Soldier, Poet, King - Theseus Scamander Imagine
Title: Soldier, Poet, King
Pairing: Theseus Scamander x (Mostly Femme) Reader (I also tried to make the reader’s house as vague as possible)
Plot: The things you’ve learned about Theseus whilst growing up together. The Scamander household, being Newt’s best friend, Hogwarts, Theseus’ undying thirst for a prime life.
Warnings: A lot of (semi-angsty) pining to be honest like, what have I done???
Word Count: 11,600 something….listen….
A/N: Look, I kind of threw up a whole ass world I built and this is literally just the first part. I love the idea of childhood flames burning, dying out, and rekindling so here it is. Also, I just love Theseus a lot. I love a cocky Gryffindor, what can I say?
I.
There are many things you have learned about Theseus Scamander, purely through your close relationship with the Scamander family and Theseus’s slight soft spot for you—not that he would ever admit it. The first thing you learned was Theseus’ love of learning. To be frank, many were surprised by the elder Scamander brother’s success of becoming Head Auror. War hero? Of course. Without a single doubt. That was just another one of Theseus’ ordinary Wednesdays. But to be so diligent, precise, and studious? It was well fit for a Ravenclaw. Yet, it came as no surprise to you. He did, after all, only ever really shared that side with you.
You remember how he would write new words he didn’t understand in a little notebook he kept in his pocket. His mother had gifted it, and Newt had the same one in a lighter shade of leather that he kept to note fun facts about creatures he cared for. Theseus used to spend entire afternoons in the library, right before prefect patrolling hours. He’d always invite you and you would bring snacks you knew he favoured. Newt was a chocolate boy, whereas Theseus loved liquorice. It was fun for you; you got to have an hour or two in silence to finish a nice novel while Theseus bounced back words, definitions and concepts with you to develop it into his vocabulary. It was so like him, to want to associate himself with refined tastes and abilities.
He was always thankful for your company, even if neither of you really talked about it once you left the library. His mates from the Quidditch team never really understood the habit of his, and you were never judging. You’ve seen him wet himself, for Godrick’s sake. Sometimes it was weird for Newt when you were all together and an inside joke would slip out. But you were always gracious, pausing to try and explain the backstory of a funny scientific term or piece of wizarding history you and Theseus found funny, but Newt would simply smile and shake his head.
“No need,” he’d quietly assure you. It always made the tips of Theseus’ ears turn red, whenever his younger brother started smiling all-knowingly like that. Newt rarely accelerated at anything in comparison to his older brother. But when it came to you, Newt was always up to speed.
II.
The second is Theseus’ love for music. Theseus thrived in noise. An extroverted one, he enjoyed the company of his rowdy friends and talkative girls at the Gryffindor common room who would speak around the crackle of their cherry-flavoured bubble gum. Newt never found much joy in having people’s attention on him, but his elder brother lived for the endless jokes and support his friends provided. Even at the ministry, Theseus favoured loud lunches with his boisterous colleagues. But Theseus is also incredibly focused, driven by his pure ambition to succeed. At the time, he didn’t really know what he was preparing for just yet, but he knew it was going to matter.
At times of silence, when all Theseus really wants is to reorganise his vision and reflect on his growth, he’ll wave his wand and let the gramophone crank one of his favourite recordings on its own. It was one of the finer muggle things his father had brought into the Scamander household, and you were ever grateful for it. Especially on days when Theseus was particularly giddy. He got like that sometimes—filled to the brim with an excitement for life. Sometimes there was so much joy in him that he’d come over to your spot on the scratchy carpet in his room, almost tripping over air. He’d step into the space between you and his crooked window, blocking the sunlight you were bathing in to offer his hand as though you were at a ball. You never refused.
Theseus was never really large per se, but he was always taller than you and would sort of pull you through his room in a simple waltz. Despite his lanky body throughout his youth, he was an athlete. Looking back at the memories, it makes sense to you now that he was always so light on his feet. Theseus never hid his friendship with you from his friends, but he was always too much of a gentleman to flaunt it—for fear of your discomfort. It didn’t matter. You knew he thought of you whenever he exaggerated in a bow when he saw you passing down the corridors and hallways of Hogwarts, or when he would hum a familiar tune of his father’s when he joined you and Newt on your spot under the large tree on the courtyard.
Despite his obviously affectionate demeanour, you never had much energy to question it. You had seen Theseus and the few girls he allowed into his busy life. He was always gentle and caring with girls, whether it was platonic or not. He never really overstepped his boundaries beyond an arm around the shoulder or peck on the cheek. So, you didn’t think anything of the attention he would occasionally give you. You figured he just needed an outlet for it sometimes. It came as a shock when he spoke up about you during dinner at the Scamander household, though.
“(Y/N) has been doing really good this semester, actually. Her grades have improved so much.” He said casually. So casual, you’d think he talked about your well-being and academic performance all the time.
You were surprised he even noticed. Whenever you’d discuss your grades, you were mostly directing it at Newt. You thought Theseus dismissed your average grades and waved you off as just another slacker. His mother was even more surprised and it caused Theseus to hesitate his second bite of food, a confused look etched on his face. Newt bit his lip to suppress a laugh.
Upon Theseus’ confusion, Mrs. Scamander snapped out of her daze. “Oh, that’s wonderful, honey!” She’d turn to you. “I’m glad to hear you’re doing well.”
III.
The third is Theseus’ complex relationship with sleep. Theseus was always so focused on balancing every aspect of his life that he would forget he still needed sleep despite being a wizard. The heavy-lidded face he makes as he tries not to fall asleep is more familiar to you than his usual boyish grin sometimes. Perhaps it was a Scamander thing. Newt had it too, especially when he was engrossed in his mother’s Hypogriffs. Someone would have to come and reason with him to remember that he couldn’t not eat dinner. It was always your job, for some reason. You supposed they did the same for you whenever you would start derailing before exams.
But with Theseus, it would just get hilarious. There was something about him that seemed to always long for more hours, more time to lay under the stars and stay awake. Theseus fully functioned in the day, but he was always peaceful at night. Whenever you slept over, you would always check on Theseus’ room across the bathroom to see if the lights were still on. They always were. The first time you had the the confidence to knock on his door, it was the summer after your third year. You didn’t understand why it didn’t feel appropriate to you—the three of you used to sleep on one mattress in the living room before you stopped fitting altogether. But this seemed more intimate, a private space you hadn’t entered in the body you had at that age.
After gently telling you to come in, you found Theseus perched on his opened window, the heavy summer air wafting through his room like a blanket. There were atmospheric charms to make the temperature more comfortable, but he always liked to experience the world as is.
Theseus, in a half-asleep state, began freely telling you what was on his mind. His sleep-deprived brain caused his words to tumble through his lips clumsily, but you listened with your full attention and your chin on your folded arms, perched on the window sill by Theseus’ leg. He confides in you about how he’s failing Care of Magical Creatures, despite it being their family’s main income.
“I don’t think I could quite tell my mother, or lest of all, Newt. He’d never live it down.” He said through a yawn. A small smile played on his lips as he thought about giving his younger brother something to finally tease him about. Newt would be ecstatic.
