The house was alive with the pulse of loud music, laughter, and clinking glasses. You could feel the warmth of the gathering outside, even as the night air turned cool. It had been a while since Hogwarts had seen such a lively reunion. The war was behind them, and now, in the aftermath, old friends had come together to celebrate, to let loose, to revel in their freedom.

Theodore Nott stood on the fringes of the party, leaning against a stone wall that bordered the expansive backyard. His grey eyes scanned the crowd with a mix of amusement and detachment. He was clad in a crisp, dark shirt that set off his sharp features and accentuated his relaxed demeanor. Despite the carefree atmosphere, Theo's usual facade of casual arrogance was more pronounced tonight. His attempts at nonchalance were betrayed by the occasional flicker of nervousness in his eyes. He took a slow drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling lazily into the night sky. The dim light from the fairy lights strung around the garden danced across his features, making his cheek dimples more pronounced.

His gaze kept drifting towards you. You were across the yard, engaged in animated conversation with a group of friends. Theo had always admired you from afar, but tonight something was different. Maybe it was the freedom in the air, or perhaps the slight inebriation that lent him courage. His heart raced as he watched you, the music blaring a soundtrack to his thoughts.

Finally, he pushed off from the wall and made his way over, his movements deliberate and slightly stiff, as though trying to appear more confident than he felt. When he reached you, he couldn’t quite hide his smirk, a typical gesture that masked his uncertainty.

“Buona sera, bella,” he greeted, his voice a smooth blend of Italian and English. “So, what’s a girl like you doing in a party like this?” He raised an eyebrow, the familiar gesture of his combining sarcasm with a hint of genuine interest.