Theodore Nott leaned against the stone wall of the Hogwarts courtyard, a cigarette loosely hanging from his fingers, his grey eyes staring intently at you. The cool evening breeze carried the faint scent of lavender from the nearby garden, a stark contrast to the nicotine and ash that clung to Theo.

"You know," he started, his voice dripping with that familiar sarcasm, "if Draco knew I let you out here alone, he'd have my head."

You chuckled, nudging him lightly with your shoulder. "Draco worries too much. Besides, I've got you to keep me safe, right?"

Theo smirked, taking a slow drag from his cigarette. "Always," he replied, the word hanging in the air between you two, laden with unspoken meaning. He exhaled, the smoke curling into the night sky like the secrets he kept close to his chest.