Chapter One: Forbidden Love, Never Lasts.
My mother told me once that true love only came once in your life, and that you needed to grasp it by the handles and let it play out. What she failed to tell me was that it would not last, true love, forbidden love, never lasts.
It also doesn't just come once; my love life is proof of that.
See the story I am about to tell you, is one that use to break my heart, it seemed like a tragedy of sorts, a love meant to be, but torn apart by social standings…typical. Now, I see it as what had to be done. If it wasn't meant to be, you couldn't live like a hermit all your life. You had to be like a butterfly, spread your wings and fly.
June 21st 2001
I heard a knock from my bedroom, he was early, again.
"Damn it Theo! Why are you always so early?" I muttered.
The truth though was that I found his punctuality attractive. Those people who were always late frustrated me to no end, if you show up late, why show up at all? Ever since our first date, Theo has never been late, not once.
"Coming!" I called.
I hopped on one foot, trying to get my nude colored heel on my foot; I grabbed my clutch purse from my bed. I straightened my lace nude dress, which went below my knee, proper, but not conservative. I scrambled for the door, no use making him wait forever.
I unlocked the door and opened it.
Theo smiled; I stepped aside and let him in.
He kissed my cheek, "You look beautiful Mione."
"Thank you, those robes are quite dashing on you, did Daphne help you?" I accused.
He blushed and nodded.
As long as I have known him Theo has been well dressed, yet not by choice. As a business man of the high society he had to keep up appearances to remain in social standings. While over at my flat though, once we were comfortable with one another he began wearing his casual clothes including loose t-shirts and boxers, sometimes without the shirt. I wasn't complaining.
"Happy Birthday by the way," I added quickly, beckoning him to come inside a bit more.
"Here I thought you have forgotten love," he joked, hugging me in thanks.
"Never," I scoffed. "When have I ever forgotten?"
"Well…"
"That does not count Theodore! My mother switched the date on me! You know how sneaky she can be!" I exclaimed.
"Come sit, I want to give you something," I told him.
He sat on my couch while I ran to my bedroom and fetched a green wrapped box from my closet. I put a lot of thought into my present; it was hard since if he really wanted something he could go to the store and get it without a care in the world.
Luna Lovegood, a good friend of mine mentioned that she made a scrapbook for her husband Rolf for Christmas. He adored it and they always add new photos to it when they went to different events and holidays.
I sat next to Theo on the couch, passing him my perfectly wrapped present.
"Slytherin green, how stereotypical," he teased, untying the ribbon.
"Don't be posh Theo, I know it is your favorite color," I huffed, hitting his arm playfully.
He finished the ribbon and undid the taping job I did. I knew he got frustrated with the abundance of tape I used; I did it anyway, just to see him squirm.
He removed the paper with ease, revealing the leather bound scrapbook.
He looked at me quizzically.
I hesitated, "It is a scrapbook, of us. Of all the things we have done together, Luna gave me the idea. You hate it don't you?"
"Of course not! I love it!" he scoffed.
He turned toward me and kissed me lightly. His kisses were my kryptonite, I couldn't resist them. No matter how many times these soft kisses tried to be short and sweet, we always ended up in bed by the end. That was not happening; we were not missing his party.
I pulled away.
"What?" he asked innocently.
"You know perfectly well 'why' Theo! We have to go to your party!" I stated, standing up and fixing my dress again.
"Well?" I asked.
"Perfect,"
He clasped my hand, placed the scrapbook on the table and disapparated us to Parkinson Manor, the holding of the nights festivities.
Pansy and her mother Penelope had outdone themselves. It was a fabulous soirée, classical music, the finest chef in the Wizarding World catered, and the tables were made with the finest china and silverware with silk tablecloths and abstract centre pieces.
But it was not Theo.
Theo would have liked to have had dinner at a restaurant with his close friends, but ever since his parents passed Mrs. Parkinson had insisted on holding his party at their Manor. Theo then would have been happy, listening to some muggle and magical rock. He hated classical instruments.
He never said anything though, it made Penelope happy. She was his second mother.
We walked in and were greeted by Blaise Zabini and his wife, one of my other best friends Ginny Zabini. Ginny wore a flowing gold dress that went to the ground. A rope like string wrapped around her waist, her auburn strands were in a million pinned up braids. She looked like a Greek Goddess.
It should be mentioned that this is my first socialite event. Sure I met a few of the socialites like the Parkinson's, Zabini's and the Scamander's, but never have I the bookworm muggleborn been in a room with so many purebloods in my life.
