begin to whine. He merely shakes his head and leads me to an empty classroom to work on my homework. "You have an excellent memory." He mumbles as we work. I smile and he rolls his eyes. I lean over and kiss his cheek. "Oh, that's hardly fair! I have to go soon." He pouts. "Aww! You poor thing!" I tease. He groans tilting his head back. "I'm going to kick Malfoy's ass for making me attend this meeting." He mutters. I fight back a laugh.
"If you laugh, I'll stay right here and kiss you senseless." He eyes me with a straight face. "Promises, promises. Ok, I'm not going to laugh." I promise. He doesn't react or move an inch. I reach over and pinch his cheek and we find ourselves in a tickle fight. I give him a gentle nudge down the corridor. "I want to stay with you." He pouts. "Tell you what. You go to this 'meeting' and try not to kick Malfoy's ass and I'll let you take me on a date. For an entire day I'll be yours and yours alone." I whisper in his ear.
His eyes light up and he nods. He gives me one last kiss and hurries down the hall. I watch him go with a smile. I hurry up to my dorm and get my things put away. Padma nudges me at dinner. "A little birdie told me she saw you with a Slytherin looking very lovey dovey." She winks suggestively. I turn to her wide eyed with my best innocent and bewildered expression. "So, it is true! Are you two official?" she pokes me repeatedly.
I look over at the Slytherin table. Malfoy looks to be in one piece and is joking around with Theodore and Blaise about something. Theodore catches my eye and winks. I turn back around not sure if he saw me blushing or not. "It would seem I have a date coming up soon." I mumble. Padma laughs and pokes my cheek. "Your face is so red. I can't believe you're going on your first date with him soon." She squeals quietly. I mumble under my breath. Padma leans in and I repeat myself. "It's my very first date, like ever. Never been on a date before." I mumble.
Her mouth drops open in shock. "You. You never. You've never. You're telling me you've never been on a date in your life!" she whispers. I nod and she sits back staring at me like I'm some new kid she's trying to figure out. "You better be happy I'm here to help. I could've sworn you'd been on a date before. Just look at you. You look like you're well versed in every topic of every relationship." She scoffs motioning from my head to my toes. I flip my hair in a 'thank you' motion and she rolls her eyes.
Padma shoots me looks all through dinner and chooses to talk to her sister on the way up the stairs. "Talk to Hermione. You two need to makeup." Padma whispers. I shake my head and Padma looks at someone behind me. "Misbehaving again?" Theodore smiles. I pout and he ruffles my hair. "Listen to Padma and go apologize to your sister." Theodore nudges me up the stairs. I hear Padma laugh as she hurries up the stairs. Theodore nods up the stairs. I kiss his cheek and head up the stairs.
I'm halfway up when he spins me around and kisses me. "Goodnight Amelia." He whispers. "Goodnight." I whisper with a smile. I hurry up the stairs and find Hermione and my friends watching me. "What?!" I ask shyly. I can tell their fighting back teases and I wave them up the stairs. "When did that happen?" Hermione mumbles. "A while ago." I mumble shaking my head to rid myself of the lingering effects of his kiss so I can speak in longer sentences.
"I'm sorry." We mumble at the same time. "Does he know about…" Hermione trails off. I nod. "He doesn't like it. He doesn't like it when I mention any of my old flings so…" I roll my hands and she understands. Then she stops walking. "Flings. Like plural?" she gapes. I nod. "Who's the other one or ones?" she nudges me. I look up the stairs and point at Fred who's walking away. I see her brain trying to process and I can see the questions on her the tip of her tongue. "It was back in third year, and we never told anyone so shush." I cover her mouth.
She glares and then her gaze softens. "Theodore doesn't like hearing about your ex-flings?" she mumbles. I shake my head. "Nope. Not allowed. I don't think I want to hear about his either. I mean can you imagine. Yeah, it's better not to talk about it." I shrug. Hermione stops walking again. "This is your first date!" she whispers. I cover her mouth and make sure no one was listening. "Not everyone knows that. I radiate a 'I know what I'm doing' vibe from every pore." I flip my hair for dramatic effect and Hermione smiles.
Laughing we hurry after the others. I hand in my report to Snape, and he eyes it for a moment before leaning over and reading it thoroughly. "Did someone filter you Ms. Book or did you finally learn to not vomit back up everything you read?" he sneers. "No, I thought I'd give my hand a break from overwork." I mutter before walking back to my seat. "Are you crazy? Do you want to lose us house points?" Padma whispers furiously as she sits down next to me. I frown and put my head on her shoulder apologetically. She doesn't stay mad for long and by the end of class the incident is forgotten.
We walk up to the library to start on our homework. Snape doubled the homework again despite the many protests of the class. Groaning I heave open another book dramatically. "Aww, are you tired?" Padma teases. I stick my tongue out playfully and we laugh quietly before continuing with our homework. Were on our way back to the common room when I spot Theodore looking out a window. "I'll catch up with you a bit later, ok." I wave and she finally spots Theodore. She winks and takes off up the stairs.
I sneak up behind him and slap his arm. He whirls around to yell at the person and smiles when he sees me standing there. "What are you doing?" I ask looking out the window. "Thinking." He mumbles. I can feel his gaze on me and turn to look at him. "What? Do I look really pretty?" I poke his arm. "You look very beautiful." He smiles. I turn away trying to hide the blush on my cheeks.
Theo turns me back and around and pulls me into a hug. "If I had known that you get so embarrassed so easily, I would've made you blush sooner." He chuckles. "I'm not easily embarrassed!" I protest but the growing blush on my face says otherwise. He kisses my cheeks and I pout playfully. "Come on." he smiles taking my hand and leading me down the stairs. He sits down on the grass and pulls me down next to him.
