Chapter 13: Theo's Special
At eleven they finally arrived at the Three Broomsticks and Theo could see Blaise waiting for them at the door. It had mostly been a good morning, with Xanthe leading Ron and Harry into conversations about Quidditch and other things that didn't interest Hermione at all, leaving him free to talk to her about other things.
"Other things" however, did not include his feelings towards her, but rather House Elf rights and their Magical Healing assignment. Not that he minded; he didn't want to bring that stuff up while the others were around anyway.
"Hay look it's Blaise" Xanthe said as she began waving to him. Once he saw her Blaise simply grinned from ear to ear and waved back. Theo was so glad to see his friend happy again, and found the goofy grin to be contagious. He then turned back to Hermione, to find her smiling to.
Harry however, was not smiling. He had an iron glare set on a shady looking man nearby selling some silver cups to someone.
"Mundungus!" Harry shouted "what the hell are you doing with my Godfather's things you bloody thief!"
Mundungus looked guiltily at Harry before gathering everything back into the sack, and then there was a crack as he Disaperated...
...But...
"Accio Sack!" Blaise was fast, and his summoning charm hit Mundungus just before he vanished, causing the sack to fly to Blaise and the contents to scatter across the ground.
"I can't believe that bastard!" Harry snarled as he approached Blaise "thanks for that mate."
"No problem" Blaise said "wish I'd had know it was your Godfather's stuff earlier though; I've spent five minutes watching him sell stuff."
"I can't believe he'd stoop so low" Harry said "Sirius let us all use his house, and now that his gone the vultures are circling."
"Vultures tend to do that" Blaise said "before I was born Ma was married to a much older rich man who never saw any of his family and was really lonely. Anyway after he died all these obscure relatives that hadn't spoken to him in years emerged from the woodwork. Once they realised that he had left everything to her they got really nasty. Took her to every court imaginable, spread lies about her being a gold digger and a murderer... in the end she had enough and went to Italy to escape."
"But I thought we could trust Mundungus" Harry said "Isn't your Mother loosely connected with the Order in some way? Did she ever tell you anything about him?"
"She's actually a full member now" Blaise said "and no, she hasn't told me anything about him."
"Does it really matter what people think of that scumbag?" Ron said "now that we got the stuff off of him, shouldn't we like, pick it up or something?"
The picking up didn't take too long; mostly it was just a matter of finding all the scattered silverware. It wasn't until Blaise made an interesting discovery that the conversation started up again.
"Oi Harry," Blaise said as he stood up with a gleaming treasure "was this your Godfather's locket?"
The locket in question looked rather new, but Theo had a feeling that it was actually quite ancient. When he looked at it he felt a rather strong sense of pride.
"Hay can I hold it?" Xanthe asked, and then without waiting for a response she reached out and grabbed it. "Wow" She said "I feel, I feel like I did just after the Sorting. I felt so proud to have made it into Slytherin, and this kinda recaptures it."
"I know" Blaise said "I felt that too. When I picked it up it was like, like I was part of something really great."
"You know, until now I've never really thought there was anything that special about me" Theo said "but for some reason, I feel quite proud of myself."
"You never thought there was anything special about yourself?" Hermione asked "but how can you feel that Theo? Your cleaver, and nice, and your probably more ambitious and a bigger overachiever than I am. You have plenty of reasons to be proud of yourself. Anyway mind if I have a look?"
Blaise handed her the locket, however Hermione didn't get the same smug expression that Blaise and Xanthe had given off after coming into contact with the locket. She did seem to get rather excited though.
"Hay Harry, Ron, I recognise this" she said as she showed it to them "this is that locket we couldn't get open last summer, remember?"
"Oh yeah I remember that locket" Ron said "didn't we end up chucking that in the trash or something?"
"We wouldn't have thrown it away" Harry said "but Sirius didn't recognise it either, so it's not his. Oh. Oh Merlin, I know what this is. When Dumbledore showed me Voldemort's parents... I saw this. This belonged to Voldemort's mother!"
"That thing has a mother?" Xanthe asked.
"It was Merope Gaunt's" Harry said "a family heirloom that originally belonged to Salazar Slytherin himself."
There was a slight silence as everyone digested that information. Oddly enough for Theo, he found the pride he had felt before evaporate when he realised that he was in a House whose founder spawned Voldemort. Though that was silly really, since he had already known that Voldemort had been a Slytherin and it wasn't like he was Salazar's son.
