May 20th 1998

Velouria was waiting for Theo when he got out of work. He pulled a cigarette and inhaled deeply, letting the nicotine calm his twitchy muscles. He heard her squawk and looked up into the tree.

"What are you doing here?" he asked as she flew down on the ground at his feet, hopping and pecking at the rocks in the cement.

"I can't be seen talking to a raven outside of my work," he said, then realized, with a smirk and a shrug, that she was a bird and he was the one starting the conversation.

Theo walked down the street towards his disapparation point, Velouria flying and hopping alongside of him. When they turned the corner into the abandoned warehouse on Montgomery, Velouria hopped happily up onto his shoulder, rubbing her beak in his straw-colored hair.

"You're wont for attention," he commented, reaching out and taking the scroll that was tied to her leg. He examined it carefully. It was gray parchment, which was unusual. He turned the scroll until he was looking at a black wax seal. Imprinted within it was an inverted triangle and a large A.

Theo turned on the spot.

When they arrived in his flat, Velouria squawked in protest of being apparated. Then she flew over to her perch and ruffled her feathers before working on the puzzle he'd made for her the night before.

"You're welcome," he muttered, stroking her wing absentmindedly as he stared at the letter.

It was from Azkaban. He'd never received a letter from Azkaban in all the time his father had been incarcerated there. Now all the Malfoys were there as well. Could be something happened. Was he needed to testify?

Only one way to find out.

Theo cracked the seal and unrolled the parchment.

To the Attention of Theodore Nott Jr.

This letter is to inform you of the death of Theodore Nott Sr. His cause of death is unknown though he appears to have died during sleep of heart failure. Please read our burial procedures below and return this letter at your earliest convenience.

…the death of Theodore Nott…

Theo barked a laugh, but that quickly he was sobbing. He fell to the ground and cried out all of his fear and his regret and his anger. His shoulders wracked, though now was not a time for shrugging. Theo clutched the parchment in his hand and let the words written there absorb into his skin.

He's dead.

Theo was an intelligent person, and yet the idea that his father would die sooner rather than later had never occurred to him. He always saw him as that oppressive presence in his life. Even hundreds of miles away, behind bars, Theo's father had a way of controlling him with fear and the threat of pain and punishment. This learned helplessness had kept Theo from experiencing any real joy or pleasure since his mother died almost a decade ago.

But now, though all this time had been wasted, he could finally live his life without worrying that somehow, by some tiny twist of fate or bad luck, his father would return and come down on Theo with the sort of wrath that only a madman would unleash on his son.

But that wouldn't happen. He's dead.

After a time Theo's sobs calmed to steady tears streaming down his face. He was in a bit of a trance, letting the truth of the letter really sink in.

Finally he was brought back to the present by Velouria's loud squawk. Theo looked up to see she had finished the puzzle.

"Good bird," he croaked, his voice hoarse from crying. Theo got up off the floor of his studio apartment. Though it was still light outside, the space was dim from Theo's preference of keeping the shutters that opened out onto Knockturn Alley closed.

Theo was just thinking he'd love to move somewhere else when it clicked.

I can do whatever the hell I want.

I'm free.

Theo laughed now, feeling a bit like a madman himself. He sat at his desk and pulled a piece of parchment. His first inclination was to write to Draco and then he shrugged, remembering that he was in Azkaban. Theo hoped Draco's stupid decisions didn't lead him to die in there as well. It was only five years. Besides, they'd likely give him probation if he wasn't a complete prick the entire time.

Ah well, it was only five years.

Theo thought quickly, deciding what things needed to be addressed with haste in light of his father's death.

He needed access to those accounts, the ones that they were likely reallocating to the vaults of Azkaban. Though Theo did not want to rely on his father for anything, some of that money was his. Money his mother had left for him when he turned seventeen. Of course his father had simply combined the accounts, borrowing from his son's inheritance.