I cuddle up next to him and kiss his cheek. "How'd Snape like your report?" he wonders playing with my hands. "I think he liked it. I may have sass mouthed him a bit, but he didn't do anything." I confess. "You sass mouthed Snape?" he bites his lip fighting back a laugh. I nod. "Padma told me off for it, but I think it depends on when you sass mouth Snape, you know? like if everyone's doing it at the same time of course he's going to take house points." I look at Theo and he just watches me with a smile.
"I'm serious. Are you telling me you never noticed?" I pout. "Of course, I noticed but if you go around telling everyone Snape will start to expect it." he winks. I laugh and play with his hands. "What were you thinking about earlier?" I whisper. "Nothing you need to worry about." Theo shakes his head. I roll over staring at him with a worried expression. "I'm fine. Don't worry about it." he mumbles. I lean down and kiss him.
"Tell me." I whisper. "My dad was just being a controlling asshole again. It's nothing really. I'm used to it." he admits. He looks at me like I'm about to run. "Your father hits you, doesn't he?" I sit up. Theo doesn't say anything just stares at the sky. "Not as much as he did when I was younger. I've become something of an expert when he's had a bit too much to drink or I'm not living up to his expectations." He looks away.
I turn his face back to mine. "Your mine. I am yours. You can tell me anything. I'm not going to run away and leave you. Do you understand me?" I brush his hair from his face. "You say that now but you've never met my father. I can't put into words just how horrid my father is." Theo sighs. "I don't care." I mutter. Theo stares at me blankly then begins to smile. "You don't care?" he chuckles. "No, I don't care. I don't care if your father hates me, nor do I care if he says horrid things about me. I am with you and that's all that matters." I insist.
He wraps his arms around me and pulls me down. "Please don't leave me." he whispers. "I won't ever leave you." I whisper. We lay there in each other arms for a while. I'm running my hands over his arms when I notice the faint scars there. "One day when you're ready and comfortable will you tell me about them and how it happened?" I ask. Theo lifts my face and kisses me. "What?" I ask. He shakes his head with a smile. "I'll tell you about my scars one day." he promises.
I'm in bed doing homework when Padma bursts in. "What are you doing?!" she shouts. I jump and my ink bottle goes flying and crashes on the ground splattering everything in a five-foot radius. Padma shoots me an apologetic smile as she hurries to clean up the mess. "What is it?" I ask. "You have your first date tomorrow! What are you going to wear?" she jumps onto my bed with a hyper look in her eyes.
My shoulders slump and I frown. "I don't know. I haven't thought about it." I mutter. Her mouths drops open and she drags me out of bed. I stumble after her and she begins holding my outfits up and examining them. "What are you looking for?" I ask in utter confusion. "Something that makes your eyes pop and makes you look stunning." She mumbles flinging the denied outfits back into my trunk.
When we've found something up to her standards she goes to my hair. "What to do with your hair and makeup now." she's no longer talking to me but to herself. I remember the last date Marietta went on. Padma became her personal stylist and Marietta had looked amazing, so I decide to trust Padma. "When it's time for you to leave tomorrow then take your down. Not a minute too soon." She orders. "Yes ma'am!" I salute her and she laughs.
I wake up earlier than Padma and hurry to exercise, shower, and eat breakfast and I'm back before anyone wakes up. I'm seated at my desk doing my makeup by the time everyone starts to wake up. Padma stumbles out of bed and sniffles. "What's wrong?" I ask turning around. "My baby girl is growing up. off on her first date with a Slytherin." Padma begins to fake cry and I throw my pillow at her.
She falls back onto her bed laughing. I roll my eyes and finish my makeup and begin to look through my perfumes. I shoo her and the others out of the room since their grumbling stomachs are too distracting. I slip into my skinny jeans and doc martens. I spritz a bit of perfume onto my skin and worm my way into a tiered shirt. According to the note Theo slipped me between classes it's almost time for our date. I start to take down the elaborate braids Padma put in my hair.
My hair falls down my back in soft manageable curls. I examine myself in the mirror. I look stunning and everything flows together nicely. I grab a denim jacket Padma set out for me and wink at my reflection before skipping down the stairs. Theo's leaning against a wall at the foot of the stairs when I round the corner. I force myself to walk calmly down the stairs but half down I throw the plan out the window. When I'm a few steps away I jump on his back and kiss his cheek. "You scared me. What are you doing sneaking up on me like that?" he laughs.
"I tried to restrain myself, really I did, but I just couldn't help it." I smile. I can tell he's trying to be mad and failing, terribly. I climb off of his back and he spins me around looking me over from head to toe. "Damn you look good." He mumbles. I wave off the compliment still giddy from scaring him. "Are you ready?" I ask. He's still looking at my outfit, so I wave my hands in his face snaping him out of it. "Come on. Let's go." I pull him towards the exit. He wraps an arm around me as we walk down the path to Hogsmeade.
"If you're trying to distract me it's working." Theo whispers in my ear. I turn so I'm walking backwards and wrap my arms around him. "Oh sweetie, if I wanted to distract you, I wouldn't be wearing or doing this." I wink playfully. Theo bites his lip and shake my head. "You are one dangerous witch." He whispers turning me around. I smile as he pushes me towards the village. "I thought we were having fun." I turn to look at him.
"Please don't test my patience, Lia. It won't end pretty." He mumbles in my ear. I note his eyes have darkened slightly and decide to stop teasing him. He takes my hand when we get to the village. He has to send something off, so I wait patiently outside the post office for him. The shop bell chimes, and I turn to see him come out of the shop. He nods down the street and takes my hand.
We dip into Zonko's, and I tilt my head in confusion. "Draco's been a bit of an ass lately and Blaise and I figured we'd bring him back down a couple notches." Theo whispers conspiratorially. I smirk and follow him through the store. I watch him carefully. "What did Draco do this time?" I ask as he picks up Hiccup Sweets. "The jackass wanted to run over Quidditch plays again like the rest of us don't have lives." Theo mutters. I hand him a thing of Frog Spawn Soap and he grins.
