A.N
So, this is the next chapter, hope you enjoy it. xoxo
Disclaimer: I still don't own anything
Suzululu4more:
I completely forgot about eleves if I'm being totally honest but thank you so much for the idea because that is going to come in really handy later thank youuu xoxo
Chapter Three
"Think about it, there must be a higher love,
Down in the heart and in the stars above,
Without it, life is wasted time.
Look inside your heart, I'll look inside mine."
James Vincent McMorrow - Higher Love
The next weeks played out in a similar fashion. The family fell into a routine. Breakfast would be spent together before Lucius would leave for the Ministry and Narcissa would depart not long after for meetings regarding charities and organizations the Malfoy family invested money into. This left the two twins explore the manner.
After the first few days and initial excitement had worn off, Mia seemed to feel more and more at home. Draco would fly around the gardens while Mia would read a book underneath the great oak tree hidden in the Manners Gardens. Every so often Draco would ask Mia to fly with him only to get a sharp no in return. As much as Mia liked sharing things with her brother, she also liked having her feet firmly on the ground.
Time would pass and by evening the family would be back around the table sharing tales of the day's events. Often times Draco complained about one thing or another and Mia quickly put him back in his place to which her mother smiled proudly at.
It was nearing the end of November when Mia finally decided to seek out her mother in her private library in hopes of finding more books on proper Wizarding societies. So far she had read books on ancestries as well as Arranged marriages and agreements but wanted to read more bonds and blood rituals. The subjects were all quite complicated and at times it took Mia a few minutes to decipher what the passages were trying to explain.
She had just come from sending a letter to her parents, The Grangers, telling them all about Draco and her life at the manner when she had started the small treck to Narcissa's library. She made a quick stop at her room to check her list of book references so that she had some ideas of the books she wanted to borrow when she ran into Draco outside her door.
"Where are you off to" he smirked as she jumped in shock, a small yell falling from her lips, his sudden appearance startling her. Mia silently cursed herself for acting so silly and reassured herself that one day no one would be able to scare her like that.
"To visit our mother, she has offered to lend me some books from her private collection" she replied walking past him and sighing when she heard his footsteps fall into step beside her.
"She's never offered to let me use her private collection" the boy pouted and Mia let out a small laugh and smirked at her brother.
"Obviously" she said and his face scrunched up slightly.
"Merlin, you sound like Severus" he said a slightly horrified expression on his face. She looked at him for a moment confused before he continued "my godfather, I'm sure you'll meet him at some point, he's the potions master at Hogwarts"
Mia suddenly felt her curiosity pique. Potions was the subject, closely followed by transfiguration and Defense Against the Dark Arts, that she was most looking forward to learning. Slipping her hand into Draco's, she wondered if the potions Professor would like her. If anyone at her new school would like her.
"I still can't believe mother is letting you borrow her books, she won't even let me anywhere near her study" he huffed "but then again you are a bit of a know-it-all" and immediately Mia pulled her hand out of his, as if she had been burned. Halting to a stop Draco looked back at his sister who was stood rooted in one place. Her eyes glassed over.
"I just I don't know why you did it" the girl declared, staring at the young blonde with hatred in her eyes. Hermione Granger attended a local school and had always struggled with making friends. When half way through Year Two a feisty dark haired girl moved to the school, Hermione had been ecstatic when the two had immediately taken a liking to each other. For the rest of the year the two were inseparable. Best friends. Until now.
Over the year anyone who watched the two could see the jealousy that shined in Sophia's eyes every time Hermione drew someone's attention or answered a question correctly. It had been a minor thing at first, Sophia would tease Hermione and claim it was just what friends did. Having never had any friends before, Hermione had believed every word the girl said.
It wasn't that the young blonde wasn't good company but that she was unapproachable. People either felt threatened of her beauty or her intelligence. Her excessive need to answer every single question (stemming from a desire to be noticed; to make friends) had not helped matters at all. And the blonde could often be found hiding behind a book somewhere in the hallways. When Sophia had arrived everything had changed.
With Sophia, people felt somewhat less threatened by the young witch and soon Hermione had more friends than she could ever have thought. And she knew she couldn't have ever done it without her best friends help. The blonde absolutely idolized the brunette and had the young girl been able to see through the thick mist of jealously she may have noticed it too.