You, on the other hand, knew Newt would never bother him about it, and that he’d be more than delighted to teach his elder brother something for once. But you also knew that Theseus would never let him. So, you offered to tutor him instead.
“I’ve grown up with your family, you know. I know a thing or two about magical creatures,” you shrugged, offering him the slightest of smiles.
He returned it with a lopsided grin. The genuine one reminiscent of your childhood, not of the slight persona Theseus has when at Hogwarts. “How about you?” He turned to you, sharp cheekbone illuminated by the moonlight. “How are things with you, (Y/N)?”
He was so familiar that you found yourself replying before you could even calculate your answer. You told him about wanting to join the choir, and how you were scared of the possibility of stage fright since you had never really performed.
“I think you’d be great at it.” He answered without a single beat. It made you turn to him and search his eyes for deceit or hesitation. He let you look for doubt, but his heavy-set eyes looked clearer than they had all night and he knew just what to say to you. “You’ve always had a pretty voice.”
That got you. “What?”
He hid the triumphant smile, knowing it would have worked. “You would always sing whenever we danced to Father’s records. I’ll watch your performances to make up for you watching all my games.”
“You know I come to all your games?” Your lips parted.
“You’re my biggest fan, aren’t you?” Theseus teased, lips pursed smugly.
You scoffed immediately, used to Theseus’ antics. “You wish.”
You didn’t think he noticed. You were always by the stands with Newt, trading secrets about the students you would find at such events. Not many people knew that Newt used to indulge in gossip. But you never talked about it with Theseus, and you weren’t exactly one to scream his name in support either. You thought it would have been odd if you didn’t show your support at every game. You had been in every chapter of each others lives thus far, of course you would have been there when he was chasing on the Hogwarts field.
After that, you spent another two hours chattering under your breath about your hopes and dreams for the future and laugh about embarrassing moments you’ve shared in front of each other. You fell asleep first, on the little loveseat he has in the corner of his room. Theseus only realised you were out once he received no reply. He looked to you from his bed, pillow rustling beneath his messy blonde hair. A small chuckle left his lips as he got up to cover you in one of his throw blankets.
The morning after was admittedly a little worrying for Mr. Scamander when he didn’t find you asleep on the mattress downstairs. Although, he was unsurprised to find you curled up in Theseus’ room instead of Newt’s. Quietly, he ran back to his room, where his wife was doing her usual morning reading on their bed.
“She slept in Theseus’ room last night.” He announced with a goofy excitement that was kindred to a pre-teen.
Mrs. Scamander’s eyes widened almost immediately. “On his bed?”
“No,” her husband rolled his eyes. Theseus wouldn’t dare, he thought. “On that ratty old couch of his.”
“I see…” Was all Mrs. Scamander could say. She looked up at her husband and a high-pitched laugh escaped. Together, they erupted in a fit of giggles until Mrs. Scamander hushes the both of them back to silence. “It’s already starting then, I suppose?”
Mr. Scamander broke out into a cheeky smile and walked over to kiss his wife on the temple before leaving to make the family a nice Sunday breakfast, shaking his head at his teenage son.
IV.
The fourth is that Theseus only gets flustered around the people who know him best. The first time you attended a party, you were in your fourth year. It was the first party to welcome the new spring equinox; after you had spent the past summer nights sneaking into Theseus’ room for chats in the early hours of the morning, logging insects Bertha the Augurey favoured with Newt, and baking new recipes with your parents. Theseus was a fifth year and had earned the title of prefect with ease, he became the Quidditch Captain, lead the Gryffindor team to the top of its game, and eager whispers over how handsome he is were starting to echo through the halls. It was becoming repulsive.
Gryffindor had won their second game in a row that year, and the students were buzzing with excitement for the party they promised. If they won the last game, they would have a full streak. Both you and Newt had made a pact to attend your first party together. Theseus would often invite the two of you, at least spending half an hour (not that he’s ever told either of you that) trying to find where the two of you had been off to to look after the raven chick Newt was nursing. You would never agree to go, and by default, neither would Newt. But you figured it was important to celebrate Theseus’ hard-earned victory with him this time, and you had already missed the last one.
“Is that rouje?” Newt asked incredulously, leaning in to squint at your face after hugging you hello.
You turned away slightly, tightening your arms around yourself out of insecurity. “Be quiet, Newt.”
He shrugged. “It looks quite nice,”
“Thank you.” You huffed, stubborn despite the light blush dancing on your cheeks.
“I think Theseus will agree.”
You gasped, incredibly offended. You were quick to shove him harshly and Newt couldn’t help the loud laughs that escaped his lips.
It was all he said until you reach the party. He knew not to mention the obviously new blouse and skirt you put on for the occasion.
When you arrived, the Astronomy Tower was already filled to the brim with loud chatter. Some of the Quidditch players were chanting in a circle, carrying their trophy whilst others spurred them on with cups in their hands. The energy in the room was chaotic and energising. It felt as though you were at a professional Quidditch game, if one could imagine what that would feel like.
You made your rounds; greeting the people you were familiar with and bashfully accepting their compliments regarding your appearance that night. You kept an eye out for Theseus, but he was no where in sight. By the time you found Newt again, he was watching you shyly as he clung to a levitating snack table, munching on sweets.
“It’s a little much, isn’t it?” You scrunched your face as you grabbed a few of the crackers.
Turning back around, a little smile stretched your lips as you took it in. You supposed this was what youth was supposed to feel like—like you were flying loops on your broomstick with your feet completely on the ground.
“It’s a lot much,” Newt ducks his head in embarrassment. He was completely out of his element. “—If I may be honest.”
You hummed mid-chew, turning to the curly haired boy beside you. You knew Newt was never going to suggest leaving the party, especially when you were so clearly enjoying your time. So, you took matters into your own hands.
“Well then,” you dusted your hands on your navy coloured skirt. “Let’s explore, shall we?”
Newt was quick to nod, a relieved look etched on his face as he allowed you to lead him out of the rowdy space and down the stairs. He loved his brother, but Gryffindors were a handful sometimes.
You found a comfortable silence, sometimes going back and forth about your developments with singing or the fantastical beings Newt kept in little fish bowls. It was almost midnight, and the evening was alive with sounds of nightly creatures and the shining crescent moon. Absentmindedly, you two walked to your favoured spot on the courtyard, a route so familiar to the two of you, but you didn’t notice there was already someone there until you heard loud sighs.
When the figures came into view, both Newt and you halted in your tracks, frozen. Your body went numb as you watched Theseus’ cheek bone catch the light when he turned to kiss a girl on the neck. His hand slid up into her—
“Theseus?” Newt squawked.
Theseus immediately jumped away from the girl, both of their chests still heaving as they turned to face the sound Newt made. Theseus’ horrified eyes shifted from his brother to you, who was already cowering behind Newt’s lanky figure.
