Chapter Text
Kings Cross station was loud.
Theo was bushed through the crowd, his father's hand on his shoulder pushing him forward. His mind felt foggy as he tried to process it all.
He was tempted to shout at an infant for crying. The shrill sound cutting through the jabber of muggles preventing Theo from being able to focus on the numbers of the platforms as he neared platform nine and three quarters.
Theo clutched at the handles of his trolley pushing his Hogwarts trunk ahead of him. His father's owl caged and teathered to the suitcase was glaring at him. As though he needed more scrutiny today.
"You dropped this." Called someone. A girl, she looked like she was in first year too. It was rather evident she was a witch.
She was holding a map of muggle London, her hair was in two braids, curls loose around her face, she had a different accent. Theo had never heard it before.
"He did not." Said Feodore Nott coldly, tugging the map from the young witch's grasp. "Did you?"
Theo shook his head. Lying. He had been curious, and his father had confiscated his favourite book
"Sorry," Said the girl, her brown eyes- she had rather deep brown eyes, Theo would describe them the same way he would the bark of an oak tree- her eyes were wide in fear. "I made a mistake, Sir."
"Yes, well. Don't." Said Feodore coldly, his hand tightening on Theo's shoulder. He turned harshly, continuing to push Theo ahead of him.
"Can I have it back then?" Said the girl. Feodore didn't respond merely dropping the map on the ground for her to pick up.
Theo looked over his shoulder before his head was forced forward by magic.
He looked up to his father.
"I swear to Merlin, were your grandmother not so against Durmstrang." Murmured Feodore. "I would not have my son exposed to such filth."
The whistle of a train rang out snapping Theo from his thoughts, he was dangerously close to the platform.
To the brick wall that promised a life beyond the Nott Estate. Beyond his father's reach.
The girl and her family passed them. Not sparing a glance. Theo felt jealous that she had gotten taken to the platform by her grandmother while his had only given him a hug at the door and turned him over to his father.
Smoke from a train filled the air as they finally reached the brick wall. Theo's breath caught in his throat. He wondered if Blaise was already here.
"Go on." Said Feodore not a hint of encouragement in his voice. Irritation filled it instead. The low rumble of his voice was rather easy to hear and the rest of the station felt quiet in comparison. A pit formed in Theo's stomach as he failed to move his feet.
Another family ran in ahead of them. Theo allowed them to pass, stepping backward as though graciously waiting his turn. Jealousy grew in his chest.
Even bloody Longbottom got to have his grandmother today.
"Son." Said Feodore, looking around to ensure no one was witnessing his son's cowardice. Anxiety pricked at Theo's sides like a stinging hex. Theo wished that his house elf was here. Mimsy could pop him in there, no need to recklessly run at the wall.
A girl tripped before stumbling through the wall, a boy sprinted through like there was a fire, Theo looked over his shoulder the only fire he saw was the approaching Weasley hair.
Theo clenched his eyes shut, blocking out the sound as he neared the wall. He moved until he heard the hooting of an Owl. Several Owls on the other side. The fizzing of a wizabee. A train. The chatter of students.
Theo opened his eyes to see an assortment of young witches and wizards sending their children off to school. And the train.
Oh the train.
Theo had never seen anything so grand, so marvelous. He stared at it. Bright, red, with the promise of a new future. Theo looked over his shoulder. His father was speaking with Lucius Malfoy.
Where was Draco?
Likely with Crabbe and Goyle. Theo was not overly fond of those oafs. He pushed his trolley through the crowd, leaving his trunk with the others. His satchel with galleons and 'approved' books slung over his shoulder as he scanned the platform for Mrs Zabini.
He would look for Blaise, however his mother was far easier to spot. One simply needed to look for the highest density of men and or flowers.
Theo felt sick as he pushed through the crowd with all the noise and the people bumping into him, gross.
An owl was hooting incessantly, some fluffy white thing Theo wouldn't mind hexing as it felt like a metal was being lodged from one temple to the other. It was too loud. He fought the blinding migraine.
