Unreal

Chp 24 Library Light

We walked into Charms together — me and Theo. The classroom buzzed with chatter, students still settling in. Light spilled through the high windows, bouncing off Flitwick's stack of enchanted textbooks that were still arranging themselves at the front. The Weasley twins were already there, slouched in their seats like they owned the place. Angelina was with them, laughing too loudly. Typical.

Me? I quietly took my seat, opened my notes, and pretended not to exist.

Theo sat next to me without saying a word.

I kept my eyes on my parchment, rereading the same line three times.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him glance over.

Then—

"Do you remember me?"

I blinked, looking up. "What?"

He didn't face me — just leaned back a little in his seat, eyes on the front. Casual. Lazy. "From before."

I squinted. "Before what?"

He shrugged. "Guess."

I stared at him. My mind scrambled, flipping through every memory like a Rolodex. Grimmauld Place? No — I would've remembered. Classes? Not likely. Common room? Definitely not. Nothing clicked.

"I... don't think so?" I said slowly. "Maybe that wasn't me."

He gave a faint hum, like he didn't believe me. "No, it was you."

"Then when?" I asked, fully turning toward him now.

Theo didn't answer. Just gave me that same calm, unreadable look, the tiniest smirk playing on his lips.

I glanced around instinctively — and yeah. People were watching. When I met their eyes, they looked away fast. Fred and George looked particularly nosey. Angelina, beside Fred, didn't even bother hiding her glare.

I faced forward quickly, trying to act like I hadn't noticed.

Theo was still watching me.

"Don't you want to guess?" he asked lightly.

"There's nothing popping up in my mind," I muttered. "Unless I appeared in your dream or something."

His smirk twitched just slightly. "The train," he finally said. "You nearly got flattened by your own trunk."

My mouth fell open. "Wait. Wait—that was you?"

"You were flailing," he said simply, like he was describing the weather. "I stopped the trunk from knocking you out."

I stared. "Oh my god. I didn't even see your face—I was too busy trying not to die."

"You're welcome, by the way."

I winced. "Right. Thank you. Seriously. I... wow."

He tilted his head, resting his chin in his hand. "You looked panicked. Figured you wouldn't remember."

"I didn't," I admitted. "But thanks for saving my life. Or at least my skull."

"I'll take the credit," he said smoothly.

Before I could reply, I heard whispers again — soft ones, coming from a nearby table. Someone from Hufflepuff glanced over at us. Again.

I sank slightly in my seat.

Then Flitwick's voice rose above the chatter. "Wands out, everyone! Let's begin!"

I straightened up in my seat, pulling out my wand as the room quieted.