Work Text:
“What the fuck is this, Nott?” Malfoy says disgustedly while holding up a glittery invitation.
“I’m throwing a slumber party!” he replies as he continues onto the next invitation. He made each invitation himself geared towards the person he was inviting. If he knew nothing about them, they had a more generic card with minimal glitter.
“Aren’t those for girls to do their hair and makeup while sitting around discussing boys?” Malfoy asked, while looking at him like he was dense.
“Yes,” he said, giving no other input. He doesn’t need any details. Malfoy’s not invited anyways. He glamoured his invitations, so boys saw a ton of glitter, rainbows, and unicorns. He loved being sneaky.
“Are you a girl, Nott? Should McGonagall transfer you to their dorm?” his face was a picture of disgust, so not different from usual.
He rolled his eyes. “No, I’m perfectly content in this dorm where I can perv on your penis.” He glanced down at Malfoy’s crotch. “Pansy did a great job embellishing some details of your tryst, didn’t she?”
Malfoy huffed and left their dorm while Theo continued on with his invitations in peace.
He handed his first three invites to Daphne, Pansy, and Tracey. They were glamorous and ritzy. He knew they would attend, being his closest Slytherin friends and all. Slytherins could not say no to spa or gossip.
“Will it just be the four of us or are you inviting more people considering the location?” Tracey asked. Always astute, that one. She probably could have been in Ravenclaw if not for her pureblood mother.
“I do plan to invite other houses. It makes for better gossip.” He could see Pansy’s eyes alight with satisfaction with this news. She loved to gossip and she was the best at prying into others’ business.
He left them to discuss and plan their attire while he left the dorms to hand out the remaining invites. He didn’t want the others to see that the invites were coming from a man, so he was discreet with his charms on floating them near or setting them in front of the seventh and eighth years that he wanted to attend. He invited all the eighth year girls. He figured they all went through a war and could use a spa day and some spilled tea.
He turned the corner to see Granger and Weasley walking his way, so he turned and found an alcove in the corridor. He yanked them in as they were walking past.
They both had their wands at his throat until they realized who he was. He should have known better to surprise war heroines.
“Jesus, Theo, what were you thinking? We could have blast your head off?” Hermione said disgruntled as she stowed her wand in her robes.
Ginny followed her actions a little slower, before raising her wand again, “who do you fancy the most from our year?”
He cast a muffliato charm before answering, “How dare your question be my biggest secret? And the fact that anyone in the corridor could have heard that question.”
She sighed and rolled her eyes, “Answer the question, Theo.” The fact that he used the muffliato charm in the first place should have triggered them.
Granger put her hand on Ginny’s arm to lower it. “He used muffliato, Ginny. Not many people, especially Slytherins know that one.” Thank you, Granger, for being the smart one here. He learned that spell from the two of them.
“What question would you rather I ask you?” Ginny asked as she tucked her wand away.
“First of all, who would want to impersonate me? A Slytherin and child of a death eater? Second, anything but that question? Who’s my favorite ghost? What body part grosses me out? Which Slytherin has the biggest dick? Anything but who I fancy.” he said mostly with love and some minor irritation, possibly the other way around.
Ginny’s eyes narrowed, “You could just say yourself or anyone, since we don’t know the answer to that.”
He glared back at Ginny, then raised an eyebrow, “are you sure about that?”
“You do have an unhealthy obsession with Rowena Ravenclaw,” Hermione added.
He shrugs, “I have some mommy problems.”
Ginny huffs in irritation. “Anyways,” she says loudly to gather our attention, “why did you yank us into this dusty alcove, Theo?”
Finally! “I wanted to personally invite you both to my slumber party that I am hosting,” he handed them each an invitation.
“You’re the one passing out these invites to the eighth years?” Ginny said with surprise. “Why would you throw a slumber party?”
“Hang out with girls and gossip. What could be better?” he replied. Ginny once again, rolled her eyes. Her eyes were just so expressive today or anytime that he was around.