“(Y/N)?” Theseus sounded as though he was choking. He licked his lips as though there was a bad taste in his mouth and his first instinct was to apologise to you, but he didn’t quite understand why. Instead, he started straightening the dress shirt he was wearing and ran his hands through his hair as though it would have solved his obvious dishevelled state. “Uh, this is Newt, my brother. And, this is (Y/N), she—she’s uh,” He sputtered, trying to find the words as he takes your appearance in with the widest you’ve ever seen his eyes go.
“Best friend.” Newt said at the same time you said “Friend.”
You turned to Newt, glaring daggers. “I’m his childhood friend.” You offer instead.
The girl’s eyes shifted to Theseus expectantly.
“Yes, my childhood friend.” The words rolled off of Theseus’ tongue foreignly and he immediately disliked it. “Newt, (Y/N), this is—this is,”
“Ruth,” The girl said pointedly and tossed the hair out of her face to give the two of you a smile.
It seemed to snap Theseus out of his trance, turning to the girl. “Yes. Ruth…”
In reply, she smiled at him and slipped her hand into his. The movement made her beaded skirt glimmer beneath the moonlight.
“It’s nice to meet you?” Newt tried to be nice, but it came out as a question instead. He looked absolutely appalled. The younger brother was five shades whiter than his original hue and looked as though he would projectile vomit all over his leather shoes.
“It’s very nice indeed, Ruth. But Newt and I best be going.” You quickly smattered, tugging at Newt’s sleeve with so much force, he almost fell back on to you. You were quick to pull him back up, however, to drag him away as you tried not to break out into a sprint. You thought you could die from embarrassment.
That night, Theseus laid in his bed with a body that felt as though it was set ablaze, but his mind was stuck on you and the shock etched on your face. For the second time that night, he thought of apologising to you. But he didn’t find the words, and he didn’t quite understand why all he could think of was the way your blouse fell on you despite his swollen lips.
When he didn’t see you at the next game, a week after the shocking incident, the Gryffindors lost the game to Ravenclaw. For a split second, perhaps in a foolish and desperate attempt, Theseus wondered if you were a lucky charm all this time.
V.
The fifth is that Theseus secretly liked pressing flowers in the backs of his notebooks. It was such an embarrassingly Hufflepuff habit to have, that he never really wanted to share it with anyone. During the Easter holidays, you always came home with the Scamanders and spent the first night at their house before going home. It was a sort of tradition for you to bring different kinds of flowers to see which of Mrs. Scamanders’ creatures would enjoy it as a snack.
In his fifth year, Theseus travelled with Ruth home for the first time. You had learned early on, after catching their steamy-in-the-dark-session, that Ruth herself was a Ravenclaw prefect, and that it was quite insufferable to be caught in between a conversation with a power couple such as Theseus and her. After Theseus told you and Newt that Ruth would be joining the three of you for the first Easter dinner at the Scamanders’, Newt immediately pulled you aside and told you that there was absolutely no way he would travel back with the two, neither on the carriages, nor the Hogwarts Express. You agreed without hesitation.
But of course, as fate would have it, the four of you arrived at the Scamanders’ door step at the same time and it was not the most pleasant experience for Mr. and Mrs. Scamander. They opened the door wide with even wider smiles, which quickly deflated once their eyes settled on the unfamiliar face.
“Mum, Dad, this is Ruth!” Theseus grinned proudly.
Mrs. Scamander seemed almost lost for a few beats, and it made Ruth nervous. You saw her scuff her shoe silently until Mr. Scamander let out a slightly high-pitched “Ruth!”
It made his wife come back to reality. “It’s so nice to meet you.” She grinned with a familiar kind smile that only grew once Theseus and Ruth shuffled through the door and she laid her eyes on you.
“(Y/N), darling!” She almost sighed in relief.
“Mr. and Mrs. Scamander,” you smiled brightly. “Happy Easter! I brought more Wiggen leaves to start a new tree. Newt mentioned you needed more for one of the Nifflers.”
Mrs. Scamander almost hopped in excitement. “Oh, how precious—thank you, honey. Little Rogue has caught something from one of her sisters.” She peered into your hands where you held a little pot filled with rich soil and baby Wiggen leaves, then waved you inside.
Once you were inside, Mr. and Mrs. Scamander shared a weary look, quickly sending Newt an accusatory one. The younger brother shrugged wordlessly, eyes almost bulging from discomfort. The whole thing was absolutely bizarre to him.
It was even more bizarre once you shared your first dinner together since Ruth and Theseus became Hogwarts’ most acclaimed couple. Newt knew you were always gentle-souled, but he couldn’t help his territorial attitude whenever Ruth was around.
“It is so exciting to have dinner with all of you,” Ruth said. She was always speaking in an ever-clear, ever-confident voice. “Especially you, (Y/N). Theseus has told me so much about you before we started seeing each other.”
“Oh?” You paused mid-chew out of shock.
Mr. and Mrs. Scamander shared a knowing glance and Theseus’ cheeks turned pink.
“Well, Theseus hardly ever mentioned you.” Newt replied softly.
Mr. Scamander almost spat out his drink and Newt had to suppress a laugh. Theseus’ eyes looked like they were about to fall out of their sockets from pure rage and you wanted to dig a hole in your seat.
“Yes, Theseus has always been so…private.” Mrs. Scamander quickly covered, but Ruth didn’t seem bothered at all.
“So, what do you want to do when you graduate Hogwarts, Ruth?” Mr. Scamander tried to change the subject.
“I hope to be the greatest female auror the Ministry has ever had, sir.” She smiled rather shyly, despite her confident answer.
Theseus smiled proudly and wrapped an arm around Ruth’s seat. “And I plan to be the greatest male auror by her side. Isn’t that right, Lovey?” Theseus added, smitten.
Newt almost had to stop his eyes from rolling into his sockets, which he would later learn was a skill he had to master whenever he was around his elder brother.
Of course, you thought. So like Theseus, to surround himself with refined tastes and abilities.
You learned more about Ruth’s refined tastes that night. For instance, Ruth didn’t enjoy the presence of fantastical beasts, and the creatures didn’t particularly enjoy Ruth’s company either. Theseus insisted she try to feed Rogue the Wiggen concoction, but the poor thing jumped at Ruth’s neck for her golden necklace.
After preparing for bed in the Scamanders’ bathroom, you saw her silhouette through the light coming from the gap at the bottom of Theseus’ bedroom door. You could hear their laughter and hushed voices, a comment or two about how she didn’t understand why Theseus wasn’t bothered by living amongst such beings. You hear Theseus assuring his girlfriend that he had always been ashamed of how their family earned their living, which is why he wanted to be an Auror, like her, in the first place. At the sound of Theseus’ words, your cheeks burned. It felt wrong. You felt wrong. Something in the pit of your stomach turned and it made you want to punch Theseus, then hide yourself in shame. When you went downstairs for bed, you found Mr. Scamander smiling sadly before finishing his set up for you. It was clear he had heard his son’s exchange through the thin walls of his home, but you felt the peculiar need to apologise on his behalf.
“Mr. Scamander,” You tried but he only shook his head before dropping a kiss on the top of your head.
“It’s alright, (Y/N). Good night.”
