I won't let you down
I will not give you up
Gotta have some faith in the sound
It's the one good thing that I've got
"Mr. Nott," Slughorn greets, "I wasn't aware you would be joining us this evening."
"Hermione was kind enough to bring me along," Theo explains, looking down at the witch beside him. She's dressed in a pretty, blush pink coloured dress— the perfect compliment to her fair skin. He gently wraps an arm around her shoulders. She blushes.
"Oh, Miss Granger," Slughorn attempts to hide his shocked expression, "I was unaware that you kept such interesting company."
"There's a great deal you don't know about me, Professor."
Theo keeps his mouth shut. Fearing that he may laugh and make this interaction more awkward than it already is. Oh, he knew exactly the intent behind Slughorn's comment. He's not blind. He knew he wasn't invited to be a member of his little Slug Club because his father was a known supporter of Voldemort, imprisoned in Azkaban at that very moment. Not that Theodore cares. By the way Blaise talked about it, the 'club' sounded like a load of rubbish. Besides, from what he can recall, old Thoros Nott and Slughorn were buddies back in the day. The very idea of getting to know anyone who used to be close to his father made him cringe.
"Indeed, Miss Granger. Every one of you is still a mystery to me," Slughorn tips his head to her and lowers his voice as if Theo won't be able to hear, "But if I may give you a little word of advice? The Mclaggen boy would have gladly escorted you tonight."
She stiffens under his arm, "Sir?"
Slughorn takes a moment to observe them before softening to his usual, cheerful stance, "Anyways, that's only what I hear. Best leave you two to it then, lots of people to greet!"
Hermione shakes herself, "What in sweet circle was that?"
"He was projecting… I think?" Theo ponders. He eyes Slughorn wearily as he approaches another one of his guests. Oh well, it's not like the opinion of a teacher means anything anyway.
"Sure, but Mclaggen? He's a toad," she scoffs, eye twitching. They look at each other for a brief moment before breaking out in a fit of giggles.
"Well, you two seem cheery,'' comes a voice from behind. They turn around to find Neville. Poor Neville, dressed in a waiter's uniform and holding a silver platter–looking a bit put out.
"Neville! Hello!" Hermione greets him in surprise and gestures to his outfit, "What are you doing?"
"Suppose you didn't hear, I didn't make the club. But Slughorn asked me if I wouldn't mind helping, and well… here I am," he acts cheerful enough.
Hermione gives him a sympathetic smile and pats him on the shoulder, "Sorry to hear that Nev."
"You're probably better off anyways," Theo offers in kindness, "Now you'll have more time to study your plants."
Neville studies him for a moment with an intrigued glint in his eye, "Uh… thanks, Nott. Yes, I suppose I will." He seems to remember what he's carrying at that point and holds the plate up to the pair, "Champagne?"
"Gladly," Theo takes two of the glasses and hands one to Hermione, sarcastically muttering, "Cheers, to - whatever this monstrosity is," He uses his glass to gesture around the room before offering it for her to clink.
She snorts in agreement, folding one of her arms around her middle and taking up his offer, " "Indeed, Cheers."
Clink
"Sweet Salazar, where did Slughorn find all of these people? Wait, is that a vampire?" Theo is astonished by the oddities that have gathered in the room. With every turn, there's another of the Professor's collected.
"I heard that he's been friends with Slughorn for years. They met at an exhibition of sorts, in Albania."
"Luna!" Theo feels Hermione nearly jump out of her skin beside him, she would have spilled her drink if it wasn't already gone. It isn't unusual for the peculiar girl to appear seemingly from nowhere. One would think Hermione would be used to it by now, with them being friends and all, but she wasn't.
"How long have you been standing there, Lovegood?" Theo asks. He's gobsmacked by her outfit. If he hadn't known any better, he'd say she was attacked by a Christmas tree - a Christmas tree made of tinsel.
"Not long. Harry's over there, talking with Professor Slughorn. Isn't this a pretty sight? Look at all the little lights," She admires in her usual dream-like voice, like she doesn't have a care in the world.
They follow her gaze to the ceiling.
The lights do give a certain ambiance, for sure. They move slowly, like insects, on the tulle-covered ceiling - creeping in and out of the folds, changing their colour every so often.
"Sure, pretty. If you're into bugs," He muses sarcastically with a chuckle.
"There you are Luna," Potter walks up to them and stands next to his date, fiddling with the ends of his dress robe sleeves, "What are we looking at?"
"Apparently, we are trying to decide if the lights are insects or not," Hermione explains as if he should have already known.
"Huh, well alright then," He responds, gazing up at the ceiling like the rest of them.
"Careful, Potter. You might fall under their charm as well," Theo teases, "Hermione and I have been here all evening."
He can see Potter doing a double take in his peripheral vision, "Nott?" He breathes, "What are you doing here?" He sounds more taken aback than anything else.
"I invited him," Hermione huffs in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Oh! So this is who you invited," He's genuine enough as he connects the dots.
"That is what she just said."
"I just wasn't expecting you, Nott." Potter starts to reason, not taking any offence, "Which reminds me. Hermione, Cormac's looking for you."
"He seemed rather flighty when we passed him in the corridor earlier," Luna pipes in after finally releasing her attention from the lights to join in, completely oblivious to what Potter is alluding to.