"I'm sorry" Hermione whispered, tears filling her eyes as the girl stood over her. Hands placed on hips and a sneer painted on her features. It had been Davies idea. The young boy had decided that at the end of the day that instead of leaving they should all climb on top of the school. Run along the roof like superheroes. Hermione had been immediately skeptical but everyone else had been up for it and not wanting to be left out she had joined the small group at the end of the day out the back of the school by the dustbins.
One by one the children climbed the bin and then helped each other up onto the low roof. Eventually all the children were peering down at Hermione who was shuffling her feet still safely on the ground. 'Come on 'Mione' they had called and just as she began climbing the bins their headmistress turned the corner. In the panic Hermione hadn't known what to do and as she watched her friends turn tail and run along the roof away from her she lost her footing and went tumbling off of the large bin. Luckily the teacher had caught her just in time.
Ten minutes later and a cup of sweetened tea in hand, Hermione had given the name of every child who had climbed onto the roof and abandoned her. Not because she had been told she wouldn't get in trouble if she gave names and definitely not because she was bitter that they had left her. Hermione would never do that. Never. And now Sophia was grounded and taking all her anger on the girl who had given her name.
"You couldn't have just kept your mouth shut" the girl screamed "who am I kidding off course who couldn't, you never can. Do you not realise how annoying it is. Listening to you speak all the time. Your a nightmare. No wonder you didn't have any friends before I got here."
Hermione felt hot tears fall down her cheeks at the harsh words and looked down in shame. Unable to find her voice to defend herself she just sat quietly and continued to let her friend shout.
"Your were just a stupid book worm before I got here. You were nothing. I made you something" the girl said her eyes hard as she looked down at the girl cowering at her feet from where she had pushed her. She knelt down until her blue eyes were level with Hermione's "but I was wrong about you, you always were and always will be Know-It-All Granger" that's when Hermione had stared throwing punches.
Pulling herself out of the memory Mia looked at Draco. She had a sad look on her face said but her words were harsh. "Don't call me that" she said and immediately Draco looked ashamed. Feeling bad Mia stepped forward and placed her hand back in his. He squeezed her fingers tightly and silently they carried on their journey to their mother.
Rounding the corner the children froze when they heard two hushed voices arguing with each other. Mia threw Draco a quick questioning glance and he shrugged his shoulders before pressing a finger to his lips. Edging towards the door way the twins stood silently as they listened to the voices of their mother and father arguing inside.
"I can't lose her again" hissed the voice of their mother. "We can't just keep hiding her and expecting her to be okay with it"
"Then what do you want from me? How am I supposed to keep her safe, you think I like this idea any better than you do" their father answered angrily.
"What I want is for her to have joint parties with Draco. For her to be friends with his friends. For us to be able to walk through Diagon Alley as a family" she cried her voice cracking slightly with every other word.
"Maybe you were right. Maybe we should have left her with the muggles. She was happy there. With us she is only back in danger. The rumors are spreading and... It's been itching. I don't feel good about this. If we had just left her where she was, she would have gone to Hogwarts a muggle born. Not knowing a thing."
"You know as well as I do, that would never have worked. They look to much alike. And don't say that, you've seen them together. This is how it's meant to be Lucius."
"What if we did both" he whispered and Draco's hand tightens around Mia's as they stared at each other wide eyed.
"What do you mean"
"We said about the glamour charms right? no one knows what Hermione Granger looks like, we could introduce Hesperia to society, say she's been at a private school in France and when the time comes we'll say we sent her to Bouxbatons. Madame Maxine owes me a favor anyway."
"And really she'll be at Hogwarts as Hermione granger" Narcissa finished her husbands train of thought turning the words over in her head "and in the summers she will take off the charm and act as Hesperia... But that still doesn't solve the problem of why were doing this in the first place."
"If he does come back, and I fear it is a great possibility we will have to play it by ear. I assume he will be too pre-occupied with the Potter boy to worry too much about marriage contracts and if worst comes to worst. Hesperia Malfoy will mysteriously disappear and Hermione Granger will become a permanent fixture in everyone's lives" Lucius said and outside the room Draco slapped a hand over his sisters mouth keeping her silent and quickly he grabbed her still body and scooped her up into his arms. He still had a good few inches on the girl and picked her up with ease.
