Submitted for Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
House: Thunderbird
Subject: Charms - #Task 5 - Fidelius Charm
Prompt: Write about hiding from someone/something
Bonus prompts: 4. [Character] Theodore Nott; 7. [Character] Hermione Granger; 10. [Location] Room of Requirement
Word count: 1,214
Warnings: AU No War
Almost caught
Theodore Nott never thought that he would find himself in such a predicament: hiding from Filch in the Room of Requirement — the same one he had read about in Hogwarts: A History — with Hermione Granger of all people. If he were to be honest with himself, he didn't find his predicament as terrible as he may be acting.
He was skulking around the hallways, looking around for people and trying not to let people realized how awkward he was feeling just being far away from his common room, when he felt someone yanking him to a room and Theo only thought was 'my crush is yanking me to a secret room! This is the happiest day of my life. Thanks Draco for not knowing how to handle your own crush.'
"What were you doing in the seventh-floor corridor, anyway? Your Common Room isn't anywhere near here," Hermione huffed, trying to understand the Slytherin. "Were you planning something against Harry? I saw the way Malfoy was watching him today at lunch; is he planning something for the next Quidditch game?"
Theo couldn't help but chuckle at her statement; Granger was adorable and blind as a bat! "Yeah, everyone noticed Draco was looking at Potter, but it's nothing new; Draco's always looking at him. You've never noticed?"
"I always assumed that I was seeing things… Harry can't stop talking about how Malfoy may be plotting against him," Hermione mumbled, unable to meet Theo's eyes. "But you still didn't tell me what you were doing on the seventh floor."
"If I say that I was just trying to find this room, would you believe me?" Theo said with a cheeky smile, to each Hermione only glared at him. "Yeah, I didn't think you would fall for it either… I was trying to find Draco — since he was looking for Potter — but when I least expected it, someone grabbed me... and here I am."
Hermione bit her lip, realizing it was her fault they were in the Room of Requirement, but if she hadn't acted quickly, Filch would have found them, and who knows what the caretaker would have thought and done? Taking a deep breath, she was ready to apologize to Theo for dragging him inside without any warning, but before she could say something, Theo began talking.
"This is a nice play to have a quick snog... or maybe something even more… what do you say, Granger? You up for it?" Theo said, smirking at Hermione, who blushed hard. How dare Nott say something like that to her?
"You wish, Nott!" Hermione said, feeling her cheeks reddening even more as he stared at her. "You should be thanking me, or you would have been at Filch's mercy by now."
"So I should thank you for dragging me into a room I've never seen in my life, and stay here for Salazar knows how long until we can get out?" Theo asked incredulously, and Hermione nodded. "Wow… I can't believe it!"
"Do you really need to be so sarcastic? I'm doing you a favour, but if you want to go out and get caught so close to curfew, be my guest." Hermione huffed, not believing her luck.
Up until then, she had always thought Theodore Nott was one of the nicest Slytherins. He had never made fun of her, he had always been a good partner in Arithmancy, and he generally kept to himself. But it was like people always said: Appearances can be deceiving, and clearly, that was the case with Theodore Nott.
"Why are you so upset? Did I do something that offended you or something?" Theo asked, coming near Hermione, who was seated on a chair. "I can't understand you, Granger."
"I don't know why you're trying to understand me." Hermione muttered under her breath. "You still didn't tell me what you were doing near the Gryffindor Common Room."
"Merlin, witch, are you really that daft?" Theo almost groaned, and Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Draco was trying to talk to Potter because he fancies him, alright? He finally decided to reveal his gigantic crush to Potter because he heard Potter was single. There, I told you why I was here."
"But this doesn't explain what you were doing here… Malfoy, I understand. I mean, I don't understand because... really? Malfoy has a crush on Harry?" Hermione tried to wrap her mind around the news, but with Theo so close to her, thinking was a Herculean task. "And you were here with him to give him moral support or something?"
It was Theo's turn now to blush, which intrigued Hermione; she had just asked him a simple question, so he didn't have any reason to blush… or did he?
"Theo… is everything alright?" Hermione asked, standing up and touching Theo's arm. Theo's eyes widened when he saw Hermione's hand on his arm, and before she could pull her hand back, Theo surprised her once more and leaned forward to kiss her.
Hermione had been kissed before, but it had never been like that. Theo's lips were soft on her own, and he didn't seem to be in any hurry. The soft pressure of his mouth and the way that he brought her body closer to his made Hermione sigh happily and lose herself to the moment. Theo realized the change in her stance and didn't lose any time in deepening the kiss, running his tongue over her bottom lip, asking for entrance. Hermione let out a soft moan, her mouth parting slowly, her mind hazy with ecstasy. They would have stayed in their embrace for a while longer if air wasn't necessary.
"Wow…" was all that Hermione could say, looking at Theo with widened eyes.
"I could be a gentleman and say that I'm sorry for kissing you without your permission, but I'm not sorry. This was something I've wanted to do for some time now," Theo said somewhat sheepishly, which made Hermione smile.
"I'm glad you did it, and I'm glad we ended up hiding from Filch together," Hermione said, smiling a little when she saw the way Theo was gazing at her. "This is why you were here with Draco, right? You were hoping to meet me?"
"More looking than hoping, but yeah," Theo mumbled, but Hermione heard him as she was so close to him, and she couldn't stop smiling. "I think I need to thank Filch after we get back to our Common Rooms, since we've finally acted on our feelings, right?"
"Speaking of Filch… I think we need to stay here for a little while," Hermione said, nibbling on her lip. "Do you mind?"
"Do I mind? Are you crazy? I'm going to enjoy every minute we need to stay hidden in this room," Theo said, yanking Hermione by her waist and kissing her with all his might. And enjoy the time they stayed hidden from Filch, they did.
The next time Theo and Hermione saw the caretaker in the hallway, Theo thanked him profusely but didn't mention why he was thanking him. Filch looked at them bewildered and decided they were pranking him. He scowled and shooed them away, and the new lovers shared a conspiratorial smile. Almost getting caught had been so worth it.