Disclaimer: I do not own Daphne Greengrass or Theodore Nott. I do not own any other Harry Potter characters, icons, or ideas.
Summary: Romance blossoms in indecisive times. Daphne Greengrass/Theodore Nott. Takes place during Harry's sixth year.
In Uncertain Times
"It's snowing again," Daphne Greengrass commented lightly as she walked back from the last herbology lesson of the term. She hung back slightly to walk alongside Theodore Nott, hoping to engage him in conversation.
"It's England, of course it's precipitating," Theodore replied, not insultingly, but indifferently. Daphne was not sure which was worse.
"Are you returning home for Christmas?" she asked, making the conversation even more strained.
"To what?" he questioned. "My mother is dead and my father is still…detained." Daphne cursed herself for her stupidity. It was common knowledge amongst the Slytherins whose relatives were still incarcerated in Azkaban prison. Also, it was known the late Mrs. Nott had died before her son's eyes, in what many called a tragic accident. Others considered it incredibly lucky for his father.
Theodore's mother had been a very strong supporter of the Ministry of Magic during Voldemort's first rising. It was rumored; the Notts experienced a series of disagreements regarding their political views. Shortly after Theodore's eighth birthday, she had been found dead. Theodore had been found in the wardrobe, he would never speak of what he ha seen.
Daphne was silent as they walked back to the castle, keeping her eyes focused on Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson as they held hands. Theodore glances at the girl beside him, with a slight grimace to his face.
"I bet you wish you were Pansy right about now," Theodore said scathingly. "You could be the one fawning all over Draco, enjoying yourself."
Daphne snickered inwardly thinking of herself with Draco Malfoy. She would never suit him. He and Pansy were a match in every possible way. She was the counterpart of a girl like Pansy.
"You don't like Draco very much, do you?" she inquired quietly. Daphne studied Theodore's face as he answered.
Draco turned around slightly at the mention of his name, but paid no mind to the two straggling members of his house. Theodore had never tried to be one of Draco's friends, but he had never tried to stand against him either. Consequently, Draco had never tried to belittle or abuse Theodore, knowing Nott was not someone to tangle with.
"No, I don't respect him," he said shortly. "It's entirely different."
"I suppose," Daphne agreed, though perhaps she understood better than she let on.
"Are you returning to Caer Greengrass for the holidays?" Theodore asked, resigning himself to the conversation. Caer Greengrass was Daphne's ancestral home in the English countryside.
"Not this year, mother and father want me to stay at school. It's a dangerous time," she reminded him, as though it was possible for anyone to forget.
"Especially for one such as yourself," he added candidly. Daphne gave a slight start. In Slytherin House there was an unwritten rule not to remind anyone of their allegiances or loyalties. For most of the house, their foremost loyalty was to their self.
"I am capable of defending myself," Daphne said proudly. "Besides, I hardly think I am a target of the Dark Lord."
"You're right. If I were you, I would be far more worried about Vincent ambushing me beneath the mistletoe," Theodore conceded, with a smirk. Daphne cringed at the idea of meeting Vincent beneath the mistletoe. "I forgot, you're hoping to meet Draco under the mistletoe," he said, the jealousy imbedded in his voice.
"I never knew you had such an amazing sense of humor," she responded, her voice dripping with sarcasm. They had almost arrived at the door, when Theodore stopped suddenly to look at her.
"And if Draco Malfoy isn't good enough for Miss Daphne Greengrass, who is? Which Slytherin Pureblood are you hoping will meet you under the mistletoe?" Theodore asked teasingly. Theodore knew better than to assume Daphne would want anything less than the best.
She was a Slytherin, after all. Perhaps she was not as outgoing and aggressive as Pansy, but she was still a Slytherin.
"No one," she said without missing a beat. Being able to deny her feelings was what had made Daphne so invisible these past six years.
It was true that Daphne was not one of the girls Pansy held court with at the Slytherin table. She simply had no desire to compete with the vivacious blonde. Daphne was pretty, but terribly plain. Her redeeming qualities were her pureblood and large bank vault. She held no illusions about herself.
"No one dares make any alliances now, not with the Dark Lord preparing his next move," Theodore mentioned casually, as though he were commenting on the weather. It was true, it was too dangerous to make a new friend, when not everyone had shown their loyalties.
"A kiss is hardly a binding alliance," she scoffed, knowing it sounded childish, even to her own ears.
Then, Theodore kissed her.
Daphne touched her lips as he pulled away. She was confused and shocked by her fellow Slytherin. He had clearly said now was not the time or the place.
"Now, after that kiss, could you stand against me?" he asked her, studying her blue eyes carefully.
Daphne was silent.
Once more he kissed her, this time he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him.
"Would you want to?" Theodore questioned intensely, his eyes never leaving hers.
"I think," she said slowly, "that depends where you stand, Nott."
"Today, I stand here, by Hogwarts," he responded slyly, avoiding her eyes and question.
"And tomorrow, what then?" Daphne asked, raising her eyebrow. "Where will you stand when it matters most?"
"It all depends, where you stand," Theodore admitted quietly. "Because, I know I want to be with you. Is that what you want?"
"Only if…" she trailed off, looking away from him.
"Only if what?" Theodore asked sharply.
"If I can call you Teddy."
Author's Note: Sorry, this is only a one shot. It was difficult to write and I still do not think it accomplishes what I wanted it to. But, then again, you tell me, you are the readers.