"Hermione, you look absolutely gorgeous!" Ginny complimented, pulling me into a hug.
"Happy Birthday mate," Blaise shook hands with Theo.
"Thanks, Ginerva, you are beautiful as always," Theo told her.
"Theo you sly dog, keep your eyes on your own girlfriend!" Blaise chuckled.
Theo looked at me, "I have no problem in doing that."
I blushed; he always knew what to say to make me go red.
"Shall we go inside?" Ginny suggested. We all agreed and headed inside the Parkinson's home.
Pansy was at front greeting guests with her mother and her father Harris. She too was quite the sight; her hair was pinned up, with a couple curly black strands falling at the front. Pansy decided on a forest green floor length silk dress. Pansy was single at the moment; this was why she was part of the outsiders as they called it.
The Outsiders consisted of 'outcasts' of the PWS, the Pureblooded Woman's Society. Daphne Greengrass was also part of their group for the same reason. Ginny was because of her families, blood traitor and poor income status, the girls called her a gold digger. Luna, well she was a bit odd, so the other girls made fun of her for her extravagant personality and beliefs.
"Hermione and Ginny don't you girls look wonderful," Penelope Parkinson smiled.
The Parkinson's were neutral in the war, they never believed in 'pureblood' being the superior blood. But to keep Pansy safe, she was told to keep up a snobbish pureblooded image for school.
"Thank you," they gratefully told her.
"Theo my dear boy don't you look dapper! Hermione is a lucky girl!" Penelope hugged him, giving him a once over.
Theo blushed, 'Thank you Pen."
"Now in you kids go, I dare say Theo everyone is waiting to wish you a happy birthday," Harris chuckled.
They followed instructions and headed off into the ballroom.
"Why did we come instead of snog again?" Theo whispered in her ear.
"Theo! This is all for you, you know how much the Parkinson's love you! I am surprised they are not trying to off me and get you to marry Pansy," I giggled.
"Nonsense, they love you like their own daughter as well," he assured her.
"I barely know them," I muttered.
Theo shrugged, "They do."
Theo and I made our way inside, and went over to Blaise and Ginny who were talking with Luna and Rolf.
"Hermione, the wrackspurt are on your side tonight," Luna told her.
"I am thankful, otherwise I would look like a night troll with this hair of mine," I went along.
I didn't believe what Luna said half the time, but I truly do think she believes these creatures are real so why kill her energetic spirit?
"Happy birthday Theodore, Rolf and I send you our love and a million nargles to snog Hermione under," Luna patted his shoulder.
"Thank Luna, I will use those nargles wisely," he smirked at me.
There he went, making me blush again.
"There you guys are! I have been stuck riding here with Astoria!" Daphne Greengrass complained.
She was one of those girls that had it all, her and her sister did.
Daphne wore a strapless royal blue dress that went to her knees, and puffed out a bit. Her hair was only pulled back by a matching headband, letting her curly mid length blonde hair to rest on her shoulders.
"I pity you, that girl is so annoying," Ginny sighed.
"She is my sister, I know," Daphne snorted.
Daphne and Astoria Greengrass' relationship was one that was not sisterly in the least. Astoria was the favorite of their mother, thinking Astoria to be the prettier of the two. Grades meant nothing to Matilda Greengrass.
Daphne was not jealous of her sister, just of the attention she got from their mother. To be fair Daphne was the favorite of their father. No one blamed Daphne for disliking Astoria; she was superficial, conceited and petty.
"Well ladies, us men are going to go to the Cigar room," Blaise bid them.
"Oh Theo you know I hate that smell," I sighed.
"Hermione one night, it is his birthday," Rolf smiled.
"Oh fine, but I want a spell placed on you to block the fumes and scent," I ordered.
"Yes dear," Theo teased, leaving me with a quick peck.
So the night carried on, Pansy joined us after all the guests were greeted.
"I loath hosting, I may have a knack at it but it is exhausting, too much to even enjoy myself now," she groaned.
"At least you are there greeting instead of awkwardly walking around without a date," Daphne huffed.
"The right man will come," I told her.
"Not according to mother, Astoria has the eyes of all the men, even though she is engaged to Draco Malfoy already," Daphne said.
"Speak of the She-Devil, there is her and Drake, he deserves better," Pansy snarled.
There he was, looking absolutely perfect, as per usual. It has been awhile, since I have seen him. Graduation, we were Valedictorian and Salutatorian, it was a short speech, I practically ran off stage.