Spotted. There. Large bouquet of roses gifted by a flower vendor in hand, an irritated Blaise at her side with lipstick marks on his cheek, Mrs Zabini.
"Theodore." Said Mrs Zabini, spotting him. "Where has your father run off to?"
Theo did not say anything merely looking over his shoulder and seeing a larger density of gingers than thought possible by genetic demographics. He saw an Owl. A Quidditch team, already wearing their jerseys. He saw a cat padding it's way across the platform. Not his father.
"Probably scared of you, mother." Said Blaise, wiping his cheek with his sleeve indignantly. Mrs Zabini set the roses aside. "It's self preservationnal instinct really, would hate for him to become number six."
Mrs Zabini laughed, turning heads as she tossed her hair back and the silvery sound filled the air.
"Don't lose your wit, dearest." She said, pinching Blaise's cheek, he swatted her hand away.
"Mother." Said Blaise, a rosy colour beginning to dot his cheeks, he looked away as a gaggle of second year girls passed. they were giggling. Theo adjusted his grip on his satchel, touching the golden buckle with his thumb. He felt anxious.
Maybe if his Grandmother had agreed to come today, watching Mrs Zabini fuss over Blaise wouldn't be so horrible.
"Right, right, you're all grown up. Don't even want to give your mother a hug." Said Mrs Zabini with a long sigh. Blaise glanced at Theo embarrassed before hugging his mother tightly.
"Goodbye, mother."
"I love you, Blaise."
"I love you too." He said quickly, before standing next to Blaise. "We should go find a compartment."
"Are you not waiting for Draco?"
"He's with Crabbe and Goyle, mother, Theo and I are too clever to be cronies." Said Blaise, Theo nodded in agreement. His headache was reaching the point that the world felt like he was looking through snow. "We should go."
"You have your books?"
"Yes."
Theo touched the pin on his cloak, if he removed it he wouldn't be able to hear all this anymore. He shook his head, if he did his father would materialize next to him and punish him.
"Money for the trolley?" Asked Mrs Zabini.
"A little more couldn't hurt, mother dearest." Said Blaise wearing a winning smile and putting his hand out to receive a few more galleons. Instead he was handed a sickle.
"Off you go, dearest." Said Mrs Zabini. Blaise nudged Theo and they left towards the train. "Have fun," She called. "Take care of each other. Don't troll anything. I love you. Don't be late!"
Theo followed Blaise as they searched for a compartment.
"I'm so excited, Mate." Said Blaise as they passed a compartment of fourth year Hufflepuffs. "Not so much for the mingling with bloodtraitors mother was warning me about, but the rest of it. The whole magic thing."
Theo nodded in agreement as Blaise slid open the door to an empty compartment.
"I cannot believe there is no first class." In horror, turning to Theo before they sat down. "I'll write to mother and have them do something about this immediately. This murky beige- probably makes you wish you had been born sightless instead of not being able to hear."
Theo shook his head. He loved the way the world looked, and his favourite form of comedy was most certainly mimes. His grandmother used to take him to see them in Paris before he had gotten the runic pin. And it was so delightful. Theo did not understand but he was incredibly amused at how they habitually found themselves trapped inside boes. Or the rope-
"I did not mean it literally." Said Blaise, putting a lace cloth down over the seat before sitting down. "This will have to do for now. I thought mother was kidding when she packed this for me."
Theo nodded and looked out the window.
Weasleys were all getting kisses from their- who was that? With the dark messy hair and the scar? The lightning scar?
"Merlin." Breathed Blaise, his hand on Theo's shoulder as he leant closer to the window. Theo casually brushed his hand off. "That's Harry Potter. Draco will have a field day with this."
Theo nodded in agreement.
"He's in our year." Commented Blaise. "I wonder what house he will be in."
Theo shot him a look.
"Well. Yes. Theo I know Gryffindor is the obvious choice. I'm just looking for a touch of drama. I mean it is an awfully ambitious thing for a baby to do, you know? Taking down an almighty dark lord. We'll be in Slytherin maybe he can join us."
Theo had to be a Slytherin.