"What do you think?" he smirks. "I think it's always nice to bring people back to their senses." I give him two thumbs up. He purchases the items and I pull him to Honeyduke's. "Why?" he tilts his head. "To entice him into the prank. He's not a complete idiot." I pull him into the shop and head over to the nastiest sweets. I point to a few, and he looks me up and down. "Remind me to never make you upset." He mumbles. I roll my eyes and grab the nastiest trick sweets.
We stop in the Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer and grab a table in a corner. I scoot closer to him and put my head on his shoulder. "Let me guess. Draco wanted to go over some new tactics and you and Blaise wanted to spend time with your girlfriends." I smile and play with his hands. Theo chuckles. "Right on the money. Would you believe he did not like the suggestion that he get a girlfriend so the rest of us could have more free time?" He sighs dramatically.
I sit up and eye him. "You know maybe he just hasn't found the right ferret yet." I giggle. Theo bursts out laughing and Rosmerta gives us a look as she drops off our drinks. I take a sip of mine to try and calm down. Theo hides his face in my neck. "You're going to get us in trouble." Theo whispers. "If I remember correctly Draco doesn't have a very good track record of things going according to his plans. Besides his father isn't here to help him and I'm not the one pranking him." I smirk.
He pouts and crosses his arms. "You helped me get the stuff for the prank. You're a co-conspirator now." he shrugs. "Oh please. You wouldn't let Draco do anything to me." I state matter-of-factly. Theo bites his lip thoughtfully. "Damn you're right.", he mutters and leans in to kiss me, "I wouldn't let him lay a finger on you." His hand rests on my thigh and I smile. "Aww, how sweet. You're so freaking adorable!" I whisper kissing him softly.
"Tempting. Too tempting. Far too tempting." Theo mumbles looking into my eyes. "I have no idea what you're talking about." I turn back to my drink. "Yes, you do. Don't be too ashamed to admit it." he chuckles taking a sip of his. I tsk and poke his head. "What does that mean? Hey! What are you talking about?" I wonder. Theo opens his mouth to reply and then smiles and shakes his head. "Not telling. You'll figure it out soon enough." He winks.
I tug at his arm not satisfied with his reply. I tilt my head so I'm in his line of sight and begin to plead with my eyes. He looks away and do my best to follow him and end up in his lap cupping his face with my hands so he can't run away. "Tell me please?!" I drop my voice to a whisper and ask in a slightly seductive tone. I can see him fighting to stay in control, but it looks like he wants to give in.
"Nope. Back in your seat you go." He places me back in my chair and starts gulping down his drink. "Damn, so close." I sigh. Theo's hand moves and starts poking my cheek. "Naughty, naughty, naughty child." He scolds. I pretend to bite his finger and he withdraws his hand. I smile and put my head on his shoulder. "You're really going to make me figure it out myself?!" I whine. Theo hums softly and reaches for my drink. I move it out of his reach. "Yes, I'm going to make you figure it out yourself." He smirks. I down the rest of my drink and stick my tongue out.
Theo pouts all the way back up to the castle. I took sips from his drink without him noticing at first but when he finally noticed he tried to drink mine, but I was far more observant. "Aww, talk to me. I'm sorry!" I sigh. Theo speeds up slightly and I roll my eyes and lean against a tree. "Oh, my poor legs! They can't keep up with my boyfriend! Oh, what is a young girl to do. I guess I'll just have to wait for someone to come along and help me." I wail dramatically. Theo stops walking and hurries back.
"Oh, there you are. I lost you earlier didn't think I was going to catch up." I giggle. Theo takes a deep breath and stares into my eyes. I put my hands on his shoulders and kiss him. "Please stop pouting. I'm really sorry." I whisper kissing him again. "No, no you're not sorry at all Lia." He grumbles. He may have a point there. I pull him into another kiss, and he pins me against the tree. I whimper and tangle my fingers in his hair. "You really aren't sorry worth a damn." Theo picks me up and I wrap my legs around his waist. This time Theo kisses me first.
Every move he makes feels intentional. A shudder runs through me as he takes complete control. "Are you sorry now?" he whispers kissing my neck. "Not in the slightest." I moan quietly. His eyes darken slightly, and I suck in a breath. "I change my mind. I am eternally sorry, and I won't do it again." I promise. Theo seems to be temporarily satisfied he kisses me one more time before setting me back on my feet. He waits until I'm steady then wraps an arm around my waist and we continue walking.
"You should have told me you like butterbeer that much I wouldn't have drank half of it." I mumble as the castle comes into view. "Lia you weren't even sorry until a few minutes ago." He scoffs. I stop walking and jump on his back and kiss his cheek repeatedly. "I said I was sorry." I kiss both his cheeks until he's laughing. He spins around a few times until I wrap my arms around him. "Secure?" he asks. I nod and takes off running for the castle.
I walk outside and lie on the grass. Umbitch has really been cracking down the past few weeks and I couldn't stand being in a room with her for another minute. I stare up at the sky. It's clear out but I still feel the chill from being in her classroom. I skip Ancient Runes and Arithmancy opting to study outside in the fresh air. Hours pass like that before I realize someone has joined me. Theo watches me carefully and I put my things away. "Padma told me you walked out in the middle of class. What happened?" he scoots closer. "She was going on and on about how much the Ministry cares about the students of Hogwarts, but since I've been in the wizarding world there've been several attempted murders, one murder, it seems like most people need a therapist, we're not learning what we actually need to learn, they can't keep the dangerous people in Azkaban, they don't have a reign on the Dementors, and when someone points it out to them they get offended as fuck. Like that should be my reaction when I'm told that I'm being cared for by the Ministry. I really hate that toad bitch!" I growl in frustration.
