Welcome to chapter three :) Thank you to all who reviewed. I know Theo/Hermione is a smallish ship, but the response has just been so lovely and encouraging so far. I have been really enjoying writing this, it's been relaxing. Writing Tomione can sometimes leave you a bit high strung :p Anyway, enough babble.

Song inspirations:

Talk Show Host - Radiohead

Buttons - Sia


"You look like shit."

"Hello to you too, Draco," Theo muttered in annoyance as he slid into the booth at the back of the Leaky Cauldron, ignoring some of the curious glances given to their table.

Blaise Zabini's smirk was obvious behind the glass of firewhiskey he was sipping. "You do look a bit under the weather, Theo. Been sick?" he asked.

Theo hadn't been sick. Well, not really, anyway. He was just tired … It had been two weeks since he had signed the paperwork giving him control over his family fortune. Well, actually, it was looking less like a fortune and more like a pain the arse. He put his lack of sleep down to the stress of wondering how he would improve his financial situation. Curse his father and his spending. If Theo didn't act soon …

"Do you two know anything about the Muggle business world?" he asked suddenly.

Both of his friends eyed him strangely. Draco's lips curled downwards, as if he had just sucked on a particularly sour lemon, while Blaise's face remained artfully blank - the only giveaway of his curiosity was the slight raise of one eyebrow.

"Muggle business world?" Draco asked. "What would we know about that?"

Blaise turned to face the blond. "Don't play coy about muggle business, Malfoy. We all know how your family made their riches back in the day … " Blaise smirked at Draco's immediate sneer. "But, apparently their property market is booming," he then added, almost as an afterthought.

"What?" Draco asked incredulously. "How do you know about that?"

Blaise shrugged and looked away, swirling the liquor in his glass. "Know your enemy and all that."

Draco shook his head and rolled his eyes. "Why do you even want to know, Theo?"

Before Theo could even open his mouth, Blaise said, "This is about the Ministry compensation legislation, isn't it?"

Theo looked away from them and grit his teeth. "Yes."

"Fucking Ministry," Draco muttered. "Fucking hypocrites, the lot of them."

Theo knew that the Malfoy's had to pay compensation too. Though, the Malfoy fortune was much larger than that of the Nott's. It helped that the Malfoy's had turned at the last minute too. Unlike Theo's father, who had remained inconveniently devoted to the Dark Lord right until Azkaban. Theo recalled visiting the man a few weeks ago and shuddered at the memory of the stooped, elderly wizard still spouting hatred against muggles and mudbloods, still grieving the Dark Lord's loss.

He had been putting off seeing this Muggle business expert ever since it had been suggested by the Gringott's Goblin a couple of weeks ago. He'd ignored it at first, and then after he had spent more time looking at finances, he was hoping to get another opinion. He wasn't sure if Blaise and Draco were the two best people to ask … but Theo had thought it was worth a try.

"Look, my Mother has done business in the muggle world for years," Blaise said lightly, ignoring the looks of slight surprise from his two other friends. "It's not something we really like to talk about … but I suppose I could get you an appointment with her advisor."

"It's fine … Gringotts has a Liaison Officer who is more than suitable."

"I guarantee you our advisor would make much more … satisfying returns."

"I think Theo needs to remain as clean as possible, Blaise. It's alright for you, you don't have the Ministry breathing down your neck. One wrong move and-"

"Thank you," Theo cut across Draco with a look, before sighing tiredly. "But Draco's right. Sticking to Gringotts will at least keep everyone happy."

The table went a bit quiet, all three young men musing over the last two years. After the Ministry had taken such a long time to push Death Eater trials through, and now finally, it felt like things were getting back to a kind of normal. Then the Ministry announced they would be actively seeking compensation and damages from Death Eater families. It helped that most of these families were wealthy to begin with, and therefore the Ministry received quite the tidy sum to rebuild post war.

"Oh, you will never guess who came to the Manor today as part of the Auror inspection," Draco said.

"Potter?" Zabini asked.

"No, worse - if possible."

