April 2023 WCC Roll-A-Drabble - HP Character: Theo Nott - Trope: Soulmates - Crossover Fandom: Wednesday (TV)
2023 Wizarding Crossover Connection Bingo - Prompt: Soulmates
2023 MPF Tic Tac Toe - Prompt: Soulmates
2023 Tropes and Fandoms - Trope: Magical Accident
Additional Note: I personally like to think of the Wednesday series as an extension of the 90's live action Addams Family movies, rather than a completely new standalone reboot. Therefore, this story reflects that continuation to a small degree.
Strange and Wonderful
The dorm of the fifth year Slytherin boys was in an uproar.
Theo, usually quieter and more serious than his dormmates, anyway, seethed to himself in a combination of anger and borderline panic after the events of the evening. It did not help, however, that in the midst of his own distress, he also had to work very hard to resist punching Draco in the mouth over his incessant whinging about his own problems. After all, Draco was always about Draco, even though this particular situation also affected Theo and several others just as much as...if not more than...it did the rich spoiled Malfoy brat. After all, at least he had a mother waiting for him at home after this. Theo had nobody.
Instead of violence, however, Theo channeled that negative energy into something constructive as he made his decision. Then, he carefully but quickly placed all of his belongings into his magically enlarged school trunk while he also tried to ignore Blaise's well-meaning, but ultimately unsuccessful, attempt to cheer him up and change his mind.
He appreciated his friend's efforts, but matters had already progressed much too far for that.
Frankly, Theo did not care if...as Blaise had pointed out...there were only a couple of days left in the term or not, he had had enough! It was finally time to completely separate himself from the madness of his family connections. All he had ever wanted to do, after all, was to get out of his father's dark shadow and move away from the man's questionable past in order to build his own reputation on his own merits.
Nevertheless, it did not appear to matter what Theo yearned for...because his old man had just completely bollocksed things up for himself and his son in Britain...and the effects would probably be permanent this time.
Since it was the last week of term, Theo had been looking forward to getting away from the Pink Toad and her reign of terror at Hogwarts.
Thankfully, because he was a Slytherin and a pureblood wizard, he had been spared the majority of her severity, but he had still seen the effects that her "detentions" had on others who were not as fortunate. He knew that it was not right and, therefore, he was glad that he had turned down the offer to join her Inquisition Squad when Draco tried to recruit him for it when it was first being formed. He had not wanted to add any fuel to the fire or increase the alienation from the students in the other Houses any more than had already been done. After all, that insidious woman had done a very thorough job of that herself when she had taken over and ruined everything with her so-called "Educational Decrees" and obvious favoritism for the Snake House.
Nevertheless, just days before he could get out of that toxic atmosphere, Professor Snape had called him, Draco, and several others into his office. There he informed them that their fathers had been arrested at the Ministry...along with other marked Death Eaters...after a raid that the Minister himself had personally witnessed. Somehow, Harry Potter and his gang had also been involved and the Gryffindor Trio...among others...were currently in the hospital wing. Apparently, the Granger girl...in particular...had been quite seriously injured.
Theo felt terrible about that. Even though he knew Draco, Pansy, and most of the others of their year could not stand the muggleborn, he held nothing against her just because of who her parents were. After all, they may not have socialized outside of class for obvious reasons on both parts, but they had worked on several projects in Arithmancy together with no problems. In fact, she had been one of the best partners he had ever had. Therefore, intelligence and magical prowess were obviously not a problem with such a bloodline, no matter what the supremacists...like his father...desperately wanted to believe.
Nevertheless, Theo knew that Hermione Granger...and probably everyone else...would still hold what had happened that night against him - even if he personally had nothing to do with it, at all.
It was not that Theo thought he was an angel. In fact, he knew for certain that was not true. In actuality, even though such actions were generally frowned upon, there had even been many occasions when he had experimented with some of the ancient spells and magic rituals that he had found in the Nott library during the long and lonely times at home after his mother's death. One of those spells had even yielded particularly interesting...and potentially life-changing...results due to an accidental offering of blood from a paper cut on his finger.
However, what young curious wizard with little to no supervision and access to a vast generational magic library had not done some sort of magical experimentation? It certainly did not mean that Theo had any desire whatsoever to become a dark wizard or be associated in any way with his father and his fellow thugs. After all, he had never bought into any of that blood status nonsense that they seemed to think was so important.
Who cared? Magic was magic. That was all that should matter in the long run. In fact, by Merlin, he really thought that the American magical community had the right idea. After all, he had heard that they welcomed anyone with gifts – even if they were not exactly wizards and witches.
Therefore, after the disasters of that night, Theo knew that it was finally time to take action with the discovery he had made during his secret accidental blood magic experiment – especially since what he had learned had proven to be indisputably true on his sixteenth birthday several months earlier. After all, that was when his soulmark had finally appeared...in a dull gray pattern...on his left hip...just like the old grimoire, where he had found the spell in the first place, had said it would.