He could not disappoint his father. Not like his brother had.
He felt anxiety prick his sides at the mere prospect.
Theo would be an excellent Slytherin. He knew it.
Grandmother would tease him. Signing, 'too sweet. Must be a H U F F L E P U F F' It was not one of her funnier jokes.
Theo straightened his posture, the train begun to move. Theo waved a little at his father showing that he was wearing his pin and then cold eyes met Theo's.
Theo felt like he was digesting dry ice. He stopped breathing scared that icy smoke would leave his mouth if he did.
"Your father makes dementors look sweet." Said Blaise, "I'm gonna find the trolley get something sour- Oh. People."
The door to the compartment slid open. The girl- two braids deep brown eyes- She was with her brother.
"Is anyone sitting here?" Asked her brother. She hadn't noticed Theo yet, preoccupied because her charm bracelet had caught on her jumper and she wanted to detangle it. Her jumper had little embroidered daisies on the sleeves. "There's very clearly no one in here-"
"They might be saving it for someone." She said, before successfully retting her bracelet uncaught. She smiled. Bright. She noticed him. Theo shifted in his seat wondering if she would recognize him. She pulled the tourist book from her pocket. "I have your map-"
"We are saving it for someone." Said Blaise with a nod.
"Alright. Glad you asked, Maddie." Said her brother. Maddie. Full name? No. Impossible. "That would have been embarrassing. Vamos." her brother started pulling her away.
Theo glanced at Blaise.
"Well I can get them back in here if you want." Said Blaise with a huff. Theo shook his head. "I assumed Draco and the brainless oafs would have been joining us at some point. And. Well. They need somewhere to sit."
Theo nodded in agreement.
Theo gave Blaise a few galleons for the trolley.
"I'm gonna surprise you this time. Wait- no. The game. Write down your guesses, and let's see if you can guess today's candy." Said Blaise, handing Theo a pen and paper. "You can take the pin off if you want. I can't sign but I can write."
Theo wrote down his guesses and then folded the paper as Blaise left the compartment. He removed the pin and took a breath of relief. The magic weighed too heavily on him. It was like removing a tight Quidditch helmet.
He watched the rolling hills of scotland outside the window wondering how they had managed to leave London so quickly.
-*-
"That is a very large lizard." Said Maddie, she and Padma had snuck into the classroom to get a closer look at the lizard on a perch in the defence against the dark arts classroom. "I thought it was a mini dragon."
"I wonder if it's poisonous." Said Padma, as Maddie looked at it. "Oh is this how I die?" Padma draped herself over the nearest desk. "I always knew it would be something stupid. Something- why are you petting it?" She asked shrilly, when she noted that Maddie was now sitting on the desk, petting the lizard delicately.
"I wonder what they're feeding it." Said Maddie.
"Bad students?" Asked Padma, walking towards the lizard. She stuck her tongue out at it in an imitation.
"We should name it something." Said Maddie.
"If you suggest E-"
"Elizardbeth exactly." Said Maddie smiling happily. "Or Ernesto,"
"Is it a boy lizard or a girl lizard?"
"I don't know. Maybe is just a lizard." Said Maddie.
"Isabella then maybe."
"What do you mean Isabela, Issa lizard." Said Maddie, and Padma looked at her with narrowed eyes waiting for her to crack up at her own joke. "Do you, do you get it? Because-"
"No. I get it."
"Then why are you quiet?"
"You must feel shame or you will never learn." Said Padma.
"I miss Carlos." Said Maddie, she and her brother had been sorted into different houses. It was the longest they had ever really been apart.
"M- Miss Noceda, Mi-Miss P-Patil," Said the quivering voice of professor Quirrel. "What a-are you d-doing in my c-classroom unsup-supervised?" Maddie was down from that desk in a flash and she glanced at Padma.
"We were, we were waiting for you, sir." Said Maddie, and Padma nodded adamantly, now rather concerned that the Lizard was no longer on its perch. Where was it?