"I'm sure this will be good," Theo said.

"The Weasel," Draco said and sneered, as if saying the name was offensive in itself.

"The Weasel has become an Auror?" Theo asked, slightly surprised. "I thought he worked with his brother?"

"I knew," Blaise said. "Padma told me … and besides, it was in the Daily Prophet when he was accepted!" he added defensively at the look his two friends gave him.

"Well that must have been ever so fun," Theo drawled sarcastically, eyeing Draco.

Draco rolled his eyes. "It was. He was walking around like he was King Shit … hoping to find something to get us in trouble, no doubt. Well, fat chance for the Weasel. Father isn't taking any chances this time around and everything has been sold-"

"Or moved to your French property," Zabini added.

"Regardless," Draco continued, giving Blaise a look that clearly said 'shut up'. "He was walking around like he was so fucking important. I can't stand him. It was hilarious when I made the oaf purposely trip over one of our persian hall runners. Of course, I made sure he couldn't blame it on me."

"Classic Weasel baiting is always fun," Theo said, smirking.

"Yeah, you should have seen his face when I politely enquired how things were with Granger."

Theo was immediately reminded of his run-in with the witch a fortnight earlier. He could admit their meeting had crossed his mind several times since.

"How did he react to that?" Blaise asked in almost a gleeful manner.

Draco smirked. "He turned redder than I thought was possible, even for him."

"Why?" Theo asked, genuinely confused.

"Theo, have you been living under a rock?" Blaise asked. "Truly. You must have been to miss that the Weasel was dumped by Granger."

"It was covered in the Prophet for weeks," Draco added. "Not that we need to know about, you know, real news or anything."

"What?" Theo didn't actually know that. Idiot, he thought. That obviously explained why she had recently moved near him. He had just assumed that the Weasel had moved in with her.

"Padma told me that Granger was, get this, bored of the Weasel," Blaise added, looking pleased with revealing the information.

Blaise had recently proposed to Padma Patil, who he had only been dating for less than a year. But it didn't matter to anyone; their engagement was seen as a pureblood 'love match'. In other words, Blaise and Padma actually fell in love with one-another, a boon for both families.

"Pretty fucking pathetic if Granger finds you boring," Draco drawled.

"She's alright. Granger, that is," Blaise said. "I mean, I've had to socialise with her a bit … you know, because her and Padma work together now and they've become all friendly," he justified at the look Draco gave him.

"I spoke to her the other week," Theo said suddenly.

"What?" Blaise asked curiously.

Theo explained the run-in they had, careful to make himself sound less like a moron than how he actually felt about the whole situation. Especially the fact that he accused her of stalking him or something like that. Because when Theo had the chance to think realistically about the whole thing he came to the conclusion that as if Hermione Granger would stalk him, for Merlin's sake.

"So, you pretty much accused Granger of stalking you?" Draco said with a smirk, once Theo had finished his story.

Damn Draco for always being able to read between the lines, Theo thought in annoyance at his blond friend. Draco had always been far more perceptive than what many people assumed … it was the hallmark of a true bully, being able to find someone's weakness or insecurity and play on it so easily.

"Smooth, Theo, real smooth," Draco added with a snigger when Theo didn't respond to his first jibe.

"Well, there will be more chances to accuse Granger of stalking you, Theo," Blaise said in amusement. "Padma's going to ask her to be a bridesmaid for the wedding."

Theo groaned and took a large swig of the firewhiskey Draco had just pushed in front of him. Fan-fucking-tastic.

XXX

Hermione swiftly rounded a corner, ignoring her poor aching feet, and avoided looking at the giant clock near the main desk, as she knew it wasn't going to get her shift to end any sooner. It had been a ridiculously long day in the Janus Thickey Ward and Hermione honestly couldn't wait to end her stint there.

As part of her Healer training, Hermione was required to do rounds in various areas that required Healers. Whilst the Janus Thickey Ward mainly housed witches and wizards who had permanent spell damage, it also treated those with other mental health issues. Hermione was currently required to provide the correct medications to these people.