...
Soulmates were not unheard in the magical world, but they were rare. Therefore, Theo had never told anyone about what he had discovered – just in case it could be used against him in some way. Self-preservation for himself and for those important to him was one of the reasons why he was a Slytherin, after all. It was also why he was determined to stay out of the Dark Lord's clutches, not matter how much his father threatened him if he did not join. He knew that if the Dark Lord had access to him, that would also mean that he had access to her.
Even though Theo somehow knew for sure that his soulmate was indeed a she, he still had no idea who...or where...she was. He only knew for certain that she had just recently turned sixteen because his soulmark had finally sharpened from dull gray into sharply-defined dark lines and the pattern had become crystal clear. It was a curious shape, too; circular with exactly one half of the circle dissected into a spider web-like pattern. He had no idea what it was or what it meant, though...and he knew that he would probably not be able to figure it out until he finally met her in person.
Theo had originally made plans to wait until after graduation...once he could break free from his father's control...to try and locate her through their bond. Hopefully, they would be able to plan their future together, then...after they decided what kind of relationship they were going to have. After all, he knew enough to realize that soulmates probably did not have to be romantic in nature, even though they usually were in stories. He still had his teenage hopes, though, that it would also turn out that way for them.
Nevertheless, the unexpected events of the last day had forced him to move up those plans and that timeline to the immediate present. He had decided that he needed to salvage what was left of his life and completely remove himself from his father's unflatteringly legacy in order to take his destiny into his own hands. Plus, since his future, in one way or the other, would have to include her, anyway, he decided that it was finally time to use the second part of the soulmate spell he had found.
It was the part of the spell that would take him to her. He could only hope that she would respond well to his sudden and unexpected presence. After all, he had no way to contact her to let her know that he was coming or that he desperately needed her to help him decide...together...what to do about the mess he currently found himself in.
It was a daunting decision in many ways, but Slytherins...much like their rivals, the Gryffindors...were not known for being faint of heart. In fact, if it was in their best interest to be, Slytherins could be very brave, indeed...and this move on Theo's part was definitely in his best interest.
Consequently, he simply squared his shoulders, compartmentalized his feelings, and continued to ignore his dormmates as he made his preparations. Once he was finished, he placed the lightening charm that Professor Snape had taught to the members of his House on his otherwise overweighted trunk. He then picked it up easily and stormed out of the room, out of his House, and out of the dungeons entirely.
He kept walking until he found an empty classroom on the next floor up. There, with a candle, a drop of his blood (on purpose this time), and the correct incantation, he trusted that the ancient soulmate magic would get him safely through the school wards and exactly to where he needed to be, instead.
...
Fortunately, he was correct.
In fact, the next thing that he knew, he stood...wand still in hand...in the darkness outside a set of ornate wrought iron gates that he did not recognize. At that moment, the adrenaline that had flowed through his system...and encouraged his rash decision to make such a hasty departure from Hogwarts...slowly started to drain away. As he fought to force down the nausea that rushed in to replace it...especially after such an unorthdox form of magical travel...Theo finally realized the dangerous chance he had taken with such unknown magic. Consequently, he heaved a sigh of relief that he seemed to still be all in one piece...even after everything.
Nevertheless, once he started to feel like himself again, the knowledge that the magic had indeed worked quickly replaced his former feelings and emotional upheaval with a very different kind instead. In fact, after just a moment, all he could feel was a heady combination of excitement and anticipation coursing through his veins. After all, the very fact that he was standing there meant that his soulmate, the one whom the universe and magic had for some reason chosen just for him...and probably the reason why none of the other girls (or guys) at Hogwarts had ever appealed to him in that way...was on the other side of that gate.
Suddenly, Theo found that he could not wait to find her. Therefore, determined to figure out his own location first...and then, hopefully, also a hint as to exactly where she was, as well...he cast a Lumos to light the way as his eyes finally glanced up to catch the wording on the gate.
Nevermore Academy
It was obviously a school...which made a lot of sense if the girl in question was also sixteen years old...just as he was. However, Theo had to pause to ponder where he had heard of that name before.
It came to him in a moment of sudden clarity. I'm in the States, he realized.
Ilvermorny might have been the most famous school for witchcraft and wizardry in America, but he had heard about Nevermore, too. It was apparently famous...or perhaps even infamous...for teaching everyone else who had different kinds of magic and supernatural gifts than just those who met the criteria to attend Ilvermorny. In fact, he had heard that all sorts of shifters and seers were taught there...here...among others who generally avoided Europe because of all the magical bias their particular gifts would probably bring upon them there.