"That belonged to Salazar Slytherin?" Blaise asked in awe.
"Yeah" Harry said "There was quite a lot of dark stuff at my Godfather's house. But I have no idea how this could have gotten there."
"Mind if I have another look at it?"
Harry handed the locket over to Blaise, who gave it a thorough inspection and tried opening it.
"I told you we couldn't open it." Ron said.
Blaise ignored Ron and placed the locket around his neck and tried again to open it. He was unsuccessful, and continued his examination. After a while he made his judgment.
"There's something wrong with this locket" Blaise said "and I don't just mean that we can't open it. Something has been grafted onto it; possibly inside it. Something that doesn't belong. Some sort of foreign magic that's quite frankly broken it."
"How the hell can you tell that just by fiddling around with it for a minute or so?" Ron asked.
"I know machines and magical devices. I add strange spells to stuff all the time, and I can tell when there's magic on something that doesn't belong."
"Okay, if you say so." Ron said.
"Do you think it can be fixed?" Hermione asked.
Blaise looked thoughtful, but Theo knew how he would respond. This was the sort of challenge Blaise loved. Even if he didn't think the locket could be fixed, he would bloody well try.
"Sure it can" Blaise said "remember Ai-Luan's Second Theory of Magical Repair? Theoretically any device effected by magic can have that effect removed or reversed by magic. And since there is theoretically no limit to how much magic you can use on a non-electronic object, there has to be a way to get it open."
"A lot of experts say that Ai-Luan's Second and Third Theories of Magical Repair are rubbish." Hermione replied.
"Well yes, but so far no-one has ever discovered the limit" Blaise said "So I should be able to bombard this thing with enough magic to open it."
"But what if you open it the wrong way and it's dangerous? and there has to be some limit!"
"There doesn't have to be a limit! Anyway I'm not that desperate to open it. If it looks dangerous I'll ask a professional. Of course this is all only if Harry is okay with me fiddling around with it."
"Hmm..." Harry looked at the locket, and then smiled "I guess it would be interesting to see what's inside it. who knows, the tampering could have something to do with Voldemort. Yeah do whatever you can to open it. Just remember to be careful."
"Sure thing." Blaise said, beaming over his new toy "and I'll keep you updated if I discover anything."
"Great, thanks Harry" Xanthe said "now I'll never get him out of his little workshop."
"Oi I'm not the one here whose too busy for this relationship"
"Hay guys, drop it" Theo said "now have we got everything? Let's go get those drinks, alright?"
The Gryffindors led the way into the pub, while Theo stood between Blaise and Xanthe practically breathing in the tension. They managed to find a nice circular table and settle down. It wasn't long before Madam Rosmarta came to take their orders.
"Everyone like Butterbeers?" Xanthe asked the Gryffindors "Ok then, five Butterbeers and Theo's Special."
"What the hell is Theo's Special?" Ron asked.
"It's a drink Theo here came up with on his first visit here" Madam Rosmarta said.
"Theo designed a drink?" Hermione asked.
"Well I don't really stock that much for kids except Butterbeer and a few special flavoured waters" She explained "But when Theo here said he didn't really like Butterbeer I asked him what he would like instead. The result is Theo's Special. It's usually off menu except when he comes in or on his birthday though."
"You don't like butterbeer?" Harry asked, looking like it was air that Theo wasn't too keen on.
"I'm not too fond of alcohol" Theo explained "not even of pretend alcohol. And after I saw how it affected House Elves well, nah, I just can't drink it."
"You have no idea what your missing" Ron said.
"Give him a brake" Madam Rosmarta said "the boy knows what he wants, let him drink in peace. Five Butterbeers and a Theo's Special coming right up."
"Wait" Hermione said "could I please try a Theo's Special as well?"
"Are you sure about that hon? Its well, a pretty filling drink."
"That's alright, I haven't had lunch yet. I'll manage"
"Alright then. Four Butterbeers and two Theo's Specials coming right up."
Madam Rosmarta left and suddenly Theo's anxiety returned. What if Hermione didn't like his drink?
She's not going to hate you just because the drink you always have tastes bad he assured himself though I bet she'll think you're a weirdo when she sees what you designed.
"Hay Theo" Blaise asked "what did you get in the mail this morning?"
Theo didn't know whether to be grateful to Blaise for silencing his doubt or worrying about how Blaise would react to what he had found in the mail and now carried in his pocket.
