Author's Note:

This is a Theodore Nott fanfic. A lot of other characters will probably be woven in, but its focus is on Theo. The story is told from a various different sources and point of views.

All of the characters, the world, the places, and the creatures belong to J.K. Rowling. I just like to play with it all sometimes.

Hermione wasn't sure what she had expected when Theodore woke up a few days later. He was still a bit bruised around the corner of his mouth, and his nose, although it was healed with not lasting damage, looked a little blue. There were dark shadows around his eyes that contrasted miserably with his beautiful blue eyes.

Hermione had found him in the library, bloody, bruised, and raped. The word still scared her, and she refused to think about it. Unfortunately, it seemed, so did Theo. When he had been awake a few days ago, Dumbledore had questioned him gently about what happened. Theodore had remained stubbornly silent, and Madame Pomfrey healed him and cared for him. The only time he had spoke was to request a Dreamless Sleeping Drought. Pomfrey complied instantly, as it would erase embarrassment for him as she healed his injuries of his lower region.

Hermione only left when he was fast asleep, and returned the next day before her lessons with a book she had ordered from Flourish and Blotts for herself, but she believed he would enjoy it more. He had been awake, working on an essay, when she dropped it off. She told him good morning, but he didn't look at her. In fact, he didn't look at her at all, or make any motion that he saw her. When she left, though, she glimpsed him pick up the book and flip through it.

She had visited him every day after that, ignoring the fact that he didn't say anything to her, but he looked at her now. And in his eyes she saw such sorrow and pain; it hurt her to see someone like that, trying to shoulder it all. Suddenly he requested another Dreamless Sleeping Potion. She had been in the middle of explaining the new charm Flitwick was teaching the sixth years. Pomfrey complied, and he looked at Hermione as he drank it. She knew then that it wasn't because of her he was choosing sleep, but just simply because the waking world was cruel for him.

He had been asleep every time she visited him for the next few days. This morning, a dreary Saturday morning of the first Quidditch match of the season, she wandered in. He was sitting up, reading a very thick book. She moved over to him, sitting in the chair beside his bed. She hesitated, before smiling sadly.

"Good morning, Theodore." She said softly, setting her bag down. She set about getting out her Transfiguration book to work on the essay assigned when he surprised her.

"Good morning, Hermione," he murmured back. She looked up to see him staring at her with those brilliant blue eyes. In them she saw horrible pain, but also trust. She flushed as she realized how handsome he was. His strong jaw, wide shoulders, and gorgeous eyes startled her now. She wondered how she could've looked him over before. He didn't seem affected with her staring, but went back to his book like this was normal. She decided that this would be the best way to go about this.

"What are you reading?" she asked casually, and regretted it as soon as she saw his hands tighten around the book.

"Fantastic Lexicon of Horrifying Creatures," he answered slowly, like he was scared to talk. Then she realized why. She had noticed that book on top of the pile that were on the floor nearby when she had found him. She swallowed thickly, looking at the book. He was currently on the chapter about chimeras.

"Is it good?" she asked softly, her voice breaking. He nodded slowly, looking at her out of the corner of his eye. She saw the emotion there and she realized why he chose to talk to her now, why he chose that book to read today. She straightened up and moved her chair closer as he slowly put the book down on the bed tray and pushed it away. Carefully she took his hand, squeezing slowly.

"Blaise," he whispered softly, lowering his gaze to the printed page, his fingers toying with the corner of the book. She stared at him, tracing a circle in the back of his hand with her thumb. She wanted to run, she wanted to tell McGonagall or Dumbledore, she wanted to scream it to the world so that Zabini would be held responsible.

But then he looked at her with those bright blue eyes that were so light they almost seems transparent, and they were filled so much pain and so much trust, and they kept her rooted to her chair. He had chosen this day, when there was less of a chance for anyone to notice she wasn't around because of the school being down at the Quidditch pitch, and he chose her after days of silence. He had to tell someone, but he didn't want the world to know. He just wanted her to know.

She nodded slowly and slowly moved up to sit on the bed and she wrapped her arms around him, hugging him close. There was a moment of hesitation, then he moved his arms around her, and she pressed a kiss to his temple. She loved him, she realized as she listened to his heart beat, his slow breathing. She didn't love him like she loved Ron, nor like how she loved Harry. She loved him like no one else. She wanted to protect him.

"Thank you, Hermione," he whispered softly, hiding his face against her neck. She stroked his back gently and kissed his temple again. She felt his love for her, and she felt his longing to be protected. She wanted him to stay safe, and she wanted only happiness for him. Truth be told, she felt like a mother for him, and she didn't mind it at all. He was handsome, yes, but there wasn't the attraction there, but the love was there.

They stayed like that the entire match, listening to the crowd cheering loudly as it echoed along the grounds. Pomfrey checked on him once, almost shooing Hermione away, but Theo had just a tight grip on her, Pomfrey let her stay the rest of the day. They worked on their numerous essays together, and read the book she gave him. They didn't talk much, but when they did, it was tender and kind.

As the day was winding down and the sky outside was turning purple, blue, and orange, Ginny found them. Hermione was packing up her school bag and Theo was finishing his Potion's essay. Ginny slowed as she approached and Hermione saw the curiosity bursting across Ginny's features.

Defiantly, Hermione hugged Theo again, and he returned it with one arm, not looking up from his essay. "Talk to you tomorrow, Theodore," she said softly, leaving the Hospital Wing with Ginny who burst with questions when they entered the hall.

"What are you doing with him?" she asked, and Hermione was pleased that Ginny wasn't judgmental about it, just curious.

"He's my friend, Ginny," Hermione said with a slight smile. Ginny didn't look convinced as they ran into Ron and Harry, who questioned her where she was all day. "I was working on homework," she laughed, and Ginny smirked with knowledge.

"Oh, well you missed a great match," Ron started, going into a full detailed account of what happened while Hermione secretly reviewed the day with Theo, vowing to return tomorrow.