Sunlight streamed through the loose curtains, playing on the dusty bookshelves and reflecting in the mirror set in the corner of the room. Itachi stood before him, dressed in simple workout clothes, and his face was focused and serious. Unlike his usual expression, however, there was an unfamiliar tension in his eyes.
He took deep breaths in and out, trying to relax his facial muscles. He alternately lifted the corners of his lips to form a slight smile, and then made his face neutral again. Then he tried to frown, and after that, back to a neutral expression again. He did this over and over again, as if he was learning an intricate choreography.
Itachi never paid attention to his emotions, much less his outward display of them. His face was always a mask of calm, a mask that protected him from the outside world. But the promise to Theodorou had forced him out of his comfort zone. He looked at his reflection in the mirror, and it was strange to see him trying to control his own facial expressions. He realized how detached he was from his own feelings.
He tried to smile genuinely, but the attempt seemed clumsy, artificial. He looked at his reflection, and his lips stretched again in a strained smile that was more like a grimace. "Needs more practice," he muttered to himself, and a slight note of self-irony slipped into his voice.
Itachi continued practicing in front of the mirror, repeating the same movement over and over until it finally felt a little more natural to him. He knew it was stupid, that it was pointless, but he was willing to do anything for the sake of keeping his promise to Theodore.
And there was some strange, touching detail hidden in that stubbornness of his, in his determination. Itachi, who had always been so reserved and withdrawn, was now, for his friend's sake, willing to do stupid things.
Time was slipping through his fingers like sand, and Itachi, completely immersed in his strange pastime, had completely lost track of it. He was so focused on his reflection, on his own facial expressions, that he didn't notice anything around him. He carefully watched every movement of his lips, every change in the expression of his eyes, trying to achieve some semblance of normal human expression.
He stretched his lips in a slight smile, he shifted his eyebrows in an attempt to portray thoughtfulness, he lifted the corners of his mouth in an attempt to make something resembling laughter. He did it again and again, perfecting each movement as if the fate of the world depended on it.
The room was immersed in silence, broken only by his quiet breathing and the slight creaking of the floorboards as he took a step forward or backward to get a better look at his reflection.
He was so absorbed in what he was doing that he didn't notice the door of the room quietly open and Theodore appeared in it.
Theodore stood in the doorway watching his friend, a faint smile playing on his face. He leaned against the doorjamb, crossing his arms over his chest, and simply waited for Itachi to notice his presence. He watched as
Itachi practiced hard and focused, trying to portray emotion on his face.
Theodore realized that for Itachi, this was something much more than just fulfilling a promise. It was an attempt to overcome himself, an attempt to open up to the world, and that couldn't help but be respectful. He didn't interrupt Itachi, deciding to let him finish his lesson, and he just waited, watching him from the sidelines with a quiet smile on his face. And he knew that it was a sight he would remember for a long time to come
It seemed like an eternity had passed. Itachi continued practicing in front of the mirror, each time a little more confidently reproducing the intended emotion. He almost stopped thinking about anything else, completely immersed in this strange ritual. His gaze was fixed on his own reflection, and he almost didn't feel time running.
Finally, after at least ten minutes, he took a deep breath and looked away from the mirror. His eyes were a little tired from the stare, and he decided it was time to take a break. He slowly lowered his arms, trying to give his face a familiar expression of calm.
And then, just then, he noticed Theodore.
His gaze locked onto the figure leaning against the doorjamb, and he felt a slight blush cover his cheeks. Itachi felt awkward, as if he had been caught doing something embarrassing.
He straightened up, trying to hide his embarrassment, and looked at Theodore with slight bewilderment. "Theodore," he said, and his voice sounded a little more quiet than usual. "How long have you been standing here?"
There was a slight confusion in his voice, and he tried not to look Theodore in the eye. He didn't know how Theodore would react to seeing him at such a strange activity, and that uncertainty made him slightly uneasy.
"I just... I... " - he stammered, trying to find the right words, but nothing came to mind.
Theodore, watching Itachi's confusion, couldn't hold back a smile. He pushed himself off the doorjamb and, slowly approaching his friend, said with deliberate seriousness:
"Well, to be honest, I came to see a miracle. They say there's a mime in this room.
I thought I'd see if it was true."