She looked up from the clipboard and smiled at the few people surrounding the main desk, picking up the conversation easily as she approached.

"Can I go yet? It's been half an hour," said a snooty voice Hermione recognised as Astoria Greengrass, a patient being treated for an eating disorder, who was required to sit at the main desk after each meal, under the watch of the Healers and Nurses.

"It's only been twenty minutes, Astoria, and you know it," Padma Patil replied.

Astoria huffed and muttered to herself in annoyance as her attention went back the Witch Weekly magazine she had been perusing.

"Hey, Padma," Hermione greeted the other Healer before turning her attention to their patient. "Astoria."

"Granger," Astoria muttered whilst rolling her eyes and turning back to her magazine.

Hermione's eyebrows rose in surprise at the surly greeting. Astoria was normally quite friendly towards her. Her gaze went to Padma who simply mouthed 'bad day' at her. Hermione gave a small nod in understanding.

"Hey, before we get run off our feet again, I have something to ask of you," Padma said as she stepped away from the desk. "Sorry, it's such a tacky way of asking, but we're both busy, so-"

"Padma, what is it?" Hermione cut in, urging the other witch to get to the point.

"Would you do me the honour of being one of my bridesmaids?" she asked.

Hermione was shocked. She had become very close to Padma since they had finished Hogwarts, and it was true that Hermione now considered her, along with Ginny, as one of her closest girlfriends. But she was still surprised that Padma would ask such a thing of her.

"Are you sure?" Hermione spluttered out. "I mean, what about-"

"Hermione, you've been such a wonderful friend, don't you dare question why I would ask you over others," Padma interrupted quickly.

A bright smile spread across Hermione's face. "Yes! I mean, of course, I would love to."

Padma gave a brilliant smile in return and pulled Hermione in for a surprise hug. "Oh, thank you, Hermione! I'm so pleased you said yes!"

"Thank you for asking me," Hermione replied.

"Oh, it's no problem! The wedding is still six months away, but I've still got a fair bit to plan - you know how it is with work and all," she prattled on until her wand buzzed. "Ah, crap," she muttered. "That's my alarm, I have to go and check on Lockhart." She made a face at that, causing Hermione to snort.

"No worries," Hermione replied, still smiling.

"Let's catch up for coffee tomorrow, yeah? I know we're on the same shift," Padma said as she began walking down the hall.

"Okay, see you!" Hermione called out after her friend before heading back to the main desk smiling.

As she got back to the desk however, Astoria and the other nurses quickly stopped talking and Astoria pushed the Witch Weekly they were reading out of Hermione's sight. Hermione frowned at them in confusion. If she didn't know any better, she'd believe they were trying to hide something.

"Er, hi, Granger," Astoria greeted somewhat awkwardly. "I think my time's up, wouldn't you say? Besides, 'Passions at Moonlight' is about to start on the Wireless and it's the episode where I think Ricardo will finally leave that hussy, Magdalena …"

"What were you all just reading?" Hermione asked, ignoring Astoria's rambling.

"Oh, this? Nothing … just that old bint Skeeter … you know how ridiculous she is."

Hermione looked between the three women in front of her. "What exactly is she saying this time?" Hermione asked, though she had a feeling she didn't really want to know.

"Seriously, it's nothing-"

"Just show me the article," Hermione said impatiently.

Astoria slowly picked up the magazine and looked at Hermione. "Okay, but don't blame us …" she said as she handed Hermione the magazine.

Hermione rolled her eyes and snatched the magazine from the other girl. "Why would I …" But she trailed off, because there in big bold letters was something that left her utterly speechless...

"Hit by love bludger? Ron Weasley cosy with ex-flame at Chudley match"

There, underneath the headline was a rather large image of a laughing Ron and a very smug looking Lavender Brown holding hands at the latest Chudley Cannons Quidditch match.

