[forty eight]

Theodore Nott was the last to the Gryffindor table on Thursday morning. If anyone was taking note, Theo has actually always been the last to the breakfast table for the past week. As he approached, Celine made space for him between her and Blaise. Theo kissed her cheek in greeting.

From where they were seated, they could see Gregory Goyle smirking widely at a very loved-up Millicent Bulstrode. " changed." Blaise said thoughtfully, stuffing his mouth with a piece of toast

Harry glanced back, getting a good look at Goyle, who was now being fed some eggs by Millicent "Stop looking." Ron hissed at him

"Nothing's changed." Draco agreed, giving Hermione a pointed look "I told you there was no reason to be suspicious."

"You mean besides the fact that he smirks weird? And now has a limp?" Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, and challengingly looked at every Slytherin on the table, daring them to contradict her.

"That is kind of fishy." Theo agreed "Goyle never really smirked that way."

"Who even takes note of how someone smirks?" Draco made a face

"Look, whether something's changed or not, I say we stay cautious." Ginny huffed stubbornly "As of now, the only people we can truly trust with anything are the people in our room."

"I agree with her." Viktor nodded "A hundred percent."

"You have no problems. You barely talk to anyone outside our circle." Pansy rolled her eyes "Goyle's our friend."

"Look, all we're asking is that you remember the unbreakable vow you made." Harry said pointedly "Unless, of course, you want to die an untimely death. Fine by me."

", thanks for the concern, Harry." Astoria muttered, but Harry only shook his head in frustration.

If he was being honest, Theo's mind wasn't really on the current topic, or it was, but not exactly. His mind was on the last fire message his father had sent.

Be ready for what? The birds disappearing or Goyle coming back? Be ready for an attack? A betrayal?

After all these months on the run, with zero communication, his father decides to come back with several extremely vague fire messages. The least his dad could do was offer some real help.

Theo looked around, scanning the hall for a certain black bird, but all he saw were the several owls dropping off their packages and messages.

"Never mind this topic. We may not agree on who the traitor is, but we can all agree that we can only truly trust the people in our circle." Celine waved it off "Let's talk about the parties. Several people have already sent their RSVP's."

Pansy grinned "I also managed to get McGonagall to agree to a little shopping trip at Diagon Alley next week to help us get ready for Hermy and Draco's party."

"What? How?" Elena frowned in confusion

"I have my ways, Ivanova." Pansy smirked "Celine's only making Hermione's dress, not every one else's. Of course we need clothes."

"Are you sure it's a good idea to be leaving the castle now?" Theo narrowed his eyes "I'm surprised even McGonagall's alright with the idea."

"Look, we don't even know where the thing is anymore." Pansy shrugged nonchalantly "You guys also mentioned the lack of birds swarming around. I say we're in the clear."

Harry, Ron and Hermione shared looks, knowing full well about the implications of the calm before the storm. It was always in moments of peace like this that darkness is brewing in the sidelines, waiting to attack. Hermione sighed "Alright, but only for half the day. I don't want to leave the castle undefended."

"There are aurors everywhere." Celine pointed out "I think we'll be fine."

Harry pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration "We'll be fine until we aren't." He muttered. All he really wanted as a peaceful, drama-free year, but who was he kidding? He was Harry Potter.

"Alright, we'll split up, then. Cover more ground that way." Pansy nodded, she was talking about shopping like it was supposed to be some mission.

"Isn't that how people die in films?" Hermione made a face

"What films?" Draco looked confused

"Never mind." Hermione sighed

"Nobody's dying, Hermy." Blaise rolled his eyes, though something at the back of his mind told him not to promise things like that.

"Okay. So, like I said, we'll split up. Boys, go do your thing with your dress robes and ladies, we'll go find our dresses." Pansy said, getting their attention again "I'd prefer something custom-made, of course, but we haven't got the time. Something from the racks will do."

"Well, Celine's got my dress covered. So, maybe I should just stay behind?" Hermione offered "Wouldn't it be wise to have someone here? Besides, I have to go over the prefect pairs again."

"Like I said, ." Celine pointed out "If you have no interest in dress shopping, perhaps you can help the boys pick their dress robes."

"Who said we needed helping?" Draco scoffed "I'm offended you don't think my taste is enough."

"Shut up, Draco, I'm trying to convince your fiancée to come." Celine rolled her eyes at him. Perhaps, she and Blaise were more alike than they'd like to admit.

"It's okay, Hermione. I think Neville won't mind revising the nightly patrol schedule for you and Draco." Ginny's eyes gave Hermione a silent message

Hermione just sighed in nodded "I suppose Ron would need help picking his robes."

Draco almost spit his orange juice in surprise, his face light with amusement as Ron protested "Hey! What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means," Draco cleared his throat, smirking at Ron "Hermione doesn't trust your taste."

"Well, he went after Lavender Brown. Who can blame Hermione for questioning his taste?" Blaise snickered, earning him a smack on the shoulder from Ron

"You guys are ruthless." Ron rolled his eyes, but there was a slight grin tugging at the edges of his lips. Even Harry found the comment amusing.

Theo, on the other hand, looked far too deep in thought to have heard any of their teasing "Hey, everything okay?" Celine whispered to him

Theo broke from his trance and met her concerned eyes, soft blue orbs looking at him "Yeah, I am." Theo gave her a smile, hoping it was convincing enough.

"Theodore Nott, I know every crevice of your soul and heart." Celine said quietly, her fingers tugging at his hand gently "You haven't been fine this past week."

"Just worried, is all." Theo shook his head "Don't stress yourself over it."

"If you insist." Celine sighed half-heartedly "Though, you do know you can tell me anything, right?"

"Of course, Celine." Theo said, his eyes darting over to where Goyle seemed to be watching them

Around them, their friends were too busy happily teasing each other to notice. Theo cleared his throat and averted his eyes, trying to pretend like he didn't see by joining the conversation.