"Yes. Yes. We had so many questions, and you never gave set office hours." Said Padma. She was a better liar than Maddie was. Far more believable. "We heard you were a Ravenclaw. We've have been having trouble with the riddles so we thought you might have some advice."
"Tha-That question might be bet-better directed at professor Flitwick." Said Professor Quirrel, he was silent for a long moment as though listening to someone else speak. "P-please go. I-I will see you bo-both in class tomorrow."
They nodded and left the classroom quickly.
"Did you see where the lizard went?" Whispered Padma. "I swear it just disappeared." She turned and then yelped. "Why do you have the lizard?"
"I want to show Carlos. He loves lizards." Said Maddie as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. She was currently holding the lizard like a babydoll. Padma took a deep breath.
"You don't think Quirrel might maybe, possibly, potentially notice that it is missing?"
"I'll bring it back." Said Maddie, they were now at a safe distance from the classroom to discuss this.
"Oye, Lena" said Carlos, walking down the hall. "Is that a lizard? I love lizards." He said, dropping all his belongings to come pet the lizard who had not received this much affection in all of it's life.
"See?" Said Maddie. "I told you."
"I was not doubting that he loves lizards-"
"Patil, did you know that when a lizard gets scared it will drop its tail and grow a new one?"
"You know, Noceda, I did not in fact know that." Said Padma. "Or need to know that."
"This is an Iguana," Said Carlos, "Did you know they can swim?"
"I'm never going swimming ever again in my life." Said Padma.
"Lena, your friend is shutting down my interests. And I haven't even gotten to their nonverbal forms of communication." Said Carlos.
"Tell her about the head bobbing." Said Maddie, nudging him.
"Well. That's most of it really." Said Carlos. "They move their heads very fast when being territorial."
"I'm gonna go find Pavarti." Said Padma, wary of the Lizard.
"You know what we should name it?" Asked Carlos.
"Que?" Said Maddie.
"Elizardbeth."
"That is what I said." Said Maddie, smiling happily at her brother. She looked over her shoulder. "Padma left."
"I think she and Pavarti may have some separation anxiety." Said Carlos with a nod as he mounted a high horse. "Not like us though. Vamos a buscar a la iguana algo de comer."
"Veamos si podemos encontrar la rate de jengibre." Said Maddie in reference to the ugly little Rat the Weasley in their year seemed content to cart around everywhere. Carlos laughed. They made it halfway to the greenhouses before they were caught.
"Noceda." Said the drawl of Severus Snape. Maddie kept her back to him, holding the iguana tenderly.
"Professor Snape, how are you?" Asked Carlos. "You look wonderful. I've never seen you in light of day. You can really see the purples of your complexion."
"Other. Noceda."
"What other Noceda?" Asked Carlos.
"Face.... me." He said, swooshing around them and seeing the lizard in her arms.
"Oh. Hola professor Snape, how are you?"
"I'm quite well, Miss Noceda."
"That's wonderful. You know I heard this great joke about potioneers-"
"What... is that?" Asked Professor Snape pointing to the iguana now sleeping on Maddie's shoulder. It seemed rather content to lay there.
"This is... this is my cat." Said Maddie.
"Yes. Your cat." Said Carlos, nodding. "The egyptian sort."
"Si. I got her half off. One of those hairless ones." Said Maddie, nodding, looking up as she lied. Professor Snape was scary but he had nothing on a disappointed look from her Abuela."Her name is Isabela. She bites."
"That.... is... a lizard, Miss Noceda." drawled Professor Snape. Maddie shifted on her feet. She looked at the potions professor then at the Iguana. She looked at the Iguana again. And then said,
"A dios mio, it is a lizard." Said Maddie, in absolute and utter shock. Carlos gasped and covered his mouth.
"I am very upset." Said Carlos, nodding, "We should go-"
"Not... so fast." Said Snape and they froze. "Professor Quirrel has a pet Iguana."
"He can give us care tips?" Said Carlos.
"Named Isaac." Said Snape, the Iguana awoke and scuttled out of Madelena's arms to the Professor's feet at the call of it's name.
"Isabela, how could you?" She asked, the lizard's tongue flicked out.
