Who: Theodore Nott and Hannah Abbott
When: Slightly backdated to immediately post Quidditch-match
Where: On the Hogwarts' grounds
What: Being freaking adorable, omg
Rating: PG for o.m.f.g cute.
Status: COMPLETE!



Hannah had emerged from the Hufflepuff lockers freshly showered but looking just as dejected as her teammates. She hated this part. The losing part. Sometimes they were just so on. And it had felt good out there. So very good. They were on, scoring one right after the other, tromping Ravenclaw, really. It had seemed a sure win until stupid Summerby--wait, she checked herself, she shouldn't be insulting her teammates--but he'd missed the snitch. And by a measly thirty points, they had lost. And Hannah, though usually rather upbeat about such things, being the youngest in a family of five and used to losing in games like checkers and parcheesi, felt awful.

It was supposed to be her big comeback. Instead, it felt like a huge defeat.

She wasn't even paying attention as she tied her hair back in a ponytail on the walk back to the castle. It was really too cold to be walking around with damp hair, and she could almost hear her mother scolding her. But she was too distraught at the moment to remember any charms for drying, and instead let the cold be a numbing reminder of their loss. Somewhere, over on the other side of the pitch, the Ravenclaws were still celebrating with their friends. A good sport would've gone over to congratulate them, and maybe later in the season, Hannah might have. But instead, she kept her eyes on the ground and headed as quickly as she could up the hill towards the castle, not even stopping to chat with Megan or Melinda.

Teddy had always enjoyed a good Quidditch match though he had never fancied the idea of joining his house team. Still, he could appreciate that the Ravenclaw/Hufflepuff match had been brilliant. His class-mates clearly needed to let off steam and it was seen in the intense match. Nevertheless, his heart ached for Hannah when Ravenclaw caught the snitch. He had hung around through the various whoops or boos depending on which side was louder at any given moment, but kept his eyes peeled for Hannah. When he finally spotted her hurrying away, he rushed down the stands, trying to catch her attention without actually shouting after her. First, yelling would be terribly uncouth. Second, he'd embarrass himself.

The further she got, the faster Teddy's legs went until finally he was jogging up along side of her. "Hannah!" He panted.

Despite the fact that she'd been friends with him for a while by then and ought to be used to hearing the then familiar voice calling her name, Hannah still started as she turned to see who'd called her. "Theodore!" Never mind that she felt as if she'd just been smacked around by the Whomping Willow. Theodore Nott had just made what was obviously quite an effort to come after her.

"Hi." Anxiously, she licked her upper lip and glanced at the ground before up at him. Sure, she'd showered and changed, but she still felt all red-cheeked and tired from the long match. "Umm. So you saw the match, did you?" Well. Hopefully he didn't pick his girls on their Quidditch skill, because--wait, she didn't care about that. Oh, who was she kidding?

"Saw, yes. Clearly don't play." Teddy stopped, taking a few seconds to catch his breath. "Please never rush off like that again. I need more exercise first." He flashed that endearing smile of his, reaching a hand out to grasp Hannah's shoulder. Then he leaned in to kiss her cheek in proper greeting. "You did brilliant, love."

Already red from the match, Hannah's cheeks were positively scarlet at the brush of his lips. Someday she'd get used to that. Just not that day. "I think you may be a bit biased," she replied with a bashful look. "Megan flew loads better." She was being a bit modest, as she'd certainly scored her share of goals, but it wouldn't be polite to say that. "But thank you just the same."

"Draco Malfoy is my roommate," Teddy reminded her, chuckling. "I can't be biased when it comes to Quidditch. Besides, since when do I say things I don't mean?" It was true, too. Teddy wasn't one to shoot his mouth off so if he said something, he did indeed mean it. "Though I will admit I liked watching you the most which could be entirely biased."

At that, Hannah couldn't help beaming. "Is that right?" she asked, shooting him what she hoped was a flirtatious look. "Then I feel it's only fair to say that I feel a bit jipped. You're not a joiner, what am I supposed to watch you at?"

Teddy had never heard someone say it quite so bluntly. He wasn't sure how he felt about it either. At one time it had felt safer, but in the present? It felt silly and like he missed out. Pushing those thoughts away, he shrugged, casting a sheepish expression. "You can sit with me during Slytherin's match and just watch me applaud?" He groaned. "That was lame indeed."

Lame, maybe, but Hannah giggled for the first time since the match. A rare beast indeed, so early after a loss. Reaching out, she touched her hand to his. "You sure that wild lot of Slytherin onlookers won't be furious to find a Hufflepuff Chaser in their stands?"

Teddy tapped his chin, pretending to mull it over. "They'll likely want to maim me more than you, but Professor Lupin swears I'm doing better so I think we can risk it. Just remind me to keep my wand out." He winked kiddingly though the idea of protecting Hannah did fill him with glee. "Ohhh." He shuddered as a wind blew through. "Getting colder. And you with that wet hair…" He held his hand out.

