Some people take the chance to confess, upon realizing one's feelings for the other. It takes an insane amount of courage, the bravery of finding the so called perfect moment to pour one's heart out — a vulnerability that scares Theodore, even if he'd never say it out loud.

Such a thing, for Theodore Nott, wouldn't happen so soon. There was more in line than just getting his heart broken; said girl that he's head over heels for, just happens to be his best friend. Ruining this, would mean a too awkward ambience between him and one of the people he cares for the most, a sense of humiliation, mixed with the danger of being vulnerable only to have his heart stomped on. So what does Theodore do? Give up?

No. In moments like these, is when Theo pulls a card from his sleeve, and plays a long, painfully slow burning, battle. He calls it strategy.

Even though said strategy meant making all of Hogwarts' students and their mothers blindly believe that yeah, those two hooked up at least once. What does he gain with it? Time. Because if some unlucky bastard thought that asking her out on a date would be wise, someone would be the voice of reason, and remind them that: but hey, isn't she Nott's girlfriend? Don't the two of them have a thing going on?

Theodore has seen how such rumors absolutely baffle her. On one hand, he has to hold back a laugh; on the other hand, it shatters his heart a little bit whenever his best friend laughs it off. Is he so unthinkable of a partner?

Nevertheless, he discreetly keeps this rumor alive; after all, one day would come true... As soon as he has the balls to ask her out on a date.

"Are you really that upset? Most of those blokes are idiots, bella." Theodore lazily comments, green eyes following her silhouette as she paces around— a complaint over the lack of romantic interest; little does she know he beats them up. The cigarette burns between his fingers, appreciating her company as he takes the usual smoke at this familiar hour of the day.