Order Only: Teddy Nott

[alt_hermione]

This afternoon, while Harry and Draco and the others were in Transfigurations, Teddy Nott went and found me reading. (Don't worry, everyone: I always transfigure the covers of my books so that they look like remedial readers or comics or something like that.) Anyway, he was obviously waiting for a chance to find me alone, when Harry was in a lesson, because he thought he could intimidate me into telling him some embarrassing secret.

I told him Harry has been clear in the past about people interfering with his mudblood without permission. He said something like 'How dare you speak back to a pureblood' and I tried to act contrite, looking down and just saying softly that I was only repeating what my master has said. He wasn't happy but he didn't hex me or anything, he just stood there and demanded that I answer his questions.

I said of course, I'd be happy to help however I could, provided it was something Harry would approve of me doing. He asked me a load of questions for a 'research project' he said he was working on but it was clear what he was looking for.

So. If Teddy seems to think I've got a hopeless crush on Professor Lestrange, and that I'm ever so jealous of Professor Sinistra, that's why.

What an idiot.

Comments

Private Message to Hermione

[alt_harry]

He didn't hex you? You aren't just saying that?

He has to know it'll get back to me.

I wonder if there's any way to let them know you were pretending. Without it getting back to him.

Re: Private Message to Hermione

[alt_harry]

And now I've got to show him why he shouldn't have done that.

Re: Private Message to Hermione

[alt_hermione]

No, don't. I mean, if he's supposed to be gathering up my deep, dark secret I hardly think I'd have run and told you.

But when he does report his answer, that's when you can act. And I think you should have someone else show him why he shouldn't have done that. Teddy thinks authority is ordering people about, so maybe we should make it seem like you ordered someone else to have him on the carpet. Maybe his sponsor.

Re: Private Message to Hermione

[alt_harry]

Okay. Yeah.

Re: Private Message to Hermione

[alt_hermione]

No, he obviously thought I had to tell him the truth just because he's a pureblood and I'm muggleborn.

Harry, I don't care what Professor Sinistra or Professor Lestrange think; that's why I told him that. Even if he has to tell the whole school it's not going to bother me. I'm sure loads of people have a crush on Professor Lestrange, especially from back when he was playing professionally. It's fine.

Re: Private Message to Hermione

[alt_harry]

I meant more to make him look bad. Like if the committee who was scoring him knew you were lying to him because I told you to lie if anyone asked you about a secret, or something.

[alt_draco]

He did what?

Honestly, we ought to have seen it coming. You're incredibly fortunate that he assumed you so meek and compliant. Ironic, really. Though in some ways I suppose it's useful to know that he has no suspicions of you at all.

Odd that he would choose what he no doubt sees as a sitting duck - someone who has no defenses whatsoever, except perhaps the prestige of her owner. Is that really the best way to impress?

Private message to Hermione

[alt_draco]

(And yes, I know that you're always careful, but Teddy is an extraordinarily "creative" thinker. He gets sadistic enjoyment out of pushing limits. You'd do well not to dismiss him as an idiot.)

Re: Private message to Hermione

[alt_hermione]

Oh, I know he can be dangerous. But he really did act like someone who's never--you know what it's like? He's obviously someone who has house-elves and not muggleborn servants. That's what it was like. Like if he gave me an order I would have literally no choice but to follow that order. So if anyone's underestimating anyone, it's him underestimating me.

But it's all right, we knew this was going to start happening.

Re: Private message to Hermione

[alt_draco]

Yes. You can't be suspicious of a scenario you can't even conceptualise, can you.

We knew, but I anticipated trouble from elsewhere. Finnigan or Thomas, maybe, since they're both halfbloods. I hoped thought Teddy might see himself as above such things.

Re: Private message to Hermione

[alt_draco]

So, you don't really fancy Raz, do you? Because if you do, I can probably find out what perfume he fancies on women.

Re: Private message to Hermione

[alt_hermione]

Yes, all these years I've been harbouring a secret crush on your uncle. Because you know deep down I'm all about sporting boys.

Honestly. How thick can you get?

Re: Private message to Hermione

[alt_draco]

Most girls do fancy the sporting blokes. Even the bookish girls - just look at Siz.