When Ruth went downstairs to join you in the living room, Theseus pulled out the Wiggen leaves he stole from the pot you brought. He grabbed the leather notebook he had been keeping at home since fourth year and found a new page where he delicately placed the leaves. It was almost completely filled by then, thick and lumpy from all the other greenery pressed between pages he used to fill with words he learned with you. It was a secret he did not share with even you—at least not until you were twenty-five.
After that night, you stopped coming to the Scamander house, causing Newt to come over to yours instead. Your parents were delighted, of course, to see you and Newt more often, but they worried when you quickly shut them down after a bit of questioning.
“You’re lucky you don’t live under the same roof as him, (Y/N).” Newt grumbled as he spread icing on the cake you and your parents were working on. Then, in a high-pitched voice he said, “At Ruth’s house they eat salmon, Mum. At Ruth’s house they discuss politics, Dad. At Ruth’s house they don’t have to worry about creatures eating their socks—I’ve had it up to here with Ruth’s house!”
There was silence as you and your parents stood stunned by Newt’s outburst.
Newt’s cheeks instantly turned pink. “My apologies, Mr. and Mrs. (Y/L/N). Just have a bit on my mind, I suppose,”
“We can see that,” Your mother held in her laughter as she rubbed his arm comfortingly.
Your father smiled sympathetically at your best friend. “We can hear it too,”
Newt looked up from the cake to grin sheepishly at your father.
“What about you, darling? How do you feel about Theseus and this…Ruth?” Your mother faked nonchalance.
You frowned as something tugged on your heartstrings, but you remembered what Theseus said in his bedroom about the creatures he lived with—the creatures you spent years caring for together. With a huff at the thought, you hardened your features. “She’s high-class and that seems to be Theseus’ goal in life. I think they’re perfect for each other.”
Your mother raised an eyebrow. “And you’re not bothered by their—“
“Mum.” You said sharply. “That is all I think of Theseus and Ruth.”
They never brought it up again.
VI.
The sixth was how Theseus was always genuine, quick to say exactly what was on his mind—despite later learning that this trait was not always beneficial. As the year progressed, Theseus seemed unbothered while he slowly detached himself from your life. It was a wonder how quickly a person could become a stranger (it only took Theseus four months). Perhaps it was his true Gryffindor demeanour, but Theseus seemed to bask in the light of his newfound popularity as he rose to the top of Hogwarts’ social rankings. Ruth, in turn, seemed to only grow in glory under the Hogwarts-wide fame—a power couple to boot. The space he left in your life was apparent, like a gradual emptying, and you felt it. Suddenly, you had more free time; you realised you had friends in The Frog Choir who had been waiting for your attention, and you began to notice how some students your age would let their stares on you linger.
It was beginning to be a rather odd experience for Newt, who had never had to fend off anyone from anything (or in this case, any person) he loved. Newt always looked at what no one else bothered to, such as his creatures, plants or potions. But suddenly, he was beginning to hear himself repeat “(Y/N) isn’t interested, thank you” to random students who asked him for advice…to talk to you, which wasn’t a natural occurrence for your best friend. After being interrogated by a particularly intimidating Hufflepuff class mate, Newt fantasises marching up to Theseus, grabbing him by the shoulders and forcing him to go back to normal so that his older brother could take over fending off all of this attention you were getting. Newt was sure Theseus would have done a better job anyway.
In truth, Theseus was doing some of the work. You were beginning to be the talk of the Gryffindor quidditch team and Theseus would have to half-interestedly, nonchalantly tell his teammates off for thinking of you.
“She’s a kid.” He’d fake a laugh, which always came out a little throaty and choked due to his genuine concern.
“She’s in the year below ours, mate.” Caldwell, the Gryffindor keeper replied.
“And she doesn’t look like a kid, Scamander.” Brayden, a beater, added. His suggestive comment makes the tip of Theseus’ ears turn red. No one had ever talked about you that way before. “Come on, just tell us what she’d like. Flowers? Sweets? Personal letters?”
“She doesn’t like anything!” Theseus replied sharply, taking his teammates by surprise. Theseus paused, his wide eyes meeting his friends’ equally wide ones. He didn’t mean to sound angry, it just sort of slipped. “I mean—she’s…she’s just not like that.”
Either out of respect or fear, the boys never brought you up with Theseus again.
You, on the other hand, learned how to avoid any unwanted attention, especially from Theseus or any of the people he regularly surrounded himself with. You began to walk on a different side of the hallways, and would find new hiding spots with Newt to nurse his creatures in. You had even found a new corner in the library that was secluded and far away enough from where you and Theseus used to spend time your in.
Avoidance was easy for the first few months, but with Christmas coming closer, and the Winter Solstice dance already causing an excited buzz amongst the students, it was beginning to be a little difficult to dodge those who wanted you to be their date. This was especially evident on one of your weekend trips to Hogsmeade.
“Is it just me or is everyone kind of staring at you, (Y/N)?” Newt whispers lowly.
Subconsciously, you held on to Newt’s forearm. It was a defence mechanism you developed when you were younger, to grab Newt whenever you were scared. Theseus, on the other hand, would step right in front of the both of you for much needed added protection. But he was no where to be found now.
“Did I do something wrong, you think?” You whisper back, head hanging low and eyes focused on the cobble stoned street beneath your feet. You trusted Newt to lead you to Honeyduke without guidance.
“Uh…(Y/N)?”
“What, Newt?”
“Something tells me you’re not in trouble,” Newt whispers.
You look up, about to question him, but were shocked to see Penley Hornsby, a Slytherin boy, holding a fist full of baby’s breath flowers and a bag of jelly slugs.
“(Y/N),” Penley breathed and you already wanted to run.
“I’ll give you two some privacy—” Newt started awkwardly but you pulled him back by the forearm with enough strength to force a grunt out of him. “…Or not.”
“Hello, Penley.” You greeted firmly, looking up at the boy. He was gorgeous, that everyone knew and even you could admit. What with ever-clear dark skin, lush curly hair, and a charmingly rebellious reputation, most people would have killed to fill your shoes. But to you, he was only your kind partner in Herbology. He even helped you pick the batch of wiggen leaves you had taken to Mrs. Scamander last summer.
“I’ve been looking for you,” He smiled and you thought you could hear some girls sigh.
“You have?” Newt interjected. You huffed, lightly hitting your best friend’s side. Newt, unable to control himself, let out a little yelp.
“Yes, um…” Penley eyed Newt wearily, but shook his head and straightened his stance. “I just wanted to ask you,”
You sharply inhaled, which only Newt could hear. Despite your brain telling you to keep your eyes on the boy before you, you took a second to look around and see all of your fellow classmates giddily smiling at the two—well, three—of you. You were beginning to understand what this was.
“—If you’d like to be my date for the Winter Solstice?”
The students around you audibly gasped. Your jaw went slack, but no words seemed to come out. Newt, ever composed, looked like he might have vomited. Again. It was making Penley rather obviously uncomfortable.
“I’m sorry, Penley. It’s just—“
Horrified, you see Penley’s eyes travel to your tight hand around Newt. “Oh…you and Scamander.”
“No!” You both almost yell at the same time, causing Penley to take a step back.
“I mean—no. I’m not,” you try.
