Characters: Theodore Nott Location: Hogwarts Castle Time: Around 5am; Thursday Rating: PG, suggestions of animal cruelty Status: Complete
Theodore’s eyes opened in the dark. It took a moment for them to adjust to the lack of sunlight as he stared up at the canopy over his bed. He could hear the other boys still asleep in their own and for just a second Theodore considered closing his eyes, turning around and going back to sleep. His eyes flickered to the window, where the curtains were drawn. It wouldn’t have made much of a difference; it was still far too early for the sun. Instead, small slivers of moonlight filtered through the cracks, but not enough to illuminate the room or indeed wake a slumbering boy. No, it must mean it was time to get up.
It didn’t take long for Theodore’s eyesight to adjust to the light, or lack thereof, and even less time for him to acknowledge the need to start a new day. Throwing back the covers, Theodore sat up in bed and slid his legs out from beneath his blankets his bare feet landing on the hard wood floor. He reached out for the clock on his bedside table to the left of the bed. Unable to make out the time in the dark, he found the alarm easily enough and flipped the switch. As per usual, Theodore had likely woken up a few minutes before his alarm, and had no intentions on waking up the rest of his roommates with his morning routine. Standing up, Theodore stretched, not making a sound. Rolling his head, Theodore reached for his wand, lying securely in its place on his bedside table. Walking across the wooden floor, Theodore’s foot falls were measured, even and silent as he made it to the trunk at the foot of his bed.
Finding his school robes were easy enough, freshly washed and folded, lying on top of his schoolbooks, though it took a few moments to find something a little more appropriate for the task at hand. Laying his robes to the side, Theodore found his casual robes and closed the trunk slowly, so as not to make any noise. He then laid his school robes and hat on top of his trunk before turning toward the bath. With a few strides he was across the room at the door to the bath, robes and wand in hand.
A quarter of an hour later, Theodore emerged from the bath, showered, dressed and ready for the day. With the light out before he headed back into the dormitory, Theodore was once again acutely aware of his movements across the floor as he gathered his supplies. There was his wand, a vital necessity, the ledger his father had given him years ago, where Theodore kept a daily track of his exercises, a self-inking quill and his pocket watch. Finally, grabbing his shoes, he headed for the door. Glancing over at the other beds, Theodore’s eyes briefly flickered over Draco’s bed, to the right of his own separating him from Crabbe and Goyle. Though the downward twitch of his lips were not noticeable in the dark, his gaze quickly shifted toward the other occupants in the room, not wanting to think about his former friend at the moment. They were still breathing regularly, and so reaching for the knob, he turned it slowly before slipping out of the dormitory
It wasn’t until he was out in the hall that Theodore bothered to put on his shoes. It was a habit, picked up after years of waking up early and sneaking out of his room in the middle of the night. He then reached into his pocket, fingers clutching for his pocket watch so he could briefly glance at his watch. 5:23, not bad. He flipped open the ledger, made a quick note in the book before tucking watch, and quill back into his robes pockets. With the book under his arm, Theodore headed along the Slytherin boys’ hallway before merging out into the common room. Moonlight bouncing off the Hogwarts lake streamed through the small windows in the far side of the room, the fire in the fireplace having gone out hours ago, giving the common room an unearthly glow. It was empty, as always, though that didn’t stop Theodore from glancing around, verifying that everything was in its place. With a flick of his wand and a murmured spell, an errant book was back on its shelf, before Theodore murmured Lumos to illuminate the end of his wand. It took another moment for his eyes to adjust to the new source of light, but again, he verified he was alone before heading for the exit to the Slytherin common room.
This routine - repeated daily for the last seven years of his Hogwarts schooling - was familiar to Theodore, and even as he moved along the dungeon corridors, his wand in hand, he could just as easily have found his way in the dark. With the common room and dormitory out of bounds for early morning activities - not really wanting to risk waking the house nor having to battle furniture, Theodore had found and empty classroom, not far from the regular Potions classroom that he tended to use in the mornings. He was there within minutes, stopping only long enough to drop off the ledger and quill before heading straight back out.