Almost instinctively, her hand slipped through his, lacing their fingers together. "I hadn't even thought of that till I got out here," she admitted with a small shrug. "I just wanted out of there. A losing team's Quidditch locker room is never fun for anyone, let me tell you. Though...again, you share a room with Draco."

Teddy rolled his eyes though his smile betrayed his real emotions. "That bloke hates losing anything so you don't have to tell me twice about bitter Quidditch players. Think Smith will take it alright?" He wasn't sure why he mentioned Zach other than they had a few odd conversations that piqued his interest.

Hannah sighed and shrugged. Zach was a piece of work as it was, lately, she didn't want to think how a loss would affect him, even one they couldn't really have helped. But she knew she didn't want to be Summerby when he was alone with Zach. "He'll be okay, I think," she said slowly. "He's...well, it's not been his best year as it is. But I do think he'll be alright."

Teddy fell silent at that. It was no secret Zach's father was an arse. Angus had never liked Jeremiah and the more Teddy saw of Zach, the sorrier he felt for the boy. He could be an arse, for sure, but everyone deserved good parents. He held Hannah's hand a bit more tightly without even realizing it. "The points are still so close." Nearing the castle, he tugged gently at her. "I wouldn't blame you if you think I'm terribly irritating to be talking to you like this when you probably just want to be alone, but I thought maybe you'd want to talk to someone and I was hoping it would be me and…yes." It was a run-on sentence worthy of a Creevey, but Teddy couldn't help it. Hannah made him a babbling idiot.

At his tug, Hannah stepped a bit closer, finding that standing so close to him was actually quite nice there in the cold. Maybe a few good things could be said of winter after all. And though he may have thought himself a babbling idiot, Hannah found the babbling sort of wonderful. It made her feel...well, special, somehow. "Not irritating at all," she countered, tilting her head up so she could get a better look at his eyes. "I sort of hoped you'd be there. When I left, I mean. I didn't want to go looking for you, seemed a bit odd, I guess, and just sort of assuming you'd even come to the match, but..." Inhaling deeply, she smiled shyly. "But there you were."

Unable to help it, Teddy's cheeks colored. He had given up on trying to control it when she was near. It was impossible. Liking the closeness, but wanting more, he wrapped his arms around her much like he had at his birthday party. "Body heat. Can't go freezing." Granted, it wasn't that cold yet, but as good excuse as any. Her words about wanting him there filled his heart with joy and beamed. "I wouldn't have missed it for anything." He couldn't really even explain why, but there it was.

Body heat. Right. As if Hannah didn't know. But she wasn't complaining, not when she had discovered on his birthday how very perfectly she fit in his arms. As casually as she could, she let her arms slide her around his neck, keeping him close but hopefully not smotheringly so.

"I'm glad," she admitted, tilting her head and widening her eyes. She'd worked hard on that look, waiting for the perfect bloke to use it on. And she'd found one. "It means you can tolerate being with a Quidditch player, and that's an admirable quality in a man, I'd say." Well, that was a bit more blunt than she'd intended, but it was out there now, and she could always cover it up as being on a friendly basis, depending on how he took it.

Any chance Teddy had at remaining 'cool' went out the window with that comment. But, damn if he wasn't a Slytherin for something! He wanted to taste those lips. He wanted to hold her close and feel their mouths pressing together while his hands ran through her hairs…he wanted it and…Salazar that look she was giving him…

He closed his eyes, summoning every ounce of courage he possessed. His lips brushed softly against hers, his head cocked easily.

She'd known it was coming. Their postures were too perfect not to take the opportunity, and if his mum hadn't come in, they'd probably have done this at his party. But Hannah still felt a tiny rush of glee run through her as his head lowered towards hers.

It just felt right. Like she was meant to be kissing him, and who cared which Houses they were in and who their friends were and past grievances between whoever. It didn't matter that his father had been a Death Eater and her mother had been murdered by one. She was crazy about this boy and she was kissing him and it felt amazing.

Pulling back just enough to look up at him, Hannah flashed him an easy smile, letting her fingers trail lazily through the hair at the back of his neck. "Mmm," she began carelessly, "what on earth was that for, hmm?"

Teddy had thrown all caution to the wind the evening he officially 'met' Hannah. He had felt the attraction that night during the summer ball and had made no move to curb it. No, he had sought her out, commenting on journals and asking her to Hogwarts' own dance. Perhaps his father's passing had made Teddy seize the day, but, really, the reason behind it didn't matter. Angus had been a Death Eater, but Teddy had no such plans. Hannah was a muggle-born, but she was one of the prettiest and smartest witches he knew. Blood be damned; he adored her and that kiss just proved each and every last one of feelings. "Because I wanted to. And you know us Slytherins." He smirked, rubbing her back in soft circles with his hands.

"Always get what you want," Hannah recited in a sing-song tone. "Even if you have to step on people to do so? Who'd you have to step on here, Theodore? Is there some poor, defenseless third year fancying me from afar because you scared him off?" She was grinning, though, and winked to further demonstrate the fact that she was only kidding with him.