He paused for a moment, looking intently at Itachi, and without waiting for an answer, he continued with deliberate theatricality, "And I must say, I'm not disappointed! Your performance was truly breathtaking. I especially liked your interpretation of sadness. It was... original, shall we say."
Theodore winked at Itachi, trying to contain his laughter. "So, feel free to continue your training. I'd love to be your personal spectator. I can even give advice if you want. For example, right now, I think you're lacking a little more drama. Try portraying brooding again, but add a little suffering in there, you know, like in the old movies."
He couldn't help but make a joke. It was his way of defusing the tense atmosphere, and at the same time letting Itachi know that he didn't see anything wrong with his occupation. Theodore knew that this was very important to Itachi, and he wanted to show him that his efforts would not go unnoticed. And if he could also have a little fun while doing so, that was even better.
After a light but pleasant altercation caused by Theodore's joke, the atmosphere in the room lightened. Itachi, trying to hide his embarrassment, changed the topic of conversation by suggesting a walk around the castle. Today was a day off, and the corridors were not crowded as usual.
"All right," Theodore replied, readily accepting the offer. "But I warn you, if we run into a ghost again telling me about his unfinished business, I'll just run away."
Itachi grinned. "Don't worry. I'll take care of it." He promised Theodore to show him one unusual place, but he didn't specify which one.
They left the room and headed towards the corridors, but Itachi led Theodore down a very different path than usual. He looped through narrow passageways, down staircases, and then up again, as if he were trying to obfuscate any possible trail. He was careful to make sure that none of the paintings were left behind them, and that none of the ghosts got in their way
As Itachi led Theodore through the complex labyrinth of Hogwarts corridors, they were attracting unusual attention without noticing it. Itachi, in particular, was getting strange, often surprised looks.
Theodore, at first, didn't pay any attention to this, busy studying the route Itachi was taking and trying to keep up. But after a while, he began to notice how passing students, mostly girls, reacted to Itachi.
They would freeze for a moment as they passed by, staring at Itachi with wide-eyed stares.
Theodore, watching the strange reactions of those around him, quickly realized what was wrong. He saw their gazes linger on Itachi as they blushed, whispered and, in some cases, even fainted. And the reason for all of this was plain as day - Itachi.
He, usually so reserved and scowling, had clearly changed something about his appearance today. He wasn't walking around with his usual grim face, and his face, albeit with a little effort, was expressing some semblance of normal emotion. And, as it turned out, that was enough to create quite a sensation among the female half of Hogwarts.
Theodore couldn't hold back a chuckle. As it turned out, his efforts were not in vain. They weren't just noticeable, they literally knocked them dead.
But, most interestingly, Itachi himself seemed to notice absolutely nothing. He kept walking forward, focused on his goal, as if nothing was happening. And that was what amused Theodore the most.
He could have explained to Itachi that his 'normal' face was causing such a violent reaction from those around him. But he chose to remain silent. He enjoyed watching him misunderstand.
It was a kind of punishment for his former aloofness and perpetual scowl.
And, to be honest, Theodore liked seeing Itachi like this. He was more lively, more open, and oddly enough, more attractive. He was still reserved and serious, but now there was a humanity to his face that pleased Theodore.
So he decided not to ruin this amusing picture. He simply walked beside Itachi, enjoying his incomprehension, and occasionally holding back a laugh as he looked at the next girl who fainted at the sight of his friend. He knew that in due time he would be sure to tell Itachi what had happened, but for now he was enjoying the moment.
Theodore followed Itachi, watching his actions with curiosity. He realized that Itachi was trying to keep them safe from prying eyes, and this only confirmed that he was indeed being watched.
"Are you sure we're not lost?" - Theodore asked as they rounded the corner once again. "Or are you just pretending to know the way?"
Itachi, without stopping, turned around and grinned. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. We just have to be careful."
After a while, they finally reached the right place, one of the side corridors located at the far end of the castle. Itachi stopped in front of an unremarkable wall and, casting a puzzled look at Theodore, said:
"Here lies something interesting. This place is not marked on any map of Hogwarts, and few know of its existence." He reached out his hand to the wall and, touching it, he uttered: "I need a room... a room to take refuge in."
And at the same moment, the wall shuddered and began to slowly shift, revealing a passage to nowhere.
