Wishing It Was [Anyone But] You (Theo)

[Theodore Nott]

::Stops dead in his tracks, laughing darkly as he turns around to face Neville, and apparently his wand as well. Theodore eyes the wand with a smirk, not certain if the wizard will resort to hexing him. Casually he removes his wand also, and points it straight at the wizard's chest.::

Are you sure you want to play games with me?

::A wicked glint flashes across his dark eyes. He has no qualms about dueling, let alone dueling in such a public place. Neville is the perfect source for relieving a bit of stress.::

Perhaps you've a wish to go the same way as mummy, and daddy. I can help you there.

[Neville Longbottom]

*Narrows his eyes, watching as Nott also draws his wand. Is silently bellowing at the wizard before him.*

_{YOU IGNORANT GIT!}

*Hisses from between clenched teeth, face turning red with anger.*

You have no bloody right to talk about them. They're a million times better than you'll ever be, you b@stard. So you're saying you'll send me to St. Mungo's, just like my parents? What the bloody hell will Roslyn think of you then?

*Takes a deep breath, eyes and wand zeroed in on Nott, ready to either fire back or dive out of the way if he makes just one sudden move.*

I'm proud to be their son, don't take it out on them because your whole family's completely rotten.

[Theodore Nott]

::Lips curls over his teeth, fire rages with in his dark eyes. Neville is beginning to push his luck with Theodore's patience. The twit should have just let him walk off.::

No, Longbottom, if they were better than my family they wouldn't be sitting about in St. Mungo's with addled brains.

[Neville Longbottom]

*His round face twists with fury and he barely shakes his head.*

Better to be in St. Mungo's for something heroic than outside and living like barmy cowards.

*He shifts his hold on his wand, slightly nervous. Anything either of them do in public could lead to Roslyn hating him for the rest of her life, and possibly cost him whatever chance he might have for being the Herbology Professor.*

[Theodore Nott]

::Neville's last words were all it took to send Theodore's fury into overdrive. The wizard has gone too far this time, and he growls softly, moving his wand up a bit, now aiming it in Neville's ugly gob.::

::With a quick swish and wave of his wand, Theodore performs a nonverbal Stinging Hex, and watches at the light shoots out form his wand straight for Longbottom's face.::

::For the moment Theodore is satisfied in toying with the boy, he has much more powerful tricks up his sleeve, but would prefer to keep those under wraps until they are a necessity.::

[Neville Longbottom]

*Blinks, his reactions too slow to cast a protection charm before he's hit by the hex. Through the stinging pain all over his round face, he aims his wand at Nott and shouts out the slug-vomiting charm. His other hand reaches up to hold his face, as if he could pat the sting away.*

What about Roslyn you tosspot? Or don't you care what she's going to think about this?!

[Theodore Nott]

::Wastes no time in protecting himself with a Shield Charm, smirking darkly as Neville's hex bounces off the protective barrier.::

::Realizes the twit has a point, and flicks his wand gracefully once again in an attempt to disarm the fool, and leave before things get too serious.::

Expelliarmus!

[Neville Longbottom]

* and is speechless as his wand flies out of his hand. He reluctantly holds both hands up, as if in surrender, and glares daggers at the wizard before him. Thinks.*

_{Did he quit because of Roslyn, or because he doesn't want her to know what a git he really is?}

*Grits out from between clenched teeth.*

Go on then, go back to Roslyn.

*Spits her name out as if it burns, more frustrated with the wizard than the witch.*

[Theodore Nott]

::Sneers at the wizard, tempted to hex the unarmed man, but ignores the impulse.::

Right. Toodles.

::Doesn't want to give Longbottom the chance to get his wand, and retaliate so he immediately disapparates for his home in Hampshire. He'll worry about Roslyn later, now it's time to cool down.::

[Neville Longbottom]

* and stares, stunned by the wizard's sudden disappearance.*

_{What the bloody hell just happened?}

*Shakes his head, and walks over to pick up his wand from a small pile of snow on the ground. He looks all around him, squinting as the sunlight reflects off the snowy roofs of all the shops.*

Roslyn...

*Takes a deep breath, exhaling slowly as he remembers the git probably Apparated to Roslyn's place, just to lie and tell her what a horrible wizard he is. With his head hanging, staring at his shoes, he continues walking up to Hogwarts like he was doing earlier.*