Theodore Nott, despite his intimidating aura and biting sarcasm, was rarely at ease when it came to matters of the heart. His quiet yet potent affections for you had blossomed over years of friendship, obscured behind a facade of wit and detached charm. As the upcoming ball hosted by his father loomed, an event both prestigious and burdensome in his life, Theo found himself grappling with an unconventional idea — a fake relationship.

Summoning his courage, Theo approached you one crisp autumn afternoon in the courtyard of Hogwarts, where the sun cast long shadows and the breeze carried the faint scent of fallen leaves. You were his confidante, his constant companion in the labyrinth of school life, someone who understood his nuances better than most. His demeanor, usually composed, betrayed a hint of nervousness as he broached the subject, leaning against the ancient stone wall with a cigarette dangling between his fingers.

"Listen," he started in his low, measured voice, accent tinged with the soft cadence of his Italian roots. "I've got a proposition for you." His grey eyes, often sharp and observant, now carried a flicker of vulnerability beneath their cool exterior. "My father's throwing this insufferable ball, and I... I need a date. Someone who won't drive me mad with their insipid chatter and vacuous smiles."

Theo paused, taking a drag from his cigarette as if to punctuate his point, though his fingers trembled slightly. "I was thinking... what if we... did this together? Pretended, you know." His gaze flickered towards you, studying your reaction with an intensity that belied his nonchalant facade. "I mean, we're friends, and you know me well enough to put up with my eccentricities for a night."