CHAPTER FOUR:
( not my type )

▂✫⌒*･ﾟ

NIKOLAS DOES NOT KNOW a lot of stuff which is obvious and everyone should know that by now. However, that only applies to people and places. That does not explain how he ended up being with his feet dangling from a tree while he stares at the world upside down. Truth be told, he has the knowledge that he had been bored out of his mind to the point where he climbed the tree and stayed hidden within the leaves. At one point, he decided to be resting a different way and thus, he is now in that same position.

His eyes are closed relaxingly with a breeze of wind refreshing his face. At least, until he hears shuffling from under him and he reopens his eyes only to connect them with unfamiliar green ones. Nikolas frowns unknowingly before he recalls the person's name and then a smile reaches his lips.

"Harry Potter," Nikolas utters out the name, keeping himself in the same position. The Gryffindor is staring at him oddly, and while he looks like he is the one upside down, Nikolas knows it is actually him.

"Someone has already told you about me," Harry points out, giving him a side-eye curiously at how wrongly his angle is. Nikolas makes himself flip forward, barely catching himself with his hands before he jumps down. A few leaves falls along, showering him in his hair and shoulder. Nikolas shrugs them off while he makes his way to be in front of Harry.

He eyes him curiously, squinting his eyes to take notice of the end of his scar on his forehead. "Not necessarily. Draco is usually trying to deem you as an idiot, his two followers as something despicable, the others typically don't care about you... I do know, however, that you were the one that caused Voldemort to vanish and come back, correct?"

Harry looks at him in surprise. "You believe that?"

"Are you lying?" Nikolas questions suspiciously. The Gryffindor boy is staring at him like if he is speaking another language. Slowly, he shakes his head. With his confirmation, Nikolas offers him a grin. "Then I'd like to believe you instead of the dimwits saying otherwise. It does not sit right with me disagreeing when Cedric Diggory is dead."

"Right," Harry mumbles quietly, shifting his eyesight elsewhere awkwardly. The young boy can tell he has not dealt well with that fact. He cannot help but pity him for a couple of seconds... to see someone die and then have everyone else simply think they are lying. Then again, he has heard rumors himself about him faking his memory loss. Nikolas glances at him knowing there must be a reason for a completely lost Slytherin to be visited by a member of their rival house. Even if it is the righteous Chosen One or whatever name they have chosen to call him.

Silence lingers for those few seconds of awkwardness. At least until Harry points at the tree and tells him, "Surprised you aren't here with Nott."

Nikolas arches an eyebrow. "Why would I be with Theodore?"

"This was—" Harry begins to say before he takes notice of the confusion in the Slytherin's face. He immediately cuts himself off and simply stares at him. Pitifully? Shocked? Nikolas does not know, but thankfully, the expression is gone right away. And then, Harry shakes his head and corrects himself, "Nothing... no reason."

The Slytherin takes a look around his surroundings and notices Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley off in the sides. Nikolas gives them a wave to alert them that he knows they are there. The Gryffindor girl blushes in embarrassment while the redhead simply stares at him in shock. Nikolas turns back at Harry and offers him a smirk.

"So, why are you coming up to me, glasses?" Nikolas gets right to the point, motioning to the round-glasses on his face. Harry fixes his lopsided frames and clears his throat as if he is ready to do a speech. Nikolas purses his lips truly hoping that he will not go on about some unimportant topic like—

"Have you thought about who would attack you?" Harry is quick to ask, his head tilting to the side in suspicion and curiosity. Nikolas makes a face at what he is questioning and stares at him like if he is stupid.

"Of course I have! The only problem is I quite literally do not have a clue who to start with," Nikolas answers with an obvious tone. It takes a few seconds for Harry to recall his memory loss affecting absolutely everyone and he nods slowly.

"Do you... feel anything if I try to say that Voldemort—"

"See," Nikolas cuts him off right away and points a finger at him. The two boys are far too close that if people are truly interested in their lives (which seeing as they themselves do not have one), they would simply assume they are either about to fight or do something else entirely. "I actually have tried thinking it was Voldemort," Nikolas tries to say, and he notices how Harry raises an eyebrow at how he can actually say his name, "except I see no reason for why he would attack me specifically."

Harry frowns at his words before bringing up, "Is your family involve with Death Eaters?"

Nikolas scoffs at his question. "Being a Slytherin doesn't make you evil, glasses. I may not remember anyone neither my own mother, but I have seen that she completely despises him and since she is the only family I truly have... I reckon I wouldn't differ much from her," he tells him firmly.