Before long Draco had Hermione sat on her bed as he brushed away the tears that fell from Mia's eyes in confusion and fear. "They were talking about him weren't they? You Know Who" she whispered finally and his hands shook as her ran a hand soothingly through her hair.
"I think so" he replied, staring down at his new found sister, a feeling of protectiveness coming over him.
"And he's coming back"
"Apparently"
"But that Potter boy. He killed him. I've read all about it"
"Well he obviously didn't do a very good job, did he. And now, now your in danger again. I hate him, that stupid Potter kid. He couldn't have just killed the man properly"
"Draco he was a child"
"I still hate him" the blonde insisted and Hermione sighed lying her head on his shoulder.
"They said something about a marriage?"
"I've no idea Mia. I don't really understand any of it to be honest"
"What's a glamour charm?" Mia asked after a moment of silence.
"It's a charm that changes your features. Makes you look like a different person. Eyes colour, hair colour. They make us look like we're not even related at all" he whispered back, playing with the ends of her platinum blonde hair.
"I'm tired" the girl replied and Draco laid down bringing her with him.
"Go to sleep then" and she did.
The next morning the two woke and reluctantly climbed out of the bed, still in pajamas and eyes slightly puffy the twins made their way slowly down to the dining room for breakfast.
"Do you really think they're going to go ahead with the plan" Draco asked about halfway there and Mia shrugged her shoulder.
"I guess we'll have to wait and see" she replied. They didn't have to wait long. Upon entry the two children were taken aback by the lack of food on the table. Instead of the feast they were normally greeted with instead there was just a single plate of toast. Draco looked particularly put out and picked at the toast shooting his mother a questioning glance.
"We'll be having a big lunch today" Narcissa smiled and the twins shared a quick look before Mia spoke up.
"We?" She asked, knowing that on week days her mother usually had meetings.
"Yes, your father and I have decided to take the day off work and take you both to Diagon Alley. To get your wands. An early Christmas gift if you will. Though we will wait for later in the year, perhaps the summer, before collecting your school supplies" the woman said and suddenly Mia felt her stomach flip and Draco's hand slip into hers as she remembered what her parents had said the night before. This was her introduction to society as Hesperia Malfoy. The decision had been made. For a moment Mia wondered when exactly they planned to inform Draco and herself of the plan but decided to let it go for a while as excitement took over at the idea of her first trip to Diagon Alley.
"Can we visit Quality Quidditch Supplies" Draco suddenly asked an excited expression that matched the one his sister was wearing falling over his features.
"Of course dear, we'll even stop at Florean Fortescue's for some ice-cream" the witch smiled down at her children. Before long the family were leaving the table and all exiting to their rooms in order to get properly dressed for the day. Just as Mia was about to follow Draco out of the dining room she heard her mothers voice behind her "Hesperia" she called and held out her hand.
Hesitantly Mia slipped her small hand into the delicate and manicured hands of her mother and allowed her self to be pulled from the room to the one she new to be her parents. Entering the room that was almost twice the size of her own and every bit as beautiful Narcissa led the girl straight to the wardrobe. Walking into what could only be called an additional room, Mia let her gaze travel over the fine silks. Her silver eyes finally fell on her mother, who was now stood in from of her a nervous smile playing at her lips and a black dress in her hands.
"I wore this on my first trip to Hogsmeade with your father but I'm sure I can shrink it down to size" she said, her voice quiet, emotions shining in her eyes. Slowly Mia walked towards her reaching out a hand and running it along the black velvet. Mia smiled up at Narcissa and the woman grinned gesturing for the girl to lift her arms up. Quickly she set about pulling the night gown off of the girl and replacing it with the dress. At first it hung loose over Hermione pooling at her feet but within moments of Narcissa pulling out her wand, the dress began to shrink. With small tulip sleeves and a collar made of silk the dress tucked in at the waist secured by a ribbon and then hung to just below her knees. Mia slipped on the plain black shoes, her mother had left by her feet and let herself be led to a huge mirror.
She let out a small gasp as she looked herself over. She had always been pretty but stood next to her birth mother she had hopes that one day she wouldn't just be pretty, she'd be beautiful. And looking at herself in the black dress that contrasted strikingly with her white blonde hair Mia could almost believe.
