I don't anything related to Harry Potter and I make no profit from publishing this little tidbit.
...
Theodore Nott scowled as he sat down on his rump, carefully sweeping out his tail. He'd sat on it before, and it wasn't pleasant.
He let out a doggy sigh and looked around this strange room—figures the first time he was in a girl's room and he was in his animangus form. Ah well. He let out a growl and tossed his head, making good on the intent to investigate.
He could get away with more in this canine form.
So he sniffed around, nosing at things that maintained his curiosity and peering under her bed and in her closet and taking stock of everything he was learning. Hermione Granger was neat, of course, but with his sense of smell he learned more than a casual glance would.
Yes, she did spend a lot of time at her desk, but not at the school tomes so neatly stacked. Rather she wrote in a diary, and was spending some time constructing her own spells—Brilliant and a bit more emotional than others expected.
Her closet smelled like rain and mint—he'd nosed in to find that she did own more than those prim uniforms and clothes she sported around Hogwarts. He'd particularly like to see her in a few of those dresses. He growled angrily as he wondered who did get to see her in those dresses. But they still had price tags attached.
The bed was almost covered with pillows, and he nosed in to smell that yes, she slept with all of them. He wondered if she liked to cuddle or if there was another reason.
She had the neatest arrangement of shoes parading under her bed too, each tiny and clean. But she had a lot of them, and he blinked and wondered about it. Then he realized she had a collection of high quality clothes—Granger was upper class. Didn't his mother always say the shoes made the outfit?
He blinked and woofed.
Then he turned to the bathroom. There was no cloying scent of perfume or potions, just a hairbrush on the counter. He went to nose into the vanity but heard a noise. He entered the main room, listening.
"No Ron," she insisted from just outside the door. Theo perked up his ears and paced forward. He stared hard at the door, almost willing himself to see through the wood.
"Hermy," the ginger whinged.
Theo cringed at the abhorrent nickname, but Hermione huffed and he was appeased. She didn't seem to like it either.
"I said no. I am not inviting you into my rooms."
"But you must get lonely, having the bedroom all to yourself now."
Theo narrowed his eyes and snorted, affronted at the way Weasley was trying to…weasel an invitation.
"Ron," Hermione's voice warned.
There was a quick movement of cloth. "Merlin Hermione! We've been dating for three months now."
"And?" she inquired in a dangerously low voice.
"It didn't take me this much work to get into Lavender's skirt!"
Oh! Bad form! Theo grinned.
"I am not Lavender," Hermione hissed. "And I will not accept a fumble in the sheets to soothe your ego! Good night Ronald."
The door was pulled open swiftly, and Theo just caught the dumbfounded expression on the ginger's face before Hermione slammed it quite intently.
He woofed and padded close to her, wanting to congratulate her on that spectacular brush off the only way he could right now. Though she did accept his attention, and give his ears a good rub that made him go cross eyed, she didn't seem as victorious.
Instead she seemed to deflate and sink into her desk chair, her dark eyes shadowed. Then she sighed and ducked her head so sable curls exploded around her morose face and she started to write in her diary.
Theo blinked and watched the flick of the quill before he plopped his head down in her lap.
She absently used her free hand to brush back his fur, and he rumbled out a pleased growl as her fingernails scratched behind his skull.
It was only when a sudden wetness dropped onto his nose that he realized tears were leaking out of her eyes.
He whined and cuddled closer, as much as his bulky form allowed.
But she didn't explain or cuddle him, just finished her diary entry and then turned to bed and all those pillows. Theo joined her with a stubborn will, averting his eyes only when she made to change and then quickly curling around her torso and snuffling into her hair.
She sobbed herself to sleep.
The next day while she was in class he nosed to the desk, finding her diary open. It didn't make much sense, but several phrases stood out and made his hackles raise. 'I need to tell Ron', 'What he did…it still hurts sometimes', 'What will Ron think?', 'How do I explain this to Ron? He always flies off the handle…'.
After spending the rest of the day nosing into spaces he hadn't managed to get to yesterday he waited.
Theo sat right by the door and watched for her that night. She didn't bring Ron and he didn't hear her talking to him outside the doors, but she sat and did her homework quickly before moving to her closet. Theo watched her finger the dresses that had his attention, and his eyes narrowed.
But she dropped her fingers from the silky fabric, and the price tags at the neckline remained.
He wondered why she'd bought them.
Hermione gave a frustrated groan and mopped her hand down her face. She spun and spotted him, her face softening and a smile lightening her expression. "Well, no one's come to claim you yet," she murmured in her low relaxed voice.
