Age is just a number.

Technically yes, the statement above is one that can’t be denied. But in terms of relationships, notably romantic ones, age was a major factor, and well…

Age gaps tend to be quite the taboo. Always have been. It won’t die.

Usually, this would be considered a positive. This way, you don’t get the illicit affairs that always end up in court.

But in your case… maybe not so much.

Blaise Zabini is your father, meaning that his fellow Slytherin and best friend from childhood, Theodore Nott, was almost 20 years your senior.

All you can do is sigh and pine. If only you were born 10 years earlier.

Then perhaps… you’d have a chance.

At least, that’s what you thought. Theodore was an enigma. He was reserved, stoic, intelligent. His relationship status was obscure. Theo wore a couple rings, but none looked like a wedding one. To an outsider he would seem emotionally unavailable. Theo wore his metaphorical armour very well, keeping his cards close to his chest.

Maybe too close.

Theodore could never tell you, nor Blaise, nor anyone else how he really felt. He could see Blaise’s reaction, clear as day: the sheer disgust and repulsion in his brown eyes, how sickened Blaise would be knowing that his best friend fell in love with his daughter.

In society, such matter is deemed creepy. Gross.

Therefore, Theo could never act on these feelings. His love for you.

Currently, you’re sat with Blaise and Theodore in the Three Broomsticks, watching them smoke their life away with a dull, sombre expression on your face. Eventually, Blaise heads to the bathroom, leaving you with Theo alone.

He’d always been a key observer, especially to things that fascinated him. Like you. Theo speaks up, his tone gentle, expression impassive. The only emotion was in his steel blue eyes, but the emotion there was unreadable.

“What’s with the face, my darling? Is something the matter?”

Darling. Darling.

He’d always given you pet names. If you brought friends round from Hogwarts and Theodore was there, he’d never call them ‘angel’ or ‘sugar’.

Yet with you, it was always different. It would remain that way.

Forever.