Fortunately, Theo was saved by one of those well timed distractions that often cropped up when around Harry Potter and his friends. This one was in the form of Lavender Brown and the Patil twins coming to join them. Lavender brought her own chair and squeezed in between Ron and Xanthe, seeming to smother Ron with puppy eyes. The Patil twins were a bit more polite in taking positions between Harry and Blaise.
"Hay Ron" Lavender said "I was watching you during your last practice session; you're going great! Mind if we join you guys?"
"Sure go right ahead" Ron said "would you three like some drinks?"
"We have our own thanks" Pavarti said as she and her sister held up their own Butterbeers.
"Nice of you to join us" Ron said "anyway we were just... oh god no."
They all followed Ron's glare to where Ginny was kissing Dean Thomas over at another table.
"That little son of a bitch" Ron said "how dare he kiss her like that in public!"
"It's just kissing" Xanthe said "be thankful they aren't groping at each other like the horny teens they must be."
"Oi she's my sister!"
"You'd be acting the same way if you were with someone you loved" Xanthe replied "anyway Lavender what have you been up to?"
The conversation turned into a gossip fest which Theo didn't participate in. He noticed that Harry was also disinterested in the conversation, instead choosing to watch Dean and Ginny.
The conversation abruptly ended when Madam Rosmarta returned with their drinks; four Butterbeer and two giant, extremely chocolaty thickshakes.
Theo started to drink his straight away, allowing that chocolaty ice-cream flavour to drown out that horrible voice of self doubt. Hermione however was examining her drink as if she had just been told to eat an entire banquet by herself.
"This is your usual drink?" Hermione asked "is there ice-cream in here or is that just melted chocolate?"
"It's a bit of both" Theo explained "soft-serve ice-cream, lots of chocolate, milk, and a few hundreds-and-thousands. I get one or two every time I come here."
"Hundreds and thousands of what?" Ron asked.
"He means sprinkles" Blaise explained.
"How the hell can you drink all that?" Lavender asked.
"Theo's a chronic chocoholic" Xanthe explained "After we first learnt the multiplier charm he made an infinite supply of chocolate and sat up eating it all night."
"You'll get really fat if you keep that up" Lavender said.
"Oh I can't get fat." Theo explained "When I was six I started losing my baby teeth... and then the adult teeth that came after them... well I lost them too. Anyway my father tried to magic them back into place, but he ended up making me grow seven inches instead. Since then my metabolism has been really weird, I can eat as much chocolate as I like and it doesn't affect me."
For a second Theo got the strangest impression that all the girls at the table wanted to take him outside and bludgeon him to death with their steel Butterbeer mugs.
"Wow you are so lucky" Padma said.
"Not really" Theo said as he looked down at his bony hands "there are some negative side effects as well."
"I didn't realise growth spells could affect metabolism so much" Hermione said "I... I don't think I'll be able to get through all this." She looked at Ron who was sitting next to her and eyeing the drink with curiosity "hay Ron, do you want to share with me?"
"Sure" Ron said as Hermione conjured up another straw and offered it to him. The two of them started drinking together.
"Well Theo you certainly have good taste" Hermione said "I like the drink... but I think my parents would kill me if they could see me drinking something so full of sugar."
Conversation started up again, but Theo wasn't a part of it. For the first time in his life, chocolate was not helping him feel any better. As he watched Hermione and Ron's heads come closer together as they shared their drink, and the smiles they shared with each other over this guilty pleasure, Theo actually started to find the taste of his own drink repulsive.
Suddenly Ron and Hermione looked into each other's eyes, before shyly looking away. Theo felt his stomach churn and his drink turn to acid in his mouth. Had he just witnessed some sort of connection between the two of them?
Well he has known her a lot longer than you have his doubt said to him think of all they've been through together. They faced tough challenges together in their first year to get the Philosopher's Stone, then in second year he and Harry defeated the Basilisk that had petrified her. This was all long before she became aware of your existence.
But, he made her cry quite a few times he tried to reassure himself and she's often said that they have next to nothing in common. She told Blaise once that him and Harry are like brothers to her, she wouldn't start thinking of them as boyfriends. Anyway, your being silly, they're just sharing a drink, it doesn't mean anything.
Hermione and Ron had stopped drinking and now she was giggling at something he had said.