Theo barked a little, his tail starting to wag.
She laughed and approached, kneeling down and wrapping her arms around his bulky form. "That means you are still mine to cuddle! I can wait to talk to Ron!"
And he let her lead him to the bed, and bury her face in his fur as she did indeed treat him like a big teddy bear.
Theo actually rather enjoyed being the one she turned to for this, even if she didn't know he was a wizard. He was very lucky she had been the witch to find him in the halls while he ran. So what if she used him to ease her emotional turmoil?
Theo had always paid a little too much attention to the muggleborn, and now that he'd spent the week or so many days in her room to witness her most private self that regard had blossomed into a keen possessive attraction. She was even more stunning when she was all herself, all alone and true and unfettered.
The Nott heir was a towering intimidating wizard who would normally not have this chance, her two human guard dogs (the irony!) and his Slytherin House in the way. But then, no one else ever got to see Hermione the way he had seen her these last days.
She was achingly vulnerable and open, and so delightful with her playful teasing and quirky habits. Who else knew that she liked to sing when she showered? Name a wizard who knew that her scent was all her with no unnatural perfumes or soaps to add to it. Who would guess that her untameable curls were actually somewhat tamed compared to her morning hair after waking? Who else noticed that she loved to dance and her body showed that she spent time at the pursuit? And (he blushed) what wizard guessed at the sensual choices she made in clothes (all soft and quality and touchable)?
And that witch he was so enamored with was kind and caring and compassionate and brave and witty and wise and so much of everything he wanted.
Theodore Nott was a good Slytherin—actually schemed and watched and learned. He was also a pureblood, with all the protective possessive tendencies of his peers, compounded by his canine instincts.
Hermione was his. She just didn't know it yet.
So he rumbled and soothed her to sleep.
The next day he perked up to hear her voice, but then his ears pinned back to hear who accompanied her.
And she sounded tentative, behind her frustration. "No Ron, I do need to talk to you."
The ginger grumbled, "After ignoring me yesterday you better have something to say. I don't get you sometimes."
Hermione sighed as she pushed in the door. Theo bristled as the ginger followed her, his eyes sweeping over the room.
"You still have that mutt?"
Hermione tossed her curls over her shoulder, eyes narrowing. "Yes. But that's not why I brought you here."
Weasley's expression turned sly; not a pleasant sight on his freckled face. "Well this is rather cozy…" he suggested.
Hermione's surprised face looked over her shoulder from where she was heading to light the hearth. Then she scowled, "No Ron. Come sit by the fire. We actually do have to talk."
The ginger scowled too, and Theo felt some satisfaction. Hermione was much too classy to give in to his pressuring. He paced closer to her chair and watched the ginger sit in another lounger. "Of course you invite me to your rooms to talk—don't know what I was thinking."
Hermione's lips stiffened. "Ron."
"Yeah I get it. So what's this about?" His eyes carefully noted Theo as he put his head in her lap and enjoyed an ear scratch, but kept his dark canine eyes on the ginger. Warning.
Weasley swallowed.
"I'm sorry about yesterday," she started hesitantly but then gained momentum. "I figured I needed to explain something to you but didn't know how. I didn't mean to ignore you, I was just thinking."
Weasley didn't look too impressed. Then Theo wasn't usually too impressed with the wizard anyway, it would stand to reason Weasley didn't cotton on to the fact that Hermione had been distressed yesterday. A better wizard, and boyfriend, would certainly not be haranguing her about it.
Hermione sighed and moved to scratch under his chin. Theo rumbled in pleasure. "This is hard for me Ron," she admitted quietly.
The ginger sighed out through his nose and turned to her. "What do you need to say?" he almost managed that in a gentle voice.
But Theo's canine ears heard the impatience, the frustration. He narrowed his eyes at the wizard.
Hermione focused on petting Theo, and the secret animangus focused up at her gaze as she spoke and it seemed as if she was telling Theo this secret and not the ginger haired prat. "I'm just not ready for us to go that far Ron."
Their guest made a strangled noise.
"And I don't mean to go that far until I'm married, understand. I…" she sighed in frustration and blinked her eyes. "I have to tell you. There was a boy where I live…he was nice to me. Weren't you the one to say that I'm a nightmare? You were right, I never had any friends. So I thought he…I thought he actually was my friend. Except he wasn't. And he wasn't expecting me to say no either."
