“Chicken-ing” Out
Theme # 93: Chicken


Cluck. Cluck. Cluck.

Sitting on his bed, all huddled up, Theodore Nott stared around the empty dormitory, and wish someone would arrive soon. He had no idea whatsoever about how it happened, but there was a fierce chicken now running wildly about his dormitory. Theodore had tried to chase it away with his wand, but his wand now lay on the ground, broken into two.

Cluck. Cluck. Cluck.

Theodore backed as the chicken began to cluck loudly again, pushing himself closer to his bedpost. He hated to admit it, but he was scared. A lot.

– Scared of chickens.

Certain Misty-Eyed Ravenclaws
Theme # 91 – Future


Theodore Nott didn’t want to think about the Future. He already knew what his future would be like; it was, you could say, already planned. He would have to take his place as a death eater, follow the Dark Lord’s bidding, and be an object of terror to the Wizarding World.

A few years ago, the very thought thrilled him. Now, however, his personality was altered. That was not what he wanted; the mere thought of cursing others no longer excited and animated him.

Now, all he wanted was the attention of a certain, misty-eyed Ravenclaw with very messy blonde hair.

Very Dangerous Snowballs
Theme # 95 – Snowball


There was a thwacking noise as a snowball flew Theodore’s way, and hit him, hard, on the head. He turned around angrily, in time to see Fred and George snickering heartily. Before he could go and confront them, however, a misty voice floated up to him.

“Oh, are you alright?” Luna Lovegood asked, walking dreamily towards him. “I don’t think so. Did you know the Ministry has been planning to hypnotize people by feeding them some dangerous snowballs that it has specially developed.” She nodded wisely to herself, and Theodore rolled his eyes.

Strangely enough, he half-believed her.

Of Eccentric Socks
Theme # 96 – Socks


Sitting on the edge of his seat, Theodore Nott wondered why Luna seemed so odd today…. Not that she always didn’t, it just looked even queerer today. Then he realized she was wearing one blue, and one yellow sock.

“You’re wearing mismatching socks,” he pointed out as he passed her after class. Luna nodded vaguely.

“Oh yes, quite odd, isn’t it?” she said. “Strangely enough, I have another pair of socks, exactly like this one,” she added, pointing to the socks she was wearing.

Theodore paused in his tracks for a second; Luna Lovegood was better than he had ever imagined.

Tomes that Annoy
Theme # 97 – Dictionary


Theodore flipped aimlessly through his brand new Ancient Runes Dictionary. This, he thought as he untidily scribbled down the meaning of a particularly cumbersome Rune, was boring, useless work. He would have been better implies torturing some new first year.

He flung away the book, and it landed right next to the table Hermione Granger was working on. He saw her bend down and pick it up, then immerse herself in it.

He raised an eyebrow, wondering how Runes could interest anyone. As far as he was concerned, he was giving up.

Picking his bag, he left the Library.

In The Present
Theme # 90 – Present


The First Part to a Three-Part Drabble Tale


Live in the Present – A wise Ravenclaw had once very dreamily told him that.

But Theodore was finding that hard to do at the moment; he was fed up with Potions, that obnoxious Snape, and the properties of Moonstone. And the maddening D’s, which he constantly kept receiving on his Potions Homework.

“Wish I could get back at Snape, somehow,” he thought bitterly, clenching his fists as he drew a preposterous cartoon of Snape on a piece of parchment, deciding to slip it underneath the door of Snape’s office the next day.

If only he could. If only.

Ready To Snap
Theme # 85 – Snappish


The Second Part to a Three-Part Drabble Tale


Trichhhhhhh.

Theodore’s quill broke in two, his elbow hit the inkpot, and ink spilled all over his drawing of Snape. He was beginning to grow very snappish now. Crunching the paper in his fist, and half-ran out of the Slytherin Common Room, right up to Professor Snape’s office.

Quietly, he bent down and slipped the cartoon in Snape’s office, through the tiny space beneath the door. It made him feel much better; he turned around, smirking to himself. He could just imagine the expression of fury on Snape’s face when he would find that drawing inside his office.

Mischief Managed.

Cartoons and Detentions
Theme # 84 – Angry


The Third and Last Part to a Three-Part Drabble Tale


He was half-way up the corridor, when –

“Mr. Nott.”

Theodore knew that voice only too well. He turned around slowly to see Snape emerging from his office, softly closing the door behind him, a familiar parchment in his pale, thin hands.

“Did you, by any chances, slip this in, Theodore?” he asked; there was an expression of suppressed anger on his face as he spoke.

“Of course not, Professor,” Theodore replied, trying to feign innocence. Then, all of a sudden, Snape’s eyes were boring into his own …

“Detention with me this week,” Snape said silkily, turning around smoothly and leaving.

"Oh, Yes!"
Theme # 86 – Daring


In twenty-four hour’s time, the Graduation Ball would start, and Theodore still didn’t have a partner. He knew whom he wanted to ask, but that would be a test of daring too great for him.