No, it doesn't mean anything. Nothing at all. Of course she would fall for someone like you over her friend of many years. After all, you spent a year not talking to her, and you come from nice Death Eater stock. The muggle-born girl and the Death Eater's son. What a cute couple you'll make.
Theo stopped drinking and looked down at his drink. Normally whenever he got upset or started doubting himself, chocolate got him feeling better. This time though, it only made him feel worse.
"Erm, Theo, did you hear me?"
Theo had been so caught up with staring at Ron and Hermione that he hadn't even noticed the Patil twins try to include him in the conversation.
"Oh sorry Pavarti, what was that again?" He asked.
"I asked what you wanted to do after you left Hogwarts" she said "I'm still tossing up a few options myself, but what do you want to do?"
"Oh, well that's easy" Theo said "I've always wanted to be a Healer."
"A Healer?" Padma asked.
"Yeah, it's the only thing I've ever really thought of doing. Or I guess nursing would be good too."
"I never really pictured you as the caring type" Parvati said.
"Theo is the most caring person I know" Blaise said "just because his in Slytherin doesn't mean he can't be caring."
"Damn what can't Slytherins be?" Ron asked.
"Oh no it's not that" Parvati asked "we know not all Slytherins are like Malfoy, it's just that well, aren't your parents Death Eaters Theo?"
It had finally been said. His father's arrest hadn't been secret and his mother was pretty infamous in her day. Still though, it hurt to be confronted about them like this. Especially after what he had just realised about his chances with Hermione.
"My Mother died giving birth to me, so I never had her influence over me." He explained "and the Dark Arts twisted my father and my sister into people that I really, really would hate to be like."
"Your sister was a Death Eater too?" Padma asked "wow it's amazing that you didn't end up like them."
"Did your mother really die giving birth to you?" Lavender asked "ohhh you aren't cursed are you?"
"Oi can't you just give the guy a brake?" Blaise slammed his fist down on the table and shouted at Lavender.
"Well if he's cursed I don't want to - "
Theo didn't even wait to hear the end of her sentence. He got up and rushed out the door without a single look back. It was all too much. He kept his face down so that no-one would see the tears forming in his eyes.
He heard someone running behind him and felt a hand clamp down on his shoulder.
"Go away Blaise!" he cried "I just want to be left alone!"
"I'm not Blaise."
Theo felt as if the world had stopped spinning. Why oh why hadn't he realised that the hand on his shoulder was too small and feminine to be Blaise's? It wasn't his best friend who had come to console him, but Hermione.
"I'm.. I'm sorry Hermione." He said "I didn't think it would be you... I thought..."
"It's fine" she said "do you want to sit down? I can leave you alone if you really want... but are you sure that's what you want?"
Good question. He felt like being alone, but if Hermione wanted to be with him and help him feel better...,
"Nah it's alright" he said "let's sit down. Thanks for following me."
"It's alright, someone has to make sure you're doing okay." She said "ah, that bench over there is free."
They sat down in front of Delany's Party Supplies, and for a while stayed silent. She pretended to be interested in the people walking past as he dried his eyes.
"I never realised it could be so hard from the other side too" she finally said "I've always wanted to prove myself, since my parents are muggles and well, there is that expectation we aren't as good. I guess it must be worse if you have to well, live with the fact that your parents are actually bad people. Oh sorry, I didn't mean it like that, I meant..."
"No you meant it like that" Theo said "and your absolutely right. My parents were bad people. My father still is. You don't have to apologise for it."
"Yeah, but they are still your parents" she said "and I'm pretty sure Death Eaters still love their families."
"Most think their doing the right thing" he said "my father probably did at the start. But after my Mother died he went a bit crazy... and then after Voldemort fell I guess he went more crazy. And Gabriella certainly isn't a good person."
"I'm sorry to hear that" she said "that must have been really hard for you, growing up with that."
"Yeah. It was."
They stayed silent a bit longer. Not an awkward or a strained silence, but Theo felt uneasy just the same. Should he tell her more? Should he change the subject and never bring up his family again?
"Theo, what did Lavender mean back there? About you being cursed?"
"Oh that?" Looks like he would be telling her more "well, it's a common belief that witches can't die during childbirth because their magic protects them."
"That's not true" Hermione said "the magic does protect them but if things go really wrong nothing can help."
"I know" he said "but back when death in childbirth was more common, well it became quite shameful amongst wizarding families to have a daughter or sister die in childbirth. People believed that it was a muggle weakness and it meant that the witch didn't have that much magic."