“The real answer, Theo.” Hermione stated.
He let his shoulders slump, “I want my two Gryffindor friends to hang out with me Slytherin friends in one place, without me bouncing back and forth. I have a feeling that you would actually get along if you were both willing to be in the same room together. The Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs would be a buffer and who knows, maybe some of them will turn into friends too.”
“What did the Slytherin girls say?” Hermione questioned.
“Pansy loves to gossip, so the more the merrier for her. Be mindful what you say around her, she loves to pry. Tracey can get along with anyone, especially being a half-blood in a predominately pureblood house. Daphne is quiet and studious. She will go since Pansy and Tracey want to, but I would be surprised if she says much,” he told them. He felt they should at least be warned about Pansy.
Hermione and Ginny looked at each other and didn’t speak. He wishes he could have silent eye conversations with someone, someday.
“Please?” Oh, Merlin, did that come from his lips? He is assuming it was out loud since they were both looking at him now. Salazar, what am I turning into?
He sighed, “Look, come or don’t. Whatever you both want. I invited Lovegood, Abbott, Bones, the Patil twins, and all the other eighth years. I do not know who will show up, but it would be great if you could be there.” He promptly turned away from them and hastily left the alcove running directly into a hard body.
“Ooph,” came out of his lips on impact. He stumbled and looked into the eyes of a heated Ernie MacMillian and then saw Neville Longbottom rising from the ground and dusting himself off.
“Watch it, Nott,” he seethed before glancing behind him, “coming from a death eater meeting in there or were you on your knees for one?”
He licked his lips exaggeratedly before turning to Longbottom, “Sorry for knocking you over, Longbottom. Hope I didn’t cause an injury.”
“I’m fine, Nott. It was just an accident,” Longbottom said while adjusting the backpack on his shoulder.
He nodded at Longbottom in thanks before walking down the corridor towards his first class since he was assuming breakfast was over by now.
Blaise, his only male friend, sat next to him in transfiguration placing a napkin on his desk, “you missed breakfast,” he said matter of factly, “everything alright?” Blaise must have heard about the scuffle with MacMillian and Longbottom if he was asking.
“Thanks and I’m fine. It was just an accident.” He opened the napkin to see two slices of toast and an orange. He was so thankful to Blaise for watching his back this year and for bringing him some breakfast.
“And Malfoy?” he prompted.
He took out his book and some parchment for notes before replying. “He is just being a git.”
“That’s why you told him you secretly ogled his penis in our dorm?”
“He told me I should be transferred to the girls' dorm and I gave him a reason why I shouldn’t.”
All day and for the rest of the week, he heard discussion of excitement and confusion from the invitees to his slumber party. Some he found funny like how some girls from seventh year and below were jealous they didn’t get invited; while other things were sad, like the host must be trying to make friends late in the game since they asked around and no one knew who the invite was from.
He tried not to let the little jabs get to him, but he was a person with feelings anyways. Besides, he had at least six friends, but who couldn’t need more friends anyways.
~*~*~*~
Two hours before the slumber party. Theo paces three times back and forth in front of the wall to the room or requirement. The room sets up a posh trendy spa and glamping party. There are actual mattresses with canopy tents and fairy lights over the head of every bed, knowing the Slytherin’s would never sleep on the ground. The other side looks like a salon for hair, make up, and nails. Then there's a lounging area to gossip with cozy sofas and chairs around a coffee table full of fashion magazines and a side table set up with tea. There was even a buffet of treats and snacks along the back wall. It was perfect and Theo was ecstatic that everything was turning out as planned.
He awaits the party in a hidden room that has a single way mirror as a door. He watches as each guest arrives, starting with Parvati and Padma Patil. They enter the space and look around in awe, but stay pretty quiet. The next to arrive are Susan and Hannah who look equally amazed and approach the Patils with caution. He can hear them ask if they are the hosts, but the twins shake their heads. They said they believe Ginny and Hermione are because they convinced them both to go.