"Twenty points from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff." Drawled professor Snape. "And detention." He said, "Sep. Rat. Ly." He said drawing out each syllable, at this they looked distressed. "On Halloween."
"Sir, we just lost our cat and you are punishing us?" Asked Carlos, "How could you?"
"Theft is not permitted at Hogwarts. Be glad this is your only punishment." He said producing two detention slips and handing them off to each twin before swooshing away with his cloak.
"What was the joke?" Asked Carlos quietly.
"What do potioneers say when they're getting married?" Asked Maddie.
"What?"
"I brew."
"Outstanding."
"Gracias."
-*-
"This is the detention?" Said Maddie, as Madam Pince filled her arms with books.
"All by hand Miss Noceda. No magic." Said Madam Pince. She was serving her detention sorting books for Madam Pince in the library. It was a good deal. Carlos was sorting potions ingredients.
"Okay. Where should I start?" Asked Maddie, putting all the books onto a cart sorting by the colour of each one. So basically one very large pile of beige and a blue book that stuck out like a sore thumb.
"Just finish by the end of the night." Said Madam Pince. Maddie nodded. She pushed the cart deeper into the library.
It was pretty much empty. Save for the cobwebs. Maddie didn't much like cobwebs.
Madelena Noceda was many things. A fan of spiders? Not one of them.
She found the shelf she had been looking for and then spotted Theodore Nott sitting at a table, reading. He was alone, and seemed rather content in his solitude but he was never alone. Maddie pulled the tourist book or map thing he had dropped at king's cross station from her pocket.
His father was rather frightening, and she could only imagine the sort of pureblood pressure he was under.
"Nott." She said. He did not look up. "Nott." She repeated, he merely flipped the page of his book. Maddie would be cross too if she needed to be alone and someone was disrupting it. "Here." She said, setting it on the desk, and sliding it towards him. At this Theo looked up.
He looked up, saw her, recognized her and put a pin onto his cloak.
"That's a nice pin." She said. "Very silver. Suits the whole Slytherin thing."
Theo nodded in agreement.
Theo liked the necklace she wore. It had a Daisy pendant at its base. Maddie looked at the map again.
"I figured it might be yours. And It looks like a fun map, has tourist attractions." said Maddie. Theo nodded, and took the map. "I don't mean to disrupt anything, Nott, I just Slytherins are intimidating in big groups. In care of Magical Creatures Crabbe crushed a Bowtruckle. On purpose. And I cannot get over it."
Theo was still looking at her. The chair across from him withdrew magically. Maddie looked at him. Then looked at the seat. Then back at him. She played with a charm on her bracelet.
"I wish I could stay but I got detention." Said Maddie, he tilted his head to the side slightly. " It's a long story. Involves potions masters, an Iguana, not to mention the betrayal." Theo said nothing but his eyes did not leave her. Her hair was in one braid instead of two. There was a ribbon in it. Her hand was on her heart as though the moment she had said betrayal a sword had pierced it. Amusing.
"I hate that it happened on Halloween. I was looking forward to the feast. Why aren't you there?"
Theo touched his tie. He was still in uniform, he had come here directly from class not wishing to field this question.
"No one does costumes at Hogwarts?" Said Maddie, Theo shook his head. "That's a shame.I would have been an Iguana." Ghost of a smile. On his face. "Then again maybe not. You know. Because of the betrayal."
The chair across from Theo withdrew one inch more.
"I should probably get back. I don't want another detention." She said, Theo nodded, looking at his book again. "Happy Halloween, Nott." She said. Maddie walked away and returned to the cart.
Maddie was pushing the cart down another aisle. She climbed on the bookshelf to reach the top shelf before setting off for a new row, she managed one more push and then the wheel broke.
Maddie panicked. She couldn't go to Madam Pince. She would get yelled at.
Maddie didn't fancy getting yelled at right now. Not after the betrayal of Isabela. Maybe Theo could help. He was good at magic. Really good at magic. He had pulled that chair out for her wandlessly. And she was not allowed to use her wand. Madam Pince had it.