Perhaps from someone else those words would have stung, but Teddy knew she'd never mean such a thing where he was concerned. "Oh, I think there's more than just a third year lamenting…" He paused, squirming. "Us?"

Leaning in a bit, she gently squeezed him in a hug before pulling back to look at him carefully. "Us," she affirmed. "If..." Goodness, she was really going to do it. "If that's what you want. I know..." She hesitated, biting her lip before looking back up at him. "I know it's probably not going to be easy. Not all the time. But..." Giving a nervous giggle, she shrugged. "But you have to admit that was pretty nice."

"Oh, I don't know if I can admit that. You see it was what? Five minutes ago…"

Pushing her ponytail over her shoulder, she rolled her eyes. "I suppose you'd like another demonstration? Just to be sure?"

"Well if it's a put-out…" He made to move away, snickering.

"Oh no," Hannah scolded, reaching to grab him by the front of his jumper, "you're not getting away that easily." Rising up on her toes a bit, she stole the kiss this time, not even giving him a chance to pull back again.

"And they say Hufflepuffs don't fight back…" Teddy beamed, hugging her tightly again. "Merlin, thank you."

Giggling helplessly, Hannah shook her head. "I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to thank me for snogging you," she teased, leaning into his hold.

"Now that's incorrect. I do believe written somewhere in some etiquette book is that a bloke must worship at the feet of an adorable woman willing to kiss him." As if to prove his point, Teddy let his lips press against Hannah's again though this time he let them linger and really explore the taste and smell. "Thank you. See?"

Hannah was too busy melting at the feel of his lips against hers to really put up much of a fight. "Well, if kissing you is going to get my feet worshipped-and they are quite cute feet, I have to admit it-then I guess we can work something out. But you probably shouldn't do it everytime we kiss, you might give me a big head, after all."

"Oh, so we're going to do this often then?" Teddy enjoyed the easy banter, amazed at just how right it felt. "I need to work on some moisturizer charms I take it!"

Cheeks turning pink yet again, Hannah shot him a saucy look. "Well, you see, I don't know how many times you've done the 'us' thing, and I'm not running over with 'us' experience, but I'm pretty sure it's a requirement. Lots of snogging. And snuggling. And putting up with a girl who babbles away when she ought to just shut up and kiss you again."

"Plus that keeps me from babbling," Teddy added, nuzzling her cheek with his own. "Your brothers won't murder me?"

Lightly, Hannah gave him a nudge in the calf with the side of her foot. "Don't be daft," she scolded, "they're old, they don't look out for me! Miriam, on the other hand, well she's a wily one. Esther would just cheer me on and say I've found, and I quote, 'a hottie'."

Blushing crimson, Teddy laughed and groaned at the same time. "Oh Salazar. Oh…thank you. I think."

"Oh, please," Hannah scoffed. "You know you're...well. Yeah. Not that that's why I'm... Well, I'd like you anyway, even if you weren't, but that doesn't..." Oh, good grief, when did she forget how to talk? Oh, right, when she'd been close enough to smell the soap Theodore used.

No one save his mother and aunts had ever called Teddy 'cute' before. However, 'hot' was an entirely new ballgame and he rather liked that his girlfriend (girlfriend!) thought so. "And you're beautiful so I suppose we make a handsome couple as they say?" Oh, sweet Merlin, a couple. He and Hannah Abbott. It was mind-boggling.

Couple. He'd said it out loud and Hannah figured nothing made it more official than that. Well, except telling their friends. Oh, sugar, what was she going to tell her friends?

But then she looked at the smile on his face, thought about the way it felt to be in his arms, and remembered the warmth of those kisses. It didn't matter what her friends thought. If they loved her and supported her, they'd understand Theodore came along with the deal. "We'll be lovely in all the school photos," she teased, beaming at him. "Just think, everyone around us will be seething the whole jealousy thing."

"Oh, love, you know I hate being in the spotlight," Teddy complained, playing up a pout.

"Not even for me?" she asked, giving him a pout of her own. "Besides, I'm not saying run around thrusting ourselves in front of every lense there is! I'm not exactly supermodel material." Cindy Crawford, she'd never be. "But we'd be cute on film. Among other things."

"Hannah, did you hear what you just said?" Teddy burst out laughing, but hugged her hard again. "Film? Among other things?" He shook his head. "No wonder I'm crazy about you. Silly."

Wrinkling her nose, Hannah stuck her tongue out at him playfully. "Don't be a prat, I simply meant we'd be cute pretty much wherever we went. It made sense when I thought it, at least!" Sliding her arms around his waist, she found herself nestling close to him, resting her head in that perfect space between his neck and his shoulder.

Hannah wasn't the only one thinking she fit perfectly there. Teddy didn't even care if some nosey passer-by said something. He was simply enjoying the moment, a rarity with him. The previous school year had ended in hell and the summer had been worse, but that day? Hinted at a new life for Theodore Nott. One he wasn't going to miss out on this time.