Theo rolls his eyes and cringes, nearly acting out the current feeling written all over Hermione's face, "Oh goodie."
"Yeah, so I suggest you make yourself scarce," Potter concludes, carefully glancing around the room as if Mclaggen is within earshot.
Hermione snatches up Theo's hand with purpose, "Thanks for the warning, Harry."
She marches them over to hide in one of the tented alcoves, but not before Theo snags a couple more glasses of champagne.
"Well this is rather intimate," He comments as the fabric closes around them, "perhaps a bit presumptuous even."
A little while later, Neville pops his head in to check on the pair, "Alright, Gin says she's got everything set up for us in the RoR. I have another hour before I can leave, but you can go on ahead if you want."
That's right, of the more intriguing itinerary items Hermione had presented Theo with when she invited him to come with her tonight. A good old after-party put on by the one and only Ginny Weasley. She told him it was only to be a small gathering, but given his knowledge of Ginny's parties, he doubts it would be everything but. The idea intrigues him. Part of him wants to know how the other houses interact after hours. If it was any different than the posh ways of Slytherin house.
"Thank you, Nev," Hermione's still laughing from the joke Theo just finished.
There is a commotion outside. A loud clatter echoes as silence falls all around. The three of them move back the fabric to see Filch with his hand in a rough grasp on the collar of Draco Malfoy. Dragging him along triumphantly to their host.
"Found him acting suspicious just outside the door Professor," Filch sneers with pride, like he had just caught Voldemort himself in the act.
"I was gate crashing," Draco aggressively reasons, batting away the old caretaker's hand.
Slughorn beams like he can't be bothered and shrugs, "No harm done Mr. Filch, let him join the party if he wants." The man was most definitely a few glasses of Ogden's in too many.
Filch deflates reluctantly and grumbles.
The rest of the conversation fades away when the chatter around them picks back up with faltered interest.
"Wonder what he's up to? Malfoy." Hermione eyes Draco as he turns back the way he came.
"Who knows? He doesn't talk to me anymore, about anything." Theo's still unsure about how to handle his friend, if he can even call Draco that anymore. They had grown up together and until a couple of months ago, told each other everything.
"I best be off," Neville shrugs, taking his leave.
"Granger, there you are!"
"Fuck…" Hermione swears under her breath, "I completely forgot."
And there he is. Cormac Mclaggen, with his arrogant smile, strutting towards them.
"Wondered If you might fancy a dance?" He asks, holding a hand out for her to take.
She bites her bottom lip. "Sorry Cormac, we were just about to leave. Maybe another time?" She's too polite for her own good.
Cormac lets his hand fall to his side, his attention turns towards Theo. "You brought a snake with you?" He accuses darkly, squinting at Theo.
"Careful, Mclaggen. Green isn't the best colour on you." Theo crosses his arms, head held high, preparing for any further insults.
"You're damn right about that!" Cormac's rather loud about it as he mirrors Theo's stance. Some of the other people around them look over. "It doesn't look good on her either."
"Frankly, Cormac," Hermione interjects, wrapping her hand around Theo's arm, "I don't think it's your place to say what does or doesn't look good on me."
Cormac looks down at her, eyeing the tender way she acts around Theo. He quirks his brow, "Fine, Granger, that's just fine. But don't expect me to protect you when your little experiment, here," He gestures to the other male, "turns on you and you're left with no one."
Theo knits his brows together and takes a step forward–disregarding Hermione's hold on him–fully intent on getting in Mclaggen's space. It's one thing to speak ill about him but to say that to Hermione, that isn't something he can let slide. "I suggest you–"
"Oh ho!" Slughorn waddles up to them, his drink splashing about as he keeps his goblet to his chest. "What's happening over here?"
Both boys stare each other down, neither of them budging. The air thickens their silent fumes.
It's Hermione who answers, "Nothing, Professor. We were just leaving." She tugs Theo to follow her, his hand clammy in hers.
Slughorn doesn't seem convinced but lets it go. "Best be off then, you two."
They walk in silence through the dark stone halls. Hermione can tell Theo's still on edge, his body is stiff and his eyes wander everywhere but at her.
"You know, you didn't have to indulge him," she quips, halting in the middle of the 6th-floor corridor. She wanted to get this over with before it took effect on the rest of their evening.
She waits for him to respond, allowing him to lead her off to the side. He takes both of her hands in his and lets out a breath of frustration, "I just don't appreciate how they talk to you like this is a mistake. Like I've corrupted you."
She's not upset with him, not really. Not when he's been nothing but a perfect, protective boyfriend. Well, maybe not always, but most of the time. But still. "I know, and I'm grateful. But, I can fight my own battles. I did just fine before you came along."
"Oh I know," He muses, moving closer to her and lowering his voice, "I've heard all about your capabilities to stand up for yourself. Draco still brings up your right hook. Not sure I ever properly thanked you for that."
She lets out an airy laugh, "No you didn't."
His lips press against hers in a sweet kiss, calming the air between them.
"If you two are done snogging, we best get a move on."
They part reluctantly and turn to find Michael Corner, standing with a skippy Luna, looking rather annoyed with his arms crossed, eyebrows raised.
"By all means, Corner," Theo snickers, winking at him as nods his head towards the staircase, "Lead the way."
I won't let you down
So please don't give me up
'Cause I would really, really
Love to stick around
Freedom! '90 - Pitch Perfect (George Michael)