Penley only lowered his eyes and smiled graciously, as if knowing something you didn’t. “It’s alright, (Y/N). I can accept rejection.”
“I just wasn’t planning on going with anyone.” You smiled sadly.
“Well, either way, I know you’ll look beautiful.” He returned the smile without hesitance, handing you the flowers and sweets regardless. “Save me a dance?”
“Of course.” You blush. Then, without thinking, “I love jelly slugs.”
Penley pursed his lips in amusement, bowing his head to give you a gentle kiss on the cheek in front of everyone…including Newt, who had an uncomfortably close view of the exchange.
“I know.” He whispered softly enough for only you to hear.
You knew some of the students were dying at the sight of seeing Penley Hornsby kiss a girl, but when he pulled away and returned to his group of Slytherin friends, Newt only saw the deep sadness in your eyes and the slump in your shoulders. Even then, at sixteen, it was clear to him why you couldn’t have said yes to Penley, or any other person in the world, for that matter.
The dance came quicker than you had wanted it to, as most things seemed to whenever you tried to avoid them. Your mother had gotten a dress made for you—a soft lilac reminiscent of a dreamy afternoon sky, so you took it upon yourself to set the timely waves in your hair with a golden headpiece. Perhaps with humour, your mother had told Mrs. Scamander what she had chosen for you, and Newt was sent a matching bowtie.
The normally warm and dark hall seemed to glitter in magical blankets of snow for you that night, and the students were all clearly filled with excitement, but for once, you were nervous. You felt the weight of every icicle dangling from the ceiling and every snowflake that fell on your bare shoulders, which immediately melted into warmth, did not seem to help.
“You’re going to do great, (Y/N). And it’s a choir, it’s not like everyone will be able to hear you above the rest,” Newt encouraged lowly as your choir mates were getting ready to go on stage.
You smiled weakly. “What if I’m off key and upset the whole performance?”
“What if you don’t?” Newt countered.
You nodded in determination just as an alto grabbed you by the wrist to bring you on stage. You were always put in front due to your singing range, so you had a perfectly clear view of the whole audience awaiting your performance. Perfect. As if by some kind of magnetic pull, your eyes almost instantly fell on Theseus and you just barely forget to take your first deep breath before the student orchestra began.
Now on autopilot, your brain was able to sing every note and latin lyric as you took in Theseus’ appearance. He had a lovely suit on that perfectly matched Newt’s, except for the dark tie that was the exact colour of Ruth’s shiny jewel-toned dress—and the fact that his body filled the suit much better than his gangly younger brother. Even though he was always much more put together than Newt, seeing Theseus so done up always took your breath away at first glance. It had been that way since you were children and forced into fanciful numbers your parents chose for special occasions; you always got a little heat-cheeked and shy-eyed. His fair skin was glittering under the white chandeliers, and his wild dark blonde curls were slicked back, collar properly tucked in—he seemed well fit for an auror, just like he always wanted, you supposed.
Reality quickly put you in your place as Ruth stood on her toes to kiss Theseus by his jaw where she could reach. How fitting, you thought, as Theseus watched you live your dream of singing on a stage with the woman his own dreams were built on in his arms. You had been ignoring this for months now, but suddenly it was all coming to you at once, and your voice wavers on the last note as your eyes fill with tears. After the music stopped and the applause swallowed you, you bowed before running off stage without waiting for your fellow choir members.
“(Y/N)?” Newt called out, worry laced in his voice, but you didn’t stop.
“Is she alright?” Ruth craned her neck to see where you could have gone.
“I should go and make sure.” Theseus squared his shoulders, feet already moving before he could say goodbye to his girlfriend.
Ruth’s reply didn’t reach him.
Always predictable to Theseus, it didn’t take much for him to find your glittering figure running towards the library. The large room was quiet and dark, shadows illuminated by the full moon shining through the high glass windows lining the walls. All that was audible were his own footsteps and your laboured breathing.
You turned, ready to chastise Newt for chasing after you. “Newt, it’s alright, I—“
Your eyes go wide as you meet Theseus’. Confused and weirdly out of place, he immediately apologised. “I just wanted to make sure you were well,”
“I don’t need you to watch over me like some kind of child.” You say pointedly.
Theseus’ lips part, surprised by the unfamiliar tone of your voice. But of course, a Gryffindor at heart, his first reaction was to fight back with equal venom in his voice. “I don’t think of you as such. I was just concerned.”
“Concerned?” You scoffed, which only offended Theseus more. “You haven’t cared for my existence for months now, Theseus.”
“That’s unfair.” He replied firmly, taking a step closer to you out of sheer frustration to try and get his point across.“You completely vanished, (Y/N). It was like you evaporated!”
“You didn’t want me there!” You snapped as you took a step forward, daring Theseus to come any closer to the new, terrifying beast that was unleashing from you. “Everywhere you went, Ruth came with you. I couldn’t stand the way you and Ruth would talk so degradingly about your family. You know your father could hear everything you were saying from outside your bedroom door that night we came back for the holidays? You could see the heartbreak on his face.”
“I—“ Theseus took a step back, clearly flushing under this new information.
You only raised your gaze, gaining power. “Everywhere I went it was Theseus Scamander this, Theseus Scamander that. I am sick of it, of your new life and your new personality. You left Newt and I alone and you walk around pretending you’ve done nothing wrong, like you haven’t abandoned your brother and best friend. I am sick of you.” You finished with your chest heaving beneath the light silk of your dress and your eyes wide as you take in the words you had never spoken to anyone before, not even yourself. If you weren’t running on pure adrenaline, you would have probably cowered in embarrassment from your own dramatic admittance.
Theseus, eyes unwavering and chin set with pride, hardened under your words. “It’s not my fault no one asked you to the dance.”
You cursed yourself as your eyes instantly began brimming with tears for the second time that night. They searched for any trace of the Theseus you knew, but his eyes were cold. You thought Theseus had disappeared from your life, but how long had it been since Theseus disappeared altogether?
“You are cruel and empty, Scamander. Wake up.” You muttered with all the dark strength you could muster before shoving his shoulder with your smaller one on your way out.
By some miracle, Newt was waiting for you right outside the heavy library doors. Of course, with your volume, he had heard everything you had said to his older brother.
“Are you…” Newt began but he received an answer the second a choked sob raked through your body. Newt was quick to bring you into his embrace, despite his own discomfort with such proximities.
You had never collapsed before, not even in front of your parents, and it seemed that tonight would be no different as you pulled away and quickly wiped at your eyes.
“Would you like me to take you back to your dorms?” Newt asked softly.
“No.” You deeply inhaled, a ragged breath cutting through the cold night. “I promised Penley a dance.”
“Alright then,” Newt gave you a crooked smile, despite his darkened hazel eyes. He gave the library one last glance before leading you back to the hall.
It hadn’t taken you long to find Penley’s broad figure amongst the other scrawny teenagers and he was quick to humour you with a deep bow, an offering hand outstretched for you to take.
“I’ve come to give you the dance I promised,” you smiled with all the confidence you could gather at that moment, hand slipping into his with ease.