Theo pulls me onto his lap, and I bury my face in his neck. "Take a deep breath Lia. I should've come out here when I realized you were skipping class." He kisses the top of my head and tightens his arms around me. "Safe." I mumble as I drift off to sleep. Theo wakes me in time for dinner but I'm not all that hungry. "I don't care love. You need to eat something. You missed lunch today. Get your ass in there and eat." He swats my butt playfully. I grumble all the way inside yawning tiredly.
I nod at Padma as I sit down and start eating. I'm about halfway through dinner when I realize. "Something wrong? Did you realize you don't know what the homework assignment is since you skipped class?" she teases. "He called… h-he called me 'love'." I mutter not paying her teasing any mind. I cover my mouth with my hands in shock. Padma turns to look at Theo and I block her at the last second before she can. "Don't you dare." I say each word carefully but with weighted meaning.
"Aww, oh my god look! She's blushing." Marietta teases but I can't focus enough to give a witty comeback. "What do I do? What do I say? Does it show that I'm freaking out right now?" my voice comes out very shaky and Marietta and Padma share a look. I can feel myself begin to shake. I have absolutely no clue what to do or how to act. The voices in the hall fade to a low hum and I can barely focus on anything in front of me. I scan my memory to see if he called me love before and it pops up staticky at first like I'm watching a show on an old tv with antennas.
On the train when he confronted me about my 'summer activities' he called me love and darling then. My mind begins to race faster and faster. A hand taps my shoulder and I see Hermione in my peripheral. "Amelia breathe. What happened? Did she forget something?" she asks. "I think she did. Why else would she look like that?" Marietta is now concerned to all signs of teasing erased. "When he kissed me on the train, he called me love and darling." My eyes begin to water. My head hits the table as the tears start to fall.
How could I have forgotten? Why didn't he say anything? I let my tears fall freely not even bothering to stop them. This is the first time I've cried in the middle of dinner because I forgot something. "Did you say anything to him when he said it?" Padma whispers. I stop crying for a bit. "I whispered 'safe' when he held me earlier but when he called me 'love' I'd just woken up from a small nap and he told me to eat something since I'd missed lunch." I sniffle. I put my head back down but now I'm crying because I realize how much he really cares about me.
They have a hard time convincing me to move at the end dinner. "I got it. you guys start heading up.", Theo chuckles from behind me, "You finally figured it out. Too tempting." He taps my shoulder. I turn and jump into his arms. "I understand." I whisper in his ear. He puts me down and wipes my tears away. "Scared me for a minute there when you started crying. Draco and Blaise thought I made you mad or something." He laughs nervously.
I glare at the two as they leave the hall and they run out stumbling over Crabbe and Goyle. "Now now. Play nice Lia." Theo ruffles my hair. I grumble but let him lead me out of the hall. I cling to him refusing to go up the stairs. He frowns at my fingers knotted in his shirt. I wrinkle his shirt with my fingers not paying attention to anything else but wrinkling his shirt. "Too tempting." Theo murmurs. My fingers freeze. "You look pretty when you're crying. That was actually the first time I noticed you. Draco had made some Draco like comment about you crying over something you forgot and when I looked up, I thought 'damn she's pretty'." He continues.
I look up at him with teary eyes. "You need to get some rest." He nods upstairs. I shake my head defiantly and wrap my arms around him. "Just let me stay here a little while longer." I sigh taking in his scent. "Do you want me to carry you upstairs?" he whispers. I shake my head again and again. Theo cups my face stop me from shaking my head. "Fine I'll go to bed meanie." I cross my arms and storm up the stairs. I've just reached the top step when Theo spins me around and kisses me. "Don't go to sleep mad at me." he mumbles. "Never." I whisper.
He stares into my eyes, and I kiss him again. "Goodnight sweetie." I whisper and hurry up the stairs. Padma and Hermione wait for me a few floors up. "Damn you won the bet." Hermione slaps a few coins into Padma's outstretched hand. "You guys bet on me?!" I scoff and roll my eyes. Padma shrugs and takes off up the stairs. "We just bet on how long it would take you guys to say goodnight." Hermione laughs and leads me up the stairs.
I stand outside Umbitch's class and glare at the door. I really don't want to go in. Padma has been trying for 15 minutes to get me to go inside. "Do I need to go get Theo?" she snaps finally putting her hands on her hips. I kick the ground and look away. I slowly move towards the classroom and take a seat in the back as far away from Umbridge as I can get. She begins class and I crack open my book, but I've already memorized it cover to cover. Hell, I could even recite it backwards if I had to.
Were halfway through the 'lesson' when Umbridge stops at my desk. "Nice to see you back in class Ms. Granger. Have you learned to hold your tongue and control your emotions? After all the Ministry cares so much about our future, your future." she smiles. I bite my lip and close my book slowly. "What ever do you mean?" I ask innocently. "You stormed out of my class and caused a scene." Umbridge giggles girlishly. I pretend to retch at her tone and shove my thing into my bag and see everyone groan internally. Padma shakes her head, but the words are already forming and leaving my mouth.
"I see you're still being a fake ass bitch with a stick shoved so far up her ass it's poking your brain making you act like the toad that you are. Maybe instead of kissing your boss' ass 24/7 let yourself breathe some fresh fucking air every now and then. Hell, you might even realize that no matter how hard you try Fudge is never going to notice what you did for him. How far have you gone just to get a second of attention from a man who couldn't care less? How long did it take just for him to learn your name? Does he even know what a shady bitch you are?" I smile as I rise from my chair. The class is so silent I don't think anyone is breathing.
Umbridge's eyes flash with anger but I fake a yawn and motion for her to back away from my desk. "I am your professor, and I will be treated with respect!" she squeaks. I look her up and down and laugh. "Like hell you are. Lockhart was a far better teacher than you, and he wasn't the sharpest tool in the toolbox, but you, you don't even rank anywhere on the scale sweetheart. I've learned more from teaching myself in an hour than I have from you so if you don't mind, I'm going to go study properly before your lack of teaching causes me to fail my exams and get held back." I push past her and open the door.