"Stupid silly superstitions" Hermione said "I bet that logic would have killed more women, since they would be less likely to ask for help."
"I know" Theo said "but usually when it did happen, especially if the mother was seen to be a really powerful witch, well in those circumstances people believed she died because the baby was cursed in some way."
"What?" Hermione asked "that's crazy! Oh... grrr... it doesn't surprise me that Lavender believes such rubbish. Don't let it bother you Theo; Lavender only believes things that don't stand up to logical thinking."
"I guess" he agreed "it's just... well, people have often blamed me for what happened to our family after Mother died. Jolene has always said that I'm cursed and that I should have been killed at birth. And when my father has been drinking a lot, well, sometimes he says, he says... he says things would have been better if I hadn't been born."
"Oh Theo, that's terrible."
"If I wasn't born my mother wouldn't have died, and Dad wouldn't have lost his mind and money, and you know what? I bet Alice would be alive too. Maybe I am cursed."
"Of course you're not!" Hermione said "How can anyone blame a baby for that stuff? Don't cry Theo; you said yourself that your parents were bad people. Maybe it's just something they had coming to them? It's can't be your fault!"
"I know" Theo said "I've had people tell me it for years... but sometimes I can't help wonder if things wouldn't have been better if I were never born."
"Don't say that! Don't you ever say that Theo! If you were never born then I would be missing out on a very good friend. Not to mention that the world would be missing out on a very good person."
"Well I, wow thanks Hermione. That means a lot to me. Even though well, I'm not really the best friend you could have."
"What do you mean?"
"Well... I spent so long not talking to you, even when we were working together in the DA. I just made everything awkward. I was an idiot last year. I'm so sorry Hermione."
He just hoped she wouldn't ask why he had been such an idiot. How could he possibly explain himself without admitting that he loved her? Though then again, maybe this was just the chance he had been waiting for. Screw Ron Weasley, he was going to tell her how he felt. Right now!
"No Theo, it's my fault" she said "I'm the one that was acting like an idiot."
"No, never; you were the perfect friend. You put up with my presence even when I was being a jerk."
"You weren't being a jerk Theo; you were being shy and hurt, and it's my fault. Because I was so shallow."
"I don't understand you... please don't cry Hermione... we can't both be teary eyed. I was the one who tried to avoid you, who couldn't find the words to say to you... who got all uncomfortable whenever you came near me. Hermione, I... I want to explain why I was like that."
"It's okay Theo, I know"
"You do?"
"It's because of me... because of the Yule Ball. You were being so nice to ask me out and I was just so horrible to you!"
"Oh..." Theo had always considered his blundered attempt to ask Hermione to the Yule Ball as the trigger that made things awkward between them. But how could she possibly blame herself for that?
"I know" She sobbed "I didn't even think about it. I just rejected you... I rejected you because you weren't the best looking or most popular boy out there! I wanted to take it back as soon as I said it... and I... I just can't believe I could think of something so, so shallow."
"Oh." Theo said. He knew he had never been the most attractive guy around, and when he saw his rabbitty, weedy features he had often wondered why he thought he stood any kind of chance with Hermione.
"I'm sorry Theo" she said "I would have loved to have gone to the Ball with you. As soon as I thought about it I realised it would have been a wonderful idea. I just, I don't know why I said no. I didn't think! Looks aren't that important to me! I'm sorry Theo."
"It's alright. I... I shouldn't have asked like that. I always thought I'd stuffed that up with being too forward."
"No Theo, it wasn't your fault. It was mine."
"But if you had said yes then you wouldn't have gone to the Ball with Krum."
"I know" she said "but I think well, at the time he was a bit old for me. I would have had just as much fun with you. And Theo, I'm sorry I was so shallow back then. You're a good friend for standing by me; even though I did make it so awkward."
"Hermione it's my fault things went awkward" he said "you see I... well I...,"
So are you really going to tell her now? After she just told you why she rejected you the first time? Do you want things to be awkward again?
She said looks aren't important to her... and she said she wanted to go to the Ball with me. Besides, Ron isn't any supermodel either.
As a friend. She wanted to go with you as a friend. Not as a boyfriend. And at least Ron has all his teeth.
"What's wrong Theo?"
"Well... you're a great friend Hermione." He said "I don't want to ever lose you as a friend. We were both much younger and less mature back then. Let's just forget it."
