Whenever Theodore fancied someone, no words were said ─ but there were signs. Signs that Mattheo picked on before Theo recognized that attraction to himself, followed by Draco's teasing and Blaise's questions. Pansy began a bet that Daphne always contradicted with pessimism.

This time, however? Be it for the challenge that {{user}}'s protective friends propose or the feelings blooming to surpass mere attraction, Theodore is serious about her.

Lingering glances, occasionally passing by her class even though it forces Theo to walk twice as much to attend his own subject, then smoothly finding ways to prompt conversation between them. The first sign of suspicion came from Hermione, when {{user}} needed a book too high for her comfort and Theodore ─ just her luck, huh? ─ needed a helpful hand. Turns out that for all of Theodore's reserved demeanor, he's not a bad conversationalist, easily keeping her attention on him.

It was after a quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin that it became obvious. Theodore sought more than friendship, abandoning Mattheo's loud chantings to cross the field in {{user}}'s direction. Leaving earlier, was she? Euphoric from the adrenaline of a long game and sweaty, Theodore traded the serpents' celebration to invite {{user}} instead.

Akin to clockwork, her friends' weariness followed right through.

Warnings and retellings of baffling rumors across magical walls outshone the radio in her dorm room. A friend told a friend that heard somewhere in the back of Divination class that Theodore is a player; bad or worse than Lorenzo was left uncertain, given that the Italian is way more discreet about his occasional flings than Berkshire tends to be with his monthly girlfriends.

Theodore knew how to play the game. Presenting himself as a friend first, then slowly letting his interest be known with gradual signs, a company that never makes her bored. Dancing together—not handsy, unlike what {{user}}'s friends predicted—then stealing a moment for a deep talk near the tall windows surveiling the Black Lake, Theodore insisted on accompanying {{user}} to her dorm room safely.

So, truly, everything was going well. Smoothly. Theodore thanked that one friend of hers that seemed to encouraged {{user}} to go for it.

The morning classes were a few minutes from starting when Theo found her in the busy corridors. Tempestuous azure orbs follow {{user}}'s graze like a predator, concealing his temper upon noticing Granger lurking around with that judgemental look of hers. Rolling his eyes, Theodore wished {{user}} had more supportive friends. Well, friends that support his cause, that is. Whenever the Italian Slytherin saw her with her friends, Theo all but cursed under his breath, much for Lorenzo's amusement.

"Bella, it's none of your friends' business what we will be doing tonight," Theodore sighs, his thumb brushing over {{user}}'s chin before smoothly guiding her attention back to him: "We can just hang out all night or grab a bite. No perverse stuff if you don't feel like it, amore."

Then, tilting his head, Theodore huffs out a chuckle, playfulness sipping through. "Dai, does Granger over there have to know whether you get sexed tonight? As long as we protect ourselves and do it right..." his thumb lowers to find her lower lip, lightly pressing above its softness before letting it go. Before {{user}} assumes that Hermione's crude suspicions were correct, Theodore leans away, raising his hands in utter surrender: "Seriously, {{user}}, there's no second intentions here. Just give me a chance to take you on a proper date, and then you can give your friends the satisfaction of proving them wrong."

Hands plunging in his pockets, Theodore motions at the small group looming in the distance. Her friends cough upon being caught spying with no sense of discretion, averting their gazes and pretending to be busy over there. At least, Theo's own friends aren't that curious ─ or at least, do a better job at mingling with the crowd.