Theo found that he had to chuckle again at the irony of the reason why he had suddenly uprooted himself from Hogwarts. Apparently, it was to meet someone of whom his father would most definitely not approve. However, Theo just did not care. In fact, it simply sweetened the deal for him and he realized that was just another sign from his magic that he had done the right thing at the right time by separating himself completely from his familial situation back in England.
Consequently, it was with an even more renewed spirit that he pushed upon the gate door closest to him. When it gave way easily (Another sign! Theo justified), he walked right through it and, after stashing his trunk in the bushes for safekeeping until he could return, he continued up the winding lane beyond until he appeared in front of the school itself.
Although it was obviously much smaller than Hogwarts Castle, it was still a daunting structure – especially when it was lit up in the dark like some sort of giant deformed jack-o-lantern. Therefore, Theo paused in uncertainty as he tried to figure out exactly where to go and what to do next. After all, it was not like he could just go and find the Head of the school and tell him...or her...that he was there to meet his soulmate. Not only would they probably think he was crazy, but they would more than likely portkey his arse right back to Hogwarts...after they called in the Aurors, of course.
He would certainly not get to find her, then.
Since that was his ultimate mission, he knew that he could stop at nothing until he had fulfilled it. As a result, he decided to use stealth and explore a bit on his own to see what he could find. In fact, at that exact moment, something magical seemed to grab his attention and direct him...pull him, really...around to the side of the main building. It was there that he clearly heard it.
Someone very talented was playing what he believed to be a cello...and the strains of the rhythm filled the air.
Theo was not musically-inclined himself – especially since it was not a skill that was highly encouraged in pureblood wizarding society. In fact, the horrible truth of the matter was that the general unspoken rule for music in his father's circle was that the "lesser" bloodlines learned and played for the purebloods' amusement. Of course, Theo knew that for the pile of shite it was – especially since he could appreciate the mastery that must have been required in order to produce such a melodic sound. There was certainly nothing "lesser" about it!
In fact, the more he listened, the more the rhythm started to work its way into his very soul. To his surprise, it even seemed to speak to him as the bow continued to slide across the strings in increasingly sharp and urgent movements.
I am here...da...da...da
Come and find me...da...da...da
It's her! Theo realized with absolute certainty as the magic involved tugged on his consciousness. The cellist is my soulmate!
With that epiphany in the forefront of his mind, he nimbly followed the call of the cello around walls, across quads, and once even past another student who had paused in the process of painting to listen, as well. The young man was so intent on the sound, however, he did not even see Theo. Therefore, the visitor found that he had to push past the flash of unexpected jealousy at the thought of the other guy being interested in his soulmate and her music in order to continue his quest to find her for himself. Eventually, he was rewarded when the rhythm brought him to the base of a tower.
She's up there! he determined as he noted the increase of volume and clarity of the music that had guided him thus far.
It was then that an odd feeling...one that was not quite fear or excitement...but really a combination of both...took up residence in his stomach as he realized that it was finally time. He was going to see her!
After pondering the situation, he decided that the quickest way up to the stone balcony from where the music originated – especially since he had left his broom in his trunk down the path – was to apparate there. Technically, he was not yet licensed to do such magic. However, had he done anything that night that he was actually allowed to do? The answer was a resounding no, of course.
Therefore, since he was a Slytherin for a reason, he did not hesitate as he carefully visualized the stone balcony in his mind and let the magic take him to where he wanted...needed...to be.
Almost immediately, he appeared right before the musician and his mouth gaped open involuntarily when he finally saw her. She was not exactly beautiful...not according to classical wizarding standards, anyway. Nevertheless, the contrast of her pale skin against her dark braided hair – especially combined with the piercing intelligence in her dark eyes when she looked at him - was absolutely mesmerizing and it almost took his breath away.
Maybe it was the effect of their bond, but there was something about her that made Theo know right away that she was certainly not an angel, either. Instead, she was like him. Neither one of them were completely black or white, but they both existed somewhere in between in one of the many shades of gray. Her gray may even have been a bit darker than his, but it was still just gray. That was an important distinction to make since their world, the magical and supernatural one, was so often divided in terms of just Good or Evil.
Therefore, the relief he felt at the knowledge that she was like him was almost tangible. Until that moment, he had not realized that he had been a bit afraid that she might have turned out to be all pure and light and, therefore, never be able to accept him...or his background. It had never even occurred to him that she could be completely on the side of Darkness, either. Therefore, he was doubly grateful that neither were true.
Their soulbond apparently knew exactly what it was doing. That reassured him greatly, because it really meant that he had done the right thing when he decided to come to her when he did.
The young woman had only spared him the briefest of glances, however, while she continued to play. In fact, she did not seemed surprised...or scared...or let on that she felt anything at all, really...that a strange teenage boy had just appeared out of nowhere on a balcony in front of her in the dark. Theo did not know what to think about that...and so he simply waited until she was finished.
