GLORY // book one

- PART 4 -

THEO

~

THE NAME HARRY MEANS ruler. And I think that's what Potter believes he is. A ruler. Except, I am not a subject, and he doesn't wear a crown. In my opinion, he was nothing but a spoiled boy who thought himself great. Many Slytherins shared my thoughts, but many of them also had a misplaced God complex themselves. I don't think myself a God or Queen, I never have and never will. I act like it, sure, but who doesn't act like they're more than they are?

Right now, however, with Harry James Potter staring at me, while I felt as though I might puke for two different reasons, it was hard to act Godly. "What the fuck are you talking about, Potter?"

"Letting Seamus' sister sit with him at dinner." He explained, smiling. "It was a nice thing for you to do, Theo."

I flipped him the bird, rolling my eyes. "Her whining in the Common Room was annoying me. I didn't want to deal with her all dinner. Simple as that, idiot."

"Sure, Theo, I—"

"That's not my name, you dumb fu—"

"Miss Black, Mr. Potter, is their a reason for your loitering?" Moody's growling voice interrupted my insult as he hobbled towards us.

I glared at the professor, digging my nails into my palms. "I'm just talking to my little cousin, Mad-Eye. He had a bad dream last night, crying, screaming, he even wet the bed—"

"Knock it off, Theo." Harry huffed, smile fading. Good. "We were just talking, sir. We'll be back to dinner shortly."

"Speak for yourself, Potter." I snorted, moving from where I leaned against the wall. "I'm going."

"Going where, Miss Black? Dinner isn't over—"

"I'm sick—"

"Sick?"

I fought back a smirk, staring at Mad—Eye. "Blood is currently rushing from my va—"

"Enough!" Moody snapped his head back, looking appalled. "You're excused, Miss Black."

I snorted, striding towards the dungeons. I had about a dozen different excuses I could have used, but the whole monthly-pain-explosion worked every time without fail. Once, I even got a pass from Filch when I claimed I was going to the Medical Wing for . . . supplies after curfew.

I sighed as I walked through the dungeons, a shiver shaking through me. I regretted leaving my robe behind, pulling down the sleeves I had earlier rolled up to my elbow. A thump was heard from the darkness, followed by scratching, prompting me to hurry inside the Common Room. I didn't know what the other noise was, but the scratching was a tell-tale noise made by rats.

If there was one creature I hated more than anything, it was rats. The beady eyes, long tails— disgusting. Spiders, worms, moths— all of those were fine by me. But rats grossed me out tremendously. Thankfully, wards prevented rodents from entering the Dorms and Common Room, leaving it clean and keeping pets outside or at homes. But the Dungeons . . . I swear they were filled with all sorts of nasty things. Ones I didn't care to find.