Maddie walked back to wear Theo had been sitting. Had she scared him off?
He was gone. Maddie shifted on her feet, disappointed.
"Nott?" She called, but he was gone.
Not that she was overly attached just she didn't like it when people did not like her.
Maddie returned to the cart, and picked up as many books as she could carry, and then she looked at the expansive library before her.
She looked like a stack of books and a set of small legs. She was eleven and already tired of this whole living thing. Maddie put three more books away before going to get a new pile of books. She was almost twelve technically.
Well not technically her birthday was not until March.
Maybe if she were not a Pisces she wouldn't be so irritated by this menial task being handed to her. She was so bored. She wondered what Carlos was doing right now. Maybe He was making a new best friend.
That would be horrible.
Maddie shoved a book onto another shelf, jumping a little bit to reach it. Then she hit the restricted section. Maddie looked at the numbers on the books in her arms and then at the shelves she needed to get to.
Maddie chucked those books over. Or rather tried to. Failing the first time. The book hit the bars and hit the floor in front of her with a thud.
It opened.
It was like a face was trying to get through the pages, it was screaming at her, a dark colour took over her vision and she shut the book as quickly as she could, sitting on it to keep it from opening again. Maddie hugged her knees to her chest. Her eyes shut as the dark colour faded from her vision as the sound did.
Maddie had visual Synesthesia. She saw colours when she heard sounds. It was a blessing, really, except for when someone had ugly name colours, or someone's voice was a horrible colour. Or when books started shouting at you. Honestly what were the odds.
Maddie collected herself and moved away from the book, sliding it through the base of the bars. Why hadn't she just done that before?
Good enough. She thought to herself gingerly touching each book, and setting them in a small pile on the other side of the bars.
Maddie stood up and went back to her cart to get more books.
"Nott-" She said in shock when she saw him. His face was blank. He was walking quickly.
He took a few steps towards her and then took her wrist. Theo pulled her back towards the restricted section, and then towards the table at the deepest point of the library, grabbing a book as they went. He gestured for her to get under the table.
"I have been through a lot today Nott, I am not getting under the table-" The floor shook as heavy footsteps fell outside the library. "What is that?" Asked Maddie, Imediately getting under the table, Theo followed, opening the book and flipping to a page,
Troll it read.
Maddie moved a it closer to him. He smelt like cinnamon and sugar right now. Or maybe Maddie was just very hungry. It was completely possible.
A minute passed.
And then too.
Maddie felt uneasy in the silence. Theo's hand was still on her wrist, either he was stunned that he was able to make such physical contact or he really loved her charm bracelet from the way he was staring.
She wanted to break the silence. The footsteps continued to shake the ground.
"Nott." She whispered. "Not to make you uncomfortable or anything but you smell really good right now."
Theo wordlessly handed her a cinnamon roll he had taken from the great hall from inside his robe.
"Thank you." She whispered. "Do you just have one on you at all times? If it's a blood sugar thing I don't want to-" Theo shot her a look. "Or I could shut up and eat it." He nodded, looking away, and removing his pin so he could not hear the chewing sounds.
He just had not wanted her to miss the feast. Not when she had carried a stupid muggle map around for two months on the off chance she would be able to give it to him. After this his debt was paid. Maddie nudged him, he looked over. She had split the cinnamon roll in two. Theo looked at it then at her.
He hadn't eaten yet tonight.
I... your stomach she said, he was lipreading. Humiliated Theo accepted the food, and moved to be sitting up. He did not look at her, so they ate and hid in silence, Theo flipped through the book idly, Maddie looked at the pages too.
Mermaids, and Kneazle's, and- Maddie suddenly shut the book and Theo looked at her in shock.
I just can not look at an Iguana she said much to his amusement. He opened the book again and continued through the pages.
Maddie tended to speak with her hands.
"Shame Potter did not die." Sighed Draco, reclining on a couch in the Slytherin common room. Theo was staring at the giant squid.