However, when her song finally ended on a haunted, jagged note, she gave up all pretense of disinterest and immediately stood up. She carefully set the cello to the side and then immediately began to circle him...as if she was inspecting him from all angles...or if she was a predator and he was her prey...or perhaps both things were true. Regardless, Theo had the strange feeling that she was really just evaluating him, perhaps even testing him in some way that he just did not recognize.
He could only hope that he would be able to pass her examination, and that she would like what she saw.
Your soulmate can't reject you, can they? he could not help but to wonder...worry...as he watched her eyes flick over his form nonchalantly.
After all, he could no longer even imagine such a thing - especially since he knew that he had the exact opposite of rejection on his mind now that he had seen her, been in her presence, and felt the connection between them! In fact, she made his palms sweat and his heart beat faster and...
That particular train of thought was interrupted, though, when she finally spoke.
...
"So, it's you," the girl stated matter-of-factly...and Theo found that her voice and tone somehow perfectly matched her aesthetic and that bit of darkness within her. "That means that Mother was right...and I do so hate it when that happens!" She paused and sighed as if she was extremely put out about the whole situation before she spoke again.
"She and Father are soulmates, as well, you know. Therefore, she's been insisting for years that she recognized the signs and that I also had one somewhere out there. At any rate, you're the reason I've been putting off both Tyler and Xavier for weeks now despite their persistence...and even Eugene...to a smaller degree, of course. After all, I did not want any extra entanglements – especially after I knew for sure that you would coming soon when I realized that my soulmark had filled in exactly at midnight on my sixteenth birthday. In fact, even though I didn't see your face, I did see your arrival in a vision then, as well...and here you are." With those words, she finally stopped circling him and announced the results of her evaluation.
"I'm not one to give in blindly to Fate. However, now that I can see all of you, I suppose you'll do."
Theo did not know what to think. In fact, he felt only relief that she had apparently accepted him...even if it was not at the level of enthusiasm he had hoped for. Maybe she was just not the demonstrative type, though. Nevertheless, he was still grateful – especially since she apparently already had several blokes lining up for her attention. Therefore, in his awkward happiness, he said the first thing that came to his mind when he thought about what she had just said and about why she had not been more surprised by his sudden appearance.
"You're a seer."
"Yes...among other things," she agreed mysteriously, "and you're British. Now, that we've both stated the obvious, come along. We've got work to do."
Theo did not even flinch at the evidence that she also had an abrupt and razor-edged tongue. After all, he was a Slytherin...and they were mostly a thick-skinned bunch...except for Draco, of course. At any rate, Theo found that he was much more amused than offended when he asked, "What kind of work?"
"Well, first, we have to catch a murderer before he kills again. Therefore, I hope you're not the squeamish type."
Even as he shook his head in the negative, Theo realized that he was a bit surprised to learn that apparently weird shite also happened at other schools besides Hogwarts. However, her next words were what really shocked him.
"Then, I have to introduce you to my parents."
"Your...your parents?" Theo swallowed hard. So much for being as fearless as a Gryffindor, he thought with quite a bit of self-deprecation.
"Of course! We need to put in a crystal ball call to them as soon as possible. In fact, we should probably do that first...and then go catch the Hyde...while they make their way here to collect us. It's almost time for summer break, anyway, so leaving a couple of days early won't make much of a difference. By the way, do you fence?"
Even though Theo felt that he was barely following her train of thought...What in Merlin's name was a Hyde?...he still nodded in answer to her seemingly non-sequitur of a question at the end. In fact, even though he knew it was also popular with higher-class muggles, the sport in question was...oddly enough...usually part of a pureblood wizard's education, as well. The wizarding world was incredibly inconsistent, at times.
At his response, she nodded herself, and he could have sworn he saw a pleased look flash in her eyes. "Father will be thrilled," she replied. "After all, he's always looking for a sparring partner since Uncle Fester moved out. Mother, of course, will also be pleased to see you simply because she has already been seeing you for ages." At his look, she waved away his unspoken question. "Yes, I get some of my powers from her...and the rest came from Grandmama. She comes from a long line of hedge witches, by the way, who prefer the traditional types of magic. It's just one of the many reasons why neither she nor I attended Ilvermorny. However," she paused to nod at the wand that hung limply in his hand since he had no use for it at the current moment, "we haven't had a practicing wizard in the family for ages. A least, not since the last one...Great Great Uncle Bartholomew, I think...was eaten."
"What? He was eaten?"
"Yes, but don't worry about that, either. After all, I understand that Great Great Aunt Grizelda died of severe indigestion immediately afterwards."
What in the world am I getting into with this girl? Theo could not help but to wonder incredulously with a grin. However, at the same time, he could not help but to be fascinated by it all...but especially by her!
"What's your name?" he finally had the chance to ask.