The Gryffindor swallows back his embarrassment and appears to want to add in something before deciding otherwise. Nikolas does not question him about it. "I suppose you are right, but we can't rule him out. He's back and I think he's coming even more dangerously," Harry reveals, his voice tight and rightfully frightened.

Nikolas eyes him carefully before nodding. "Understood. If I recall something, I'll go to you then," the Slytherin hums quietly.

Harry widens his eyes in surprise. "Oh, you don't have to—"

"Harry," Nikolas interrupts. "I don't know exactly how you stopped Voldemort as a baby, but I know for a fact that he is most likely out for your blood. If he's back, your life is even more danger than before. If I were you, I'd want any information on him before he gets to me."

When he finishes talking, he can still see the way Harry is looking at him unexpectedly. Nikolas raises an eyebrow and waits for him to elaborate why. Harry clears his throat and shakes his head. "Sorry, it's just... you were always loud, but like the Weasley twins loud. Everywhere you were at there was your voice out in the open, but you never talked anything about this. Never involved."

Nikolas nods at him with understanding. "So I've heard..." he trails off with a sigh. His eyes glances down to Harry's right hand and he furrows his eyebrows in concern. Immediately, and without warning, his hand reaches out for Harry's and stares at it wide-eyed. "Bloody hell..."

"It's nothing," Harry is quick to say, trying to pull back his hand with his reflexes. Nikolas narrows his eyes at him.

"You have words imprinted on your skin, man," Nikolas points out obviously. "That isn't 'nothing'. Though, I understand why you would not want to tell me anything. I don't know you much, but I do hope you know that your friends do care about you—"

Harry is nodding along to his words before he seems to realize what Nikolas is trying to insinuate. Then, his eyes widen in alert and he shakes his head repeatedly. "That's not— it's Umbridge!"

Realization seems to hit Nikolas with those words. "Oh! Oh, man. She's wicked. Like actually wicked. You know those stories about wicked witches with ugly boils and whatever? Yeah, that type," Nikolas scoffs, shuddering with complete disgust at the thought of the pink-colored toad.

"Niko?" Daphne Greengrass's voice comes to area. Nikolas and Harry both turn to her being caught off guard. The Slytherin notices her eyes trailing down to the fact that he is holding Harry's hand. Immediately, he remembers his grip on him and slowly lets go. Harry purses his lips into a thin line, gives a nod of goodbye to the two of them, and then turns away back to his two friends. All meanwhile, Daphne is staring at Nikolas with her eyes widen in disbelief. "Potter?" Her voice had come out as squeaky and filled with nervousness.

Nikolas raises an eyebrow wondrously. "What about him?"

Daphne clears her throat, glancing around nervously before she squeaks, "You like Potter?!"

"He doesn't seem so bad," Nikolas comments confusedly. And then, when he notices her eyes widen even more, he seems to realize what she means. "Shit, Daph... not like that!"

"Oh, thank Merlin," she breathes out in relief. Nikolas stares at her weirdly before he motions for her to lead the way. Daphne locks her arms with him and starts off in their walk. Where? He does not know, but he figures they used to do this since she is taking charge.

"Poor kid," he murmurs once they are in a distant. Daphne glances at him in confusion. It is as if the idea that Harry Potter being designated as a 'poor' kid is completely delusional. Nikolas does not understand why. The kid was orphaned at the age of one year old. Two parents that loved him died trying to keep each other safe. He does not know how he grew up, but based on the stories he has heard... his life has been nothing but trouble. "If I had the weight of the Wizarding World on my shoulders I would simply let everyone else die."

"You think he has the weight of the world on his shoulders?" Daphne questions curiously, her blue eyes meeting his own.

The young boy gazes around the area for the hundredth time trying to find an old memory. He cannot find it, but he still stares. "Don't you?" Nikolas shoots back. "People who don't believe him practically makes him think this is something he has to deal with it himself. Those who do believe think he is the one that needs to finish it, and while that may be true, it doesn't make it any easier."

"I suppose you are right..." Daphne murmurs quietly.

"If I were him I'd run and hide away from everything. Possibly even asked for my memory to be wiped," Nikolas confesses. And it is true because he does not have the bravery to try and face Voldemort. He has stupidity, but not the courage to sacrifice himself for everyone else. Perhaps he would for his friends, but why the whole lot that always makes fun of him? He does not know nor remember Harry Potter, but he has heard of stories (both bias and not) that allows him to see how completely pressured he is.

Daphne tugs his arms and grins. "Well," she starts off, "you've got the memory part done."

