Gallery Quay Penthouse Apartment
40 Lower Thames St,
London EC3R 6AG
Friday 11th February 2000
8:58pm
"Did you bring me the books I asked for?" She asked, not looking up from the page as she scribbled furiously. He sighed as he crossed the room, handing her the four legal tomes she had requested, noting how tired she looked. Lines were appearing on her face, creasing her forehead, making her look older than her 19 years. He supposed he did too, glancing up at the mirror above the fireplace, noticing for the first time his own haggard features.
"You're going to get me fired," he groused, running a hand through his tousled locks as he dropped heavily into the couch, shoving Crookshanks to one side. "By the way, I didn't know I had a sofa in my study," he quirked an eyebrow at her as she glanced up sheepishly. "It's not always comfortable reading at the desk," she muttered as her cheeks flushed crimson.
Theo's eyebrow raised a little higher as he pointed to the armchair next to the fireplace.
"That's your chair," she mumbled quickly, returning her gaze to her notes. "You know I like that couch," she finished by way of explanation.
"I like that couch too. I liked it even better in the lounge," he complained, his tone mildly scolding.
"It's emerald green leather!" She huffed, stilling her quill once more. "I thought you would be more at home with it in here, reminiscent of the Slytherin common room!"
Theo smirked, crossing his right ankle over his left knee. "If that's the case then I have to wonder why you like it so much, oh Gryffindor Princess."
Hermione fixed him with a stern glare. "Fine. Well I know what to do then," she spat, grabbing her wand from the desk.
Theo's face fell "Granger!" He cautioned, "Don't…"
A look of triumph spread across her face as the decor of the room changed to resemble the Gryffindor common room.
Jumping up from the couch he thundered, "Wench! You switch it back right now!"
"The couch stays?" she questioned, sweetness dripping from her faux innocent tone.
Theo glared defiantly.
"Oh well," she sang, picking up her quill.
"Fine," he huffed, as he glared at the plush scarlett sofa with matching throw cushions.
"Fine?" Hermione questioned, a small smirk ghosting her lips as she scanned the text open in front of her.
"The couch stays," he grumbled, waiting for her to switch it back before sitting down.
"I knew you would come around to my way of thinking," she replied.
.
"I've made a list of books," she began, handing him the parchment as she sat down next to him.
"Of course you have," he frowned, as he scanned the list. "Hermione, I can't get these for you." He looked up at her, holding her gaze. "You know I would, but if I remove these I will certainly get fired, and then Draco will need to find a new lawyer."
Hermione sighed. "I know it will be tricky…"
"Tricky?" He scoffed, "You ask the impossible." He pointed to the list. "There is only one copy of this book in the Ministry Library and it's never allowed out of the librarian's sight while in use. This one is in McLaggen's office…"
"Well I doubt he even knows, much less has ever bothered to read it," she quipped.
"Even so, I can't exactly go around removing books as is your want. It's half the reason you no longer have access," his words escaping his lips before his brain could step in and halt them. He watched her flinch. "I'm sorry," he whispered, as he pulled her into his shoulder.
"Below the belt, Nott," she whispered as silent tears dampened his oxford shirt.
"I know, love, I'm sorry."
.
He finished the post-dinner clean up, musing to himself how doing so the Muggle way could be quite cathartic after a long day at work. The kettle beside him flicked off signalling its readiness. Theo opened the cupboard with one hand, reaching up for her favourite teacup while he grabbed her teabags with the other. Making her tea was like a reflex, as he selected the right one for her mood without giving it a second thought. He poured the water carefully onto the bag, stirring it three times counter-clockwise with the spoon before taking a lemon and cutting off a slice and sliding it into the cup. He stirred the tea three more times, clockwise, before removing the teabag and dumping it in the trash as he headed back to the study. Frowning, he placed the cup on the desk and moved over to the couch. Leaning down, he took the book that had fallen across her face from her as he silently marvelled how she could sleep like that. With a small sigh, he pulled her gently into his arms, cradling her close as he carried her into her room, placing her in the middle of the bed. Pulling his wand from his pocket, he gave it a flick causing her day clothes to be swapped with her favourite pyjamas, and then flicked it again to cover her with the duvet. Leaning down, he planted a kiss to her forehead before slipping quietly out of the room.
.
Settling into the desk, he took up a fresh piece of parchment, chewing on his quill thoughtfully as he wondered if there was a way to get access to the books she had requested. Wizarding laws could be tricky, and although he had finished his year long internship, he would spend at least the next ten years studying before he finished his legal training. This was his first case, and he knew he was taking a massive risk even presenting the idea to the Minister of Magic, but it would be worth it if he could secure the release of the man he thought of as his brother. Theo's mother had died in childbirth, leaving him to be raised by his father who died just one month after beginning a life sentence in Azkaban. Draco and Hermione were all the family he had left now. He would do anything for either of them, but this task, procuring the texts on her list, seemed impossible.
The more he considered it, he felt he only had two options. He could either contact his legal training supervisor, Percy Weasley, or he could contact Undersecretary Goldstein. Neither option seemed like the best. Contacting Weasley was the least preferable for two reasons. The first was because Theo was on thin ice with his supervisor and Hermione herself had already been suspended. The second was because he was a Weasley. Theo did not relish the idea of going to a Weasley full stop, but it was even less an option given the state of Hermione's relationship with the family. That really left him only with one option. While Weasley was aware of Theo's case, he had yet to raise it with the Minister and by default the Undersecretary. Once he did so, he would be forced to petition the Minister within 12 weeks or drop the case altogether. Hermione knew this, of course, when she drew up the list.
Leaning back in his chair, he wondered if they were ready. Then again, he wondered, would he ever feel like they were ready? He would only have one shot at this and his career depended on the outcome. Moreover, his family depended on the outcome. Sighing he penned the letter, sealing it with his wax embossed crest. They had no choice now; 15 months of work would be over in less than 12 weeks. He only hoped he had made the right choice.
.