The wall, which had previously seemed completely unremarkable, shifted with a quiet hum and shudder, revealing a passage into a dark, almost mystical corridor. Theodore stared breathlessly at the transformation, his eyes seeming to pop out of their orbits in amazement.
"What... what is it?" - He whispered, his voice shaking with shock. He turned to Itachi, who was standing next to him, looking as if opening passageways to nowhere was a common thing. "Is... is this... is this a room?"
He blinked a few times, trying to make sure he wasn't dreaming. But the wall had indeed disappeared, and in its place was now a gaping passage leading into the unknown. Theodore couldn't believe his eyes.
Theodore stepped carefully over the threshold, finding himself in a corridor that seemed to lead to infinity. He looked around, trying to figure out what this place was and how it worked. The room he expected to see was not here. There was only a long, narrow hallway, shrouded in semi-darkness.
"This... this is incredible," he exhaled, finally coming to his senses. He turned to Itachi, and genuine admiration read in his eyes. "How did you do it? How did you find this place?"
He walked a few more steps forward, not taking his eyes off the walls that seemed to breathe and the ceiling that seemed to disappear into darkness. Theodore felt his heart beating fast, overwhelmed with curiosity and admiration.
Itachi, watching Theodore's reaction, a barely noticeable but quite sincere smile appeared on his lips. It pleased him to see such surprise and admiration in his friend's eyes.
He walked down the hallway and stopped next to Theodore, looking at him with what seemed to be slight embarrassment.
"Well, actually, it's... not really a merit," he began, trying to choose his words. He didn't want to lie to Theodore, but he wasn't ready to reveal the truth about his Sharingan to him either.
"I... I just stumbled upon this place by accident," he continued, trying to make his voice more confident. "When I first came to Hogwarts, I loved walking around the castle, exploring it. I walked all the corridors, all the staircases, and then... one day, I happened to be near this wall. And somehow it just happened to open on its own."
Itachi was silent for a moment, looking at Theodore, and trying to read his reaction on his face. He tried to speak as casually as possible, but he knew it sounded a bit implausible. How does one 'accidentally' find a room that only shows up when they need it?
"I don't know how it works," he finally admitted. "I just... asked for it, and it showed up. I don't think it's some kind of magic, more like... something else. Something I don't understand yet."
Itachi looked at Theodore again, and a slight hopefulness was read in his eyes. He knew that Theodore was a very intelligent and observant man, and he hoped that he wouldn't ask too many questions. He didn't want to lie, but he wasn't ready to tell him the truth about his special power yet. He knew it was too complicated for him to understand.
"I just... I just wanted to show you this place," he added, trying to end the subject as soon as possible. "I thought you might be interested." He smiled slightly, trying to defuse the tension that hung in the air. He hoped that Theodore would believe him, and that they could move on to something else.
Itachi, noticing Theodore still studying the corridor of the Vyruchai Room with curiosity, decided to continue the conversation, trying to distract him from asking unnecessary questions about how exactly he had discovered the place. He didn't want Theodore to suspect anything amiss, so he decided to share with him exactly how he used the space.
"Actually," he began, taking a step deeper into the hallway
"I spend quite a bit of time in here. Mostly when I need to be alone." He paused, turning slightly toward Theodore.
"Sometimes I train here, practicing combat spells. And sometimes, I just rest from the noise of the castle."
He looked around, as if assessing the space, and added:
"It's like this place changes every time I come here. Sometimes it's just a corridor like this, and sometimes a whole room appears here. It always adjusts to what I need at any given moment."
Itachi stopped and looked at Theodore. "When you said you wanted to help me, I thought it would be nice if this place became our... our common space," he said, trying to make his words sound casual. "It's where we could discuss our plans, train if we need to, and just... well, be together, out of sight."
There was a slight hopefulness in his voice. He wanted this place to be not only his secret hiding place, but their space together, where they could feel comfortable and safe. He could see that Theodore was smitten with this place, and he wanted it to become for them what it had been for him - a place to be themselves.
"What do you think, Theodore?" - He asked, looking intently at his friend. "Do you want to make this place ours?" He smiled slightly, trying to show that his offer came from the bottom of his heart, and that he really wanted to share this space with Theodore.
