laconic • t.nott ✓

05 ➺ dark mark and slug club

「 DARK MARK AND SLUG CLUB 」

RIGHT AFTER LUNCH THE NEXT day, Theo left the Great Hall and hovered near the large doors, trying to make himself as invisible as possible. He didn't wish to be seen by Blaise – his anger from last night still remained, especially because he had forgiven Blaise initially, only for him to take advantage of that.

He wished he had remained angry with him.

The other students shuffled past him slowly, speaking in low voices, heads bowed. Theo stood in the shadows, making himself inconspicuous, but kept his eyes on the people that walked out of the Great Hall.

He spotted her soon, looking small and yet so bright amidst the dark aura of the castle, walking with a girl with fiery red hair and a boy with blonde hair and several scars adorning his face. Theo pressed his lips. How was he going to speak to her?

Gathering up his courage, he stepped forward and blocked their way. Neville looked suddenly alert, but Ginny Weasley flared up and drew her wand, its tip dangerously close to Theo's nose. But he ignored them and looked at Luna, who looked oddly unfazed.

"May I have a word with you?" he asked.

Before Luna could answer, Ginny spoke up. "I believe you can say it in front of us."

Theo hesitated for a moment. But really, what chance did he have against two angry Gryffindors?

"As you wish," he shrugged, then focused his eyes on Luna's. He hoped she would listen. "Luna, I'm sorry about the other day."

"For what?" she asked.

Theo was puzzled. Was she messing with him? It took him a moment to realise that she hadn't actually forgotten the incident, but was asking him what exactly it was that he was apologising for. He shuffled his feet, gulping visibly. "For – for being a prick. I should have said something, I shouldn't have let Blaise speak to you like that. I'm sorry."

The wand in front of his face remained motionless, making him very uncomfortable. But out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Neville shifting slightly. He didn't look so threatening anymore. Ginny, on the other hand, was a completely different story.

As Luna stepped forward slightly, she blocked her, standing between her and Theo. "How do you know he's not bluffing?" she asked her, looking at her over her shoulder. Theo had to admit he was impressed. He suddenly remembered the time when Ginny Weasley had used the Bat Bogey Hex on Blaise, leaving him to be chased by bats for hours. It shouldn't be funny, but the memory brought a smile to his face. Maybe because he was so mad at him.

"What's so funny?" Ginny barked, effectively wiping the smile off his face.

Luna pushed aside Ginny and came forward. "Ginny, it's okay," she told her, placing a hand on her shoulder reassuringly. "If he's bluffing, I'll let you hex him into oblivion. But for now, please let me speak to him."

Ginny didn't seem to like the idea, but Neville persuaded her to drop her wand and then pulled her away. They didn't go very far though, just enough to be out of earshot, but still capable of keeping an eye on the two.

Luna smiled at him. "Sorry about that. Ginny is very protective of her friends."

Theo knew she didn't mean to dig at him, but her words brought a wave of guilt to wash over him. He slid his hands into his pockets, slouching his shoulders. "Look, I won't try to justify Blaise's behaviour, nor mine. I just want to say that I really am sorry. You don't deserve a friend like me."

Theo probably would have said more, but suddenly Luna's arms came around him and he was engulfed in a warm hug. He was so bewildered that he didn't react in any way, remaining completely frozen. After a few minutes of stunned silence, he hugged her back.