"Mmh, true. Might just plan to run and never return," Nikolas jokes, sending her a gentle smirk to assure her they are just plain words. Daphne copies his smile before tightening her hold on his arm.

.･:*:･ﾟ'✫,'✫'ﾟ･:*:･˙

"YOU ARE TELLING ME that I used to not do this?" Nikolas massages his cheeks with a clean cloth, staring at himself through the reflection of the lake. Currently, he is beside Blaise in the common room where the lake is allowing them to stare back to their eyes. His face is covered with herbal cream which Blaise has described as some sort of magical face guidance that allows them to have their skin clear, soft, and beautiful as always. Then again, his friend also stated that he "does not have to do any of that since he is good-looking just by himself." And he has a great ego, but Nikolas knows he is not wrong at all. In fact, the nickname 'pretty boy' stuck with him and after awhile, everyone else seems to as well.

Though, he does not understand why in the beginning they would stare at Theodore with wonder. Nikolas finds it odd, but he does not say anything about it. Truth be told, he finds Theodore a bit more attractive, but maybe that is because he is absolutely gone for how he smiles or how his lips look incredibly soft which Nikolas will never admit to because he might make him uncomfortable!

"You found it a waste of your time and always said you prefer to be with—" Blaise hums quietly, explaining to him what he used to say before he abruptly cuts himself off. Nikolas waits for whatever sentence is about to escape him, but when Blaise continues, he has a feeling that is not the actual reason. "— with plants. You love those more than any human."

"I do like plants..." Nikolas murmurs, cleansing his face seconds after. And his statement is true! He does like plants because it fascinates him how all they do is grow, produce food, absorb sunlight and magic— it is what makes the world beautiful with its natural elements. He takes a look at Blaise and raises an eyebrow curiously. "What do you think about glasses?"

Blaise raises his head up and furrows his eyebrows. "They are not my thing," he responds confusedly, motioning to his own face as if asking him why would he wear glasses.

Nikolas stifles a laugh and shakes his head. "I meant Harry," he corrects, pursing his lips shut to keep himself from laughing. Blaise, as expected, makes a face of surprise.

"I don't like him," Blaise states firmly. "But... I don't really like anyone so he's just irrelevant like everyone else."

"You calling me irrelevant, pretty boy?" Nikolas questions, one of his eyebrows arching. After a few seconds, he lets a smile rest on his face to indicate his playfulness. "Any who, he doesn't seem bad like how Draco described him. Pretty thick, but... pretty."

"You find everyone attractive," Blaise claims, rolling his eyes as if that is something he has always known. It might have been, Nikolas does not know. "Guy, at least. The chances of you ever liking a girl is like the chances of me not easily getting a date if I want."

Ah, Nikolas realizes, so they know he is into guys then. He supposes that is good because he is quite open about it. If Blaise knows then so do the rest of his friends... does the whole school know? Maybe not some of the girls who tried going up to him flirtatiously until Pansy told them to back up with an antagonizing glare. They tried claiming they were either their boyfriend or best friend which he found pretty odd.

"Some girls like subtleness, Blaise," Nikolas reminds him with a smirk.

Blaise shrugs. "Maybe, but I am beautiful," he excuses easily. Then, he narrows his eyes at him and stares accusingly. "You don't like Potter, right?"

Nikolas snorts in amusement. "Daphne asked the same thing! Merlin, he's not my type," the young Slytherin exclaims, bringing his body back to a comfortable position. It is pretty concerning how they ask him with such a worried tone. He can date whoever he wants! Unless his friends truly do not accept him... "Would it be a problem if I did?"

His friend stiffens at the question and with that, Nikolas feels a tint of hurt appearing in his face. His movement of bringing his arms close to his body does not go unnoticed and Blaise instantly sits right up. "It's not— Nikolas, you have to know that I accept you, as does Daphne and Pansy," Blaise starts.

Nikolas clenches his jaw. "Not Theodore?"

"Theodore, especially," Blaise corrects firmly. "You're our best mate, alright? Memory or not, we... love you. Ah, fuck, I hate this sentiment, but it's true."

"Then why are you even against the idea of me liking Harry?" With his assurance, Nikolas only was left with confusion. Blaise purses his lips before he clears his throat. Before anything is said, the common room opens for Theodore to enter along. Nikolas glances at him noting how he has his hands are neatly tucked inside his robes. He never really notice how confident Theodore appears to everyone else. There is something about him that makes Nikolas notice some vulnerabilities. The way his eyes react first than anything else. Like right now they are simply brighten when he notices the plants that Nikolas has brought in from Professor Sprout.

