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.

[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_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.

[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

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.