“And I am the luckiest person here for it,” he replied playfully, dropping a kiss on the back of your hand before leading you to the dance floor.
He was quick on his feet, his movements smooth and gentle as he lead you in a simple waltz. It was almost enough to keep your mind off of the exchange you just shared with Theseus.
“Have you been crying?” Penley asked suddenly.
His question makes your step falter, but he quickly leads you back on tempo.
“Is it so obvious?” You asked in evident embarrassment.
“Not at all,” Penley graciously replied, ensuring you weren’t worried about how you looked. “I just…sensed a certain sadness. Call it a friend’s intuition,”
“Well you have good intuition,” You smiled sadly up at the taller boy before quickly hiding your face in his dark suit.
“Was it the Scamander boy?” He asked.
Your eyes widened as you pulled away from his chest, lips parted in shock. “No, Newt would never—“
“I was referring to Theseus.” His jaw tightened at the name.
Your brows furrowed. “How did you…”
“He’s a Gryffindor prefect, and I’m somewhat of a Slytherin outcast, but we’re both on the quidditch team. We circle on opposite ends of the same orbit, I suppose.” Penley shrugged, feigning nonchalance despite the tense muscles you could feel beneath the fabric he wore. Despite the moment, you almost wanted to laugh. How ironic it was that Penley, everyone’s dream boy, thought himself a social pariah. Then, shaking you out of your thoughts, he asks, “Did he hurt you?”
“Not literally,” you answered stiffly.
“Merlin, (Y/N), I swear to the gods,” Penley gritted his teeth, cursing under his breath. You were thankful to be in the presence of a Slytherin, who was going to think himself through instead of instantly storming off to find Theseus in your honour.
“I’m fine, Penley.” Your words were firm, but voice shaky. “I can handle it myself.”
For the second time that term, Penley smiled sadly before kissing you by your temple as he whispers, “I know.”
Everything came to an end, however, as Penley and Newt escorted you to your dorms to ensure your well-being once the dance ended. It was the talk of the school; Penley Hornsby and (Y/N) (Y/L/N), the new Hogwarts Sweethearts?
How ridiculous.
You managed to be spared of Theseus’ presence until the next morning, when Ruth and Theseus took the whole of Hogwarts by surprise right before students were departing for the Christmas holiday. You had almost missed the debacle if it wasn’t for Newt begging to read outside since he hated the dusty and dark library, unlike Theseus, who preferred it. It has character, Theseus once said about the library. Right as you walked out of the doors, you heard her shouting travel through the halls, causing you and Newt to quickly sprint to the scene.
As fire met fire on the courtyard, you watched with a gaping mouth and bulging eyes. It was almost as if the whole of Hogwarts came to a complete silence under the tension. Not even the ghosts could be heard through the corridors. Almost all of the students were already gathered there before leaving for the carriages, and received a free show. Theseus, oddly enough, takes it with a blank roll of his eyes—expressionless and almost bored-looking.
Fate twisted humorously as a group of Slytherins walked towards the courtyard just as Ruth started crying. You applauded her for her lack of care for the watching eyes around her. Penley, already detached from the group, immediately rushed to you across the courtyard, gaining some attention from the others, including Theseus.
“What happened?” Penley asked wearily.
Your eyes locked on Theseus’ blue orbs as he watched Penley, his gaze was filled with an unspoken message, but you no longer understood him enough to decipher what it meant. Without taking your eyes off of Theseus, you told Penley and Newt to get you away from the couple. Quick to come to your aid, the boys began a conversation to distract you from the previous scene, and you never saw Theseus leave Ruth alone to be dragged away by her best mates as she cried into their robes.
Upon his arrival, Theseus was bombarded with questions from his parents, to which he apathetically deflected. How was Winter Solstice? Where is Ruth? Is Newt coming for dinner? Have you talked to (Y/N) at all lately? Do you still write to the (Y/L/N)s?
“You can talk to us, son.” Mr. Scamander pressed, even though his wife was tugging on his hand to stop.
“Perhaps I don’t want to talk to any of you.” Theseus countered.
“Theseus!” His mother gasped. The hurt on his mother’s face cracked through Theseus’ resolve, but only for a split second. Secretly, he was thankful Newt was off at your house. He probably wouldn’t have been able to bare the added weight of his brother’s judgement as well.
“It’s alright, darling.” His father said evenly. “Theseus, I understand you are young, but one day you will wake up and see all the people you’ve wronged whilst you were sleepwalking. When that happens, you will be extremely alone.”
It was simple, and not at all laced with malicious intent, but it hit Theseus sharply and twisted the knife inside of him nonetheless. He was stunned by how his father’s words echoed yours. Wake up. Alone.
He didn’t know how to tell his father that he was waking up, and the pain of watching him hurt everyone he cared about was beginning to be too much, so this apathetic facade was the closest he could get to any semblance of strength.
Just before nightfall, a knock was heard at the front door. Theseus, who was in the midst of setting the table dropped a knife on the floor from the panic of it possibly being you. When had you ever knocked on the Scamander’s front door?
“Theseus, will you get that?” His mother called out from the kitchen.
Theseus sighed, returning the fallen knife before walking to the door with sweating hands. In truth, he wasn’t sure if he wanted it to be you. He hadn’t fully processed his fight with you or Ruth, and he thought he might have started crying if you came to yell at him on his doorstep.
“Hornsby?” Theseus scrunched his brows in confusion.
“Hello, Scamander.” Uncomfortable, the much larger Slytherin boy shuffled his weight from one foot to the other. It was almost comical.
Theseus, just as out of place, cleared his throat. “(Y/N) and Newt aren’t here…”
“Ah, yes. I know. Newt said they’d be learning how to sew at the (Y/L/N)’s.” Penley awkwardly replied. “I came here for you.”
It almost made Theseus smile, despite the blatantly odd predicament he was in. Of course your parents would teach you how to sew. They had always been grounded, honouring muggle practices and the traditions your parents believed were important for every person to learn—magical or otherwise. It was why your parents got along so well with his own.
Muffled in the back of the house, Theseus could hear his mother ask if it was (Y/N), the clattering of pots bringing him back to reality.
“What did you need?” Theseus asked, but winced a little once he realised it may have come off rude.
“I just wanted to say,“ Penley hesitated, causing Theseus to raise his eyebrow in question. “You should be more careful with how you treat (Y/N),”
Theseus was going to interrupt but Penley held up his hand firmly. Shocked by Penley’s curt behaviour, especially as one who had never been interrupted by a peer so insignificantly, Theseus was, to simply say, put in his place.
“—she has an incredibly tender heart. And she’s very kind. And she has so much love inside of her that I know it’s difficult for her to express it. But she always means so…well. And she deserves better. She deserves someone who will care for her the way everyone knows she can care for others and anyone would be a fool not to provide such affections for her.” Penley huffs out in one large breath, eyes a little wide at his own words.
Theseus felt like he had been hit by the Express train, and took a few seconds to recollect his pride before he broke down in front of this boy who obviously had no affinity for him. Finally, as if he was conceding, Theseus replied with a simple, “I know.”