The Patils ask them why they showed up and Abbott's response was, “This was our first slumber party invite. We assumed it was interhouse since most of the school was discussing it. Do you think all four houses will be here tonight?”
The timing could not have been better as the Slytherin girls arrived and everyone on the couches turned to stare at them. All four houses were being represented just with this small group of seven.
They quietly walked over and hesitantly sat on a sofa together without saying anything. Theo is practically pressed to the glass waiting for something to happen, but before anyone opens their mouths. Lovegood flows into the room in a whimsical dance with spins and twirls before sitting on the end of the sofa with the Slytherins. Everyone practically gapes at her in bewilderment. Tonight will be interesting.
“Do you think any of the ghosts will be attending tonight's festivities?” Luna asks with her whimsical tone, eyes full of curiosity.
“I have no idea, Luna,” Bones responds, “We still do not know who the host of the evening is.”
Lovegood smiles, “Oh, well they are a lovely spirit and I am sure you will love their energy.”
The Hufflepuffs glance at each other, “You know who invited us?”
“Well, of course, they were not being tricky with their charms for me not to see them. They just assumed I wasn’t looking,” Lovegood explained. She was reading her Quibbler when he placed it on her desk.
“Well, who is it Luna?”
Just as she was about to say a name, Ginny and Hermione walk into the room and there is an uproar of excitement at their entrance. Another Sofa, smaller than the others, appears for them to join the rest.
He looked at his watch, the event technically started twelve minutes ago, but he was unsure how many people were due to show up from the 24 invitees. Ten was more than he thought, to be honest, it was double. However, if others arrive late - the more the merrier - right?
“Hermione, Ginny,” one of the Patils announced, “Luna was just about to tell us who our host for the evening is. Go ‘head, Luna, tell us.”
Luna smiled at the encouragement, “Why it’s Theodore Nott, of course.” He braced for their reaction.
“Nott! A guy put together this slumber party, why?” the other Patil said. It seemed only the Patil sisters that seemed outraged.
“Well, to get his friends together and to make some new friends. Why else would you have a party?” Luna tried to explain. She was surprisingly more sane and intelligent than he previously gave her credit for.
“Luna, slumber parties are usually for girls to hang out in their pajamas, eat snacks, and gossip,” a Patil said. He really needed to figure out which one was which, one was wearing pink and the other purple, so not in house colors.
“Which is everything that our Theodore, adores,” Pansy says with amusement. She is loving this so far, even if her expression looks like she’s semi-disgusted with the environment.
“So, it’s true. Nott is the host?” Abbott asks the Slytherins.
Theo walks out of the room so quietly that no one notices, well except maybe Lovegood. He smooths his Slytherin green silk pajamas and glides gracefully to the sofas, “Welcome ladies to the slumber party.”
The Patils and the Hufflepuffs gape at him in wonder with jaws practically to the floor.
He settles himself between Ginny and Hermione on the sofa, forcing them apart, which seems to fascinate the shocked attendees even more.
“I know that you are all shocked that a man, me, is hosting this gathering, especially a Slytherin one at that. However, Lovegood is correct, I wanted to bring my friends together and create some new ones in an interhouse unity type of way. We have all survived wars, in some way or another, so I wanted to bring people from all the houses together in an attempt to create friendships to help inspire the younger classes.”
“But… why would we want a guy at a slumber party?” asked Pink Patil.
Gesturing to the Slytherins, “Ladies, why don’t you tell them?”
Tracey beams with the biggest smile ever, Theo is slightly concerned for a moment, “Well, he has great fashion sense. His skin care routine is used by all of Slytherin house. Plus, he has the best gossip about the Slytherin boys since he lives with them.”
“Is that why you all have flawless skin? I thought it was genetics or something,” Bones stated.
Pansy smirked, “He also gave me pointers on how to give a fantastic blowjob.”
“Like, she gave you one under instruction?” purple Patil asked with interest. Her curiosity makes him think of Ravenclaw.
Pansy looked at Theo with ginuwine disgust that time, “No, with a banana of course.”