She stopped, and Weasley was even silent. Theo held the growl in his chest, felt his hackles rising at the thoughts in his head. Hermione was a lady of class, fitting for any pureblood, so he felt no shock that she was holding to the old ways and waiting. But this boy…this muggle boy…Theo was certain he would not like him in this tale.
"What are you trying to say?"
She huffed and blew a curl out of her eyes. "I told him no when he wanted to…well I told him no. And he got violent. The only reason I can wait with any dignity for my wedding night is because a passing couple heard me screaming and his shouting."
Theo's whole body tensed and he pressed his head into her stomach, the growl strangled in his throat as he struggled to reign in his desire to snarl and snap at an invisible muggle boy.
Weasley grimaced and stood, his hands throwing up into the air. "So because of some muggle boy you are punishing me?"
"What? No I—"
"That's what this is! You're playing games with me to make yourself feel better."
"Ron! I am not playing games with you! We are dating, that doesn't mean we have to get physical like you keep on…"
"We don't have to have sex, Hermione, but you can help me out other ways."
"Ron! Were you even listening! I don't want to do anything of the sort! I'm saving myself for my husband, and that boy made me realize how precious that gift will be for him! I'm lucky I made it through the war intact too!"
Weasley scoffed and took a step closer, disregarding the angry Theo who was ready to snap and defend. "Don't be ridiculous. You're not that much a prize," he sneered.
Hermione flinched and stiffened; her eyes wide and face pale.
"I know you tend to waltz around like you're some sort of Rowena brought to life, but the world doesn't revolve around you. Your precious 'gift' wasn't in any danger with men who thought you were lower than mud."
Her expression started to darken, anger flushing her cheeks and magic sparking in her hair. Theo blinked at her stunning presentation before focusing on the redhead again, unwilling to be distracted from the threat he portrayed. "Ron, I'm warning you: stop whatever else you're going to say before I get really angry."
"Are you sure you didn't imagine this boy trying to take advantage of you? I swear Hermione, the idea is almost stupid. No one else here wants you, why would it be any different in the muggle world? And I thought you would be flattered by my attention, but you're just a tease!"
Hermione stood, her tiny hands fisted near the hem of her skirt and her magic crackling around her entire form. "Ronald Bilius Weasley you are a complete and utter moron! If we didn't have the years of friendship behind us I would hex you so badly even your own mother wouldn't kiss your cheek! If you have any sense at all you will leave!" Her shout and an accidental burst of magic threw open the door to her room.
Everyone in the common room was frozen, staring at the pair of them.
Ronald shouted back, unerringly stupid. "Fine! Be that way then, I can do much better than a nagging harpy!"
Hermione gasped and her eyes became a bright gold color, her magic fighting in her. "Leave!" She shrieked, "If you ever get it in mind to apologize for every horrible thing you've said tonight it will be too soon!"
Weasley ran from the room when her magic started whipping books and shoes and knickknacks about. The stunned gaping faces of the other Gryffindors in the common room disappeared when her magic slammed the door so hard it vibrated in its frame.
Theo recovered and licked his lips.
He padded towards the quivering witch and nosed into her fist, feeling her fingers gentle until he could stick his cold nose in her palm. Her eyes turned to him, and the gold faded until her sad whiskey gaze was upon him.
He whined.
She sobbed and collapsed to her knees, hugging him and hiding her face under his head. He whimpered and nuzzled her as she wept, and he rumbled and scented her until the grief that marked her scent faded and she sniffled.
"Well, that could have gone over better," she muttered. Then she sighed and changed into her night wear and wearily crawled into bed. Theo hopped up and nosed aside some cushions to cuddle especially close tonight.
When Hermione did fall asleep it was troubled, and he stayed awake for most of the night to rumble and soothe her.
She slept in the next day, and it was the weekend so he silenced her alarm with a few clumsy bats of his paw before cuddling back around her. She deserved some rest. If he was in his wizard form he'd also bring her breakfast in bed and snuggle in with her, perhaps even read a few chapters from the fiction she was idling in right now.
It was sure to be a guilty pleasure of hers, some fantasy romance with a witty heroine and strong silent lead.
With a huff he nuzzled into her neck, closing his eyes to doze.
Hermione woke up with a sleepy murmur, rolling more into him and pressing her arms around him. He sighed and looked down at her, watching the way awareness came to her sleepy content face—washing irritation and discontent over it.
She quietly got ready for the day, only giving her alarm one puzzled glance before completing her morning ablutions. Theo watched her with a whine, and then when she went to leave he hopped up and rushed to her side, waiting.