The reality that they had already fallen into such easy familiarity with each other, despite the fact that they did not even know the other one's name, yet, seemed to shake her composure a bit. However, she continued on in her serious, business-like tone, regardless. "Yes, we should probably introduce ourselves – especially if we are going to be life partners from here on out. I am Wednesday...Wednesday Addams."
"Wednesday," he murmured.
It was an odd name. Yet, somehow it still suited her.
Did she just say life partners, though?
That was going to take some getting used to, but he knew that was indeed what he had been hoping for...and why he had come all this way...in the first place. He also realized that he had not been this eager to start something so new...so different...in a very long time. In fact, he had not been so hopeful since the day he boarded the Hogwarts Express for the first time with the knowledge that he would be out from under his father's tryrannical thumb for at least a couple of terms.
Therefore, he returned her introduction with pleasure. "Theodore...Theo...Theo Nott."
"Theodore? That's acceptable. However, Not? Nott? I do not like that," she replied promptly and Theo was left wondering if she had just made a joke...or not.
He could not really tell, though, because she did not even even crack a smile. In fact, Theo realized that she had worn the same serious expression since his arrival...and he was suddenly worried that she was not as invested in being his soulmate as he was in being hers. However, he was thrown for an even bigger loop by her next statement, so that worry had to be put on the back burner for the moment.
"Fortunately for us both, apparently, you will be an Addams now," she explained calmly. "After all, it's part of our family magic. Grandmama thinks it originates from the 'mob and pitchfork' times in order to keep the line from going extinct. At any rate, once you are born into it, married into it, or fated to become part of it," she paused to gesture between them as she referred to their soulmate status, "you automatically become an Addams. It does not matter if you are the bride or groom...or what family you were originally born into...you are now an Addams...forever. End of story."
Theo thought about that weird phenomenon for just a moment before he shrugged. Family magic could be odd, after all. However, it was also much more powerful than individual magic, so one simply had to abide by it. Fortunately, it was usually beneficial to those who it considered to be...well...family. Hence the title.
"Then it's a good thing I don't care very much about being a Nott, anyway – especially now," he therefore replied before he hesitantly added more. "In fact, there's something you should know, Wednesday."
He wondered how she would feel about the kind of father he had...about the things the man had done...and about the mess he had tried to drag his son into with him. Would that little bit of darkness that she sported be enough to continue to accept him after she found out?
"There's one in every family," she replied with a distinct lack of concern, however, when he had finished his explanation. That relieved him more than he could say.
She was not done, yet, though, and continued to explain. "More, in fact, if you are an Addams. I've already told you about Grizelda. Plus, there were so many others - just like my own favorite Uncle Fester who once tried to boot my father and his family...including me...out of our ancestral home and take all of the money, property, everything for himself. Then, later, when he got married, his Black Widow of a wife actually sent me away to camp," here she paused and shuddered at the traumatic memory before she continued, "Then, when she could not get her way through sex magic, she tried to electrocute the entire family, instead. So childish and ineffective," Wednesday paused again as she shook her head in disappointment. "However, since Uncle Fester was involved in circumstances far beyond his control both times...much like you are, I quickly forgave him. After all, he is indeed quite a troublemaker and has taught me so much of what I know. In fact, I am an expert lockpicker and safe cracker...and have several other useful talents...because of him."
It was then, at the thought of her relationship with her uncle and the questionable skills that he had passed along to her, that she genuinely smiled for the first time since their meeting. The look transformed her normal seriousness and Theo could not believe that he had thought earlier that she was merely pretty...and had somehow not realized until just that moment exactly how beautiful she really was. When she caught him staring at her, however, the smile faded away into nothing again. Nevertheless, Theo could not unsee the beauty it had revealed. It was almost as if a veil had been lifted from his eyes and her true self was still in front of him. He did not know if it was part of the soulmate magic or not, but that was how he continued to see her from that moment on.
Suddenly, he could not help to wonder how she saw him.
Wednesday did not seem to know how to respond to his admiration, however, so she just moved towards the window...apparently to take him through it to the room on the other side...which Theo had theorized was probably her dorm room. However, when she moved into just the right spot, and the colorful part of the window framed her from behind, Theo felt his breath catch in his throat. After all, he had seen the exact shape that was behind her before...and it was not because he was a seer.
In fact, he finally knew that his own mysterious soulmark was in the shape of this very window...Wednesday's window! Only the colorful part was not present in the mark. That section was obviously empty because that half did not belong to her. It did not represent her. Only the side that looked so much like a spider web was hers. Complicated...intricate...delicate, yet strong...dangerous...beautiful...all those words could be used to describe both a spider web and Wednesday Addams.
What had felt almost surreal until that point finally snapped firmly into place...and Theo knew he was exactly where...and with whom...he needed to be.
In the next moment, however, Theo thought it was a true testament to that particular conviction when he was only slightly shaken when an animated and disembodied hand ran...scuttled?...through the partially opened window only to stop by his foot and tap impatiently on his shoe with a forefinger.