"One last thing" Narcissa said and Mia watched in the mirror as her mother seemed to clasp something tightly in her fingers "hold out your hand" and Hermione gasped at the stunning emerald that was placed into her outstretched palm. She watched hypnotized as the small snake curled around it began to move, carrying the emerald up her arm and around her neck before finally freezing. An emerald now hung from her neck, it was the same necklace that she had seen her mother wear everyday. "Your father gave it to me the night we fell in love. It can only be passed through two people who share a bond."
Mia felt tears prickling her eyes and she let out a breathy thank you as she absentmindedly stroked the head of the snake that now lay just beneath her collarbones. After adding the final touches to her daughters look, a beautiful cloak, reminiscent of the one red riding wore in the fairytale only a deep green she asked her daughter to wait outside while she changed. Before she joined her daughter, she briefly placed her hand against the spot the necklace had been sitting for more years than she cared to count. She had never taken it off, couldn't, not without the intention of passing it along, and now she felt oddly vulnerable without it.
Joining her daughter the two Malfoy's made their way towards the drawing room where they could hear Draco telling Lucius about the new Nimbus 2000. Walking into the room the conversation fell to a stop. They were both staring at the necklace around Mia's neck. Slowly Lucius mover forward and pressed a sweet but chaste kiss against his wife lips, nodding in agreement at what she had done. Draco cringed at the sight and turned his attention back to his sister. Looking her over he smirked and held out his arm.
"You look just like mum" he whispered and Mia felt a small smile tug at her lips.
"Are we going to apparate again" Mia asked.
"No darling, we're going by floo. And don't worry I charmed your outfit, it won't get dirty" Narcissa smiled and one after the other the family stepped into fire place.
Diagon Alley was something completely in itself. Nearing the beginning of the Christmas month meant the streets were relatively busy. Mia attempted too keep the wonder off of her face and struggled. Colour and laughter exploded from everywhere and Mia gripped Draco's arm tighter. The twins smiled at each other and their parents watched fondly as Draco began pointing out all his favorite shops.
"Your father and I are going to visit Gringotts to see about getting some money moved to a" her eyes flickered to Mia "private account."
"Draco, you keep a good hold of your sister okay"
"Yes, father." Draco nodded and soon the two were off and exploring. With his sister Draco found he rather enjoyed just wondering around the shops, when your always on your own, the silence would get too much. There was nothing worse than standing silently in a room full of laughter. They visited the joke shops where Mia pretended to stick her nose up at the items but was really fascinated with each one. The Quidditch bored Mia to tears, and Flourish and Blotts did the same for Draco. Eventually they met back up with their parents for lunch at the Leaky Cauldron.
Mia drank the Butterbeer like it was nectar for the gods themselves. Draco showed off his new broom polishing kit whist Mia blushed and tried to downplay the amount of books she had bought. To which Draco laughed and claimed she'd practically run the poor old bloke out of stock. Smacking his arm gently she smiled up at her parents sweetly. The undetectable extension charm the man at Flourish and Blotts had performed on her bag had interested her greatly and she made a mental note to learn how to do it one day.
The family laughed and ate and soon enough they were ready to leave. Mia attempted to follow her mothers lead and ignore the men who had turned up with cameras taking pictures. A cloud of smoke and a bright flash every time a one was taken was very distracting but Mia just looped her arm in Draco and plastered a smile on her face.
"Now my dears, your wands" their mother said and swung the door to Ollivanders open. Scurrying inside the twins stood bouncing in excitement as they looked around at the piles and piles of boxes.
"Mr and Mrs Malfoy how lovely too see you. May I" an old man rounded the corner and placing a hand out toward their parents. Both children watched wide eyes as their father gave Mr Ollivander a look that said 'there's no way on earth your touching my wand' and the old man sighed "let me think, Elm, 18", Dragon heartstring, unyielding. Yes, yes I remember every wand like I sold it yesterday" he said turning to the children.
"This is Draco" Narcissa interrupting and gesturing to the boy" and his twin sister, Hesperia" if Ollivander had been shocked at the news or the young Malfoy having a twin he didn't show it. Instead he nodded his head and moved towards the young blondes, inspecting them.
"Wand making is a particularly complex and mysterious form of magic" the man said as he took the measuring tape and began measuring the kids, though he didn't wait for it to finish as he was already browsing the shelves "every wand is unique meaning no two wands are the same. The magical creature and tree it is created from affects each wands personality differently. Over the years you will teach your wand trust. In return it will teach you magic. And remember, the wand chooses the wizard, not the other way around, here" the man places two boxes on a counter and pulled out the wands one by one.