The difference is, the bookish ones would never, ever admit to fancying a mere "sporting" bloke.

Also, you're lucky Harry can't read this. He's the very definition of sporting.

Private message to Hermione

[alt_sally_anne]

I'm trying to think about ways to get Teddy to leave you alone, because he could be genuinely dangerous if he starts paying attention to you.

I can't think of anything that would actually work and you wouldn't have already thought of.

Re: Private message to Hermione

[alt_hermione]

Thanks. I'm pretty sure I can handle him, if I have to. As long as he thinks I'm an overgrown house-elf I don't think there will be any more trouble. He only picked me this time because the instruction says 'lesser blood status' so he figured he'd go as low as possible.

I told Harry I think he should wait, until Teddy reports that he chose me, and then Harry should make Sarah Yaxley tell him what a stupid idea it is to upset the Lord Protector's son by meddling with his property.

[alt_justin]

Hermione,

I say, it's both shocking and amusing to consider, not only that he'd even conceive of exploiting you but that he'd be so bally well cumbersome in his attempt.

Nott's always struck me as one of the more subtle types of Slytherins. Not like Crabbe and Goyle, who sad to say thought they'd have a go at me last night. We put them straight, what, and as a topper on the whole affair, I do believe Hydra now has all the embarrassing secrets she needs. Though I'm not precisely sure one could argue their blood is less magically pure than hers, no one would question that Hydra's of a much higher class than both of them put together, what. And of a higher social status, as well.

(Zabini, Patil and Finnigan, at least, have not yet decided to turn in my direction for any of the challenges. Though Patil does seem to think the additional burden of competing gives her the right to ask me to do the majority of research and drafting of our joint projects, what. I don't particularly mind, as it means I'm able to approach the material as if it's an individual project and if the others don't like it they've little ground to stand on!)

Still, I'm sorry to hear you're experiencing such indignities. I rather thought Harry's admonishments had put a stop to all that.

-Justin

[alt_hermione]

Thanks. I'm not at all surprised, of course. About Teddy, I mean, it was obvious that sooner or later someone would set their sights on me, whether or not Harry has always told them to keep their hands off.

But it is surprising that Crabbe and Goyle decided you were fair game. I hope they weren't too much trouble for you.

Private message to Hermione Granger

[alt_terry]

I do hope you're right, that he's an idiot. And that's the end of it.

I also know you're doing everything you can to guard yourself. I still find myself wanting to say 'Be careful.' (As if you hadn't figured out that you need to be, which is downright insulting. So I won't.)

There's a part of me that almost wishes you did a little more of the protective camouflage that boot used to do. Would that keep you safer with Teddy Nott? Maybe not, come to think of it. (I think if I were still around Hogwarts as boot, he'd welcome the chance to terrorise me.)

Teddy Nott was someone who always raised my hackles. Even before I found out my Animagus form.

Re: Private message to Hermione Granger

[alt_hermione]

It's okay to say 'Be careful' when it means you're worried about someone. And I appreciate it, Terry. I won't do anything foolish. I did put on a more deferential attitude when he got shirty, of course, but it wouldn't do much good to be like that all the time since it's not the way I am most of the time, if that makes sense. Mostly I try to behave as unobtrusively as possible, which generally just means staying out of the way but not bowing and scraping the way Dennis used to do.

Teddy's just so odd. I never know just what he's thinking--not the way Hydra can, of course!--but I mean, usually I can tell what's motivating someone, you know, and Teddy...he's always shifting his track. One time he'll be really sneaky and then the next moment, he's awfully direct and earnest, and then the next he's arrogant and presumptuous, and then he can be very violent. And I know that.

But I can handle him. If I have to. It'll be all right.

Anyway, he got what he wanted, no one's hurt by it, and I don't care if anyone thinks I'm in love with Professor Lestrange. It's actually rather funny to me.

I worry about you too, you know. Are you coming back to Hogwarts, then? Or did you decide it's safer to stay in Sherwood?

Re: Private message to Hermione Granger

[alt_terry]

Yes, I am. I've actually moved in with Cedric already. He's snuck me in a few times to help with potions with Mr Snape.