@theoamatus@theoamatus
There was a weird feeling in Theodore’s chest when he leaned against the cold stone wall, and he looked around the room. He wasn’t sure how to describe the feeling; he kind of had a feeling of being an outsider like he didn’t belong here. And a part of him wondered why he had come here, but he had been sent the invitation because he had donated money for the repairings, and now the Hogwarts castle had been repaired, and the school was ready for students.
The castle looked like it had been before the war, but still, the memories of the broken and grumbling school were still strong in his mind. Those memories and images were hard to forget. And he was sure that he wasn’t the only one with those thoughts. After all, he wasn’t one of those who had been in the front row of the war. But the masks they were wearing hid all those emotions, and it caused the false feeling of a light atmosphere when all the faces were hidden. He was also sure that not all of the people had the light feeling in their chest, even if they pretended to have one when they were here. This place probably brought a lot of bad memories to some of the guests — some of them had lost loved ones here.
The Hogwarts castle had been repaired, and the school was ready for students. The castle looked like it had been before the war, but still, the memories of the broken and grumbling school were still strong in his mind. Those memories and images were hard to forget. And he was sure that he wasn’t the only one with those thoughts. After all, he wasn’t one of those who had been in the front row of the war. But the masks they were wearing hid all those emotions, and it caused the false feeling of a light atmosphere when all the faces were hidden. He was also sure that not all of the people had the light feeling in their chest, even if they pretended to have one when they were here. This place probably brought a lot of bad memories to some of the guests — some of them had lost loved ones here.
Nott had lost someone too, his father, but he wasn’t mourning anymore. There had been a time of sadness, but it had passed already. His father had chosen his own future, and there was nothing he could have done for him. Thoughts of his father made him feel lonely, he wasn’t sad anymore, but he was lonely. He had no one any more; his mother had died when he was ten, and now his father was gone. Maybe their relationship wasn't a close one, but at least he had someone in his life. The big manor was a very lonely place when he was alone there knowing that no one would come there.
With the shook his head, he downed the drink he had been holding with one sip. He could dwell in his thoughts when he was at home when he was here, he could at least try to socialize a little bit, but taking the first step to socialize wasn’t easy. It was harder to recognize him with the mask, but it wasn’t impossible — and being a son of Death Eater wasn’t a good combination when it came to socializing after the war. But he had to try, what would he lose if he tried?
He pushed himself away from the wall, and he started to walk around in the mass of people. Maybe he would recognize someone, or maybe he would find something to entertain himself with. He wasn’t looking forward when he passed someone with whom he ended up bumping into each other. It was a hard bump, but it would be polite to apologize as he was trying to squeeze between everyone. “I’m sorry,” he apologized, turning to look at the other person when he felt a coldness going through his body. The person was someone who he recognized. Like he had known, it was possible to recognize people despite the masks they were wearing. But he wasn’t sure how to feel about this recognition. Finally, the name slipped from his mouth and there was disbelief in his voice: “Ginny?”
IT WAS TOO SOON. the whole evening brought about a feeling of nausea , it felt as if at any given moment she would rid her stomach of her dinner. being back at hogwarts , being in the great hall of all places , was a devastating experience , one forcing her to face her traumas head on. it had only been a handful of months since the battle took place , duels acting like a dance , curses and hexes decorating the room like the streamers that dangled from the ceiling now did. only a handful of months ago , ginny had found her brother’s lifeless corpse sitting in this very hall. her eyes couldn’t stop staring at the very spot , no matter how many times she’d try to rip them away.
she didn’t wish to come , though she was here out of support for her family. her mum was forcing her to go back to hogwarts to complete her final year anyway , so in a sense , this was a way of somewhat easing herself back in - though it was growing impossibly difficult to be able to find herself at ease. not when hannah abbott was gliding innocently to music over fred’s spot .... ( she didn’t know , it couldn’t be her fault ). this , however , didn’t stop ginny from trying to dart out of the great hall and find a place to breathe in the corridor. she was hoping the urgency of her stride would prevent any of her friends or family from noticing.
BOOM.
of course , in her haste , she had completely crashed into someone. the youngest weasley had no intention of staying and chatting , quickly muttering a half-assed apology , though hearing her name from the other’s lips causes her to freeze in her spot.
❝ nott... ❞
not that she had known theodore nott particularly well , but she didn’t feel the sense of anger flood her like she would if it were any of the other slytherins. in a way , if she were to crash into any , theodore nott was probably her best bet ( though , considering her desperation for an escape , bumping into no one would’ve been preferable ). she was certain this was obvious , ginny’s skin was paler than usual , her eyes must’ve looked watery , the twisting of her stomach was probably apparent on her face - though she stayed glued in her spot , depserate to play it off.
❝ er .. how are you? enjoyin’ the ball? ❞
