A/N: Remember how I mentioned possibly changing this chapter cause I was unhappy with it? Well, that didn't really happen. The only thing I changed was the title – originally, it was called "Unrequited", based on Daphne's unrequited feelings for Theodore – but then I remembered that this was a Hermione/Theodore fanfic and decided to cut it.
On the subject of Daphne/Theodore, I'm honestly not sure how to feel about it. On the one hand, I can imagine them being a major power couple, especially during pureblood galas, what with the interpretation of both of them being stone cold badasses. But on the other hand, I like them better as being friends that are as close as siblings. In line with that, I decided to go with a mixture of both in this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Title: The Past Does Not Define Us
Rating: T
Pairing: Theodore Nott/Hermione Granger
Summary: "I'm sorry." Those two words shot like an arrow through his soul and Theodore found that there was nothing he could do to stop himself from falling.
Warning(s): Mentions of child abuse and suicidal thoughts.
Reviews:
xXMizz Alec VolturiXx – Originally, I actually had trouble remembering how to spell your username. But since you review so often, I've memorized it. Lol thanks for reviewing again!
MulberryStreet – Thank you! I'm also a sucker for a well-written Theodore Nott – so many fanfics I see, however, have him as a stand-in for Draco (when Draco is nice) or having him be a mook with limited intelligence. It's actually insulting.
Chapter 11: Stubbornness
January flew by without much affair, and soon, February 14th was just around the corner. With it came the whispers dying down ever since he had begun to avoid Granger; he supposed it had something to do with Valentine's Day approaching (can't focus on the Death Eater son in their midst when there were much more important things to be concerned about). During this time, he tried to preoccupy himself with homework and classes and occasional trips to the kitchens. Even so, he always remained on edge, waiting for something to happen.
Daphne had wrote in her last letter that he was acting stupid; the blunt way with which she said it and her flowing cursive was familiar, but off-putting. Theodore felt queasy just thinking of the words – Daphne had always been able to get to the crux of an issue. She was not one to roll with the punches or back down (ice queen she may be, but there was a certainty with which she did things which Theodore envied but also despised).
They had actually tried dating shortly after he took her to the Yule Ball – she was bold, with nerves of steel, a burning passion, and scathing wit. Oftentimes, it was Daphne, not Pansy, who sent little Hufflepuffs running away in tears. She had an army of boys lined up, including their mutual friend Blaise Zabini, asking for at least one chance to date the beautiful blonde, but Theodore was the only one who she said yes to, who she would always say yes to (and Theodore was head over heels for the bushy-haired brunet in Gryffindor; he had tried apologizing, but that seemed to just make her more upset).
They had known each other for years, even longer than Theodore knew Draco (which was saying something since Theodore had known Draco since they were 6). Everyone had thought that they would get married (but they didn't know the truth, about how even if Daphne wanted to get married, Theodore didn't) – they were Theodore and Daphne, Daphne and Theodore, one rarely seen without the other.
The issue of his father had always been a point of contention between the two of them, even when they had just been friends; dating her had just made the problem she had with it more blatant. It came to a head after the man was broken out from Azkaban in their sixth year – she yelled at him for an hour, maybe two, and he had let her. When she had finished, there had been no more words left between them and they broke it off (she was tired of the lack of communication and the heartache; he was tired of always hurting her, even when he didn't mean to).
She would always be a dear friend, but Theodore knew that some things just couldn't be fixed (now, they were just Theodore and just Daphne; they separated as had their house, divided by blood, prejudice, and loyalty to a dark lord who would bring ruin).
Even so, her letter had brought back the feelings that he had been trying to hide away ever since the winter holidays ended (Daphne had always been good at making Theodore see the truth, even if he wanted to avoid it).
He tried putting it out of his mind, but her brown hair still made him want to run his fingers through it, her smile still made his heart flutter, her laugh still made his insides turn to mulch – a reaction that Daphne had never been able to provoke, aside from slight discomfort and a fondness only reserved for a younger, much-loved sibling.
Granger kept trying to talk to him, kept pushing and pushing and pushing, trying to get his attention, but he never faltered in his stance. He turned his back on her, ran when she approached, avoided and dodged (turning his back on her smile, running from her soft voice, avoiding and dodging every attempt of hers to reach out to him).
However, no matter how much he pushed her away, she still kept trying. Inwardly, he cannot help but snort at how alike they both are.
The difference though was that while she wouldn't ever give up, he would (as he had done in the past; as he continues to do). He could feel her chipping at his walls, softening them, but never outright breaking them down.
It was only a matter of time until he went to her.
He wondered if that was her plan all along.