The first one, Holly, 14", unicorn hair, relatively springy did absolutely nothing for Draco neither did the second wand or the third or even the fourth. Ollivander stood for a moment just looking Draco over before suddenly an excited look came over his features. He disappeared Into the back of the shop and Draco looked at his sister incredulously. Before long Draco was twirling a Hawthorn, 10", unicorn hair, relatively springy, wand in his place fingers. A content look on his face.
Ollivander moved to stand directly in front of Mia and a slightly shocked expression crossed his features. "How curious" he whispered and when Mia looked up at him inquiringly he smiled down at her "I'm afraid this may be a record my dear. I know exactly where your wand is. Your magic... you are extremely powerful and your wand knows your here. It's calling for you" he said as he disappeared momentarily before reappearing an elegant wand in hand.
"10 3/4 inches, vine wood, dragon heartstring. This is a very powerful wand my dear and you will be a very powerful witch if you want to be and I must ask you now be careful how you use this." He said as Mia took the wand into her hands. Closing her eyes she felt a warmth in her fingers where she held tightly to the piece of wood. A light seemed to engulf the child for a brief second and when she opened her eyes they seemed to shine like a thousand diamonds.
Mr Ollivander worried his bottom lip, muttering under his breath as he watched the family leave. "Very powerful, very powerful indeed" he whispered watching the head of white hair become submerged in the crowd.
The family stopped for ice-cream, not a single person bringing up what had taken place in the wand shop instead engaging in conversation over a dinner Narcissa was planning on throwing.
"All your friends will be there Draco" his mother informed him and he smiled brightly before frowning.
"All of them" he asked raising an eyebrow at his mother.
"Yes, all of them" she answered, giving him a look. Later that night while the twins sat on a sofa in the living area, Mia half listened to what the boy was saying eyes glued to the page in front of her as Draco played with the ends of her hair, something which was fast becoming a habit for the young Malfoy, all the while chattering on about the children Mia would be meeting at the dinner.
"Most purebloods run in circles" he said " obviously there won't be any Weasley's and though I hear Augusta Longbottom is a right gossip she doesn't get out much. Blaise should be coming but he lives in Italy so you never know. You should get along well with Daphne though Mia, she's really nice, though her little sisters a bit of a brat" Mia thought briefly that this Longbottom woman couldn't possibly be a bigger gossip then Draco himself.
"Crabbe and Goyle will probably just annoy you, they annoy me. There not the smartest wizards around. Though I reckon you and Theo will get along famously. He's into books and stuff too. Then there's Pansy. Well you'll just have to meet her" he said cringing slightly at the name.
Mia found out soon enough why he had cringed when a few weeks later, a few days before Christmas, Mia stood in a dress reminiscent to the one she had worn on her first trip to Hogsmeade only a dark green, greeting the guests with her mother as they walked into the dining area. Where Mia was bouncing with nerves, Draco was bouncing in excitement as his friends joined them. She couldn't help but roll her eyes knowing that not the day before he had been saying how he didn't like half of them.
Pansy greeted her with a sneer. Looking down her nose at the girl. Mia wondered if she was trying to establish dominance and smirked at her. "You must be Pansy" she smiled "I'm Hesperia, I've heard so much about you"
Pansy seemed to inflate slightly at the thought of her name being mentioned in the Malfoy home. "All good things I hope" the girl answered curtly, a sugar sweet smile playing in her lips. Mia just smiled not trusting herself to speak without blurting out that Draco had said the girl looked like a pug and Mia had thought he was exaggerating. Turns out he was under-exaggerating.
Next she greet the Greengrass's. The two young girls were beautiful, with dark hair, light skin and blue eyes. Her mother and Laurel Greengrass greeted each other with wide smiles and the men shared a handshake. Blaise and his mother were greeted much the same. Blaise smirked at her bending low and bringing her fingers to his lips causing Draco to scowl and Mia to laugh.
Theo came next, taller than Draco yet slightly smaller that Blaise the boy had black hair that fell in his dark eyes. He was lanky and had pale skin a large contrast to Blaise but his defined cheek bones and pouty lips made him just as handsome. Where Blaise arrived with only his mother, Theo arrived with only his dad and Mia made a note to ask Draco about it later.