“I—you do?” Penley’s question came out doubtful, but he was simply in disbelief. In the depths of his heart, he felt sympathy for the lost Scamander boy.
“Yes.”
“Then why don’t you show it?”
“I…I don’t know.” Theseus sighed. “Anything else, Hornsby?”
“No,” Penley awkwardly closed his parted lips, dumbfounded. “That was it. Good night.”
Still in shock, both boys wordlessly parted as Theseus closed his door.
He barely had a second to process what had happened before his mother’s voice interrupted the silence. “Who was that?”
“Penley Hornsby.”
“Well, he gave quite the speech,” His mother tried to remain nonchalant as she wiped her hands on her apron. “Is he in love with (Y/N)?”
Theseus could suddenly see a rush of images; you and Penley in the gardens on a summer’s day, Penley stealing a kiss from you after walking you to class, you in his arms—
“Is she in love with him?” His mother interrupted. If Theseus wasn’t so distracted, he may have noticed the genuine concern in his mother’s voice.
“…I don’t know, Mum. I guess everyone is kind of in love with Penley Hornsby.”
“Hmm,” was all his mother said before returning to bring dinner out.
As a way of gaining some sort of structure, Theseus spent the entirety of his two week holiday holed up in his room, outlining his life in his small leather notebook. He would be going in to his seventh and final year at Hogwarts after the coming semester, and he would do whatever it took to fulfil the dreams he had promised himself. Head Boy, more than five ‘Outstanding’s on the NEWTs, join the British Ministry of Magic, pass Auror training, become Head Auror. Step by step, darling, Ruth would say to him whenever he got frustrated. Briefly, he allowed himself to miss his former girlfriend. He didn’t think Ruth would ever forgive him after what he had done.
His parents were gracious enough to still acknowledge his presence, and it was the only evidence he had for two weeks that he was still real and alive. Ruth had obviously stopped writing him letters, Newt hadn’t greet him for a long while now, and he was admittedly scared to even try and look you in the eyes alone. For the first time in his life, his family’s stuffy and small house was too big for the lonely Theseus.
VI.
The seventh is that there is no dream too wild for Theseus to achieve if he gave it his all. When students returned to Hogwarts after Christmas, Theseus threw himself into his academic work as the NEWTs was only a year and a half away for him. Most teachers took notice, and it didn’t take long before he was appointed Head Boy in the beginning of his seventh year.
While Theseus was focused, other students were busying themselves with spreading rumours about him like a disease. It seemed that even though Theseus was moving on from the dramatic incident before the holidays, no one else wanted to. Some students believed he was cheating on Ruth with another Gryffindor girl, and the lies were simply becoming too much, so he had to break up with her. Some said Theseus and Ruth did it together in the common room when everyone was asleep and he broke up with her right after, and some even went so far as to conjure up a long list of foreign ex lovers Theseus apparently left in his wake. It was incredibly disturbing to listen to. Girls were even starting to ask you about it.
Once, during a class, a Hufflepuff came up to you with a hand on her hip and two friends waiting behind her. “Is it true Theseus lost his virginity to a Beauxbatons girl in France last summer?” She had asked with the most conviction a fifteen year old could muster.
“I beg your pardon?” You asked. Your mouth was agape and eyes wide in shock, but she only clicked her tongue impatiently as she shifted her weight.
“Well, is it?” She asked impatiently.
You close your mouth as best you can without letting your lips tremble. “I don’t believe that’s any of your business.” Was all you could muster before you quickly walked off, shoving past her shoulder roughly to find Newt.
Later that night, a girl with sharp eyes dusted in a shade of striking blue walked over to your spot at the dining table. Then, with the raspiest of voices you had ever heard on a girl, she said, “It’s messed up, you know, what they’re saying about your friend.”
Looking up at her from your seat, her purple streaked tie distracted you. Instead of wearing it tied and tucked under her sweater, she had it slung around her neck like a shawl on top of her uniform.
“Hello?” She tried, frowning a little when you didn’t reply. Her Scottish accent was thick and lovely.
“Oh—yes, sorry.” You blushed, embarrassed. “About Theseus, yes, I agree. And he’s not really my friend anymore.”
“Oh.” She hummed as she took a seat next to you, not bothering to ask if it was alright. You didn’t mind. “That’s a shame, he’s quite charming.”
“He can be.” You replied earnestly, a sad smile gracing your lips as you eyed her makeshift shawl. “Sorry, does Professor Dumbledore let you wear your tie like that?”
“I tend to try and get away with a few things. My name is Celeste Moonriver. ” She smiled with pride as she took a bite of the lamb chops on your plate.
“Yes, I know.” You mused, nudging your plate towards her incase she wanted another bite. “We’re in Transfiguration together.”
Celeste, as it turned out, was not a very big fan of rules or regulations, and her energy matched well with Newt’s apathy for any kind of structure. “It’s ‘cause my mum’s a muggle,” she said the first day you met her. You were relieved to have someone who you knew would always be honest with you first and foremost, and Newt was happy to have someone in his life who wouldn’t ask him about studying or other such meaningless things. Penley, on the other hand, was absolutely smitten with the Ravenclaw and found that they had much in common.
When the seasons began changing again, Theseus was already busying himself with his group of prefect friends and quidditch teammates, whilst you spent your summer preparing for your sixth year by performing at various cafés your parents made pastries for and whose owners were kind enough to do your parents a favour. In turn, Penley, Celeste, and Newt would spend most of their afternoons drinking cold butter beer while watching you perform. They vowed they would never let you perform without at least one of them there.
As Theseus entered his seventh year, he quickly felt the pressure of becoming Head Boy. Suddenly, all his free time was reserved for patrolling hours and prefect meetings. He barely had time to enjoy dinners with his teammates anymore as he had to focus on studying and preparing for auror training on top of it all. On the other hand, amidst the powerful students who were chosen as prefect and Head Students, Theseus grew less and less lonely. He thrived off of his peers’ motivation and aspiration, and he was delighted to be surrounded by like-minded people once more. Sometimes he would catch a whiff of the things other students said about him, but he was too caught up in his own work to pay it any mind.
You, on the other hand, were beginning to realise the realities of a “half-blood”, as many of your fellow students called it. With your mismatch group of outcasted friends that were closer than ever, people were beginning to take notice and they were cruel to you and your friends, especially Celeste. The first month of your sixth year, Penley already had to face a two week detention for getting into a fight with his own prefect after the boy called Celeste a ‘mudblood’. Even Newt had an outburst in the middle of a Charms when he yelled at a student for muttering the slur under his breath after you answered the teacher’s question correctly. Between fighting the bullies of Hogwarts and ignoring the rumours that Theseus was dating yet another girl, the drama was beginning to get you.
Things took a turn for the worst at the end of a particularly difficult week when a group of students had been hiding yours and Celeste’s things and cursing horrid words on them. These days, the only silence you had was in the bathrooms, when other girls would leave before you. That night, however, you found your sleeping gown covered in an obscenity written with what seemed to be some kind of bloody substance.
In an angered daze, you stormed out of the bathroom to find the culprit, but ran into a hard figure instead.
“I’m so sorry,” you quickly went to apologise, thinking it was a teacher but familiar hands held your figure.
