A short Theomione oneshot. AU.
The relationship had started out rocky, at best, and was absolutely terrible, at worst. But they managed. Honestly, Hermione thought, it was only a matter of time.
During the dark days, in between Horcrux hunting and surviving the long, dreary months, Hermione had stumbled across Theodore Nott, injured and on the ground near the tiny cottage she had found one day, though he was oblivious to the Fidelius-charm-protected building. She had promptly hauled him up the step and dragged him through the door and onto the bed, where she healed his cuts and bruises and force fed the seventeen-year-old a potion for the more serious injuries.
After that, Theo went in and out of the cottage, forced to attend to his Death Eater duties but unwilling to turn to the Order. Hermione would keep the place stocked with fresh food and water, various healing potions, and occasionally even what was starting to be considered (outside of the Death Eaters' homes) luxury items: a frosted cookie, some hot cocoa mix, an orange. She would check in from time to time, visiting briefly with Theo—he insisted she call him Theo—if he was there.
Even when the feelings started showing up, the pair kept the knowledge they had of each other a secret. Lest the Dark Lord find out… They shuddered at the very thought.
As the days turned even darker, and each hour was a fight to survive, the cottage turned into a refuge for the pair. Though it was difficult to get away from Harry and Ron, Hermione managed, and Theo passed the weekly visits as "reading up on the Dark Arts." His father would laugh but let him go, saying, "Unnecessary, but let the boy fulfill his reading desire with something useful."
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When the war was over, every Death Eater present was arrested, including Theo. He was not spared from Azkaban, though Hermione did her best.
The trio was at the prison to see the enemy behind bars a week later. And as the boy was led to his cell, Hermione rushed up to him, begging, "Please, let me just see him once."
"You've already seen him. You're looking at 'im right now!" Ron protested. But Harry held him back and let her go, disapproval in his eyes but wanting to help his friend. Hermione peeled back the hood on Theo's robe and clutched his face, tears running down her own cheeks. He leaned forward and kissed her softly and said, "I'll see you again, soon."
Hermione pressed her face into his chest as he held her with a chained arm. "Soon," she agreed. She breathed in his scent and finally let him go.
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Two months after, Hermione decided to return to the cottage. She decided to live there, instead of the fancy place she was offered, and return to school to take her N.E.W.T.s. And lo and behold, the eighteen-year-old boy was there, in the common room of the separate dorms. She rushed up to him, holding him tight, and burst into tears. Theo held her and whispered words of comfort to her as she cried in relief and happiness. "I told you I'd see you soon," he said.