She grabs my wrist with her grubby little fingers, and I wrench free from her grip. "Don't bother calling yourself my professor again you croak croak bitch." I glare and she stumbles back landing on her ass. I sling my bag over my shoulder and curtesy before walking out slamming the door so forcefully and loudly that it startles Peeves and a few suits of armor. I go to the nearest bathroom and wash the Umbitch off my skin. I pout in the mirror. Theo had told me to behave this morning and I think he'll be upset when he finds out.
I hurry up to the library until it's time for Ancient Runes. Theo waits for me outside class and I slow up the closer that I get. "Do you want explain now or later?" he mumbles. "Never?" I sidestep him and walk into class. He sits next to me, and I know by the look in his eyes he's not going to let this go. The teacher still hasn't shown up, so he turns to me with expectant eyes. I reluctantly tell him about Defense against the Dark arts. When I'm done, he has his head in his hands and I think he's about to scold me for acting out. Then I see his shoulders shaking and he's laughing.
"You did not walk out and say croak croak bitch." He laughs and throws his head back. I take my book out and he taps my desk. "Yes?" I ask without turning. He cups my face and turns me to him. "You are one reckless and amazing girl." He smiles. I'm taken aback and lean in closer. "You're not mad at me?" I whisper. "Oh, I'm madder than an agitated hornets' nest right now but I'm just glad you're here and told me instead of skipping." He kisses the top of my head and pulls me into a hug.
I slowly wrap my arms around him. "Don't do it again Lia." He growls softly in my ear. "I won't. What part of I don't see her as my professor did you not understand? I'm not going back to her class." I frown. He looks into my eyes but I'm deadly serious. He can't question me further as class has just begun. I turn to look at the teacher and start taking notes. I can feel him looking at me periodically throughout the lesson, but I do my best to just focus on my work.
The teacher releases us to do individual studies and I crack open my book to translate my work. Theo nudges me and I turn to the side resting my head on my hand. My hair acts as a curtain and I continue working. Theo pokes my side and when that doesn't work, he slides a piece of candy across the desk. I flick it back to his desk and go back to my assignment. His hand slips through next and I smack it away.
Class lets out and I gather my things and turn to Theo who is in full pout mode and is nearly to the door. I hurry after him and loop my arm through his. "I was really focused on my work, and I ignored you. I'm sorry I didn't pay any attention to you." I tug on his sleeve. Theo stops walking and sits me on one of the benches before walking away. I gasp in shock and run to catch up. I walk in front of him and let him guide me.
"I said I was sorry. Forgive me. I won't knock your hand away." I wrap my arms around his neck. "Did you upset Theo again?" Blaise smirks as we get closer to Arithmancy. "I was just trying to get her attention and she smacked my hand." Theo pouts. "You put on a bench as a timeout and walked away. Haven't I been punished enough?" I sigh dramatically. Theo tries to unwrap my arms but I'm just as stubborn as he is.
"Do we need to separate you two?" Daphne asks as she wraps an arm around Blaise. I frown and look at Theo. "This one is being stubborn and dramatic, so I was just mimicking him." I let my hands drop. "I was trying to reason with Lia after she told Umbridge croak croak bitch." Theo rests an arm on my shoulder. I roll my eyes. Daphne and Blaise share a look and push us into the classroom.
I sit beside Daphne and Blaise pulls Theo across the classroom. "You two need a break. Tell me what happened?" Daphne pats my shoulder sympathetically. I fill her in on everything from Umbridge to ignoring Theo in Ancient Runes. "I feel really bad. Sometimes I forget how much of a softy Theo really is." I run my fingers through my hair and take a deep breath. Daphne bites her lip fighting a laugh. "We're being childish, aren't we?" I groan and put my head on the table. "Of course, but I was trying to spare your feelings. How about this, if you two make it to Christmas without another fight I'll get you guys a really great gift." She promises. My head shoots off the desk and I nod eagerly.
After class I go back to tugging on Theo's sleeve. He wraps an arm around my waist pulling me close and I smile. I whisper Daphne's promise in his ear. He doesn't reply so I kiss his cheek. "Please don't be mad at me baby." I whisper. I feel his heart rate speed up slightly. "Please honey. Don't be mad darling. Talk to me. Please Theodore." I have his full attention now. "I'm not mad at you Lia. I was just being a bit… I just…" I cut him off with a kiss and cling to him.
"You can't get rid of me that easily." I whisper. We follow Daphne and Blaise up to the library to study and I frown. Theo pokes my cheek and I point to my Ancient Runes homework. I hadn't realized it because Theo had been pouting but he drawn tiny runes all over the work I'd already finished. He smiles apologetically and I tap the parchment with my wand and blew gently on the drawings. They float off the page and I put them on a parchment with all the other drawings Theo's put in my books and on my class work and homework.
I lean over to see what Theo is working and realize he must've really been upset by my ignoring him because he's written several times about me being a meanie and rejecting his candy peace offering and smacking his hand. "Can I keep these too?" I ask pointing them out. Theo blushes and Blaise snatches the paper. "Really mate?" he smirks as Daphne leans over to read. Theo snatches the paper back and stuffs it into his bag.
"Wow! I didn't know you could blush this badly. I should remember this." I mumble poking his red cheek. Theo covers my ears and starts saying something to the other two that makes them laugh at first but then they end up pouting. He uncovers my ears and I stare at him with my hand out. He stares blankly at my hand, and I nod at his bag. Reluctantly he hands over the paper and I transfer his pouting to the parchment with his drawings. I hand the paper back and go back to my homework.
