the slytherin boys - portrayals & analyses

theodore nott: portrayal

theodore nott
from the harry potter books, theodore is mentioned multiple times but is first referred to simply as "nott" at the sorting ceremony in harry potter and the philosopher's stone. he doesn't make another appearance until book five, harry potter and the order of the phoenix. in this book, he's one of the few students who can see thestrals, indicating he has witnessed death, likely the death of his mother.

he is canonically described as a stringy slytherin boy, often appearing weedy and somewhat rabbity. this suggests he has a timid or fragile look, giving off an impression of weakness or delicacy. his appearance may lead others to underestimate him.

- full name: theodore nott

- mother: her identity is unknown, but she is deceased, having died when theodore was a child. it's likely that he witnessed his mother's death, as he is one of the students who can see thestrals.

- father: nott sr, described as very elderly, is a known death eater and a friend of lucius malfoy. both were later sent to azkaban when theodore was finishing his fifth year. it's possible nott sr is directly affiliated with tom riddle and was a student during his time, possibly even one of the original knights of walpurgis (the first death eaters) as he became a death eater before 1971.

speculations:
- nott sr likely blames theodore for his mother's death, which has contributed to their distant and strained relationship.

- theodore is probably an only child because his parents were elderly and may have struggled to conceive him. this raises the possibility that he was unplanned or even an accident.

- while his mother was alive, his father was likely distant, leaving her as the primary caregiver, but this nurturing relationship was short-lived due to her death.

- the cause of his mother's death remains a mystery, adding to the shadows of theodore's past.

a glimpse into his backstory in my view:
theodore grew up isolated and lonely, his life marked by shadows and solitude. as the only child of elderly parents, his mother deceased, he lived under the imposing presence of his father. with whispers suggesting that his dad was affiliated with tom riddle and part of the knights of walpurgis, the weight of that legacy loomed large over him. people either feared him because of his father's reputation or kept their distance, making it incredibly hard for theodore to connect with others.

- i like to think that after his father was sent to azkaban, theodore stayed at malfoy manor with draco and lorenzo under narcissa's guidance. with her caring for three teenage boys, the atmosphere was both chaotic and nurturing. theodore felt a mix of jealousy and longing toward draco for having a mother figure, something he yearned for deeply, even if his stay was short-lived.

- while lorenzo openly expressed his dismissive jealousy, often ranting to theodore about how draco was the favorite, theodore kept his feelings to himself. in contrast to lorenzo and draco's rowdiness, he sought solace in more intellectual conversations with narcissa. during these discussions, he found himself opening up about his mother's death, sharing the pain he usually kept hidden. it was a rare moment of vulnerability for him, showing just how much he craved that maternal connection.

appearance:
- he is attractive, though he rarely acknowledges it himself. he often feels insecure about his looks, particularly his lean body, which makes him feel weak. ironically, he doesn't do much about it since he doesn't care too much about his appearance overall.

- he doesn't have a distinct style, mostly opting for turtlenecks, sweaters, and loose shirts in dark colors, anything that helps cover up his frame. much of what he wears consists of his father's old clothes or gifts from others.