"You missed one hell of a game, Theo." Said Blaise, standing next to him and removing his scarf. "Potter almost died dangling from his broom and then a bludger hit his arm and then he almost died again, chocking on the snitch." Blaise mimed choking. "And then he coughed it up."
"You're making him sound heroic Blaise, do stop." Drawled Draco. "Snape got set on fire."
Theo raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"It wasn't me, Theo. No matter how badly I wish it was." Said Blaise. Theo put a hand on his shoulder for a moment in comfort. "Thanks mate, I needed that- you found the book?"
Theo handed Blaise a book.
"You snagged this from Granger?" Asked Blaise, Theo nodded. The bushy haired mudblood had been distracted by the game and left her secret supply of books- Granger hid each book she wanted in the same shelf whenever she was over the borrowing limit- she had left them unattended. "What do the Gryffindors want with the philosophers stone?" Queried Blaise aloud.
"Eternal life?" Said Draco, Theo shook his head.
The boy who lived already had all the glory in the world. What use would he have for a stone?
Maybe his father was telling the truth, and was not having delusions when he mentioned the dark lord's return. A philosopher's stone was perfect for a revival, could bring someone back from even the brink of death. A way Unicorn's blood never could.
"Collection of antiques?" Suggested Blaise. Theo looked at him and shrugged. Possibly. Blaise laughed at the expression on Theo's face. "Oh yeah, just wait for Potter's envy when he finds out about my mother's collection of old perfume." Theo moved like he was startled by the news. Blaise laughed.
"Or he's keeping it from Snape. Severus says-"
"Draco, we know he's your godfather. You know who my godfather is? Well it's no one because mother does not trust anyone else to take care of me. Except for maybe god."
"This is why I prefer having these discussions with Crabbe and Goyle."
-*-
"That is a dragon Hagrid." Said Maddie excitedly, sitting at his kitchen tables after care of magical creatures, a bowl of tea in front of her, a dragon in front of her. She had stopped by to give Hagrid the Christmas card she had made for him. Her brother had signed his name. She had drawn a dragon. "What's its name?"
"That there is Norbert." Said Hagrid proudly, setting another mug of tea down on the table for her brother who was cuddling the dragon.
"That is such a perfect name." Whispered Carlos. The dragon burped and Maddie put the fire out with a napkin.
"Where did you get him?" Asked Maddie.
"I couldn't tell you, Maddie." Said Hagrid.
"Can I hold the dragon now?" She asked. Carlos shook his head, touching the little wing.
"It's dangerous, Madelena." He scolded. "I'm protecting you. I am your big brother."
"By one minute."
"So wait a minute. Maybe I'll see things from my perspective." Said Carlos, Hagrid chuckled as he pulled rock cakes from the oven. Setting them on the table and admiring the card Maddie had made him. It had a dragon wearing a crown of daisies on it.
"Let your sister have a turn." Said Hagrid, and Carlos reluctantly handed over the dragon.
"Norbert." Said Maddie happily, as the little dragon settled in her arms. "Can I keep him?"
Hagrid shook his head.
"Please? I just lost my cat." Said Maddie, and Carlos laughed. "It turned out to be an Iguana."
"Aye, Professor Snape mentioned that, Maddie." Said Hagrid sitting down next to her as she held little baby Norbert.
"It was traumatizing, Hagrid." Said Carlos. "And then Isabela, our Iguana, betrayed us."
"I'm sure it was, but neither of you are prepared to handle a little dragon now are you?" ASked Hagrid, as Norbert coughed up fire, and Carlos put it out quickly.
"Look. I'm handling him just fine. I'll have Berto trained to sit and roll over before you know it." Said Maddie proudly. "But for now we snuggle." she said so indignantly, hugging the dragon to prove a point and Hagrid laughed.
"What are ye doin' fer the holidays?" Asked Hagrid.
"Everyone is coming over, and we are visiting Mama, and then we see Tio Mario he's always got the best stories." Said Carlos. "Oh and the Longbottoms."
"Yes. Also if you see a toad it is Trevor, and please give it to Neville. Or me. And I will get it to him." Said Maddie. "Do not give it to Carlos."
"Hey." Said Carlos.