"I'm so sorry-"

"It's fine," Hermione snapped over Astoria in a high pitched voice. "Really … it's fine," she repeated in a much more polite and calm manner. "I broke up with him … Ronald is free to date whomever he wishes. Now, if you all would excuse me," Hermione said with a smile that was far too bright. "I have patients to check on."

She turned her back on the three other women and quickly began walking down the hall, magazine still tightly clutched in her hand, ignoring the tears that had uncontrollably built up. She refused to break down at work because of Ronald Weasley and Lavender bloody Brown. Besides, she broke up with him … why, then, would she even get upset about him going on what looked like a date?

Sniffing rather loudly and fastening her pace, Hermione straightened her shoulders and mentally composed herself. Walking past the nearest bin, she didn't even look back as she threw the magazine straight in it, ignoring the smiling faces of her ex-fiance and former classmate.

XXX

He was kneeling before the Dark Lord, on a stone floor, surrounded by masked Death Eaters. Well, all were masked, except his father, who stood off to Theo's right, looking as though Christmas had come early.

"Theodore Nott," Voldemort said in a low, smooth voice. "Your father tells me you wish to join us?"

Theo swallowed thickly. No! he didn't want to become a Death Eater! What was his father doing?

Lord Voldemort was suddenly moving towards him, he was so swift and fluid that Theo briefly wondered if he was actually flying. Before he could think anymore on the topic, the Dark Lord was standing right in front of him and had managed to grab his left arm.

"Well, Theodore, is your father telling the truth?" the Dark Lord asked.

"I …" But the words died on Theo's mouth as he stared at his forearm, encased in Voldemort's long fingers, that famous wand digging into his pale skin.

The Death Eaters surrounding them chuckled at Theo's lack of response.

"He does, my Lord, he does," Thaddeus Nott commented.

Lord Voldemort smirked and Theo felt the tip of his wand dig further into his arm.

Theo looked up at the Dark Lord and was suddenly caught in his blood red gaze. He could see his lips moving, chanting, but it was like his ears were blocked. Then it hit. Pain so intense that Theo screamed, screamed until his throat felt raw.

His eyes were unable to look away from the Dark Lord, yet everything else seemed to blur around him, like he was caught in a tunnel and moving forth so rapidly that he could not control or feel anything. Except for his arm, which felt like it was be slowly sliced apart.

Theo jolted awake, his breathing harsh, and looked down frantically at his pyjama covered left arm and let out a small breath of relief when he realised it was just another nightmare. Of course he'd never got the Dark Mark. The Dark Lord had been 'too busy' leading up to the Battle of Hogwarts, much to his father's dismay, and thankfully Potter had defeated Lord Voldemort before Theo would have been forced onto the podium to pledge his undying loyalty.

He slowly sat up and let out a groan as he checked the clock and realised it was only four in the morning.

"Too early," he muttered to himself as he fell back down on the bed.

Laying there with nothing to do but think, he couldn't get over how real that nightmare seemed. The pain had felt real, he thought, as he absentmindedly ran a hand over the area where the Dark Mark would have gone. He swore he could still feel the burn of it … but put it down to the vividness of the nightmare.

Turning to his side and readjusting his pillow, Theo closed his eyes and attempted to fall back asleep. But his mind was reeling, and he knew in his gut that it would be impossible to sleep now.

He couldn't understand what had triggered these nightmares. During, and after, the war he had been affected by them. But they were never as vivid, or occuring as often as they were now. He racked his brain to recall if anything had happened recently, but he couldn't think of anything. He had been so busy with taking over the family vaults that he hadn't had time to take in much else.

Sighing, he decided to get up. It would be dawn soon, and maybe he'd sign off that paperwork early and get a chance to go out on his broom. Then he'd head into Diagon Alley and stock up on Dreamless Sleep potion, because what he really needed was a good night's sleep.

"Mippy!" he called grumpily, and started getting ready for the day ahead.

XXX

A/N: Thanks for reading!

There will be a fair bit of interaction between the Theo and Hermione next chapter, I promise. Just needed to do a bit of scene setting after the initial meet in this chapter :)

Cheers

Shan