"Is that...is that actually a living Hand of Glory?" he asked when amazement rushed in and trumped any surprise that he felt when the hand actually started to use sign language to communicate with Wednesday.
"Several, in fact," the young woman replied curtly as she focused on what the hand was trying to say. Theo looked closer then and realized that he could easily see that it...he?...was indeed comprised of at least a couple of hands that had been painstakingly pieced and stitched together. "But Thing...that's his name, by the way...is retired...and mostly reformed...since he was reanimated by Grandmama many years ago. Fortunately, however, he is still up for a bit of Breaking and Entering...if the situation calls for it.
"And are those kinds of situations often called for?" Theo asked as another unexpected wave of amusement hit him at her careful choice of words...especially since he already had a feeling as to what her answer would be. After all, earlier she had mentioned lockpicking, of all things, with obvious enjoyment.
"Oh, yes...yes, they are," she replied pedantically, but her seriousness was also belied by the slightest bit of upward curl at the corner of her own lips as she continued to watch the hand. "Do you have a problem with that?"
Since Theo had already recognized the fact that he and Wednesday were definitively in the gray area of the Good/Evil spectrum, which meant that most of questionable things they did were probably for a good reason, he just shrugged in unconcern.
"None, whatsoever," he replied easily. "After all, everyone needs a hobby."
He felt like a million galleons when his answer was rewarded with a small upward quirk of Wednesday's lips. In fact, the full-fledged smile that was on his lips, grew even larger as he considered the fact that somehow he already knew that his life was never going to be dull again...not with Wednesday Addams in it.
She proceeded to prove him correct, once again, even though she spoke directly to the hand this time.
"Seriously, Thing, you're worse than a mother hen. Yes, that's him. Yes, he's annoyingly handsome. No, we haven't done that, yet. Yes, I'll inform Mother and Father just as soon as we go in..."
Here, her conversation with the hand...and Theo's pleased thoughts about what she had just casually admitted about him...were interrupted with the sound of a door opening and another girl's voice as it projected from the room behind the window.
"Wednesday! Where are you? You'll never believe what Ajax just told me!"
Wednesday groaned quietly. "That's my roommate, Enid," she whispered to Theo. "She's a wolf...and even though she is not completely unacceptable...she is, unfortunately, disgustingly cheerful." She then turned to the hand. "Thing, go run interference for me. She can't find Theo here, yet...not until we seal the bond."
Thing tapped his finger in what must have been an affirmative because he moved more quickly back through the window than Theo would have ever thought was possible for something with only fingers and no feet.
"Hey, Thing!" Theo heard the goodnatured voice say. "Wednesday needs what? Slow down. I'm just learning how to sign, you know. Okay, I think I got it that time. Let's go get it..." The door shut again and the upbeat voice faded away.
Wednesday and Theo looked at each other again.
"Seal the bond?" he asked nervously, the roommate already completely forgotten as both uncertainty and excitement about what that might mean crept into his consciousness.
The faintest spot of color appeared high on Wednesday's pale cheekbones as she nodded. Theo was again mesmerized by the sight of her unexpected beauty as she attempted to explain.
"We simply need to acknowledge it. Mother says the traditional method is with a kiss, even though Father said Mother gave him considerably more than that when they sealed their own bond. Yes, they are disgustingly obvious and public about their affection like that...and...no, we will not be participating in such activities so early in our acquaintance."
The visible color that had entranced Theo darkened even more with those words...and he found her even more attractive than before. Despite her obvious discomfort, however, Wednesday continued in her no-nonsense tone.
"Once we kiss, it will be done, and you'll be an Addams. You won't have to do anything else in preparation, though. Father and I have already discussed the fact that when...if...the time came, and I found the situation...or you...to not be completely objectionable, he would handle everything. After all, even though he doesn't keep his money in Gringotts himself, he has made friends among the goblin horde because they do occasionally rent out vault space from him. Therefore, he will easily be able to make the arrangements with them, handle the paperwork for the name change, and make sure all your original family assets are transferred correctly and in their entirety over from...England, correct?"
Here she paused until Theo nodded in the affirmative to her question. After all, it had taken him a moment to register what she had asked because of the multitude of conflicting feelings that were all coursing through him at the present time. First, he was excited that, in her roundabout way, she had just admitted that she found him to be an acceptable soulmate. For the same reason, though, he also had to admit that he was quite disappointed that she did not want to seal their bond with more than a kiss. That was especially true since he was a teenage boy and, consequently, thinking about sex as much as possible was basically a physical and mental requirement at his current point in life. It certainly did not help that situation, either, that he was already so completely attracted to and fascinated by Wednesday.