That wasn't on the agenda yet. Instead he headed out of the castle through the main doors and out into the front courtyard. The moon was brighter out in the open and Theodore was having no trouble seeing the path. Tucking his wand back into its usual pocket, he picked out his watch, making note of the time before taking off at an easy pace. The jog quickly started to pick up pace as he moved along the path down the cliffside and further down toward the lake. His usual jogging route would take him around the lake a couple of times before heading back inside.
As a warm-up the jog was usually a good start to the day, getting his blood pumping and muscles moving for what lay ahead. As he now broached the lake, Theodore mind started to focus on the day. With his body soon switching into automatic pilot, he ran along the path, still somewhat aware of his surroundings even as his thoughts started to run free. It was a Thursday which meant Potions just after breakfast followed by Charms and Potions Club in the afternoon. It was an easy enough day, despite the double potions, which would allow him to complete some of the coursework before the weekend. Despite not having much on at the weekend, Theodore preferred not to leave everything until the last moment, weekends could allow him the possibility on getting an early start on future essays, or getting in some much needed studying. NEWTs may be months away, but like his future it loomed ahead of him and all the other 7th years.
Rounding the south side of the lake, Theodore's thoughts started to turn toward the future. It left so much in the air. He didn't doubt his marks, he'd always been quite adept at his studies, and although he may not be the top student, he was certainly quite close and he knew he was going to get the marks he'd need. In the end, Theodore knew exactly where he was heading: the Hit Wizarding Training Programme at the Ministry of Magic. He'd had his eye on the position for years, and although his father still intended that Theodore take over his portfolio, it was not something he would do. At least not now. His father had all that time to make a name for himself, and it was his time now.
The next two years would be difficult, he knew that well; the training programme was not an easy one, and Theodore was determined to make it through. Although the job itself was certain to have its challenges, he was looking forward to the meeting; to the growth that it would require. Of course the mark he intended to make for the sake of the Nott name was always on the forefront of his mind. He may be the last in a very long and proud lineage but he had every intention on more than just keeping the name and spending the fortune that came with it. No, he would increase that fortune, amass a reputation and make the name one that would be associated with greatness. Failure was not an option for a Nott, and whatever blip there may be on the road, he was determined not to tear asunder generations of hard work.
Theodore rounded the north edge of the lake, coming close to his starting point, pumping his arms harder as he picked up pace a little. Of course it would mean taking wife as well, one that could bring prestige, a strong lineage and could ensure the future of the Nott name. There weren't many women like that in this world and fewer yet in Britain. It wasn't an easy selection process and not one that he wished to make in haste. Though Theodore himself hadn’t given the matter too much though, save the occasional owls from his father. At the very least his father knew his temperament well enough to make a more informed decision. Even so, he didn’t quite understand the need for haste, most people did not get married at 18, and he’s always thought it would be something that would happen when he was in his early 20s and properly settled. Yes, he had plenty of money in the vaults, but training was bound to be difficult, and he didn’t see the point in attempting to purchase a home and other necessities whilst he would be otherwise occupied. The long hours and extra work he’d be expected to complete would hardly be conducive. Besides he still had a many years ahead of him, and sometimes he did wonder whether his father had the right idea with marriage at fifty.
Thoughts turned briefly to Pansy as he finished his first lap. He frowned; his pace picking up again. The way she moved, the way she talked, the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed, the way her mind worked, and how she always seemed to know the right thing to do or say; there were so many things about her that had drawn him to her over the years. Friendship first, they’d played together when they were children, he hadn’t even noticed when the feelings had crept up on him. Theodore cared deeply about her, more than any person he could ever remember, but it wasn't going to matter. Not in the long term. At some point she would realise just how problematic the situation was and things would end. Duty was forefront in his mind, and likely in hers. What the Supreme Lord desired would come to pass, and he knew it would be for the best, regardless of what his heart might think to the contrary. The way she was talking lately, he was certain that end was nearer than he'd dared imagine. He could only hope not to be cut out of her life forever. There were so few people left in his life he truly cared about and he wasn’t going to lose another.
