Pulling Strings - Theodore Nott

17. Descent into madness

"Why did you choose to sit here, though? I saw Malfoy and the boys up front." Blaise finally asked, tilting his head in curiosity. He simply shrugged. "You're quiet today. Even more so than usual." The boy took a few seconds to study him and Theodore did his best to not show any emotion that may betray his internal turmoil of thoughts. The last thing he needed was for Blaise to find out about them.

He simply would not let him rest easy after.

"Is this about your grandfather?" His friend asked, concern clear in his voice, and Theodore instantly tensed.

"No."

Blaise exhaled through his nose, unconvinced. "You sure? Because you know you can always stay with me–"

"Nothing happened with him." The words came out too sharp, too quick, cutting through whatever reassurance Blaise had been trying to offer. Theodore let out a quiet breath and forced himself to ease the tension in his shoulders. When he spoke again, his tone was lighter, more controlled. "Truly, I'm fine, just...tired I guess."

He realised he had said the wrong thing when a big smirk made its way onto his friend's face.

"Tired, huh? Yes, I saw your little show last night." Theodore sighed. "I also saw you getting back way after me," Blaise leaned forward slightly, elbows on his knees, eyes gleaming with mischief. "But you left the party earlier."

If Theodore didn't have years and years of practice of putting on a mask of neutrality over his features, he was sure that something would have betrayed him. Thankfully, Blaise couldn't notice the sweatiness of his hands.

"I stayed up in the Astronomy tower for a while." He said, which wasn't a lie. He had gone over to the tower and stayed there for an incredibly long time. To cool off and collect his thoughts.

But Blaise didn't need to know that.

"Time slipped away, I guess." he concluded.

Blaise stared at him, eyes narrow and a focused frown on his face. "So...this is the part where I pretend to believe you, right?"

"Whatever mate, don't believe me If you don't want to. Doesn't make it less true." His tone had escalated slightly, betraying his irritation before he could pull it back.

Blaise lifted his arms in a mocking surrender, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Alright, don't get your knickers in a twist" He let out a small chuckle.

Theodore rolled his eyes and turned his gaze out the window, watching the trees blur past.

"You're awfully tense." Blaise added, tilting his head as he observed him.

"I'm not." Theodore replied quickly, shifting in his seat. His arms crossed over his chest defensively, only making Blaise's smirk widen. "I told you, just tired."

Blaise said nothing this time, simply watching him with an unreadable expression. Theodore let out a breath, finally believing himself to be in the clear.

The train ride to London would be long, and he figured he could use the time to catch up on some reading. Their compartment remained empty aside from the two of them—an ideal setting. He knew Blaise didn't care if he ignored him for the rest of the journey in favour of a book, he was too used to it already.

Settling in, Theodore pulled out a well-worn novel and flipped it open, allowing himself to sink into the pages. The steady rhythm of the train and the quiet hum of the carriage created the perfect background noise. He had just reached the tenth page when a hand shot out, snatching the book from his grip and tossing it unceremoniously onto the seat beside him.