Theodore had only been passing through.
This was a public area of Hogwarts.
Anyone was allowed to walk here, right?
He didn’t say a word, but the look he gave Vincent—who had stepped squarely into his path—made the meaning obvious.
It wasn’t just him.
A few steps behind Vincent, Harry Potter and two other Gryffindors stood watching the whole scene.
“Blocking the road?” Theodore’s mouth curved into a mocking smile.
“Didn’t expect Gryffindors to pull something like that.” If Vincent had actually come looking for a fight, that smile alone would have been enough to start one right then and there.
He almost wished Vincent had come looking for trouble.
At least then he could draw his wand and get it over with, instead of standing here waiting for whatever strange thing the other boy was about to say.
“What, surprised a Slytherin can get blocked in a hallway for once?” Vincent took another step closer.
“There’s no school rule that says stopping people in the corridor is a Slytherin privilege.
And I’m a Ravenclaw.
Even if I was going to do something like this, I wouldn’t need Gryffindors for backup.” Theodore’s first instinct was to put more distance between them.
He forced himself to stay put.
Stepping back would only make him look like he was losing ground.
They weren’t close, but they weren’t far either.
Vincent kept his voice deliberately low—only the two of them could hear.
Harry tried to catch something useful on the cold wind and got nothing but the chill.
“Since when does Vincent know anyone from Slytherin?” Harry muttered.
“Looks like they might actually be… friendly?” When the wind refused to cooperate, he simply watched their body language and decided he’d just ask Vincent later.
“Theodore Nott.
He’s pretty well-known in Slytherin,” Hermione said.
“His potions work is excellent.
Vincent’s brewed with him before.” Ron stared at her.
“You know about that?
We’re together every day.
How do you somehow have eight extra hours?” “Because I actually listen,” Hermione replied coolly, “instead of spending the entire class complaining about the professor.” Ron and Harry’s chaotic potions sessions—complete with nonstop muttering about Snape—were no secret to her.
“That just proves Snape really is hard to like,” Ron muttered.
Even without names, everyone knew exactly which professor they meant.
Vincent kept his voice low.
Ron and the others weren’t exactly shouting either.
From Theodore’s angle he could still see their lips moving as they whispered.
“Your friends have no idea about us,” Theodore said.
“Do you really have to make it look like we’re close in front of half the school?” Under normal circumstances Theodore wouldn’t have cared who associated with him.
Gossip never bothered him.
But Vincent… for some reason, any connection with this particular Ravenclaw always left Theodore with a bad feeling.
“I always thought Slytherin was the least popular house at Hogwarts,” Vincent said, still smiling.
“Didn’t realize that title had been transferred to Ravenclaw.
As a loyal member of the house, I feel obligated to do something positive for our reputation.” He tilted his head.
“By the way—mind sharing the improved warming charm you’ve been using?” “I haven’t improved any warming charm,” Theodore said flatly.
“But your physical temperature is clearly higher than mine.
If we’re both using the same charm, we should be the same temperature.
I’m in perfectly good shape.
There’s no reason I should be colder.” This time Vincent’s curiosity was completely genuine.
“Oh,” Theodore said, face expressionless.
“Because my clothes are more expensive.” Vincent blinked.
“What?” “Because my clothes are more expensive.
This robe is made from the priciest fabric Madam Malkin carries.
It comes with built-in heating.” Vincent: “…Excuse me.” Theodore stepped around him and walked away.
The warm air clinging to his robes brushed across the back of Vincent’s exposed hand as he passed.
Just an ordinary rich kid after all.