“Um, Luna,” he said, seeing her alone later on. “Will you go to the Ball with me?”

Her eyes widened.

“As a friend,” he added quickly.

She beamed. “Oh, yes!”

She walked off, but he felt his spirits drown.

He had asked her to the ball, yes – But he had also ruined a chance of telling her how much he liked her.

Long Forgotten Memories
Theme # 88 – Past


Staring at the tiny moving person in the photograph, Theodore smirked. It was his father. Looking at the photograph, Theodore found himself transported down his memory lane.

His father – He’d hated that man. He had been a selfish traitor; the Order had regarded him as their double-agent, and the death eaters, too, had thought him their double-agent, while he had been fooling both sides for his own purposes.

Theodore had finished with him before anyone else could, though. He was dead now, and though Theodore would never have admitted it, he had a larger hand in his death than anyone could suspect.

He yawned sleepily, rolling over to his side.

Keeping up The Good Work
Theme # 43 – Headmaster


The gargoyle sprang to life at his approach without a password. Theodore wondered why the Headmaster wanted to see him; he didn’t exactly dislike the Headmaster – He retained a special admiration for his manner, but he also considered him a nuisance to the Dark Side.

“Ahh, Theodore,” Dumbledore said, emerging from the shadows. “As I understand it, you recently set Professor Snape’s desk on fire – Is that correct?” he asked, not at all sternly.

“Yes, Professor,” Theodore replied, not meeting his gaze.

“Keep up the good work, then,”

And, with a wink, the Headmaster dismissed an astounded Theodore.

Something Amiss
Theme # 32 – Common Room


The Slytherin Common Room was full of the usual laughter and chatter that a Celebration party ought to have. Slytherin had won back the Quidditch Cup at long last, after several years of struggling against the Gryffindors.

Theodore was enjoying himself, too. He had to admit that thumping Draco so hard in the back that he managed to knock out all his breath, under pretence of congratulating him, was definitely both amusing and entertaining. But, all the same, it seemed that the Party was missing something.

Then, all of a sudden, Theodore realized it; but of course. It was the absence of –

Luna Lovegood.

Another Uninteresting Class
Theme # 66 – Pace


Hagrid was striding at the head of a class at a pace that was extremely difficult to keep up with. Theodore Nott half-ran behind him, trying not to fall behind.

He nearly stumbled, only to straighten up and see that Hagrid had still not slowed down. He followed at a pace he didn’t usually maintain while walking.

Thestrals. So that was what Hagrid had been so keen to show them. As most of the others looked around confusedly, Theodore slumped against the wall of the paddock.

They were just a bunch of animals. Really. Who cared about them, anyway.

Unbeatable
Theme # 67 – Quell


Not seeing where he was going, Theodore crashed head-first into somebody. “Watch where you’re going,” he hissed.

“That’s not too nice of you,” a vague voice replied. Theodore looked up to see Luna. Oh-oh.

“Yeah, it isn’t,” he said sarcastically. “Which is why you’d better keep out of my way.”

“A sworlugwot must have gotten you,” Luna continued, turning away. “They make you forget your way, and collide with others.”

Theodore had no response – There was one thing you could say about Luna Lovegood, he thought, watching her figure in the distance.

You couldn’t anger her … – And you couldn’t quell her,

Just Adorable
Theme # 87 – Plaid


Draco didn’t like Plaid in the least – Which accounted for his scowl, which was now slowly deepening, as he eagerly opened his Christmas Present from Theodore, only to reveal a Plaid shirt.

“Nott,” he called over to the bed next to his, where another boy was lying. “What the –?” came the groggy response, as Theodore stirred.

“You know I absolutely hate Plaid,” Draco replied, disgustedly.

“Oh, I forgot,” Theodore responded with a smirk, closing his eyes again and pulling his blanket over himself, but his tone seemed to make it more than just clear that he had not really forgotten.

Savouring a Sweet Tooth
Theme # 88 – Sweet Tooth


After spending hours over the matter, Theodore still couldn’t decide what Luna would adore as a Christmas Present. His best guess so far had been a pair of mismatching socks, but he could not bring himself to send her that.

In the end, he almost gave up; almost, but not quite.

“Kreacher,” he shouted, and the elf appeared, muttering and frowning. “Make sure this reaches Luna Lovegood,” he told the elf, handing him a box of candy, wrapped in a beautiful golden sheet of paper.

He’d decided she would enjoy it – After all, who didn’t enjoy savouring their sweet tooth?

Glittering Silver
Theme # 31 – Dress Robes


The sun peeked out from underneath a blanket of silvery clouds, sending a shower of golden rays below. Theodore Nott entered Madam Malkin’s Robe Shop, looking around. He needed a new set of dress robes. He just wasn’t sure what colour to choose.

As he ran his fingers over a deep jade robe, intending to buy it, he noticed someone leaving the shop – Luna; there was a pair of spangled silver robes in her hands. He turned away from the jade robes, not wanting to buy them any longer.