When she opened the door he walked out with her, and he stayed by her side the whole day. He growled at anyone who questioned her too much, making her uncomfortable. He butted into her space for attention when she drifted off into memory. He growled and snarled at Malfoy and the old crew when they approached for some harassing. And when Weasley, his face pink with embarrassment, tried to approach Nott snarled and his whole form tensed. With his fur raised he placed himself in front of Hermione.
He hadn't got the chance to protect her last night. He'd do a better job today.
So Hermione spent a day peacefully reading by the lake and going to each meal without being harassed by anyone. The huge canine she'd rescued from the dark hallways guarding her from any untoward approach.
That night when they went to rest she hugged him and whispered a thank you into his fur.
Theo swelled with pride.
Hermione woke up the next day and immediately wrote in her diary, and after that she tidied up her room with a little hum in her throat. Theo watched her, pleased. He turned away when she dressed, eyeing the diary and wondering what had turned her mood around.
She leaned over him and gave him a kiss on his snout—he turned eyes to see her dressed in another of her prim skirts and soft tops, and she smiled softly as she moved to the door.
Which opened to reveal the sheepish form of Ronald Weasley.
Hermione's good mood immediately vanished and she stiffened. Theo was in that instant right by her side, hackles raised and a snarl building from his chest.
"Ronald," she said coolly.
Weasley shuffled. "Hermione," he started awkwardly, uncomfortable, then he glanced down at Theo. "Can you at least call your guard dog off?"
"No," she said sharply.
Ron blinked. "Then…can I come in so we can talk?"
"No," she said more sharply, narrowing her eyes. "And I'll remind you, I mean no."
Weasley swallowed and rocked back on his heels. "I didn't mean it," he admitted lowly.
Hermione sniffed and stuck her nose in the air, but her eyes blinked and she tossed her curls to cover it. Theo growled and lowered his head menacingly. "It doesn't matter if you did Ron." Weasley looked both confused and irritatingly hopeful. "What matters is that you said it after I tried to…well I tried to explain why. You would be the only one here who knew, and instead of understanding you threw it back in my face."
Weasley made a strangled noise and reached out.
Hermione jerked back from his reach. "That's not what I want in a relationship. I do not want to be torn down by you every time you feel like you're the slightest bit offended by something. I do not want you shouting at me every time you're masculine ego is dented. Because that means our relationship will always be insults and shouting matches," she said scathingly and Theo was a little impressed at her insult.
Ron's face purpled and he glowered. "Hermione, just give me a…"
"No."
Theo snapped and lunged forward when Weasley took a step into the doorway. Weasley instead yelped and jumped back, drawing the attention of those in the common room again.
"You broke up with me Ronald, go find someone else who isn't such a nagging harpy." She made to close the door but hesitated and added, "And don't even think of approaching me again."
With the door closed behind her Hermione leaned against it and let out a slow breath as she slid down the wood. Theo curled over her and nuzzled her hair and neck, comforting her in her tremors as she realized what had just happened.
Her good mood from this morning was well and truly gone. He would make the ginger pay when he was a wizard again.
Hermione sighed and made to her desk, lazily doing homework instead of whatever happy pursuit she had originally planned for the day. Theo pouted and curled over her feet, planning his own happy pursuits.
As soon as he could chance approaching McGonagall he'd be righted, his Slytherin peers would feel his revenge, Ronald Weasley would feel the bite of his disdain, and Hermione Granger would be pursued to the day of her confused compliance.
It was a few more weeks before he got the chance to approach the new Headmistress, thankful that she was a transfiguration master. In those weeks he witnessed the true alliance of the Den of Lions. Apparently Hermione really was the Queen of Gryffindor. The others tentatively eased their way into behaving normally around her, ever wary of her wand and the canine who accompanied her. Ron's few attempts to approach were aborted when said canine pinned his ears back and growled, preparing to pounce each time. And Hermione grew used to ignoring the ginger, getting her life back in order without him to distract her from homework or her other friends.
All in all it was a good recovery, almost normal.
Except Theo knew that she now thought no one would date her, knew that Weasley's words had hit close to her heart as she spilled it over the pages of her diary. He knew her past with that muggle boy, and knew how strong she was to overcome it. He knew how compassionate she was to rescue him and care for him these weeks, and he knew the make of Hermione Granger.
And that made her his—which was definitely not normal in her little world.
So he sat in McGonagall's way and stared at her.