There she was, looking absolutely perfect, as per usual; they were a match made in heaven, both with rich families and unnaturally good looks.
"Oh no, she is coming over," Luna muttered.
You knew when a person was horrible when Luna Lovegood didn't even see a good side to them.
"You who Daphne, I have been looking all over for you!" Astoria called.
"I was just talking to some people who were a hundred times more interesting to speak to," Daphne drawled with a shrug.
"Yes…I see. What are you even doing here Granger, this is a party for purebloods only," Astoria sneered.
"Well seeing as it is a celebration for my boyfriend…" I sighed.
Draco stood next to her, not making eye contact with me.
"You are going out with Theodore Nott? You are his mystery woman?" Astoria said in disbelief.
"It is no mystery,"
"She has been with him since five months after graduation, almost three years," Pansy piped.
"No one asked you Parkinson, tell me, have a boyfriend yet?" Astoria smirked.
Pansy clenched her fists, moving them to her leg, where I assume her wand was latched on.
Daphne grasped Pansy's hand to keep her from doing something she would regret.
"Draco there you are!" Blaise exclaimed.
Blaise, Rolf and Theo had returned.
"Happy Birthday," Draco shook Theo's hand.
"Thanks mate, it has been awhile," Theo said.
"Yes, we obviously haven't talked for awhile, you are seeing Granger?" Draco questioned nodding his head to me, still not looking at me.
"For almost three years, sorry for the lack of update," Theo said sarcastically.
"You remember Astoria?" Draco introduced.
"Ah yes, you spilled Pumpkin juice all over your white dress at Daphne's fourteenth birthday," Theo grinned.
Astoria went red, and the others girls and I stifled a laugh.
Theo pulled me close to him, moving his arm around my waist.
"Draco, your father and I were looking for you everywhere!"
Narcissa Malfoy joined the crowd with Lucius Malfoy following.
"Astoria just wanted to talk to Daphne and I was catching up with Theo, Theo you remember my mother?" Draco asked.
"Who could forget Narcissa Malfoy?" Theo smiled, kissing her hand.
"Theo, a charming boy as I remember, of course I know him Draco, this is his party, now introduce us to your date Theodore," Narcissa ordered.
"Hermione Granger, maim," I introduced myself.
Lucius and Narcissa's eyes widened.
"As in—"
"Yes,"
It was silent for while.
"Well, best wishes for the two of you…" Narcissa said coldly, pointing her nose to the air and taking her leave, her husband by her side.
"I am sorry for my parent rude behavior," Draco sighed.
"It is nothing we haven't handled before right Mione?" Theo asked me.
"Right, telling Ron and Harry was the worst. I gave up my friendship with them, for Theo," I emphasized.
"Lovely," Draco muttered.
"I am grateful to have Hermione in my life, without her I would have never been healed from the war and my father," Theo explained, placing an affectionate kiss on my cheek while squeezing my side.
"Right, well Astoria I see Millicent, why don't we say hi to her and Greg," Draco suggested to his fiancé.
"Oh yes, I wonder where Millie got that fabulous pink gown, it suits her," Astoria began to chat away.
Personally, the gown was ugly as hell.
The couple walked off, but were replaced by Penelope.
"Theo dear it is time for your speech," she told him leading him to the stage.
"Wait! I want Hermione with me!" Theo exclaimed taking my hand.
I gladly followed him up to the stage where the band played.
"Welcome everyone, today we are celebrating the birthday of Theodore Nott, a young man I see as a son, now he has kindly agreed to say a few words, and has asked to have his beautiful girlfriend Hermione on stage with him," Penelope introduced.
Theo took control of the stage, his wand casting the Sonorous Charm.
"Thank you Penelope, I see you as a mother, Harris as a father and Pansy as a sister. Thank you all of you for the gifts, that I am sure are fabulous, and the birthday wishes, twenty is another year closer to a hundred, so I am crossing my fingers," he joked lightly. Typical Theo had to crack a joke.
"But, I agreed not only to thank all of you but to thank my girlfriend, Hermione," Theo announced.
I was frozen; the spotlight was on him as well as me now. What did he think he was doing?
Theo took my hand, and looked right at me, and he bent down on one knee, opening a small box, which he took out of his pocket.
At that moment, I was lost for words.