I get up to look for a research book and wait until a few minutes have passed. I wave Daphne over from an area where Theo can't see me. I nod over my shoulder, and we walk deeper into the library. "Help me find a book." I smile. When we're far enough away she skips in front of me. "You want to know what to Theo said don't you?" Daphne smiles. "Without a doubt." I scan the rows of books.
"Oh, just how we're not allowed to tell you anything about him that he finds embarrassing. "She mumbles searching with me. I whine quietly and she looks around and leans closer. "He probably means from our first two years. Tell you what the next time they have one of their meetings I'll meet up with you and we'll talk about it." she promises. I quickly agree and find the book I'm looking for.
"You should really read this one. It holds quite a bit of extra knowledge." She points to a book I've never read. I take that book too. I nod for her to go back first, and she frowns. "I don't have any books." She pouts. I walk down the rows of books until I arrive at the perfect row far from where I got my books. I point to the arithmancy books, and she makes a sad face. I whisper in her ear, and she smirks and heads back to the table.
I get back a few minutes after her. We study for 10 more minutes before lunch then pack up. "What took you so long trying to find those books? Even Daphne made it back before you." Theo leans over me as we walk. I pretend to be shocked. "I am teaching myself an entire subject for the rest of this year. I must be thoroughly prepared for the exams." I gasp.
Theo rolls his eyes and straightens up. "Oh please, like Daphne needs to read books on Arithmancy." He scoffs. "Maybe I want to calculate how stubborn both you and Amelia can be!" Daphne mutters. Theo and Blaise actually trip over themselves, and I bite back a laugh. "Oh puh-lease. I no where near as stubborn as Theo. I can't even share a butterbeer with him." I put a hand over my heart and sigh dramatically. Daphne puts her hands over her own heart like my words pain her. We walk down to the Great Hall arm in arm leaving the boys stumbling after us.
We even go as far as complaining about them while they walk behind us. "Oh Lia, that's absolutely nothing. One time I got slept late and missed breakfast. I tried to convince that giant man baby back there to slide me a breakfast sandwich he'd brought from the hall, and he threw a three-hour long tantrum, over a sandwich." She shoots Blaise a look and he stops walking.
"Oh, you poor thing! That's absolutely terrible. How'd you manage?" I sniffle like I'm going to start crying at any second. We continue this all the way into the hall and by the time we get there they look so scolded and sad I'm half tempted to kiss Theo to cheer him up. instead, I skip over to my table after saying bye to Daphne. I hum to myself as I sit down.
"What'd you two do to Theo and Blaise?" Padma wonders. "Ah, that. Just messing with them which they'll probably realize in a few hours and then they'll be upset for about half an hour and then they'll get clingy. Is it bad that I have Theo's pouting and upset schedule memorized?" I stare up at the ceiling then wave off my question. She stares at me in astonishment before shaking herself out of it.
"What happened after you left class?" she asks eagerly so I catch her up in between bites of food. "Is it just me or is Theo like in love with you?" her head tilts and I can tell she's lost in thought. "They both are in love. I thought you would've caught on sooner. Neither one of them can stand it when the other is mad at them so they try and do anything and everything they can to get them happy again." Marietta shrugs. I choke on my juice.
"Ugh! I feel attacked!" I choke out. "Now that you say that it does make sense. They're both really stubborn which is probably why they have some many disagreements. Not to mention any time Lia doesn't want to do something it just takes one look from Theo, and she rushes off to correct her behavior. Theo's the same way. If you tell him not to do something there's a 99% chance, he won't do it again." Padma deciphers.
I stare at her in shock. "I do not appreciate this little psycho analysis of my relationship." I grumble. I begin to disassemble my lunch and the psychoanalysis continues. "Should I go ask Theo how he feels about our deductions?" Padma smirks. I shake my head. "Don't get him involved." I groan. "Don't involve me in what?" Theo asks. I jump and turn. Theo sits beside me and eyes my plate. "You shredded your lunch to pieces." He notes. I nod at Padma and Marietta, and he smirks. "We've been psychoanalyzing your relationship with Lia. You're in love with each other, aren't you?" Padma looks us both up and down.
Theo frowns and turns to me. "They spent the entire hour doing this for fun?" he raises an eyebrow. "Fine, then what are your thoughts on Lia's ex Jason?" Marietta smirks. Theo's mood changes so fast I can't stop it. He glares at Marietta and growls. "Um, we don't bring up each other's exes. It's not good conversation. I grab Theo's hand to calm him down. "Why are you here? I thought you'd be talking to Blaise." I ask when he stops glaring at Marietta. "Oh, I thought I make sure you actually go to afternoon class." He smiles all anger forgotten.
I lead him out of the hall shooting my friends an apologetic smile. We're halfway to my class when I stop walking. Theo stops too and nods for me to keep walking. I smack his forehead. "Bad Theo! You can't just glare at people when they bring up my exes. I don't like it." I huff.
"But I don't like the mere mention of them. It pisses me off." He's starting to get angry again. I cup his face keeping his eyes on mine. "What about it makes you so mad Theo? I'm with you now." I whisper. "Because… Because I… Because I didn't. It makes me mad when I see other guys looking at you. It infuriates me when they touch you. It pisses me off to no end that you were with two guys before me. All because I couldn't work up the courage to talk to you when I first noticed you. It's unbelievably frustrating. I wish I could've talked to you then and maybe I wouldn't feel this way now." his eyes flicker with anger every now and then but it's aimed at himself.
"Aww, baby! I didn't know." I pull him into a hug and kiss his cheek. "Why would you know? Why are you…" he mumbles. "Repeat after me Theo." I cut him off. I wait until he's focused on me again. "Fine." he mutters. "Your exes are in the past and I'm fine with that because you're with me now." I murmur. He repeats it with reluctance. "Whenever you start having these thoughts, I want you to repeat that phrase. Repeat it until you believe it." I whisper.
