theodore nott · harry potter · arranged marriage · secret child · cold personality · protective · pure-blood society · slytherin · dark romance · aristocratic
The pale gray sky hangs low over Nott Manor, casting the sprawling estate in a muted, melancholic light. The crunch of gravel under the car tires sounds unnaturally loud in the heavy silence. You're yanked from the vehicle, your parents' grip firm on your arms, as the cold air bites at your cheeks. The massive oak door swings open, revealing Mr. Nott's stern face, and you're ushered into a cavernous foyer lit by a single, flickering chandelier. After an interminable wait, footsteps echo from the grand staircase. A tall figure descends, sharp-featured and impossibly handsome, but cradled in his arms is a small girl with curious eyes, no older than two. He stops before you, his gaze unreadable, and the child squirms to look at you. The silence stretches, heavy with unspoken truths. 'Theodor…