Glittering silver – That was what he was looking for, now.

Canary Creams
Theme # 30 – Feast


The Slytherin House Table erupted in a volcano of noise as, in the very midst of the table, Vincent Crabbe suddenly turned into a huge canary, sprouting feathers. A few moments later, though, he returned to his usual sluggish self, looking extremely disgruntled.

“Those stupid Weasleys and their canary creams,” Draco hissed furiously, glaring at the Gryffindor Table.

In the corner of his own table, absolutely unnoticed, Theodore couldn’t help laughing his head off. He would have to thank those two, sometime, for selling him those creams; the scenario had been more entertaining than he had expected it to be.

Of Natural Curiosity and Pensieves
Theme # 29 – Pensieve


Theodore Nott stepped inside the Headmaster’s office, wondering why he had been called there. Entering, he looked around, only to find the place empty. An eerie glow flitted out of a cabinet nearby, and natural curiosity made him want to walk over to it, and see what it was.

He slowly edged towards it, and opened the cabinet. There was an ancient Pensieve inside it. His fingers were almost touching the silvery substance swirling inside, when he heard footsteps behind him. He turned around, hastily shutting the cabinet.

Dumbledore had arrived, and he could only wonder what memories the Pensieve had contained.

Not Dragonhide
Theme # 16 – Dragonhide gloves


Theodore Nott slipped on his dragonhide gloves as he squeezed the puss out of the beans that Professor Sprout had provided them.

“I’m not touching this stuff,” Pansy whined from the other end of the room, refusing to go near the tray she was supposed to be sharing with Draco.

Theodore suddenly had an idea. “Hey, Pansy, don’t you wanna join me?” he called out. That did the trick – Pansy hurried over immediately, looking triumphant. Theodore passed her a pair of gloves.

As she slipped them on, Thedore smirked – Little did she know they weren’t dragonhide gloves.

Herbology Tales
Theme # 7 - Care of Magical Creatures


"Oi! Theodore."

Theodore Nott turned around as someone shouted his name at him from behind, heaving a sigh when he saw who it was. God, he hated Pansy Parkinson. The girl in question, however, seemed to have other things on her mind as she made her way towards him.

"Look, what I found," she said, holding up a pair of gloves.

"What?" Theodore asked, innocently.

"The gloves you gave me in Care of Magical Creatures class."

"Herbology," he corrected her.

Pansy smirked. "Whatever. I'm not stupid, Theodore. I passed them on to Draco."

Theodore bit his lip. Uh uh.

Countryside Gold
Theme # 80 - Author's Choice


The fields ran wild with green and yellow, hordes of golden mustards settled amidst the tall grasses.

- Theodore Nott loved the countryside.

"It's good to be here, you know, mum," he said, his voice low, looking up at Lavonne Nott. The young mother smiled, nodding her agreement.

"Absolutely, Theo. It's a lovely place."

Yes. It was a lovely place. The green soothed the eye, stretching for miles and miles in never-ending line. The blue was calming, too, especially after a hectic day of Quidditch and magic.

Oh, and the yellow reminded him of Luna Lovegood's hair.

Of Cauldron Tales
Theme # 17: Cauldron


Steam was now rising from the surface of every cauldron in the classroom. Snape swished past, his robes flapping around his knees even though there was no wind, a mass of blackness and mystery.

Reaching Pansy's cauldron, he paused. He hardly ever rebuked a Slytherin, but Pansy's potion was more than just a mess: it was a disaster.

"And what may this be, Miss Parkinson?"

"The Essence of, uhh, Sleep?" Pansy said doubtfully.

Back in his seat, Theodore sniggered. Little did Snape know what he had passed her in place of the beetle powder she had asked for.

Unsaid Cores
Theme # 19: Wand

The eleven year old was tall for his age. Very tall. Ollivander's pale eyes surveyed him in the darkness.

"This wand might suit you, Mr. Nott," he said slowly. He was right - It did.

"Thirteen inches, cherry wood, core of thestral feather and -" he paused.

"And?" Theodore sounded bored.

But Ollivander was busy packing his wand now, and no response came. He handed it over, and Theodore did not linger; he was gone as soon as he had it, clearly unexcited.

Ollivander stared after him, long and hard.

The boy was going to be a great wizard, some day.

Fairytale Dreams
Theme # 20: Hogsmeade


"Hogsmeade is amazing, isn't it, Theodore?" Pansy was saying brightly. She knew he loved the place - The perfumes in the air, the laughter in the shops, the rows over rows of brick chimneys belching out puffs of thick, gray smoke.

They were like pictures out of fairytales, and Theodore had never missed an opportunity to make the best out of his visits there. He nodded.

Pansy smiled, feeling triumphant. It was just as good she didn't notice what his gaze was fixed at: In the distance, stood Luna Lovegood, a stray twig rolling down her long, yellow hair.