Also, if he was getting to make the most of it, Theo reckoned he might as well actually try and get into the Healer Academy. It was pricey, but the idea of using his father's money for it was too sweet to pass up.

He opened his desk drawer and flipped through his stationary looking for proper stock. He paused as his fingers passed over a form he'd had for three years. A bit of a gag gift from Daphne for his fifteenth birthday.

'Petition for Legal Name Change'

Theo shrugged.

How much easier would things be if he wasn't Theodore Nott? He'd likely be able to get an apartment elsewhere. Wizards wouldn't cringe when he was introduced, looking at him as though he, too were a mass-murdering Death Eater. He could simply blend in to the wizarding world.

How wonderful that would be.

Theo made quick work of the form before starting his letter. He hadn't seen Clarissa Macmillan professionally in three years, since she agreed to take his case after his father was sent to Azkaban. This had allowed him to be emancipated so that he would not become a ward of the state at the age of fifteen. Theo also reasoned that if his father were to be released, even he would understand that Theo was protecting family secrets and heirlooms by not allowing their things to be turned over to the Ministry.

Theo subsequently burned most of those items when he moved into his apartment, but that was beside the point.

Mrs. Macmillan,

As you may have heard, my father, Theodore Nott, Sr. has recently died in Azkaban. I am writing in hopes that you might assist me with two matters that need to be handled in this instance.

One, is my inheritance, which my father has been borrowing off of and then depositing into his own account. I wouldn't bother, but I am hoping to attend the Academy next year.

The second, is a petition to change my surname. As you might expect, his legacy has afforded me a certain amount of difficulty when it comes to living a safe and normal life.

Please respond at your earliest convenience. I have heard through your son that you are expecting a child. I understand if this isn't a good time for you to take a case, and if so, I would very much appreciate it if you could pass my case on to a colleague.

Thank you,

Theo Nott

Once the scrolls were sealed and attached to Velouria's leg, Theo turned on the spot and Disapparated.

He reappeared in front of a dilapidated storefront, overgrown with strange plant matter and littered with broken glass, empty potions vials and splintered wood. Theo could just make out the sign that said "Greengrass Herb-m and -pothecar-" the rest of the letters having been blasted off.

Theo felt an increase of static energy as he entered the shop and saw her; long black hair tied back in a plait, face freshly washed and clean of makeup. She looked like a young, innocent woman without all that shit on her face, but he'd never tell her that. Daphne loved her makeup and he thought she was beautiful either way.

"Hey," he said when she didn't look up from her cleaning charm.

Daphne finished cleaning the area carefully, making a pile of glass and then condensing it into a tight ball.

"Hey. What's up?" she asked, looking confused, though not displeased by his presence.

"Come out with me tonight. After you get off here."

Daphne gave him a suspicious look. "Why?"

Theo shrugged. "Celebration."

Now Daphne's thinly groomed eyebrows shot up her forehead. "What the hell are you on about, Theo?"

Theo sighed and pulled the grey parchment from his pocket, handing it over to her. Daphne snatched it and spared him a glance before reading silently to herself.

Theo watched her face change as she took in the information on the scroll. He also waited somewhat patiently as she reread, much like he had to do. Finally Daphne looked up at him. Was it his imagination or did she have tears in her eyes?

"Oh, Theo," she said, a tight smile on her face.

"So, yes, Alabastor's. Come with me, will you?"

Daphne sniffed slightly and handed him back the parchment with a nod. "Yeah alright. I'll be done here at four, then I'll need to get cleaned up. This place is such a fucking dump," she added, kicking at a some dead plant matter.

"Yes, well, I'm sure you'll all make short work of it. Shall I pick you up? Seven?"

Daphne snorted, a little smirk playing on her face yet again. "If you weren't gay I'd swear you were trying to take me out on a date! Yeah make it 7:30 though. I'll have to take two showers, the amount of dirt that's covering me."

"Sexy," he said dryly and she laughed.

"I'll see you then."

She nodded and gave him a wave. Theo was almost out the door when he had a thought that caused him to turn back.

