A/N: This was a one shot, until a review inspired a conversation between our two favorite Slytherins in my mind. I couldn't help myself. As always, I own nothing at all.
The First Fight
Thursday evening found Theodore Nott escorting Daphne Greengrass back to her rooms after a particularly beautiful stroll around the lake. The two had been stepping out together for over a month now and relished in each other's company and thoughts. The young couple shared most everything with each other. Theodore told her about his father's long standing allegiance to the Dark Lord and his annoyance at his brother's shared obsession of servitude. Daphne had confided how stifling she found it to be the only daughter of an overbearing father with antiquated ideals. She had also joked her more immediate exasperation was Pansy Parkinson's constant fixation on Draco Malfoy.
"I mean, I just can't imagine being so devoted to one person and gushing about how wonderful they are," Daphne continued, thinking of Pansy's latest ode to Draco's alabaster skin.
"Come on, Daphne, it can't be so bad," Theodore reasoned, thinking about his own attachment to Daphne despite their courtship being very brief.
"But Teddy, it is that bad! She spends her whole day telling him how important he is to her and how much she cares for him," she went on disdainfully, not hearing the slightly offended note in his voice.
"If that's the case, maybe you're more like Pansy than you think," Theodore quipped. "You just spent two hours by the lake telling me the same thing."
"I'm not like her! And if I remember correctly, you're the one who told me how much you cared for me," Daphne snapped, loosing her cool a very little bit. Instantly, she caught herself and slipped into her cold, icy exterior. "Goodnight Theodore."
And with those two words she crossed the room and went to bed, without a goodnight kiss. Theodore regretted his words almost immediately. Deep down, he thought Daphne was acting spoiled, one of her few flaws. He realized that although Daphne was intelligent, she had certain shortcomings in her personality. She had never outgrown some of her childish behaviors and beliefs, despite such actions being deeply despised amongst Slytherins, Daphne herself included.
Each and everyone one of the members of Slytherin House noticed the difference between Daphne and Theodore the morning after the couple had experienced their first fight. They noticed the deliberate smile Theodore gave Daphne that morning and her exaggerated greeting before breakfast. With this recent and somewhat salacious development, all of Slytherin was smiling to itself. Afterall, many had been dismayed to see cautious Tarquin Greengrass' daughter bind herself so tightly to a Death Eater's son. It had seemed certain it could not last for long, perhaps they could breathe easy once again knowing her allegiance would not be swayed by young love. Pansy Parkinson was looking particularly pleased with herself, knowing it had somehow involved her.
Theodore sat by her quietly at the breakfast table, trying to read his Charms essay before it was due. Daphne ate her fruit cup, equally as quiet. After rereading the same sentence six times, he gave up and turned to her.
"I didn't mean to offend you," he said somewhat softly, not wanting to confirm the whispered rumors. "I just meant that I don't find the fact two people care about each other, so loathsome as you. Especially now that I have you."
There, he had managed the perfect apology. Not too sweet, but still not overly done. No woman could resist such a sweet sentiment.
"You said I was like Pansy," she reminded him, "Pansy, who I find shallow and desperate and a number of other awful things."
"I made a joke, rather in poor taste, but I don't see the harm-"
"The difference between Pansy and myself is that the affection I feel for you is returned. Draco wouldn't notice if Pansy fell off the face of the Earth," Daphne explained, looking as though she wouldn't care much either. "I am not in the business of making a fool of myself."
"I've never made you look like a fool," Theodore argued, thinking hard. "You know I absolutely return those feelings and have made no secret of it." Ever since the moment when Daphne had approached him after Herbology, he had been nothing less than honorable towards her.
"You're not a fool for falling in love with me," Theodore added, reaching out to her hand.
"You think I've just fallen in love with you so quickly? That I'd give my heart to anyone who'd have me because I'm lonely and not as pretty as some girls?" she asked coolly.
"No, Daphne. I meant we've fallen in love with each other," he explained. "At least, I love you."
Daphne thought quietly for a moment and tried to think of something to say. While she may fool others with her quiet dignity, he knew she was not as confident as she pretended. Years of being an ugly duckling had stripped her of vanity, but left her vulnerable to feelings of insecurity. Of course, usually she was able to conceal these feelings, but not from him. She never wanted to conceal anything from Theodore.
"I should be angry at you all over again," she stated simply, moving a bit closer towards him on the bench. She let the look of annoyance linger on her face, but was smiling.
"What?" Theodore asked, confused by this turn in the conversation, but relieved to see her rueful smile.
"You ruin the moment you confess your love to me by telling me I've already fallen in love with you," she said, still looking at him from bemused eyes.
"And?"
"Well, there's nothing for me to say in return," she explained, taking a bite of the strawberry on her fork.
"Oh, I guess not," he said, feeling inexplicably disappointed. He glanced down at his breakfast, suddenly not at all hungry. Daphne, on the other hand, was smiling broadly.
"I love you, Teddy."
That afternoon, there was once again concern in the minds of the Dark Lord's supporters. If the young Nott boy was once again cavorting around with someone who did not share their ideals, he may no longer be loyal. After all, who could be assured of the actions of any fool who thought himself in love.