"That sounds like a good idea" Hermione said, wiping her eyes "Friends forever?"
"Friends forever" Theo said. Just friends He though.
Just friends.
That's what Hermione found herself thinking as she and Theo began to compose themselves. It wasn't a really pleasant thought either. She couldn't understand why that should be; she had just gotten one of her lowest moments off of her chest and Theo wasn't upset with her about it. Why did she find herself feeling disappointed?
It couldn't be that you want to be more than Just Friends is it? She thought to herself.
But wasn't there that moment with Ron before? When she had looked into his eyes and felt something? It was a strange tingly sensation; very similar to what she felt now, as she considered being more than Just Friends with Theo.
Damn it Hermione what is wrong with you? she thought to herself it's not even midday yet and already you've started feeling things for two different boys. Not only that, but they're the two boys you could never have.
She would never be able to make a relationship work with Ron. The thought had crossed her mind before and all she had seen were potential problems. And Theo, well there was no way she could risk their friendship after this.
Suddenly Theo giggled and flashed her that wonderful smile of his. She found herself smiling too; it didn't matter that he had some missing teeth and a big pimple next to his lips, Hermione just wanted to see him keep smiling forever.
"We sort of dined and ditched back there" he said.
"Yeah we did" Hermione said "oh well, I'll give Harry the money for the drink next time I see him. "Who do you think will cover you?"
"Oh Blaise always pays for me" he said "I don't have any money of my own. It should be alright though."
"Okay then. So do you want to go off and do something?"
"Yeah alright. I heard there was a new second hand bookshop opening up around here, want to go see if that's up yet?"
"Sounds great!"
They got up and joined the crowds. Hermione felt some warmth on her neck, and looked up to see the clouds parting and the sun shining down onto her and Theo.
:That Night:
Blaise was in a pretty foul mood as he worked on his magical Gameboy that night. He didn't know why; maybe he was just frustrated at Theo for blowing another chance with Hermione. Or maybe he needed a break from his particular project.
He found himself fiddling around with Slytherin's locket. He hadn't taken it off since Harry told him he could keep it. A part of Blaise had considered never trying to fix it so that he would never have to return it. However he couldn't resist a challenge; he had already promised himself that he would start working on it tomorrow.
He heard Dave talking to someone outside and placed the Gameboy aside. Soon Theo came in, looking slightly more nervous than usual.
"Hi Theo, how's that Healing report going?"
"Oh I couldn't concentrate on it. I well...,"
"Thinking about Hermione again?"
"No actually, I was thinking about you."
"Me? Oh I see, checking up on me to make sure I haven't blown myself up in here."
"What?" Theo looked confused "whose been worried about you being blown up?"
"Oh Camille has been saying it's inevitable for weeks now" Blaise explained "and Ma's dropped in to check up on me too."
"It's nice, she's worried about you"
"She babies me though. I don't think she reckons I can adapt this Gameboy for use in Hogwarts."
"She's just worried that's all. Don't worry about it. I know you can adapt that Gameboy."
"Thanks" Blaise grunted "anyway, if you're not here to scrape my brain matter off the ceiling why are you here?"
"Do I need a reason?"
"No, but you said you were thinking about me?"
"Yeah well... you seem cranky, maybe I should tell you later?"
"What is it Theo?"
"Well...,"
"Spit it out!"
"Remember the letter I got this morning?"
"Oh... yeah. So what was in that anyway?"
"Well... I didn't tell you before because I didn't know how you would take it after what happened to Leia. You see I well, I got this."
Theo held is hand out, and in his palm Blaise could see a nice shiny Prefect Badge.
"Oh." He said.
"I know" Theo said "I... I never asked for this, and well, I know you were expecting it - "
"But you would make a much better Prefect than me anyway" Blaise finished for him.
"What? No I don't think - "
"Oh of course you do!" Blaise said "you're the good boy, you get all the good grades, you don't blow stuff up, and it might help that you're a Pureblood!"
"You think I got this just because I'm a Pureblood?" Theo asked with hurt in his voice.
"You know what Theo, it felt really good to think that someone was going to recognise me as more than just that funny good-looking Half-Blood. I was surprised to hear I'd become Prefect, but it felt bloody good because I knew that despite what everyone says, I can handle a bit of responsibility!"