"You would exchange it for a lizard and give it to him for Christmas."
"Well a lizard wouldn't run away so much." Said Carlos in a huff.
"That is true." Said Hagrid.
"See?"
-*-
"Nott," Called Maddie, he turned around. She was smiling. He had been admiring stained glass. "I wanted to give you a Holiday Card. But I don't know what you celebrate."
She handed him a card.
There was a drawing of a snowman wearing Slytherin attire on the front holding a cinnamon roll. It was quite nice. He opened it.
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Some poems rhyme,
This one does not.
Happy Holidays,
Madelena Noceda
Humourous. Her writing was so loopy. And she dotted her 'i's with hearts.
"Anyways, happy holidays. Happy New Year." Said Maddie, "If you see a toad, give it to me, or Longbottom he's looking for it."
Theo nodded and then he noted a small burn mark on her hand.
"Oh. Yeah. I was playing with fire." Said Maddie, her eyes drifted to Hagrid's hut beyond the window absently and Theo's eyes narrowed on it. If that halfbred oaf was harbouring any dangerous animals that had harmed her- "Oh, there it is!" She said looking at a toad at the top of the stairs. "I need to go. Happy Holidays, Nott." She said scampering up the stairs and after that toad.
Maddie was out of sight and Theo looked at the card.
"Madelena." He read aloud quietly. He did not like speaking, he did not think he was good at it. He needed practice. Besides he was far more eloquent in sign language. He found it more beautiful. "Madelena." Said Theo again, how would he sign her name?
"Theo?" Said Blaise, appearing beside him. Theo looked at him and tucked the card in his pocket.
"Should I speak more?" Asked Theo.
"Not unless you want to." Said Blaise. "Personally I find it rather impressive how efficiently you go through a full conversation without speaking."
Theo nodded. "If you did not know me," he started, the words spoken like he had been forced onto a stage to perform a play he had not rehearsed. Theo held the card from Maddie. He had never made a friend. They had always been made for him. He felt anxiety prick his sides. It was stupid and his father would never approve. Besides he had never spoken to her. At all. Maddie probably thought he did not like her.
"Nevermind." Theo said.
"Are you seeing your grandmother over Christmas?"
Theo nodded.
"Excited?"
Not the right word. Theo shrugged.
"Mother's marrying again. Number six owns Gringgotts."
Theo looked at him in absolute shock.
"I know right?"
Theo touched the card in his pocket again when he spotted the toad that must have escaped Longbottom yet again. The one Maddie had been trying to retrieve.
"Noceda gave me a holiday card," Said Blaise, and Theo looked at him. "I don't know where she found time to make cards for the whole year. I think they might all be the same though." Said Blaise, showing Theo the simple illustration of a snowman with Happy Holidays across the top.
Theo decided against retrieving the toad for her.
He took the card from Blaise and opened it.
Happy Holidays
- The Nocedas
Relief flooded him and he did not know why. He returned the card to Blaise and looked to where the toad had been. It was no longer there.
"What is it?" Said Blaise.
Theo waved it off like it was nothing, and listened to Blaise's rants about the latest in a long line of stepfathers. How little he was looking forward to watching his mother fall apart when she realized that the man was not willing to be a faithful father figure to Blaise and wanted to start his own family with her.
And it was never because these men did not try. It was because it was never enough.
Then there was the beauty issue. If Mrs Zabini believed her husband to be aging poorly she would begin to cause trouble.
Or maybe Mrs Zabini just enjoyed luring men into her web.
"Anyhow, you are coming to the wedding because well I need the support. And someone to smack me if I start getting attached to number six." Said Blaise. "Remember number two?"
Theo nodded.
"Can not allow that to happen again." Said Blaise shaking his head. Theo put a hand on his shoulder for a moment before they walked to lunch. "Is your father ever going to remarry?"
Theo shrugged.
It all depended on how he proved himself as an heir. Feodore Nott had proven himself perfectly capable of ridding himself of a whole family and beginning again with a shiny new wife.
"If he does, I have the names of some wedding vendors."