“I wonder why Theo would know so much about giving a blowjob,” Ginny said loudly, emphasizing the word giving.
“That’s silly, Ginny, because he gives them of course,” Lovegood states the obvious.
“Ohhhh,” pink Patil, “so you're gay? That’s why it's fine for you to host and attend a slumber party full of girls.”
Theo shrugs his shoulders like ‘whatever.’
Luna adds in helpfully again, “He likes girls too, he just likes boys more. Girls he is way more picky about.”
The Slytherin girls and Theo all look at her in disbelief. Then everyone looks to him.
“Lovegood, how could you possibly know of my sexual and romantic interests?” Theo asks.
She shrugs, “I know all of your interests based on your auras. When each of you look at someone of interest, your auras change. That’s what I like to watch as meal times. I have gotten really good at it, but it’s only one of my divination skills.”
He glanced around the room and noticed that everyone was shocked by what she said.
“Daphne can see auras too. She’s very perspective on divination as well. We are in a lot of classes together,” Luna smiles at Daphne.
Daphne, who is timid and shy, blooms with a blush from Luna's praise. It is so completely out of Daphne’s usual poised personality that it genuinely shocks Theo and Pansy.
Daphne must have been anxious to change the subject or get rid of the attention because she suggested, “Let’s start with makeovers first, then we can talk gossip.”
The other girls excitedly agreed, even if they were a little tense around the others.
~*~*~*~
“How are you so good at make-up, Nott?” Ginny asked in astonishment.
“I sometimes do drag, when I feel like it. You know, I bet Potter would look great in drag too.”
Ginny arches a brow at this.
“What, he is not very tall and has a pretty slender frame,” Theo suggested.
Hermione hummed, “I can kind of see that, too.” Her voice was full of amusement.
“What does having a lean body have to do with it? Would Malfoy look good in drag by that standard?” Ginny demanded, defending her crush’s honor. Or ex-boyfriend, boyfriend. Who knows.
Theo scrunched up his nose, “Ick, no. Malfoy is much too tall and angular to pull off the softness of a lady. Your Weasley brother too, maybe that ministry brother you have though.”
He shrugged and continued to blend Bones’ foundation that perfectly matched her skin tone and smoothed her completion.
After everyone had their makeup done by either Theo, Daphne, or Pansy. They moved onto hair next, leaving Granger for last.
Theo insisted that he be the one to wrangle Grangers wild mane. He decided to straighten it first, which worked surprisingly well. However, it did not suit her personality, so he decided to add in some bigger curls to have it be more like beachy waves. It was perfect, they were perfect. They all looked fabulous.
Ginny and Parvati gushed over Hermione’s hairstyle. Parvati said, “Theo, you need to teach her how to do that to her own hair. Plus, you need to open your own beauty salon to make miracles happen.”
Hermione groaned, “I’m a miracle. Was my hair that much of a disaster before?”
“Yes!” was yelled by every female in attendance. Theo felt the hurt he saw on Hermione’s face and promised to teach her the hair charms for both the straightening and the curls. To be fair, her skin was already flawless; so she didn’t need any foundation, only a moisturizer.
~*~*~*~
They sat back at the sofas again, this time with plates of snack on their laps. They all anxiously wanted to gossip, but they were too nervous to start or out anyone they might be friends with.
Pansy decided to start to move things along, “How about we all agree that anything said in this room, cannot be repeated outside of it. Granger here can make a contract for us all to sign.”
Padma gasped, “That’s what happened to Marietta with Umbridge.”
“Exactly,” Pansy smiled in satisfaction, “meaning your secrets are safe and you’ll know who blabbed.”
With a lot of modifications to the agreement, they all finally signed the document.
~*~*~*~
Pansy rubbed her fingers together in a sinister fashion. “Draco fancies Granger and may have a heart attack when he sees her new look.”
Everyone turns to look at Hermione’s reaction. Based on the blush, she’s either excited about it or embarrassed by all the attention. “I’m a muggleborn.”