"I'm - "
"Shut up! Blaise said "I just wanted to drop to my knees and cry when I found Leia, but I didn't! I didn't because I knew that I was going to get that badge soon and then I could do something to stop all those arseholes!"
"Blaise I'm still going to do something to them" Theo said "Hermione and Ron think that together the three of us can - "
"Wait a sec" Blaise said "you told Ron Weasley about this before you told me?" Ron Weasley? That guy is the biggest douchebag in the whole school! Actually no, his the second biggest douche I mean."
"After Malfoy?" Theo asked.
"After you!" Blaise said "you're a real good friend Theo. Leia was violently murdered because I was going to be Prefect!"
"I know it's not fair. That's why - "
"It's more than bloody unfair" Blaise said "it's a fucking betrayal that's what! Thanks Theo for kicking me in the nuts when I'm down!"
"Blaise I never asked for this to happen!"
"Fuck you! Seriously fuck you! I'm just as capable of being a Prefect as you Theo! I'd be better even, since I'm not completely mental!"
"You know Blaise, maybe you're the one that should go get fucked!" Theo cried "I didn't ask for this and you certainly don't have to be such a bastard about it!"
"Oh you knew this would happen!" Blaise said "that's why you went to Weasley first."
"Maybe there is something wrong with you tonight" Theo said as tears ran down his face "here Blaise, take the stupid badge!" He slammed the badge onto the desk and then turned to leave "if that's more important than our friendship... then I hope it makes you happy!"
Theo ran out of the room, Slamming the door so hard that Dave shouted something after him.
"I thought you were my friend!" Blaise hissed to the space where Theo had been. He then looked at the badge; it wasn't really as shiny now as it had seemed before.
"You know what Blaise?" Dave had entered the room via a photocopied poster Blaise had hung up "You're a real arsehole sometimes."
"Shut up you or I'll put you through the shredder."
"See? Anyway you have another guest, try and be nicer to her. Wanker."
Blaise ripped the poster down just as Dave retreated. He then heard a strange Squeak from the corner and turned around to find Gargoyle staring at him.
"What do you want?"
"Meow!"
"I feed you before. How did you get here anyway?" Blaise found himself feeling a bit cheerier talking to Gargoyle. Once he realised that he was smiling at her he set his face back into a scowl. She isn't Leia he told himself not my Leia! This isn't the kitten meant for Camille that loved me more than her. She isn't the one that would only let me pat her when everyone thought Camile was a little superstar. This isn't the best friend I had before Hogwarts.
"You'll never be Leia."
"Meow."
Gargoyle jumped on the workbench and gave Blaise a glare more intense than what most humans were capable of.
No, she wasn't glaring at him. She was glaring at the locket.
"This belonged to Salazar Slytherin" Blaise explained "Do you want to take a look?"
He took the Locket off and placed it next to Gargoyle. She just hissed and pushed it away.
"Can you sense the foreign magic too?" Blaise asked "You might be a good little helper to me."
"Meow!"
Blaise patted Gargoyle happily for a moment, however as his mood lightened he realised the full extent of what he had said.
"Oh crap Gargoyle, what the hell was I thinking?"
"Meow?"
"Dave!" Blaise ran to the door still holding the purring kitten "Dave!"
"What?" he heard the disgruntled poster's voice from just behind the door.
"Your right Dave... I am an arsehole! I'm sorry about what I said to you. I'll get you a new poster up in here tomorrow. Sorry mate."
"Hay... it's alright" Dave said "apology accepted. But you do know that apologising to me is the easy part right?"
"Oh yeah" Blaise said "I was totally out of line with Theo. I just... I just felt like, like he had betrayed me."
"He didn't ask for it though" Dave reminded him.
"I know" Blaise said as he made his way back to his workbench and picked up the Prefect Badge. "I just thought, well maybe people were starting to respect me."
"I respect you."
"Really Dave?"
"Well duh, you brought me to life." Blaise could see Dave's face peeking out from one of the tattered pieces of poster on the wall "I guess that doesn't count for too much, but you're in here working on projects no-one else in this school could understand. You've definitely earned my respect."
"Thanks Dave. It's nice to know that Dr. Frankenstein can at least get his creature to take him seriously."
"Meow!" Gargoyle nudged up against him.
"And you too Gargoyle. And Theo too. At least before this." He looked again at the badge in his hand "I can't believe I called my best friend a mental case. How can he ever be friends with me again? I wasn't just out of line... what I said, that was unforgivable."