For a moment, Theodore slowed before picking up his pace again. He wasn't going to turn into Draco. There were lines that he’d crossed that had only served to bring about his fate. Not one that he necessarily deserved, though Theodore could see the logic and knew well that the slightest mistakes could cost dearly, but there was still a shadow of Draco, a part of him that would always be a friend. He couldn't do that to his family. His father may be the only thing he had left, but Theodore needed to make him proud, needed to make him see just how ready he was. His father was a hard man, a warrior and a business man with great expectations, ones that Theodore fully intended to meet. He had to, there was no other way. His mother’s face soon floated into his mind and for a second, Theodore stumbled. He caught himself in time, but sped up even more, turning what had been a warm-up run into a run for his life. He didn’t want to think about her. Pushing her out of his mind, only seemed to make matters worse as he now recalled his last memories of her; her body bloodied, her smile serene.
Teddy
Theodore shook his head, as if it would release her memories, and started to slow again. He was nearing the castle and had to cool down. Trying to focus, Theodore glanced at the dirt path, still difficult to see in the moonlight. He cradled her in his arms, his little face buried in her sticky, wet, blonde hair as he rocked back and forth. Slowing to a jog, Theodore started back up the path and toward the castle. He held her like that for hours; never wanting to let go. Reaching the summit, Theodore stopped for a moment, catching his breath as he stretched his tired muscles. Her body had been cold and stiff by the time they’d found him. Theodore shook out his arms and legs, pushing thought to the side again. It was a bit easier now. As his breathing regulated he glanced at his watch under the moonlight, quarter to six now.
Heading back into the castle, Theodore lit his wand again, helping to guide his way back to the dungeons. Here he could think of other things. His mind shifted as his thoughts moved to what he was doing. The path was as familiar as ever, but there were more shadows, more places for people to hide, and even as he walked, strong even strides in the quiet corridors, Theodore’s eyes scanned the darkness as he moved. Ever ready, for anything that might come; his wand was tight in his hand. There were the usual spells, the ones he preferred and they danced in his mind now, as even a part of him hoped he’d have a cause to use them. There never was though, the mornings were always quite, save the movements of portraits, the stirring of the castle and the occasional person moving in the early hours. The castle would start stirring soon, as people started to wake for the day ahead. He still had a couple of hours until breakfast, but it was best to make use of his time.
Homenum Revelio Theodore cast the spell on entering the room, having locked the door behind him. That was soon followed by various spells to help sound-proof the room and prepare it properly. Ever the perfectionist, he needed to ensure the spells were holding properly before he could start. Lowering his wand in satisfaction, he walked toward the centre of the room where a table stood with various objects, boxes and a particularly large stone. Setting his wand down next to his ledger, Theodore glanced as his pocket watch again, making a note of it in the book.
Stepping back into a more open space, Theodore started his sets of push-ups. The counting in his head kept him from thinking about much else, as he focused on his workout, making sure he was working out the correct muscle groups. That was followed by crunches, and squats before moving on to the set of weight he kept in a box on one of the shelves. The room was idea really, with unused shelving, desks, chairs which he could use over and over again. Of course, he made certain that everything was repaired, once he was done for the day, and save for the distinct lack of dust, it generally resembled the room he'd found years before.
Once he'd finished his exercise routine, Theodore turned his attention back to the objects on the table. He walked back to the centre of the room. Picked up the largest item, threw it over his shoulder before whirling around and blasting the object. One by one the other objects followed suit. Repairing them all, Theodore then began to levitate them before blasting each one again. Using them as targets, moving ones as he attempted to create a whirlwind, making targeting them more difficult.
Finally, a small smile formed on Theodore face. This was is favourite part of his morning. Pulling his pocket watch out of his pocket, Theodore glanced at it brief. He still had a good hour. Plenty of time. He picked up the large rock, placed it down before taking a few steps back. A few waives of his wand and the rock was turned into a dog. The Labrador sat back on it's haunches and tilted his head as he looked at Theodore. Smiling, Theodore levelled his wand. First a little fun, then down to the real work.