Theo stares at me uncomprehendingly. "Too tempting. Far too tempting." I whisper in his ear. His arms tighten around me, and I can feel him calming down. "Time for class." He whispers. I nod and take a deep breath. His lips find mine and he backs me against the wall. "I want to spend time with you after class today, but Draco scheduled another meeting." He whispers. "We could always skip class." I offer hopefully. "What happened this morning? You can't keep skipping classes." he scolds me gently.
"Fine, but don't regret it later when you're stuck in that meeting with Ferret Boy." I smirk. Theo closes his eyes and laughs. "I'll try not to." he leads me to class. I roll around on my bed done with studying and homework. "So, earlier when Theo got mad. has gotten that mad before?" Padma asks suddenly. "Of course, but I only figured out why today. I talked to him about it and hopefully he really listened." I smile.
Padma hops onto my bed. "Have you two admitted you're in love with each other yet?" she wonders. "I think we have just not in the way you would think. I think if we actually say it, it'll be for something serious. We don't normally say things so casually." I smile at the thought of it though. "You two are so perfectly matched it's weird." Padma mutters. "Why thank you for the compliment." I wink playfully.
I follow Hermione to the library. The whole entire school has now heard about my little run ins with Umbridge. "I'm guessing Padma and Theo already scolded you enough." She mumbles. I nod dejectedly. "Are you seriously planning on teaching yourself?" she stops walking "Of course. I've already memorized the book. She can't teach me anything else." I scoff. "How are you going to take your tests and things?" she's beginning to sound like mother.
"I had a meeting with my head of house and the headmaster already and everything has been sorted. Please don't start worrying." I whine. Hermione sighs in defeat and I pull her up to the library. "I found a new book I think you'll find very interesting little sister." I grin. "Oh, please you're only older by 25 minutes." She rolls her eyes but picks up the pace.
I jump in place in the courtyard trying to keep warm. Daphne and Theo have yet to appear. "Lia!" Daphne shouts. I jump and turn to see her racing towards me. WE fall into the snow as she tackle hugs me. We're laughing and flinging snow at each other when Theo and Blaise walk up. "Are you two done?" Blaise chuckles. Daphne rolls to the side and we start making snow angels. We hop up and look at our work. I go to sit back down but Theo pulls me towards the path down to the carriages.
"We were having fun you know!" I complain. "If we didn't act then you two would've missed the train silly." He smirks. I climb into the carriage, and he follows. Blaise has Daphne over his shoulder and she's kicking and screaming. They get in and Daphne sits next to me in rebellion pouting the whole way down to the train. I walk with Daphne who is hell bent on ignoring Blaise and enters a compartment. She closes the door behind me and flops down. I let out a laugh and flop down opposite her.
She's asleep in minutes and the compartment door slides open. I smirk and get up putting a finger to my lips as Blaise walks in. Theo pulls me down the corridor and into an empty compartment. He pulls me onto his lap and sit flush against him. "I'm not going to see you all break so could you stay here until the train stops?" he whispers. I respond by kissing him softly. He lets out a satisfied sigh and runs his fingers down my arms until he reaches my hands. Our fingers lace together, and we stay like that.
The train slows down as we get closer to the station. Theo kisses me with such urgency it takes my breath away. I quickly find myself under him. "Too tempting." We whisper at the same time. My hands are under his shirt, and I retract them quickly. I lay there under him panting. "Are you two going to stay here all day?" Blaise smirks. I squeak and Theo growls. Blaise holds his hands up in surrender and walks away. "Time to go." I murmur in Theo's ear. He doesn't reply but his head drops into my neck where he tries to control his breathing.
I run my fingers through his hair. "Come on now. I'll see you in a few weeks. You'll let me know when we should meet up right?" I whisper. He nods and sits up. I sit up and straighten my hair and clothes. Theo watches me and I lean over. He kisses the top of my head making me smile. "Go on." I wave him out first and follow once I see him on the platform walking towards Blaise. I jump off the train and hurry to find my parents.
I wave to Daphne and hurry off. My parents are happy to see me which makes me nervous seeing as I didn't leave them on a good note. Mother pulls me into a bone crushing hug that leaves me gasping for air. It takes dad a while to peel mum off of me. I take a deep breath and realize I'm crying just as hard as she is. Dad leads us out of the station and into the car. I lean my head back and cry silently all the way home.
Mum pulls me into the living room and sits me down on the couch. Dad leaves to make tea while Hermione sits down cautiously on the floor. "Lia dear I want you to be completely honest with me. That boy that pulled you along the train in September, is he your boyfriend?" mum whispers like we're being spied upon. "Yes." I answer quickly. "Is he the older boy Hermione told us about?" she looks worried. "No, in fact, I'm not supposed to talk about anyone he doesn't like. And before you ask, yes, he can tell if I or someone around me has been talking about guys." I sigh and run my fingers through my hair.
"He can tell?" mum gasps. "Yes, he's very aware. My friends brought up the guy from last year and he didn't react well about it." I fidget in my seat. "What does that mean?" mum urges. "At first, he just growled at my friends but when I spoke to him about it later, he said he hates the fact he didn't have enough courage to talk to me. Other than that, he's a great guy I promise." I stare into mum's eyes, and I can still see a bit of doubt. "Does he treat you right?" dad asks. "Of course, he does!" I snap defensively. Hermione lets out a laugh and I frown.
"You should see them together. Even though they're so alike in so many ways they just work. They don't let each other be mad at them for more than a minute. You should've seen his reaction the time she skipped classes. if he tells her to apologize or study, she does. And she can calm him down with a single touch. It's amazing." Hermione smiles. Mum looks at Hermione in shock. "I'm not kidding. When me and Lia were fighting it took him less than 30 seconds to get her to apologize. And don't get me started on how he's been breaking her bad habits." Hermione rolls her eyes.