"Hermione, ever since you entered my life you have been a ray of sunshine, you given up so much to be with me, and I still feel everyday that nothing I do can repay you for that. I know sometimes it has been hard, with you being a muggleborn, it has definitely been a change in lifestyle for me and as I know our friends, but that doesn't matter, blood doesn't matter when it comes to love, loving one another is all that matters with love. I know that the Parkinson's see you as part of our little family, as do I and I hope one day you will be, and I hope that day will be today, Hermione Granger, will you do me the honor of marrying me?" he proposed.
He proposed, right in front of the highest purebloods in society.
He didn't care that these people may not approve.
I glanced at the crowd, my friends, smiles on their faces, and in the back corner, a frown on his face, Draco.
Hogwarts, Head Dorm, June 1998
I awoke, letting a groan emit through my throat, turning around with a smile on my face expecting to see a sleeping body next to me.
No one was there.
There were only crumpled sheets, and an envelope on the pillow.
Dearest Hermione,
What we had, I will remember forever, I am sorry I left without telling you, but I could not bare to say goodbye. I got a letter a month ago telling me I was to be married. It is my duty Hermione, you knew from the start that what we had would be unable to last, and they would not accept you. I love you, know that. It will be our secret; we could never tell anyone about us, but what I feel for you will never pass.
I love you, and goodbye.
- Draco
My heart broke…
I looked back to Theo.
"Yes, yes I will marry you," I agreed.
Theo grinned the widest grin I have ever seen. He picked up my hand and slipped a beautiful, simplistic, perfect diamond ring on my wedding finger.
He scooped me up in his arms, I had other plans, I kissed him with all the passion I had, all the love I could ever put in a kiss was placed in this one.
He pulled away, still smiling.
"I cannot wait to make you Mrs. Hermione Nott," Theo whispered seductively in my ear.
"Me too,"
We made our way to our friends; the girls engulfed me in a hug.
"The ring! The ring!" Ginny squealed.
I showed them my finger, and the squeals started again.
"Mate, you schemer!" Blaise chuckled.
"You have a big mouth Blaise, you would let it slip,"
"What about me?" Rolf pouted.
"You would tell Blaise, you two are linked at the hips, like a couple of girls you are," Theo chuckled.
Rolf nodded his head in agreement while Blaise scowled.
"Get away from my husband Scamander!" Ginny joked.
"Hermione now that you will officially be part of the PWS, even though you aren't pureblooded, which makes you the first muggleborn ever by the way, you need to know all the bitchy snobs that are part of it," Pansy giggled, as the girls pulled her away from the boys.
"So you know Astoria obviously, biggest bitch of them all, then there is one of her best friends and our ex-friend Millicent Bulstrode, after she lost weight and fixed her acne, which we helped her get rid of, she goes off with Astoria and abandons us," Daphne explained pointing to the girl in the pink gown from earlier.
Pansy then points to a pretty sleek black haired girl, "That is my cousin, Veronica. She is a bitch, but not nearly as horrible as Astoria, no one is."
"Next is Tracey Davis, she isn't a bitch but she is dangerous because she does anything Astoria tells her to do, the poor girl," Daphne sighed. "At home Astoria gets her to cater after her and the other girls as 'acceptance' into their psycho bitch gang."
"Lastly are the Carrow sisters, Marlene and Justine, they are really just there most the time," Pansy pointed to identical twins in purple and light blue gowns.
"That is your crash course in the PWS! The leader is Narcissa Malfoy, she isn't bad once you get to know her really, Ginny will tell you that much," Pansy laughed.
"Narcissa may take awhile with you because of your blood, but with me, with our families feuding for ages, it took a lot less time than originally thought to warm up to her," Ginny assured her.
"She seemed kind of cold," I admitted.
"She was shocked, no muggleborn has been to a social event…ever," Daphne explained.
"How is the bookstore doing?" Luna asked her to distract her.
"Well business is at a moderate pace…"
"I wanted to stop by but I haven't had time since the opening last week," Pansy huffed.
"Whenever you can Pansy is fine," I told her.
We continued talking about the shop, then Luna told us about an expedition her and Rolf were going on in August. Ginny then let out that her and Blaise were trying for a child.
Pansy and Daphne worked at a boutique in Paris three times a week. Their families believed in earning your own money, so the low salary job was enough to please there parents.
I let out a yawn, "I think I am going to get Theo to head on out."
The girls congratulated me again with hugs, and I found Theo talking to a Adrian Pucey and Marcus Flint, who he introduced me to quickly. I found both men amusing, and promised that I would save time to chat with them next time.
Once at my flat, Theo kissed me, leading me to my bedroom.