Theodore listened to Itachi, and his head was buzzing with an overabundance of information. A room that appears on demand? Training in a secret location? Taking a break from the noise of the castle? It all sounded like something out of a fantasy book, but he knew Itachi wasn't kidding. And this was unbelievable.
He looked around the hallway they were standing in, and it seemed to him as if the walls were breathing and the floor beneath his feet was subtly vibrating. He knew there was something going on here that he didn't understand, but it didn't scare him, instead it fueled his curiosity.
When Itachi suggested to him to make this place theirs to share.
Itachi wants to share this place with me? The thought was so unexpected that he was just silent for a few seconds, trying to digest it.
He watched Itachi, his slight smile, his hopeful gaze, and realized that this offer was more than just an invitation to a secret hideout. It was a confession, it was trust. Itachi trusted him enough to be willing to share this amazing place he had found.
Theodore felt his heart fill with warmth. He had always valued his friendship with Itachi. He knew Itachi wasn't the type to open up to others easily, and this offer was a very important step for him.
I agree. This place... this place is perfect for us." He smiled, feeling the excitement and joy overwhelm him. He couldn't wait to see how this place would change once they were here together.
"I think," Theodore added, looking at Itachi, "that we'll be able to discuss and learn a lot here." There was confidence in his voice, and he knew that their adventures together were just beginning.
After Theodore and Itachi agreed to make the Ransom Room their shared space, the atmosphere in the hallway became more relaxed. They could feel their bond growing stronger, and it gave them confidence. Now they could discuss their plan of action more openly and calmly.
Itachi leaned against the hallway wall and began to explain, "Okay, let's go over the plan one more time to make sure we didn't miss anything." He looked at Theodore, waiting for his nod. "Our main goal is to expose Quirrell and find out what he's up to. And we'll try to do that without drawing too much attention to ourselves."
Theodore nodded, listening intently. He knew their plan had been thought out in detail, but he knew it was best to double-check everything again.
"The first thing," Itachi continued, raising a finger, "is surveillance. We need to keep watching Quirrell, being careful not to arouse suspicion. We need to find out who he's meeting with, what places he visits, and what exactly he does in his spare time. Theodore, you'll keep an eye on his daily movements, and I'll try to find something in his personal belongings if I can get close to them."
Theodore nodded, agreeing. "Good. I have a couple ideas on how to do this discreetly. I know a few hidden passageways, and I should have no trouble staying undetected."
Itachi continued: "The second is Dumbledore. We don't know what side he's on, and that makes him dangerous. We will be watching him, trying to understand his motives and his role in everything that is going on. Theodore, you'll pay attention to his behavior and who he communicates with, and I'll try to find any information about him in the castle archives."
Theodore nodded again, agreeing. "I've got it. And I think we should also pay attention to his reactions to Quirrell's actions. That could tell us a lot."
Itachi looked at Theodore. "This is our plan. It is simple, but at the same time complex enough to not arouse suspicion. We will proceed cautiously, and we will be prepared for any surprises."
He paused, giving Theodore a chance to ask questions. "Is there anything you would like to add?"
Theodore, in turn, nodded and said: "Yes, I think we should be prepared for the possibility that we might be discovered. So, we need to think of escape routes and create a plan in case things don't go as we planned."
Itachi thought for a moment, then nodded. "You're right. We'll factor that into our plan. It seems to make sense now, even to the most idiotic person." He grinned, looking at Theodore. "I hope so."
After a long and tense discussion.
Now that they had a clear plan of action and an understanding of how to handle various situations, he decided it was time to turn his attention to the practical side of their training. He realized that Theodore, despite his analytical mind, lacked practical skills in protective magic.
"Theodore," Itachi said, turning to his friend, "now that we've discussed all of our plans, I think we should get some practice. I want to teach you a couple of the more advanced spells that are learned in second and third year. It'll help you defend yourself better if you ever need to."
Theodore, a little surprised, raised his eyebrows. "Oh, really? You think I need it?"
Itachi nodded. "Absolutely. You're good at analytics and strategy, but practical skills in defense are also important. Especially in our case." He grinned. "I don't want you to be left defenseless when I'm busy doing something else."
Theodore thought for a moment, then smiled. "Good. I've always wanted to learn something more. But be warned, I'm not very good at practical magic."
