HP: Hogwarts Snake

With his father sighing and watching, Theodore accepted the invitation to Riddle Estate.

Perhaps there was some kind of ominous spell around the house, for when Theodore reached the large iron gate, house-elves were already waiting for him.

“Miss Riddle is having afternoon tea in the backyard. I’ll show you the way, Master Nott.” Luca, dressed in a little suit that Della had tailored for him, bowed respectfully to welcome Theodore.

"Hmm." Theodore didn't give the dignified house-elf much of a look, following the oak path he had walked along, and then through a shrub path into a garden full of irises and lilies of the valley.

Della sat in the center of the courtyard, blowing on her tea. She wore a light blue floral dress, which rippled in the wind, accentuating her graceful figure.

She was wearing what appeared to be a long dress, but her sitting posture revealed her smooth calves, which shone brightly in the sunlight, dazzling Theodore.

“Have a cup of tea, Theodore,” Della put down her teacup, beckoned to Theodore, and gestured for him to look at the pastry tower beside her. “You can have as many pastries as you like.”

Theodore composed himself, and as he walked over, he could still hear his own heart pounding. He had never been so grateful for his persistence after Della returned to England, which allowed him to now have sweetness within his grasp.

“Spring break, what a wonderful holiday, giving us the chance to fully enjoy the spring scenery,” Della sipped her tea, her gaze drifting to the round fields blooming with lilies of the valley and irises. “What do you think of the flowers here, Theodore?”

“It’s so elegant, even the fragrance is so refreshing,” Theodore commented first, then casually revealed his preparation on the matter, “This contrast of white and purple is so romantic that it makes me feel like I’m in France.”

Theodore didn't make any special preparations for the flowers, but he made many preparations for Della. When he saw lilies of the valley and irises, he remembered that Della had stayed in France. At that time, he could occasionally hear news of her shopping outside. After she entered Durmstrang, there was no news at all.

He had thought before that if someone like Della, who always dressed herself up so beautifully, could go shopping, she must be in a good mood and probably like France a little more.

"Have you been there?" Della's interest was piqued.

“I traveled there once during a summer vacation and it left a deep impression on me,” Theodore said with a smile. “Walking on the streets there felt light and airy because everyone was unconventional and nobody cared about you, so there were fewer constraints.”

“Yes, it’s a very romantic and free place,” Della sighed, with a mix of nostalgia and regret. “I almost worked there, Theodore. My position is still on the research institute’s payroll.”

“I always believed you could achieve your ambitions, Della,” Theodore said without pausing.

“That’s so decisive, Theodore. I thought you’d feel a pang of regret for a moment,” Della said, taking another sip of tea. “Like the regret that I would want to stay in a foreign country for so long.”

“I don’t believe anyone can hold you back, Della, and I certainly won’t be an exception myself,” Theodore smiled slightly. “Besides, when you’re really into something, that’s when you shine and are truly captivating.”

“Finally, after I graduate,” Theodore said, his slightly lighter-colored dark eyes filled with deep emotion, “distance will no longer be a problem.”

A confession?

His words became increasingly subtle, but his emotions became increasingly direct.

Della thought to herself, "It touched me a little, but not much."

If it were during the emotional tug-of-war between her and Maggie in fourth grade, Theodore's words would definitely have kept her up for several sleepless nights.

However, now that the existing conflicts have been resolved, the things that needed to be said have been said, and we've gotten used to dealing with the current emotions.

“You know, Theodore, my kindness is not to give people too much hope,” Della put down her teacup, her smile both composed and playful. “I need to warn you first not to get too involved with me, and then I can also tell you—we’ll see.”

“Please keep your eyes on me, Della,” Theodore said, smiling as if he had received some incredible reward.