She got the hint.
A few hours of murmured spells and research and Theo found himself back in his towering wizard form, bowing over the Matron's hand to kiss it in gratitude. She waved off his gentlemanly approach, though her eyes twinkled.
When he was just exiting, she called in her burr, "Don't waste too much time. I think Miss Granger needs a wizard like you."
Theo smiled over his shoulder.
He found Hermione in the library, a pout on her pretty lips as she read a large dusty tome. He admired her as a wizard, missing the ability to scent her mood and snuggle close. Soon enough, he supposed.
So he approached and sat across from her.
She blinked and marked her spot with one finger, "Yes?"
"Good Afternoon, Miss Granger."
She colored, a rose coming to her pale cheeks. "Mr. Nott, good afternoon. Please, call me Hermione."
So she did know of him then. Perfect, better. "Hermione," he purred and leaned over the table slightly. "I've recently heard you've become…unattached."
She stiffened and lifted her chin slightly, her eyes darkening. "And what does this mean to you, Mr. Nott?"
"Theo."
Her whiskey eyes blinked and she completely closed the book. He smiled a small grin then reached out to take one of her hands in his large palm.
"Alright, Theo. Again, what does my…relationship status mean to you?"
He squeezed her hand and brought it up to kiss the palm. Her breath hitched and her dark eyelashes flickered. "I would like the chance to court you," he offered simply, speaking against the flesh of her fingers.
Her breath left her in a rush, her eyes darkening as she regarded him. "You hardly know me," she murmured in disbelief.
A smile tugged at his lips. He knew her better than she thought he did, but best to wait to reveal that little tidbit. "I know enough to be impressed—you are quite the witch. And if you don't agree let me court you to prove how well I know you, and how good we could be together."
"Theo," she whispered uncertainly, her eyes dancing between his trying to find the reason for his approach.
"I see you miss your canine friend," he changed the subject, noticing the way her other hand had checked at her side for his presence without thinking. It touched a small part of him to have her in some way rely on his being beside her.
Soon he'd tell her all.
She blushed. "He wasn't mine at all, he's probably back with his real owner."
"You had a way with him," he comforted.
She smiled slightly. "I did grow pretty attached," she admitted then giggled. She bit her lip and covered her mouth, turning her head away with a dark blush.
Theo laughed quietly and leaned across the table, taking her captured hand and pressing it against his cheek. She turned back to him with soft wondering eyes. But he couldn't resist when for so many weeks she'd touched him daily.
"Become attached to me," he murmured, his happy eyes staring into hers. "Let me court you and woo you like the delightful witch you are. I want to show all those other wizards what they passed over, what a gem I've managed to entice. Say you'll consent to being on my arm in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley and at the balls for the Ministry celebrations."
"Theo," she gasped and her fingers flexed against his cheek. He grinned at her. She blinked and bit her lip, a grin growing on her pouty lips in response. "Yes."
"Excellent," he murmured and drew away to kiss her palm again. He would go slow, truly woo her and ensnare her senses and devotion. Even fighting against his primal jubilant urge to take and plunder those sinful lips with his own. Not yet. Wait for her. "I hope you don't mind if I sit and wait for you to finish your reading, after that maybe a light dinner and walk around the grounds?"
She laughed again, this time not embarrassed by the girlish sound as she agreed. But then she quickly packed away the tomes. "I was just bored anyway, lead the way good sir."
"Hermione," he murmured and offered his arm.
Their courting was delightfully playful and slow, a build up of passion and keen regard between them both. After a month or two he took her aside to reveal his animangus form, talking through her spluttering embarrassed response. But she'd recalled his strange way of turning aside every time she dressed, of knowing just when she needed a touch when she rambled to herself, of covering his eyes with his paw when she'd contorted to reach under her bed.
"You were a rather gallant dog," she admitted with a shy blush.
Theo grinned and ducked to kiss her cheek. "I could be nothing less with a certain lady for a mistress."
She blinked and then her eyes shifted, realization coloring her features with surprised panic. "That means you were…you heard…" she groaned and covered her face with her hands.
He crowded in around her petite form, taking her wrists in his gentle grip and shushing her. "Hey hey, it doesn't change anything. You are my strong witch, and I will protect you forever now that you've agreed to court me."
"Forever?" she asked with a wry quirk to her lips and a raised eyebrow as she emerged from behind her hands.
Theodore grinned. "Forever. I don't plan on letting you go-you have this old dog's loyalty."
Hermione laughed.
But it was true.