Nevertheless, he found that he was so eager to kiss her that he could...would...wait for everything else until the time was right. They had just met, after all, so there was no hurry - especially since Wednesday seemed surprisingly willing to trust in their soulmate status - which meant that she was planning for the long term. Plus, he had already waited for sixteen years, so a little more time would probably not hurt him, either. On the other hand, however, Theo could only assume that...from what he already knew about his soulmate...there was a distinct possibility that Wednesday herself might actually do a lot more than just hurt him if he offended or disrespected her in any way. Plus, she probably would not get caught...or die from indigestion...either!
Despite those particular mental and physical struggles, however, Theo also felt absolute relief that he would not have to return home if he did not want to and run the risk of seeing his father again - if the man had somehow managed to grease enough palms to talk his way out of Azkaban and away from the Dementors. Then, there was also the fact that he was extremely grateful that he would apparently be able to retain his substantial inheritance...from both his mother's side and as his father's only heir...even though he would no longer actually be a Nott. After all, when he had left Hogwarts, he had been willing to forgo it all completely for a new start with the girl who turned out...in the best possible way...to be Wednesday. Nevertheless, he was thankful that he would not have to do so – even if it now seemed as if the Addams family had plenty of money and influence of their own.
When it became obvious that he had tamed his rampant emotions, Wednesday continued in that particularly terse way of hers that he was beginning to find quite endearing – especially since it obviously helped to disguise her absolutely wicked sense of humor. "You have some time, but afterwards, you'll also eventually have to decide if you want to go back to Hogwarts for your next year, transfer to Ilvermorney instead, or stay here with me at Evermore. The choice is yours because we will be bonded by then, anyway...so we won't have the chance to grow apart...no matter what the distance actually is between us. I will be honest, though...Do not get used to that particular characteristic, by the way!...I was planning to ditch this place as soon as I possibly could. However, now I think...for some completely inexplicable reason...it's actually grown on me. Therefore, I might...might...just stick around until graduation. After all, two more years probably won't kill me. Do not tell anyone that I said that, however...especially Mother...or the consequences will be dire. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Dear," Theo acknowledged her threat with a wide smile...even though he did not really think that Wednesday was joking completely. However, she was just so pretty when her dark eyes flashed like that...and he was just so happy with how strange and wonderful the whole experience had already been...that he just could not wait for the rest of their life together to happen...no matter how dangerous that he thought she could be. Therefore, without worrying about his father...or his future arrangements for school...or anything else but how to take the next step, he just moved closer to his soulmate. It was time to seal their bond.
He was momentarily worried, however, when she stepped back a bit...away from him.
Has she changed her mind? Why? Does my breath smell? Even worse, do I smell?
However, that worry suddenly revamped itself into surprise, relief, and...despite his earlier resolution...a state of being quite a bit turned on, as well, when she unexpectedly launched herself back at him, pushed him up against her spiderweb window, and then kissed him as if her life depended upon it.
When they finally pulled apart to breathe, Theo noticed that his own head and body swam with an indescribable pleasure. It felt like he was floating...hand in hand with Wednesday...high in the clouds. However, he also felt that he was anchored securely to the ground, as well. Never had Theo been so happy to have been involved in a magical accident before. Otherwise, he would never have even known about Wednesday, much less be able to feel such a connection with her.
Is that the bond? he wondered. Can it make you feel both free and safe at the same time? Isn't that how Blaise once described love?
However, his pleasant musing ended abruptly when Wednesday went alarmingly stiff in his arms for just a moment. However, his relief was palpable...and the warm feelings immediately returned, as she quickly came back to herself, shook her head as if to clear it, and swore under her breath, just barely loud enough for Theo to hear.
"Damn!" she muttered. "Mother was right again."
Theo realized then that Wednesday had just experienced another vision. He could only guess as to what it entailed, but he found that he simply could not bring himself to worry much about it. That was especially true when she pulled his head down for a second kiss.
"Just to make sure the first one wasn't a fluke," she stated with a clear challenge in her voice that dared him to question her motives...before she administered a third one...and even a fourth one, as well. It was then that he knew his previous worries about her lack of a desire for him as a soulmate were foundless. After all, those strange and wonderful sensations had just continued to increase with every kiss.
It made him want even more. Apparently, Wednesday did, as well, because...for the fifth kiss...she actually let him take the lead, instead.
Unfortunately, there was no opportunity for a sixth kiss at the current time because that was when Enid, with Thing on her shoulder, returned.
"Wednesday!" the arrival gasped in surprise to find her normally staid roommate completely wrapped around a good looking boy in the now open window.
Wednesday separated herself from Theo and straightened her uniform with as much dignity as she could muster and calmly introduced them as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened, at all.
"Enid...this is Theodore, my soulmate. You're a wolf...so you know all about mates."
Enid nodded slowly. "Yes, but...what about Tyler...or Xavier?" she murmured still in shock about finding Wednesday in such a state.
