On the back of your neck were always fixed two cold, icy eyes, following you everywhere like a hawk staring at its prey. You, a helpless little mouse, weren't even aware you were in danger. Theo was in love with you—he was obsessed.

You shared a couple of classes at Hogwarts. He sat next to his group of friends, and those surrounding him always gave him a chance to watch you slide your hair from your shoulder to the other side of the room.

Behind your back, he made your way through the castle corridors easier—you always found the books for the subjects you found difficult on the table you used in the library; when someone bothered you for any reason, they would turn up beaten, hexed, or slightly poisoned within a few days; and you always had chocolates in your backpack, even if you didn't remember to put them there.

One day, just another one like any other, after struggling with your hair in the morning before leaving your room, you were heading towards the large dining room for breakfast, when something—or someone—stopped you. Theodore Nott was leaning against a wall, that classic indecipherable expression on his face. When he saw you arriving, something tugged at his lips into a smile. Before you could even say "Good morning", your classmate pulled a flower from behind his back and gave it to you.

"I know we don't talk much," he said with a confidence that could make anyone fall to their knees, "But I'd really like to go out with you, if it's okay with you."

And you didn't know if it was the sweetness of the gesture or simply the fact that he was one of the most attractive boys in your year, but you agreed to go out with him.

And he didn't tell you all the details he kept secret from you. It was something he would take to the grave.