“(Y/N)?” Theseus’s voice made you look up with wide eyes. He was probably about to tell you off for being out after curfew, but his gaze quickly softened when he saw your puffy face.
“Theseus? Did you find someone?” Octavia, the Gryffindor Head Girl, called out from the other side of the halls.
There were rumours that Octavia and Theseus had developed a sort of fling after spending so much time during patrolling hours. You shook the thought out of your head, now wasn’t the time.
“No, just going to check a few rooms!” Theseus called back before leading you to a corner where you would be shielded from Octavia’s line of vision. Then, in a whisper, he asked, “What happened?”
“Nothing, I was just returning to the dorms.” You held your head down as you shook off his hands before walking away. In an effort to get you to stay, Theseus pulled you by your waist, but only gasped when he came into contact with the wetness of your nightgown beneath your robe.
His eyes widened when he saw the red tinge in the moonlight. “Is this blood?”
“It’s nothing.” You pressed adamantly, but Theseus could tell you were shaken.
Almost instantly, a door appeared behind Theseus and he took your hand in his before leading you inside the room. The minute you entered, you were welcomed by a distinct warmth. There were old couches and a large wooden table with papers scattered all over them.
“The prefects’ room,” Theseus announced lamely, as if giving you a grand tour of the almost cramped space. “Would you like some hot chocolate?”
“Uhm, no, thank you,” You furrowed your eyebrows at his behaviour. He had never had to offer you anything, you were always simply comfortable enough to take whatever you wanted to from his space. You supposed a lot had changed since then.
“Alright.” Theseus cringed at himself as he leaned on an armrest. “Would you like to tell me what happened to your clothes, then?”
You swallowed the lump in your throat. “It’s only a harmless prank.” Up close, you could see how Theseus was maturing. You thought he had already done all of his growing last year, but it seemed as though he kept getting taller and broader. His hair was darker, almost brunette as opposed to the strawberry blonde you grew up seeing. He now regularly wore it slicked back, as he did the night of the Winter Solstice. Your heart quickly sped up at the thought of how much he hurt you that night.
“A harmless prank which involves blood, (Y/N)?” Theseus snapped you out of your thoughts. If you were being foolish, you would say there was a hint of genuine concern in his eyes. “What is this really about?”
“Nothing,” you tried again, but your resolve was breaking under Theseus’ intense gaze.
Slowly, as if worried he might frighten you away, he closed the distance between your bodies and curled his fingers around the edges of your robe. Never breaking eye contact, he wordlessly asked for permission. You nodded reluctantly, giving him consent to see what was underneath. Despite the circumstances, your body couldn’t help but physically react under his stare. You could feel the warmth of a blush creeping up from below the provocative cut of your nightgown.
Theseus was quiet as he took in your ruined gown, you could hear the wood crackling in the fireplace behind you, filling the silence. Even smudged, it was obvious that the maroon hue spelled out mudblood across your midriff.
“Merlin, (Y/N)…” Theseus gasped softly. For once in his life, he was at a loss for words. Up close, you could see how his lightly freckled and tanned skin from the summer time was reddening—whether it was from anger or your proximity, you were unsure.
Afraid of ruining the moment, you kept your voice barely above a whisper. “This isn’t the first time, Theseus. Just leave it.”
“This isn’t the first time?” Theseus looked back up into your eyes in shock, voice soft despite the anger bubbling in his stomach. “You can report this, (Y/N). I’m a Head Boy, I can help you.”
“And say what?” You bit back with a force neither you nor Theseus had expected. Why did you always emotionally explode in Theseus’ presence? “That Gods know who have been stealing my things and returning them to me with words written all over them?”
“But in blood, (Y/N). This isn’t right.” Theseus choked. He had so much passion threatening to spill over, but he could only grip the lapels of your bathrobe tighter with every word so as to control himself.
“Why not?” Your eyes watered, almost chest to chest with Theseus from your sheer anger. “It’s true, isn’t it? My grandfather was a muggle. I know what I am.”
“And you aren’t worth any lesser for it!” Theseus only pushed himself closer to you in the hopes he could make you see. As if obedient to Theseus, the fire behind you seemed to surge with the volume of his outburst, matching the blaze darkening his eyes.
It took the breath out of your lungs. Your heaving chest against his own, he realised he could feel you against him and he thought he might start weeping right in front of you. Whatever it was, it was clawing up his throat, scratching and itching.
“I’m sorry, for the way I treated you last year.” Theseus admitted, his voice returning to a whisper. You could feel his breath on your cheeks as he spoke. “You were right, I’ve been an unconscious fool and you didn’t deserve to be treated in such a way.”
“You aren’t a fool, Theseus,” you managed through parted lips, eyes locked on his. “You were just a coward.” You almost smiled, knowing that it would hit a nerve with the Gryffindor.
“Is that so?” Theseus raised his eyebrow as a challenge.
Briefly, you’re reminded of your childhood and how Theseus used to compete with you at everything you did, and how you allowed him simply because it delighted him. But now this young man was gently holding your stare, with so much heated intensity that you realised no part of you would have ever declined him. No matter what had passed between the two of you, you would have never deprived him of whatever he would ask from you. And this time was no different as he slowly leaned in to you, eyes begging for permission. You stole a glance at his lips, pink and full and so familiar, yet terrifyingly foreign at the same time.
When you tugged on his own robe as a confirmation, he let out a needy sound that sent a chill down your spine before he gently slotted his lips against yours. It was the first time your lips had touched another’s so romantically, but Theseus smoothly lead you as his hand slipped around your waist to pull you closer. You could feel his eyelashes and the firm hand at the base of your neck as he moved his mouth against yours.
Overcome by something new inside of you, you pulled at the curls that sat at the nape of his neck, causing Theseus to let out a pained groan. You were about to pull away and apologise when his hands confidently slid below your waistline, hands gripping your rear and he swallows the sound of your accidental moan. As his tongue caresses your lower lip, you felt the need to unbutton Theseus’ white shirt, wanting to feel his skin against yours.
In a whisper, he stuttered your name, but you were too focused on getting the article of clothing off. When you reached the fourth button, you were surprised by Theseus’ firm grip on your wrists.
“Stop, love.” Theseus ordered softly.
“S-sorry,” you pulled away, horrified. Your breathing was ragged and you couldn’t help but stare at the way the flush on Theseus’ bared chest travelled all the way up to his cheeks. “I don’t—“
“It’s okay,” Theseus shook his head, hands slipping into yours. “We should slow down, though.”
You bit your lip as reality started to settle in. What had you done?
“This was a mistake.” You muttered, embarrassed and confused as you swiftly moved away from the body you wanted pressed against you merely seconds ago.
“What?” Theseus’ brows furrowed, hurt clear as day on his features. He could still hear his heart hammering in his chest. “No, (Y/N),”
“I should go.” Was the last thing you said before you ran out the door and disappeared into your own dorm room.
~*~
How are we feeling????? I honestly don’t know what this was and I worked on this little world for so long, I thought I would post what I had so far. Let me know your thoughts and if you’d like a part 2!!!