“Exactly,” Pansy states with a huff, “your forbidden fruit, which makes him crave you more.”
“He has moaned your name a couple times in his bed, Granger. The curtains were closed, so the other roommates believe it was a dream, but I’m almost positive it was not,” Theo added helpfully.
“I fancy Blaise,” Luna says in a whimsical way, that makes her words more of a quiet observation. Theo flicks his eyes to see Ginny ball her hands into fists. He knows that she fancies Blaise as well, but who knows what is actually going on with her and Potter.
Daphne smiles, “I can see it. You would make a lovely couple with him.”
“The problem is, I also fancy you, but I cannot tell by your aura if you're interested or not. You block your aura somehow and it fascinates me more,” Luna continues.
Daphne blushes brightly, “Well, I could teach you how to block your aura from others, Luna.”
The group seems mystified by their friendship or was that flirting. Theo was confused. Daphne, even in their friend group didn’t really ever mention who she fancied. How is he just realizing this now.
Tracey states, “Neville has really changed in appearance over the last couple years. I didn’t realize how fit he is, until I saw him wield that sword on the snake. That was bloody sexy, wasn’t it?”
Many murmur their agreement. Theo stayed quiet after this, paying close attention to all of their comments. Absorbing the gossip that he is unable to use for blackmail or any other nefarious task.
“Who do you fancy, Parkinson?” Ginny leaned forward and braced her elbows on her knees.
Pansy smiled devilishly at her, “I seem to have an affinity for quidditch players. I like their tight riding trousers and how they handle a broom.”
Ginny sat tall, “So, Harry and Ron then?”
“I suppose,” Pansy commented with a small shrug, “Oliver Wood, Viktor Krum, Blaise Zabini, Draco Malfoy, and many Weasleys it seems. I guess I have a type. Just like Granger over here, quidditch players.” Pansy was blatantly checking out Ginny. It was hilarious that Ginny didn’t seem to understand the many Weasleys part of Pansy’s statement, included her.
They continued to gossip about boys and girls they fancied or had gossip on for hours.
“Theo,” Ginny’s voice startled him, “you seem to be surprisingly quiet during our gossip. Care to share with the class whom you fancy?”
He glowered at her, only Hermione and Ginny knew his crush. Even his closest friends in Slytherin didn’t know he fancied anyone. He couldn’t even glance at the Slytherins, scared of what his closest friends would think of him
“Oh please, Theo doesn’t do relationships, he has dalliances of course, but nothing serious,” Tracey answered.
Taking a deep breath, he decided to channel his Gryffindor friend's courage and be brave for once, “I fancy Longbottom, but I do not know if he swings that way.” It comes out in a rush. He could see the shock on everyone’s faces as they took in the news.
“I mean most of us thought Neville was gay at some point, but he is just really shy. Besides going to the Yule Ball with Ginny in fourth year, we haven’t really seen him date anyone, ever. However, since he has gained popularity since the war, there has always been a flock of girls around him, but he still hasn’t dated anyone,” Pink Patil informed him. She must be the Gryffindor one.
They discussed Neville for some time after that. Coming up with ways to figure out who Neville fancies. He was secretly happy that they both wanted to help him and each other, but also terrified of the rejection that was soon to happen one day.
As the night progressed, he watched the girls move around the room and talk to other classmates outside of their house. He was giddy internally that this night was a success. They stayed up talking until the early hours of the morning before they dropped into sleep from exhaustion. If one of them fell asleep somewhere besides a bed, someone would levitate them into a bed. Six of the girls were asleep when he finally drifted off talking with Hermione, Susan, Luna, and Pansy.
The following week involved a lot of gossip about the new group of seventh and eighth year girls, Theo, and surprisingly Blaise, who hung out together constantly during their free time. Many students figured it was a result from the slumber party, but no one ever figured out that he was the host.
Their forged bond was so strong that their friendship continued well past Hogwarts and remained that way many years into the future, thanks to Theo’s bravery in inviting all the houses into his slumber party.