"No!" Wednesday shook her head firmly. "It's always been Theodore. I just had not met him, yet."
"So you just met? Like what? Just now? Is that why Thing rushed me out of here? So you could get your smoochy smoochy on and seal your bond?"
"If you insist of putting it in such juvenile terms, then, yes, I suppose that it is true," Wednesday replied, as deadpan as ever, even though the corners of her lips did quirk up fleetingly.
However, Enid just squealed in joy and launched herself at her friend. "I know you're not a hugger...but still...I have to do this! I'm just so happy for you!" she exclaimed as she gave her friend a brief squeeze and then rushed to give Theo one, as well...with Thing still hanging on to her shoulder for dear life. It was a new experience for Theo, too, since thankfully none of his dormmates had been huggers, either. They would have never survived in the Snake House, otherwise.
Apparently, however, the blond girl with pastel highlights in her hair that perfectly matched the decor on her side of the room was indeed one since she continued to hold on to him...almost absentmindedly...while she chattered away excitedly. In fact, she also seemed to be Wednesday's exact opposite in temperament and personality. Wednesday, of course, would also have been a Slytherin at Hogwarts...just like him. However, Theo could not help to think that such amiable enthusiasm on Enid's part practically screamed Hufflepuff.
"Ooh, it that a Hogwarts uniform?" Enid asked excitedly as she pulled away from him slightly to look, but she still kept a iron grip on him that would have been too difficult to break without seeming very rude in the process. In fact, she was so intent on him, that she did not even notice when Thing made his escape. "So you're a wizard? Are all the guys at Hogwarts as cute as you? Do you have one of those sexy British accents, too? I wish Ajax had an accent...but the ability to turn people into stone just by looking at them is kind of cool, too, don't you think?"
During the seemingly neverending litany of questions that apparently did not even require any answers on his part, Theo just looked helplessly over the extremely loquacious girl's head at Wednesday for some kind of help with the situation. She seemed to find it all quite amusing, however...judging by the very pronounced upward curl of her lip this time...and the fact that she made no attempt whatsoever to save him from her roommate's wolf-strong clutches.
Fortunately, the girl finally released him herself as she turned back to Wednesday. "Oh! Does your mother know?" she asked.
"We were about to make a crystal ball call when you interrupted," Wednesday stated plainly, but Enid was far from insulted. After all, she was well acquainted with her roommate's mannerisms by this time and seemed just as amused by them as Theo was.
"Sure, you were!" she therefore exclaimed with a knowing glance back at Theo. "I'll just leave you to your call, then...and I'll be sure to knock before I come back in next time." Then she winked at them both and skipped right out of the room.
As soon as the door shut behind her, Wednesday turned to look at Theo again. The spots of color were back in her cheeks, but she spoke with her usual irreverent confidence as she pulled him to her desk and took out her crystal ball.
"Are you ready to meet pure evil?" she asked him.
"The Hyde?" he guessed, as he assumed that she was referring to their earlier conversation about catching a murderer.
"No, he's just a minion. His handler is the real mastermind there. We will deal with them soon enough, however. Your magic, after all, will make that much easier than if I had to go it alone, as I had planned to do once I had figured out who they were. It's just another reason that I am not entirely unhappy that you are here. We'll discuss our plans for all of that later, however. After all, we have something much more frightening to do first."
Theo felt a tinge of worry at those last words, but it was soon swallowed by the swell of pride that flowed through him when he knew that he was going to be able to prove his worth to her. After all, he had always been one of the best students at Hogwarts...after Granger, of course. Plus, he was a top-notch dueler, as well - especially when one considered the questionable "defense" spells that his father had made him learn outside of school.
Consequently, he hoped that the successful application of his magic would earn him a few...many...more of those kisses that made him feel as if he was flying...even without his broom. If he was very lucky, maybe even more would happen and he would even get to see what her soulmark looked like.
In reality, however, he knew he would be happy just being with her as much as possible...but a bloke could still dream.
"I was actually talking about my younger brothers," Wednesday continued as she broke into his current questionable thoughts.
"Your brothers?" Theo, an only child himself, bit back an amused smile.
"Yes, Pugsley and Pubert. They have not been shipped off to boarding school, however...at least, not yet. Therefore, they will probably be in attendance when we contact Mother and Father."
"Then I look forward to seeing them, too," Theo replied.
He could only assume then that he had received some of Wednesday's confidence through their sealed bond because he found that he meant it. He really was looking forward to meeting those to whom he was also now connected through both Wednesday and the family magic.
After all, according to his bondmate, after they had shared those amazing kisses, he had also become an Addams, as well!
"Be careful what you wish for," she warned him...even as she favored him with a rare and, therefore, extremely valuable smile...before she activated the crystal ball and launched him even further into his strange and wonderful new life as both her soulmate and the newest addition to the Addams family!