Struggling to survive at Hogwarts

Chapter 335 Embrace

“…Gella?”

"Ok?"

Gella was currently processing the hellish, bloody scene before her, but upon hearing this, she quickly looked up at Thea.

"Help me compile today's casualty statistics, and have Draco and Mr. Nott assist you."

"……it is good."

Gella was surprised that Thea had the mood to settle the aftermath before the carnage, so she agreed and turned to go downstairs.

"Daphne?" Thea started looking for someone again.

"Borrow a few St. Mungo's first aid physicians. I think Professor Snape alone might not be enough. Also, buy a batch of potions while you're at it."

"Also, tell Zabini to split up with you. You take charge of first aid, and he takes charge of transferring the people to San Mongol. The medical conditions here are not sufficient for them to recover from their injuries."

"it is good."

Daphne knew that these things couldn't be delayed, and that it was best to take remedial measures before her subordinates could react.

It wasn't until Daphne went downstairs that Thea turned to look at the silent woman by the wall.

"Do you see any gaps in my current arrangements?"

"……there is none left."

Carlo looked at the girl in front of him with a complicated expression. Before she could say anything, Thea resumed her usual smile.

"So, can you put your wand away now? I'm a little nervous without one."

Carlo inwardly scoffed, feeling a pang of panic?

If a magic wand can make you panic, how did you manage to watch the continuous explosions without blinking?

"Let's go, Miss Blake, the brilliant strategist."

Thea didn't care about the sarcasm and suspicion in Carlo's words; before there was any concrete evidence, all suspicions were just suspicions.

“Theo…theodore, you need to calm down. Thea…she has her reasons—”

Gellar's short, complex sentence continued to echo in Theodore's ears as he stepped onto the stairs.

Do you have your reasons?

As Theodore approached Thea and saw her gentle and composed demeanor with her head bowed, he suddenly realized that he could hardly remember how lively she was when she was young.

Time is a cruel mistress, and the heart that fluttered years ago has blurred the once clear image of the person into something unfamiliar to him through the filter of this cruel mistress.

"Do...do you know?"

"Before I went up to the second floor, I wanted to unleash all my anger, along with the beast roaring inside me."

Theodore spoke with utmost sincerity, and Thea looked up in astonishment at the calmness in his voice.

"And... now?"

"You don't blame me?"

Thea's words were veiled, but Theodore still understood.

So the last trace of a smile vanished from his eyes, and he shook his head with a bitter laugh.

"What right do I have to blame you?"

We're all pawns caught in the crossfire, so what right do I have to blame you, a fellow victim?

How could I bear to blame you?

As he spoke, Theodore couldn't help but raise his hand.

Sensing Theodore's intentions, but seeing the smile on his face that was more like a grimace, Thea stubbornly resisted the urge to back away, letting the hand get closer and closer to her face.

Thea was so close that she thought he would touch her face any second.

But in the end, it didn't happen.

Theodore lowered his hand a second before touching it, while looking down and trying to remain calm.

"Never mind, you go back and rest. I'll keep an eye on things here."

I will send you the summary report later.

“I will also make arrangements for St. Mungo.

"You don't need to worry about the compensation after the injury..."

Theodore choked on the word "worry".

The sudden appearance of a soft mass in front of him made him feel as if his soul had been ripped away.

"……West--"

"Don't speak."

Thea's muffled voice traveled from Theodore's shoulder to his ear.

"I think you really need this hug and an 'I'm sorry' right now."

"Oh!"

It was like a meteorite crashing to the ground, a wild dance of mountains and seas, or like the heart-wrenching pain caused by ten thousand butterflies falling.

The beast within him was locked back in its iron cage, and the desperate howls and roars were choked in his throat, leaving Theodore unable to utter a sound, except for his bloodshot eyes.

Not long after, Thea heard the boy's voice, which was slightly choked with sobs.

"Thea, you guys are so mean! They all knew, but I was the only fool who was kept in the dark..."

"I worked so hard for so many days, even checking the guest seating numbers one by one by staying up all night..."

"An explosion...everything is gone—"

"Those bastards, don't they know what day it is today?!"

"Who would throw an explosive curse into someone's house when they're getting engaged?!"

"Still so arrogant...acting like we can't even afford a flying broom—"

As Thea's body suddenly stiffened and then relaxed, Theodore slowly stopped complaining.

He tried to look up, but suddenly the person with the stiff body was him.

Were his eyes red just now?

She didn't cry, did she?!

Terrible!

My image in Thea's eyes!!!

I've maintained this image of a refined gentleman for so long, am I going to turn into a crying little brat after today?

While Theodore was brainstorming, Thea gradually realized something was wrong and struggled to break free.

Seeing that he couldn't stop her, Theodore's heart sank. He collapsed on the spot for two seconds, then gave up and let go of Thea's arms. Before she could look up, he wiped his eyes hard.

So much so that the first thing Thea saw when she looked up was Nott, a boy with red eyes like a rabbit.

Thea:………

It's...it's quite...cute.

Unable to withstand Thea's strange gaze, Theodore couldn't stand it any longer and simply said, "How about... I go and help them out?"

Since Thea didn't say anything, Theodore assumed she was still in shock at his image being shattered, and with a slightly darkened expression, he walked towards the steps.

As Theodore reached the top of the steps, he suddenly stopped, as if remembering something. He became so nervous that his fingers clenched at his sides until their knuckles turned white.

"Are we still... engaged?"

Time seemed to stand still at this moment.

Until Thea spoke softly,

"--Um."