"Don't worry," Itachi replied. "I'll be patient. We'll start simple at first, and then we'll move on to more complex spells." He looked around as if assessing the place. "There's plenty of room to practice. We won't be interrupted by anyone."
Itachi walked to the center of the corridor and extended his hand, causing a light glow to appear in it. "So, let's start with the Petrificus Totalus spell." He cast the spell and a small stone statue appeared out of thin air and froze in front of them. "This is a spell of complete paralysis. It can be very useful if you need to immobilize an opponent."
Theodore watched Itachi's actions carefully, trying to memorize his every move. He nodded.
Theodore took his wand and, concentrating, tried to repeat the spell. But instead of a stone statue, a small jet of smoke appeared out of thin air. He sighed. "I guess I'm not very good at this."
Itachi smiled. "Don't feel bad about it. Not many people get it right the first time. Try again, focus on your intentions. Magic isn't just about words and movements, it's also about intention."
Itachi, watching Theodore's first attempts at mastering spells, realized that just knowing the name and swinging a wand wasn't enough. Magic wasn't just mechanical repetition, but a complex process that required control, concentration, and an understanding of many nuances that weren't talked about in class.
"Theodore," Itachi said when another experiment with Petrificus Totalus resulted in a strange stone frog, "you're making progress, but you need to realize that there's more to magic than just words and movements. It's not just mechanical repetition. Magic is energy work, and you have to know how to control it."
Theodore, slightly disappointed but not discouraged, furrowed his eyebrows. "What do you mean? I mean, I do everything just like you show me."
Itachi stepped closer to him to better explain his point. "You see, when you cast a spell, you're not just saying the words. You're kind of channeling your magical energy through your wand. And if you don't know how to do that, the spell won't turn out the way it needs to."
He waved his wand, and a small stone statue appeared out of thin air and was flawlessly shaped. "See, when I use magic, I can feel the energy flow through me, through the wand, and it obeys my intentions. I can control the power of the spell, its accuracy, and even its form."
Itachi continued: "You have to learn to control your magical energy. It's like working your muscles. You have to feel the energy flowing through you, how it reacts to your thoughts and feelings. You have to learn to control it as if it were a part of your body."
Theodore listened intently
Itachi shook his head. "No, it's much more complicated than that. Magic is about working with your own energy. Each wizard has it unique, and each must find their own way to control it. Even your emotional state is taken into account. If you are angry or upset, the spell may not work the way you intended. Not only that, but each spell uses a certain amount of your energy. If you don't control that process, you can quickly run out of energy."
"I understand," Theodore replied. "It's like working with a flow of energy. And I have to learn how to control it to get the results I want."
"That's right," Itachi said. "It takes practice, patience, and self-control. But I'm sure you'll succeed.
He smiled. "Magic doesn't tolerate the lazy."
After Itachi explained to Theodore the intricacies of controlling magical energy, they continued practicing. Itachi patiently showed him how to concentrate properly, how to feel his wand, and how to channel energy. Theodore, for his part, did his best, listening carefully to Itachi's advice and practicing over and over again.
At first, he wasn't very good at it. His spells didn't work as well as they should, and sometimes they didn't work at all. But gradually, he began to feel the energy flowing through him, how it obeyed his will. He began to realize that magic was not just words and gestures, but a complex process that required attention and concentration.
The hours flew by unnoticed, and the training took over completely. Itachi showed Theodore the more complex spells, explaining every nuance and every aspect of their use. He taught him how to use the Reducto spell for destruction, how to use Protego for defense, and how to use Expelliarmus to disarm an opponent.
They were so engrossed in the process that they didn't notice how time flew by. It wasn't until a piercing sound erupted from Theodore's abdomen that brought them back to reality.
"Oh," Theodore muttered, putting a hand to his stomach. "I think we're a little late." His stomach made another loud rumbling noise.
Itachi grinned upon hearing that sound. His own stomach wasn't left out either, making similar noises. He glanced at the clock hanging on the wall of the Ransom Room. "You're right. We missed breakfast, and by the looks of it, it's about time we had something to eat."
"I think we should go back to the castle and get something to eat. And then we can continue our classes."
They walked out of the Ransom Room, once again following the confusing path Itachi had devised, and headed towards the Great Hall.