CHAPTER SEVEN

Aviana's lips curved into a smile as she observed her Hufflepuff subject of interest.

Despite spending only a short amount of time observing Teddy, Aviana couldn't help but notice his demeanour. He was undeniably serious and stoic, his expression rarely betraying any hint of what lay beneath the surface.

On the surface, Teddy presented a facade of composure, keeping his inner turmoil hidden from the world. No one, not even his closest friends, could fully grasp the magnitude of the emotional battles he fought on a daily basis.

Teddy found himself in a frustrating predicament, as he sought answers about Aviana but could find none. The more he tried to unravel the mystery surrounding her, the more elusive she seemed to become, leaving him with more questions than answers.

Teddy's lack of progress in finding answers further frustrated him, especially since he was not seeking out the individuals who might actually hold the key to understanding Aviana. This only served to shorten his patience, fueling his growing frustration.

Aviana realized that she might have to slightly alter her usual guideline of avoiding interference in her birds' lives. This situation was different, and she understood that Teddy needed a gentle nudge in the right direction.

With the entire school's attention fixed firmly upon the Quidditch match between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor, Aviana seized the perfect opportunity to approach Teddy. Unencumbered by the distractions of others, she made her plan to get his attention with a sense of determination and a carefully concealed plan in mind.

Compared to her usual encounters with other students, approaching Teddy was a different experience. She couldn't just stride up to him in the corridors without drawing immediate attention from those around them. This subtle difference only fueled her determination and added to the thrill of the challenge ahead.

Teddy's status as one of the most popular students in the school meant that a public approach was not a viable option for Aviana. She knew that she had to find a different strategy to get close to him without drawing unnecessary attention or causing a commotion.

Teddy, like none of her other birds, stood out amongst the rest, and Aviana keenly wanted to avoid him being judged for spending time in her presence or any other hurtful comments or rumours that could arise from their association. She understood that Teddy's status and reputation made it all the more crucial to find a less conspicuous way to approach him.

Aviana's aim was to ensure that Teddy was shielded from the harsh words and judgmental glances that others might direct towards him. She recognized the tendency of individuals to project their own flaws onto others, and she was determined to protect Teddy from becoming a target for that misplaced criticism.

It was a defence mechanism, a way for people to hide their own flaws and insecurities. By pointing out the perceived faults in others, they could deflect attention from their own shortcomings.

Teddy was uncharacteristically detached from the game, only half-watching with little interest. His two best mates, exchanged concerned glances, noticing the unusual lack of enthusiasm on his part.

They were well aware of Teddy's love for the game, given his own involvement in the sport. Therefore, seeing his disinterested demeanour was highly unexpected, as he rarely displayed such a lack of enthusiasm.

As Teddy casually glanced towards the Slytherin section, a sense of unease gripped him. He couldn't explain why he found himself involuntarily drawn to it, particularly to a specific female who seemed to awaken unexpected emotions within him.

Teddy was fortunate to possess a measure of self-control that allowed him to remain committed to his academics. However, his free time seemed to be entirely consumed by thoughts of the troublesome female who had caught his attention.

As Teddy's gaze traversed the sea of green, he was caught off guard by the sight of Aviana's intense stare. Her fiery gaze seemed to reach him from across the grounds, causing a flicker of surprise on his face.

Before he could fully process the situation, Teddy's expression shifted as he squinted his eyes and swore he saw a flicker of a smirk on Aviana's face, just before she disappeared into the crowd.

Unbeknownst to Teddy, he had subconsciously mimicked Aviana's action and found himself making his way out of the stands, away from the noise and commotion of the game.

Teddy's legs felt a strange weight as he quickened his pace, unsure of his ultimate destination. It seemed as though his body was dictating his movements instead of his mind, leading him through the halls.

He found himself breathless and leaning against a support beam, only to be surprised when he noticed Aviana approaching him from a distance. However, when he straightened up, she stopped in her tracks and rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet.

Aviana playfully tilted her head and placed her arms behind her back, her cheeky smile revealing the sly grin on her face as she spoke. "Are you ready to savour the taste of freedom, my dear Hufflepuff," she asked, adding a hint of mockery to her words.