"I like how you decorated," Theodore compliments, finding a seat across from the two boys in the same couch. He smiles warmly and Nikolas has to wonder— how close were they exactly? Though, he simply returns it back.

"The dormitory seems too dark. I figured I can at least make it pretty," Nikolas explains softly. His eyes wander back to Blaise. "Speaking of... would you like to continue?"

Blaise sighs in defeat, briefly eyeing Theodore before turning to Nikolas. "Nothing against you, Niko. I'm just not exactly a fan of Potter and his 'heroic' actions. And Gryffindors just irk me in general."

"Why are we talking about Potter?" Theodore brings up in confusion. His eyes dart from the two males trying to figure out what they are talking about. Blaise sends him a grimace while Nikolas shrugs nonchalantly.

"Blaise and Daphne think I have a crush on Harry," Nikolas reveals, and he misses the way Theodore widens his eyes in alert. "I was wondering why they are against it. Not that I have a crush on him. I just do not see the problem."

Theodore stays quiet knowing exactly why that is a problem. "Oh," he lets out, his eyes avoiding from staring at Nikolas. "Right," Theodore agrees, and yet the tone of his voice says otherwise. Nikolas does not seem to notice and instead shrugs.

"He's not my type either way," Nikolas announces. "Plus, he does not seem to like Slytherins too much. Slightly civil with me, but considering the fact that he has 'Mort after him, only enough to get him to speak with me."

Blaise scrunches up his nose. "You talked to Potter? About what?"

Nikolas glances at the two of them. "Tried to ask if it was dear old Mort trying to erase my memories. Or kill me. Personally, I do not think so."

Theodore begins to frown. That is truly a question to wonder. Who would take away his memories? What was Nikolas doing? And lastly, he had to agree with him (which is not a question but still). Nikolas would not have gone to see Lord Voldemort. And the Dark Lord has no reason to do the same to him. A vile sensation gathers up in his stomach hating how he knows nothing about who could do such thing. Merlin, why did it have to be Nikolas?

"Mort?" Blaise scoffs. "We always knew you hated long titles, but honestly, Niko, you're completely delusional if anyone ever hears you call You-Know-Who that."

"I'm not going to call him He-Who-Shall— oh, I can't finish that it gets me tired," Nikolas interrupts himself mid-way through saying Voldemort's other title. His nose is scrunched up in disgust clearly appalled by the horrid nicknames given. Then again, Mort is not any better, but it is short. He does not care if the nicknames are good or not, he just wants it simple.

Blaise stares at him blankly. "You call Theo Theodore," he points out bluntly.

Theodore instantly bites the inside of his cheek while trying to indicate a glare at his friend. Nikolas shrugs uncaringly. "Yeah, but he asked me to call him Theodore. I reckon he likes the name his parents gave him then."

And with that statement, the two other boys are reminded that Nikolas Archambeau does not remember them. Or else, he would have known about Theodore's mother and father. He would know the right words to say and not that. Nikolas is still him, but sometimes Theodore feels like he lost everything. And even with his full name reminding him of his father, Theodore knows he'd prefer to hear that rather than the gentle tone he always used to do when he would call him 'Theo.' At least... for now. It will hurt him greatly to hear it when he's not his boyfriend. Theodore to Nikolas is just one of his housemates. One of his friends.

"Actually—"

"Yes, anyway," Theodore interrupts Blaise, "I'm going to go to the library. Ancient Runes is killing me."

He stands up from his place and heads out of the common room. Nikolas furrows his brows confusedly and turns toward Blaise. "That's weird," Nikolas murmurs toward his friend. Blaise, knowing Theodore left simply because he could not stand the environment they created (and he is sure that boy finished Runes homework ages ago), turns to him curiously. "Isn't he the best at Ancient Runes?"

Blaise hums in agreement before his eyes widen and he turns to Nikolas in suspense. "How do you know that...?"

Nikolas barely realizes what he said out loud and slowly begins frowning. He stays quiet, closing his eyes as if wondering where he knew that from. Nothing. He has no idea how he knows that. How does he know that?

"I..." Nikolas glances up at Blaise in confusion. "I don't know."

And is that not curious? Perhaps, Dumbledore had been right. Maybe Nikolas had the time to bury his memories deep inside his own brain. Maybe there is a chance for him to retrieve his memories— and yet, the harder he tries to find the answer to how he knew that about Theodore... absolutely nothing comes to mind.

▂✫⌒*･ﾟ

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
the way i wrote this fic so i
can give theo love but i have
not even done that... phew
hate that for me 🥰 but trust
me, it'll be alright. one day. maybe.