"What bad habits do I have?" I scoff. "Crying when you forget something." Mum laughs. "Memorizing everything you read then rewriting for a school report." Dad chuckles. "Your rebellious tendencies." Hermione giggles. "The point is he's really a great guy." I ignore their teasing. "Well then will we be meeting him or his family anytime soon?" dad hands out the tea. I shake my head. "Why not?" mum says with obvious disappointment. "Well, you know how in the Wizarding World there are purebloods and those who wish to keep the bloodlines 'pure'?", mum and dad nod so I continue, "His dad is one of those and if he finds out it won't be pretty."
I take a sip of my tea as they process this new information. "You know this, you both know this and yet you still took a chance?" Dad sounds utterly perplexed. "Yes, but it's more than that. I want to be with him regardless. I don't care what his father thinks of me as long as at the end of the day we can be together." I finally get out after struggling around for the right words. Mum and dad share a look.
"Now look here Amelia. We're all going to hate the next few questions but please answer them truthfully, ok?" dad looks highly uncomfortable, but I nod. "Did you have a boy in this house while we were gone this summer?" dad grits his teeth fighting to get the words out. "Yes, yes I did." I confess. "Is he the first person you've had relations with?" mum asks since dad looks like he's going to pass out. "No, he was not." I reply.
"Does your boyfriend know?" mum takes a deep breath. "He knows. He saw me bringing the other guy back here." I stare at the tea in my hands. "Who was the first?" mum grips dad's hand for support. "Fred Weasley back in my third year." I chug down the scalding tea. "Have you had relations with your boyfriend?" dad chokes out. "No, no way. We don't let it get that far. He'd never let it get that far no matter how much either of us wants to, even if we wanted to. We're content with just being together." I blurt embarrassed by the questions.
"I made some bad and rash decisions in the past and I'm just now getting Theo to move past them. I mean I've never asked him about his exes but the way he looks at me I can tell he never liked them as much as he likes me. Theo would never cross that line. He'd never ever do something like that. Theo won't let anyone, or anything hurt me." I play with the cup in my hands. "His name is Theo." Mum whispers. "Theodore Nott. I promise you I'm not going do anything reckless. I'm focusing on my studies and I'm putting the rebelliousness behind me." hot tears splash onto my hands.
Mum wraps me in her arms, and I cry like a baby. Dad is reluctant at first, but he joins the hug. I walk out of the shower to find Hermione standing in my doorway looking hesitant. "You can come in you know." I sigh as I towel dry my hair. "You had a guy in here, but it doesn't look like it." she observes. "He cleaned up before he left. anyways I need your help." I walk to my closet. She follows and I pull out a box. "But this is your Yule Ball dress and…" I cut her off with a wave of my hand. "Theo really doesn't like it and I want a clean slate. I did the same thing when I ended things with Fred. Besides, I got a letter from Jason a while back. he found somebody and wanted the ok to get rid of a few things of mine that he had." I finish pulling the box out of my closet.
Hermione helps me take it to the backyard. She starts a fire for me. "Are you sure about this?" she asks. I respond by tossing the dress into the fire. she helps me toss the rest of the contents from my fling with Jason into the fire and sits beside me as I watch it burn. "You two love each other, don't you?" mum's voice comes from behind me. "We're saving the use of the 'l' word, but I think, yes." I don't look away from the fire.
"Well, your father is still in shock but tell me all about this Theo." Mum sits beside me. I tell her about our first date and a few of the dates we've been on since. Her smile grows with each story. "That boy sounds like he's head over heels for you." She remarks. I smile and she gives me a one-armed hug. "Just make sure he treats you right until I can meet him, ok?" she kisses the top of my head.
The next day I sit on the couch curled up on the couch in my fluffy pajamas when dad shuffles downstairs. He pauses at the foot of the stairs then walks in. "Hey there." he sits next to me. I nod and start playing with my fingers. "So yesterday was a bit intense. Sorry for the questions but you've been holding back so much, and we could tell you were hiding something we just didn't know what it was." Dad scratches his head. I pull my knees up to my chest and wrap my arms around them. "I have one last question if you don't mind. I know you have a boyfriend and all and your happy which makes me happy, but could you try to be my little girl a little while longer?" he fidgets beside me.
I launch into his arms and hug him. "I'll always be your little girl dad." I whisper. He hugs me back. "Now what do you want for breakfast?" he asks. "Waffles." He laughs and I follow him to the kitchen. I'm sitting on the counter when Hermione and mum stumble into the kitchen. Dad hands them their plates. "Why don't you girls tell us about school so far." Dad clears his throat as he fixes himself some coffee. Hermione chokes on her fruit and I look at the floor.
"I may have gotten into it with one of my professors, but my friend Padma and Theo have already scolded me enough for a lifetime." I confess. Mum sighs and puts her plate down. "Full details now." Dad rubs his face tiredly. So, I do, and Hermione adds in tiny details I've forgotten. Dad looks at me and I avert my eyes. "I've already spoken with the headmaster and my head of house so I'll still be graded for my work, but I just cannot stand her." I grumble. Dad open his mouth to speak but is interrupted by a tapping at the back window.
Hermione jumps up and let's the owl in. I recognize Daphne's owl and it drops off a letter before swooping over and pecking at Hermione's breakfast. I open the letter and start reading. "Your smile is reaching your ears." Mum notes. "Theo knows we were talking about him and my exes last night. Now I'm in trouble." I hand her the letter. "There's no way." dad gasps and reads over her shoulder. "He even left a little self-introduction at the bottom of the letter. How thoughtful?" I smile. Mum and dad stand there in shock as they read.
"Would you like to send a reply?" I giggle already writing a reply. It takes them a while to get over how keen Theo's senses are and write a hurried reply. I attach the replies to Daphne's owl, and it flies out the window. "Amelia dear, you under sold just how keen and smart your boyfriend is." mum mutters. I shake my head. "Well, he is in the top ten of our class." I shrug.