Walking back towards our dorms, we all spotted Goyle and Crabbe who were looking worse for the wear than regular Monday mornings can produce.
"Goyle, Crabbe! Where have you two been? Breakfast has just ended and food will no longer appear on the tables."
With a panicked countenance, they both glanced at each other before looking towards me with teary eyes.
"Well what's wrong? Speak up lads!" I encouraged.
"I-It's p-peeves. He-"
"No stuttering now. You're no longer children, but wizards! Say it again."
"It was Peeves! First he asked if we wanted cake, then he said if we could answer his riddles - he would give us a basket with flavours in all colours! We spent the entire time answering his riddle, but when we finished one he gave us this!"
Goyle answered and raised an arm carrying the basket. It was filled to the brim with flavours and colours indeed! For in it were aubergines, tomatoes, bell peppers, purple yams, etc.
Ahh I see. All I asked of him was to stall them enough with riddles in order for me to prank the treats I would give them vegetable-flavoured. (Along with a small bribe of a Screaming Yoyo: Mountain goat edition, but no one needs to know that.)
But for him to have let them go with a single riddle… perhaps even he hadn't expected them to take this long either.
"*Gasp* Oh no! Vegetables! Good thing I packed these for later."
Taking large bundles from my pockets wrapped in table napkin, I opened them up to reveal treacle tarts, cauldron cakes, pumpkin pastries, honey-butter chicken, and shepherd's pie.
"Here. You can have these! In exchange, I want you both to tell me and only me every time you meet with Peeves. I want to out-prank him, you see!"
They both enthusiastically nodded their heads and took the bundles of food from my arms.
There was a spike of magic from both of them that chanted 'Savior! Savior!', and I didn't hesitate to grab them and yank them towards me. I won't even bother to harness their loyalty slowly like the others.
There's no point. It's just way too easy.
Now whenever they get hungry, the first person they will think of is me. And the more I feed them, the more their loyalty grows. It's just too easy with these two.
"Now quickly, eat on your way back! We should all prepare for Prof. Snape's class!" I said as I ushered them away. To which they hastily nodded their head and started munching on their way back to the dorms.
A few seconds later I heard a retching noise made by Crabbe (presumably from the Courgette-flavored couldron cake I made specifically for him. Afterall, I couldn't have Peeves targeting me for lying about pranking someone.)
Theodore grabbed my sleeve, and I turned to face him.
Ah… for some reason, Theodore also has the same 'Savior! Savior!' eyes. But I couldn't have accidentally pulled his magic this time, could I?
"What is it, frère?"
Theodore's palm clenched my sleeve tighter then he bit his lip.
"--nk --u." His lips barely moved as he reluctantly spoke.
???
"What?" I urged him to clarify his words.
Releasing his hold on my sleeve, Theodore covered his mouth with a half-closed fist and cleared his throat.
"Thank you."
??? I studied his face closer due to his odd remark. His ears were starting to redden as blood rushed to his head, and his eyes were steering clear of my line of gaze.
He's definitely shy or embarrassed and excited at the same time. And yet, I just can't comprehend why.
"...You're welcome."
I waited for him to respond, however the only thing he did was stare at me expectantly.
"... Would you like me to take them off your hands?"
"YES PLEASE!!! No take backs!" Theodore exclaimed as he hastily shook my hand.
"... none offered?" I replied in confusion, reiterating the words I spoke to Baise during breakfast..
Theodore's grin spread even wider. I could definitely sense a change in his magic's behaviour towards me as he shook my hand ever more enthusiastically. His loyalty has definitely grown stronger and it just makes me wonder - what on earth happened between Theodore, Gregory, and Crabbe when they were younger???
I turned towards Blaise seeking some sort of clarification, yet it seemed as though he was also quite bewildered by Theodore's excessive response. But there was also a look of resolution in his eyes as he stared at me expectantly. It was as though he was viewing me as some sort of benevolent messiah who would grant him gifts in the future for as long as he was faithful.
…
I… I turned a blind eye.
It can't be helped. There is only so much I can handle in a single morning. Ah right. There was also something interesting Theodore mentioned over breakfast.
Turning to face Theodore whose eyes were still shining, I was momentarily hesitant to ask.
"... Theodore. Earlier you mentioned Prof. Snape was once your potions' governor. Could it be-? (is he your Godfather?)"
I trailed my question off, wanting him to confirm my suspicions without leaking any information in case I was wrong.
"?? Truthfully, I learned of it by pure chance and will only speak of this because you asked."
Theodore leaned in closer, wary of prying ears, and voiced barely above a whisper.
"Father never wanted him to teach me- given his uncertain lineage. But mother seemed to be convinced of his credibility, more so than mere capability could create considering pureblood values. Hence why father fired him after mother passed. So yes. I believe he's a half-blood. But considering he never bothered to announce it, I did not deem it wise to pry any further. Afterall, he is in charge of our grades and I need as many O's as I can get."
"'pureblood' values, Theodore?" I smirked.
Theodore pursed his lips as his voice rose in a blaming tone.
"Don't pretend you don't know Tom. You're the one who emphasised the difference between true strength and appearance."
"That I have. Then let us make haste. The more we review, the more points we can harvest, and the more we can take the piss out on those lions." Smiling smugly, I patted them both on their backs urging them forward.
"Studying 'just' to take the piss on those lions? I can already physically feel my grades improving." Theodore sneered as he rubbed his hands together menacingly.
"Kekekekeke." Zabini snickered, no doubt enjoying the thought as well.
Ufufufufu~ I never realized they were both such enjoyable company in their first year! But then again, I never truly got to know them until the end of our third year. Such a shame. But I'm glad to have gotten closer to them much earlier on in this life. It looks like repeating Hogwarts wouldn't be as much of a bore as I had initially expected~