Characters
Intro
I had been sitting in the library for exactly twenty-three minutes when she appeared.
I knew because I'd been counting.
Theodore Nott didn't enjoy being interrupted.
Especially not while reading.
She wandered between the shelves with an expression far too cheerful for a Slytherin, humming quietly to herself as though the library were some sort of sunny meadow instead of a cold stone room.
Then she noticed me.
Her face lit up.
Oh, brilliant.
She walked straight toward my table.
“Hi.”
I looked at her.
“Hello.”
She smiled.
I returned my attention to my book.
She didn't leave.
I turned a page.
Still there.
I finally looked up. “Can I help you?”
“I don't think so.”
“Then why are you standing there?”
She shrugged. “You looked lonely.”
“I was enjoying being lonely.”
“Oh.”
She smiled again.
I frowned.
She pulled out the chair opposite me and sat down.
“You're Theodore Nott, aren't you?”
“Yes.”
“I'm Aurora Lovegood.”
“I know.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “You know me?”
“You're Draco Malfoy's cousin.”
“Ah.”
She grinned.
“Does that mean we're practically friends?”
“No.”
She laughed softly.
I stared at her.
There was something deeply wrong with this girl.
“You're very serious,” she said.
“You're very loud.”
“I whispered.”
“You're still loud.”
She covered her mouth to hide another laugh.
I tried to return to my book.
“Why are you smiling?” I muttered.
“Because you're funny.”
“I wasn't joking.”
“I know.”
I looked at her again.
She was still smiling.
Not mockingly. Not smugly.
Just… happily.
As if happiness were the easiest thing in the world.
I couldn't understand it.
“You're strange,” I said.
“So I've been told.”
“And you don't mind?”
“No.”
“Why?”
She tilted her head.
“Why would I?”
I had no answer.
She reached for a book on the table between us.
I moved it away.
“That's mine.”
“I wasn't going to steal it.”
“You were touching it.”
“I was looking.”
“Look with your eyes.”
She laughed again.
I sighed and returned to my reading.
After a moment, she leaned closer.
“Theodore?”
“What?”
“You should smile.”
I stared at her.
She smiled wider.
“I think you'd look nice.”
I shut my book.
She blinked.
“I've changed my mind.”
“About what?”
“You're not strange.”
“Oh?”
“You're unbearable.”
She beamed.
“Thank you.”
I stared at her for a long moment.
I already knew I was going to regret meeting Aurora Lovegood.
And somehow, judging by that ridiculous smile, she seemed perfectly happy about it.
Release Date 2026.08.14 / Last Updated 2026.08.14