The next boys to arrive weren't nearly as good looking. The two families of Crabbe and Goyle arrived together an Mia observed how her family seemed much less friendly with theirs as they had with the previous arrivals, though she noticed her father shoot Draco a look and watched as Draco rolled his eyes, masked his features and bounding towards the two young boys like they were the best of friends. Behind him she could see Daphne and Blaise snickering at Draco's expense.
Later in the evening the families sat around the large dining table. Daphne talked to Mia about Witch Weekly and a dress she was planning on buying and Mia smiled brightly trying to act as if she knew what Witch Weekly was. Draco on the other hand was bragging about Quidditch and the new broom he was planning on asking his father to buy him for Christmas. Being around the other boys and Pansy who seemed to be hanging on his every word, well, aside from Theo and Blaise who just watched the scene with amusement. Mia decided that once everyone had left she would have to take Draco down a few pegs. Just to make sure his head didn't get too big. Merlin knew it was already big enough. The adults spoke about politics and the ministry but eventually Mrs Parkinson asked about Draco's twin who seemed to have just arrived out of no where.
"She's been in a ladies school in France. As we all know England wasn't nearly as lovely when the children were born as it is now and we wanted her to have a proper upbringing" Narcissa smiled and Laurel Greengrass turned to her with a smile.
"Tu parle français" she said and Mia was suddenly extremely grateful the Grangers had forced her into years of French.
"Couramment" Mia replied. Laurel looked impressed at the girls declaration of fluency when asked if she spoke French and Draco ginned at his sister.
"Do you plan on attending Hogwarts, with the rest of the children when September comes" she asked and Mia smiled sweetly.
"No, Draco will but I will be attending Bouxbatons" she replied and thought briefly back to the moment when she and Draco had confessed to eavesdropping on their parents conversation.
"Father, when will we start shopping for school supplies" Draco asked the question he asked every other week.
"I've told you before, we will get your supplies when it's closer to the school year" Lucius sighed. For all the bravado that Draco had he could never hide his excitement when he talked about school. Mia sighed sadly thinking again about how when they went to school. They wouldn't be going as the Malfoy twins. She'd be a stranger. Hermione Granger, the muggle born. Soon harsh tears fell from her eyes and she tried to stifle a sob.
In moments her family was by her side and Lucius held his daughters head in his hands and shushed her soothingly. "What's wrong" he asked, his voice thick with emotion.
"I like being Hesperia" she whispered and Draco suddenly looked sad with understanding but the elder Malfoys looked at her with confusion. "I don't want to be Hermione Granger again. I want to stay with you" she said reaching for her brother who began to explain.
"We over heard you. Mia wanted to borrow one of your books and we heard you talking. We shouldn't have listened in but... We weren't sure if you were going to go through with it. Then we went to Diagon Alley and now the dinner. Her introduction to society. You made your choice"
"Believe me son, it wasn't a choice" their mother whispered and eventually Mia's tears dried.
"Wise decision" laurel said. After their dinner, the Parkinson's, Crabbe's, Goyle's and Mr Greengrass and Astoria left leaving the other guest to enjoy drinks and games well into the night.
Midnight fell and the children could all be found in Draco's room which was an exact replica of Mia's only with more Quidditch memorabilia. Mia sat with her back and head resting on the sofa. Above her Blaise seemed to be attempting to take up as much of the sofa as he could and Draco, not one to be pushed off of the furniture in his own room, lay with his head in Blaise's lap hands playing with Mia's hair absentmindedly as he stared at the ceiling listening to Blaise talk about Christmas.
On Mia's right Daphne sat curled up in a ball, her head resting on Mia's shoulder. Then there was Theo. At first the boy had been quiet but after retreating to Draco's room the boy seemed to come out of his shell and now he sat on Mia's left. The two stayed awake long after the others fell asleep. Discussing, potions and magic and even muggle literature, until their conversation fell on a subject they were both enamored with; Pratronus charms and animagus forms.
"I reckon yours would be a sloth" Mia snickered and Theo growled.
"That's not true, I'd be something magnificent like a Lynx or a panther, or a-"
"Snail" Mia offered trying to suppress her smirk at the annoyed look that fell over his face.
"Yeah well I bet you'd be something just as useless, like an otter or ferret" Theo suggested and the two fell into fits of silent laughter. It was way past one in the morning when the two finally fell asleep, hands clasped in one another's.