The Great Hall III

Theodore leaned over and spoke in hushed tones

"I have a feeling you might not be aware, but I've had the ill-fortunate luck of having Prof. Snape as my potions' governor for 2 years [1]. Worst 2 years of my life. He's excellent, deserving of his genius fame, yet strict as a German Auror. If I'd known he was first-period, I'd have spent last night studying."

Placing a comforting hand on Theodore's shoulder, I levelled my voice enough for both Theodore and Blaise to hear me, without being overheard by anyone else.

"We'll be fine. I just so happened to have a lucky 'glance' at the schedule of the house we will be taking it with."

A Cheshire grin spread on Theodore's face. The malice seeping from him couldn't be hidden if we were to cover him with the tablecloth.

Blaise looked at me in confusion, to which I gave him a subtle nudge to the next table over.

Realisation spread in his eyes and the corner of his lips started twitching upwards. Shielding his bemused grin with his hand, he turned towards us and spoke in a hushed tone.

"Has anyone told you both that you're such browbeaters.[2]"

Theodore side-eyed him and threatened in a sharp tone.

"And if we were?"

Zabini lowered his hand revealing a mischievous grin that matched the bemused curve of his eyes. With a small shrug, he turned his gaze away whilst answering.

"Nothing, I simply came to the realisation that you may not be as much of a pretentious stick-in-the-mud as when we had first been acquainted."

Oho~!? Did I hear correctly? Theodore was a suck-up as a child~? I picked up my tea to drink.

"And here I thought you were merely a bastard snake. Your father must be a 'capable man' then as the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. You know, despite his 'identity' or lack thereoff. [3]" Theodore taunted.

A murderous glare shot through Blaise's eyes as he growled at Theodore.

"Watch it. You shrivelled spunk [4]."

Pffffttt. I but my tongue to prevent the tea from coming out of my mouth, but a little trickled into my nose which hurts alot. Nevertheless, I pinched the top of my nose to discretely wipe the tea that came out using my sleeve and pinky finger.

"Gentlemen." I voiced. Magic laced in my breath, carrying my warning directly to their minds. I wasn't looking at them, but from how their magic visibly cowered down, I knew they had heeded my warning.

"Breakfast has been spoiled."

Regret flashed through both of their eyes and they processed their small public clash. Especially Theodore's given that I had already warned Pansy and Millicent to refrain from such behavior in front of him yesterday.

"Theodore. Lady Zabini has more wealth than your father."

The regret in Theodore's eyes deepened as he realised the extent to which his little rivalry could affect him in the future. Turning towards Zabini, I warned him of his own consequences in a similar tone.

"Zabini. Theodore's father has more political power than your mother."

"And both of you, own neither of those."

They looked towards each other, still wary yet unwilling to be the first to apologise.

"Not yet."

Zabini was the first to lift his gaze towards me as though questioning what I was trying to get at.

"But together, I can help you gain both. Not just later, but now and in the future. Follow my words and I can bring those with these powers under your command. Our command."

"And how are you so sure I can't do those myself?" Zabini retorted with a sneer.

"Oh no Mr. Zabini. I already know you can do it yourself. But how much power can a single house control?"

I picked up my desert spoon with my right hand and transmuted it into a gemstone ring with the Zabini family crest. Lifting his hand with my own, I fitted the ring onto his finger.

"And how much power, if there were more?"

I covered his fingers with my right hand, cast a minor illusion spell, and slowly lifted my hand away - revealing several unique rings fitted on each of his fingers. With my left hand that was still holding onto his, I twirled just a bit of my magic around his'. Giving a slight tug here and there. Not changing anything, just magnifying what already existed.

I watched the fervour blaze through his eyes like an acute fever for a lengthy moment. Just enough for him to have a small taste of power, before covering his hand once more and casting a silent 'finite incantatem'.

Grabbing the spoon, I released his hand and twirled the spoon between my fingers. As though tormenting him with what I had just 'taken away'. But of course, I hadn't truly taken anything away, I hadn't even given anything yet.

"Though I suppose for some people, one is enough."

Similar to an animal awakening it's instincts on the verge of death, Blaise grasped my hand that was twirling the spoon with a crushing hold. A second after, his eyes widened in shock and he retreated backwards, releasing his death grip on my hand.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." Blaise apologised with a lowered gaze, though the anger he was holding back was still evident by how he gripped the cloth of his robes. Anger - born out of his greed.

Kids~ They're so much like their parents~

I couldn't hold back the small chuckle that escaped my chest.

Opening my hand towards him, I offered him the spoon that was sitting at the palm of my hand.

"For the sake of a fair partnership, I must remind you that you already have your own. But would you like mine?"

Greed, hope, all sorts of mixed emotions, and a small hint of fear ate through his eyes as all his fervour returned.

He snatched my spoon with heated anxiety, as if he were scared I would back out of my offer before he could take it in time.

"No take-backs." Blaise warned with a mordant grin.

"None are provided." I smiled, welcoming his addition into my little group.

Theodore, who stayed obediently silent throughout my conversation with Blaise, took his own desert spoon and offered it over to Blaise.

"Just so you are aware. I joined before you did. And also. I apologise for my previous behaviour, Blaise."

Blaise laughed and grinned in satirical bemusement as he took Theodore's spoon.

"Thank you, Theodore. I apologise for my own previous behaviour as well. And I would love to offer, but I don't suppose you would actually want my own spoon, would you?"

Blaise asked as he took his own desert spoon and offered it to Theodore.

"You supposed wrong." Theodore replied in his usual privilege spoiled brat manner of speaking, as he swiftly took Blaise's spoon and set it down above his plate where his own spoon had previously laid.

I covered my mouth to suppress my chuckles at their childish antics, but a few still escaped. Blaze soon joined me in laughter while Theodore was still smiling proudly.

Theodore, my knight of pride. And Blaze, my knight of greed. Ahaha. I wonder how many I can collect?

Ah hold on… Didn't I already sort of collect Pansy and Millicent as well? Hmmm. No, I can't count them as 'collected'. Afterall girls are really difficult to predict. For one, I've only secured Pansy's interest towards me. And though I could sense Millicent's fear, I doubt it would last long.

*Sigh* Girls. Why are they so troublesome? I wonder how long it will take before I secure their loyalty.

Heh~ I bet I could bag Vincent and Crabbe before the sun sets today… Actually. Let me go ahead and do that right now~

Looking around, I spotted Peeves who just so happened to pass by the doors of the Great Hall. Bingo!~

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At the entrance to the Great Hall, Harry Potter had just entered along with Ron Weasley. He was baffled and gawked at the scene of Draco or… not. 'Tom' it should be. 'Tom' and Nott giving Blaise their spoons, then Blaise giving Nott his own spoon. To which Tom and Blaise followed with laugher as Nott smiled. Actually SMILED.

And similar to last night. Or maybe a little more so than last night, Harry was once again confused. Very confused.

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[1] Governor/Governess - Home tutor

[2] Another term for bully.

[3] Referring to Blaise Zabini's mom having been known as a 'famously beautiful witch who had been widowed seven times over by 1996. Each husband's death occurred both under suspicious circumstances and left the already wealthy Ms. Zabini and her son with more money.'

[4] Referring to Theodore Nott being born when his dad (who I named Morosus after his father, Cantankerus) was quite old since in canon (he is 'presumably' part of Voldemort's original gang, and in this fanfic he IS part of Voldemort's original gang). Hence, he was quite old when Theodore was made.