Nott and Zabini

Harry and Nott were studying silently in the library (for a change) when Zabini arrived and handed an envelope to Theodore Nott.

Here. You are invited to my mother's wedding next month.

Again?! How long do you think it will last this time?

I don't know. Mom seems to really like that one.

What are you both talking about?

Hmm! You are not aware. Blaise's mother marries rich men and then kills them to collect the inheritance, replied Nott in a cold and emotionless tone that a doctor would use to describe a disease.

Blaise gave his friend a dark look.

That's what the tabloids say. She was just unlucky, that's all.

How many times is it this time?

The seventh. Blaise replied reluctantly.

And your father? asked Harry, before reconsidering, thinking that the question might be sensitive.

He died 9 months before I was born of a heart attack.

Oh I am sorry.

His mother didn't know she was pregnant when she poisoned him, otherwise she might have changed her plans. Nott commented as if stating the obvious.

She did not poison him. All toxicological tests came back negative. My aunts paid for the most advanced tests in the hope of contesting my mother's right to her share of the inheritance. It's just bad luck.

How does she still manage to find a husband? I mean, even if it's bad luck, shouldn't the wizards avoid her just in case? Harry asked.

Blaise seemed embarrassed by this question, but answered anyway.

According to the rumor, her future husband is 90 years old. Theodore Nott replied in his place, ignoring the dark look Blaise gave him. Harry, for his part, held back with all his might from laughing.

Remind me why I'm friends with you again? Blaise asked innocently.

You are not my friend, you are my ally. The Notts do not have friends, much less upstarts.

Oh yes, I remember. Because someone had to volunteer and I lost at drawing straws.

Nott did not respond and went back to his studies. Blaise sighed and said:

Don't forget to reply. My mother would like to know if your mother will come this time. She would really like to meet her.

My mother is dead, Nott replied laconically, without seeming to feel anything about this statement.

Huh! When?

8 years ago, I believe.

And it's only now that you're telling me? How come no one ever talks about it? Blaise reacts violently.

Suicide is taboo in high wizarding society. No one wants to risk being caught by father highlighting this stain on our family's crest.

It's horrible, I'm sorry. Why did she commit suicide?

For the same reason as all the suicides. Because she was too weak.

How can you say that about your mother? Asked Harry.

Nott sighed.

That's what father says.

I don't want to know what your father says about it but what you think. Said Harry.

Blaise answered in his place:

Nott is terrified at the thought that one day he might think differently from his father.

And do you think the same about Muggle-borns as your father?

I knew I shouldn't have allowed a half-blood lover to associate with me, declared Nott.

But good god, you associate with Muggle-borns every day. Voldemort himself is a half-blood and maybe even a Muggle-born. How can you believe all that nonsense about blood?

Following this tirade, Nott jumped in one of his rare displays of emotion.

Do not take the name of the lord of darkness in vain. Especially if it's to utter such nonsense.

He himself told me that his father was a Muggle two years ago. And Dumbledore (...). Well, let's say that Dumbledore assures me that his mother was a witch, but Dippet's portrait claims he was a Muggle-born.

Who is this Dippet who dares to make such assumptions?

He was the headmaster of Hogwarts at the time when Vol(...), you-know-who, was a student.

Father says that the Dark Lord is of the purest blood that exists and that this is where he draws his great power from. This painting must be dysfunctional. Father says that Dumbledore is a completely senile old fool. You shouldn't believe what he says. And I don't know who you met two years ago, but certainly not the Dark Lord. If it were him, you would already be dead. Father says that no one escapes him.

I believe there was a counter-example 12 years ago, replied Harry, pointing to his scar.

Blaise let out a sigh

Potter gives up. It's useless.

But it is important.

Why? Nott asked surprised

But I don't know. To prevent people from dying, for example.

What's the point, anyway, they all die one day.

You wouldn't say that if it were your life on the line.

My life is at stake. When my side loses the next war, you and your allies will kill me.

Pardon? I would never kill you.

I prefer that to a life imprisonment in Azkaban.

No, but you're crazy.

Why? I have no chance of escaping Azkaban and such a life (...)

Harry interrupted him.

But you could fight for it not to happen.

Our chances of victory are too slim for fighting to change anything about the outcome of the conflict.

Seeing that Harry was about to explode, Zabini explained.

He is asking you to join Dumbledore's camp.

Not necessarily, he could be neutral. Or run away. Harry explained.

Why would I do that?

I don't know, to survive for example.

What for? Anyway, I'm going to die one day.

Harry was so stunned by this response that he didn't know what to say. In fact, all he wanted was to cry. This time he understood what had so disturbed him during their first meeting in the infirmary last year. Nott didn't want to live. He felt the same way he did when he looked into the void from the top of that tower. But permanently.