"Daph?"

"Hmm?" she replied, already focused on her task.

"Pretend it is a date, ok?"

This got her attention and she looked up startled. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Theo shrugged and gave her a small smile, still giddy from the recent news of his father's passing. "It means dress sexy. I want to show you off."

And with that he turned and left the battered shop.

Theo hadn't worn a full suit since his mother's funeral, but he owned one. David had purchased it for him on their trip to Italy last summer after leaving him alone all night when they were supposed to go out to dinner.

As Theo dressed he thought about all the things David had given him, realizing now that they were all consolation prizes for what Theo actually wanted, which was attention.

This suit was beautiful, though, he had to admit. Theo wore the jacket frequently, as the cut added at least thirty pounds to the 160 he naturally carried, but he always felt a bit too dressed up in the whole thing. Tonight he was going all out. It was a celebration after all.

As Theo fixed his thin gray tie he thought it was good he was picking Daphne up at her house. This way if she'd thought he was joking, one look at him would get her to change. He combed his hair back carefully and with one final glance in the mirror disapparated to Daphne's.

Upon arrival Theo realized he didn't need to worry, as Daphne had her mother's entire collection of evening gowns at her disposal and had decided to wear one that night.

He was surprised to see her in blue, as it wasn't her preferred colour, but this dress, with a high slit on the left leg and no strap on the right shoulder, it made her look like some sort of glamorous debutant, which he realized, being a Greengrass, she was.

"Well fuck me," he said as she shoved her wand into a glittery silver clutch and pulled the door closed behind her.

Daphne smirked. "Surely you're being facetious."

Theo laughed. "Let's see where the night takes us, shall we?"

Daphne laughed as well and linked her arm in his proffered one before they both disapparated.

"Why do you even come in here?" Daphne asked, watching a girl in nothing but a top hat and striped knickers dance on the stage.

Theo shrugged. "I like this place."

Daphne arched an eyebrow in disbelief. "We are literally surrounded by naked women right now!"

"Just because I'm homosexual doesn't mean I can't appreciate the female form," Theo said dryly and Daphne spat her drink back into its glass. "Daphne, come now," Theo said, frowning.

Daphne wiped her mouth. "I'm sorry, but since when do you declare to a room full of strangers that you're...you know, a pouf."

Shrug. "Well, I wouldn't use your colourful synonym, but that's what I am. I don't care what these people think of me."

"Since when?!" she argued.

Theo lifted his arm and looked down at his watch. "Since around half-five this evening when I found out my father was dead. I mean it. I'm out."

Daphne was surprised to feel that familiar sting of heartbreak at his declaration. What had she thought? That him keeping it a secret made it less real?

Get a grip, Daphne.

"Is that weird for you?" she asked, keeping her voice neutral. "After all this time?"

Theo shrugged. "You know I was only hiding it because of him. I don't give a fuck otherwise."

Daphne nodded distractedly, watching a writhing girl on the corner stage. "Story will be disappointed," she finally said.

Theo chuckled and sipped the five-ruddy-galleon drink he'd purchased. "Yes, I know. She hates liars, but also loves them, so maybe I'll get off."

Daphne frowned. "Not what I meant. She was just saying the other day how glad she is that I managed to find someone that isn't an asshole."

Shrug. "Well, technically you did. How is Anthony by the way?"

Daphne sipped her wine slowly, stalling for time. She could just say 'fine' and move on but...

"I wouldn't know."

Shrug. "Why is that?"

Daphne could feel Theo's eyes boring into her head, but could not look at him. "I haven't spoken to him."

"Surely you didn't ditch him! Daphne!"

She looked up to see him goggling at her in disbelief. Immediately she went on the defensive. "Back off me, will you? I haven't ditched him, I just, I need some time."

Theo searched her, his brow knitted. "For what?"

"I don't know! I mean, it's just weird, thinking about being with him, in the open..." she trailed off realizing how bad that sounded.

Theo rolled his eyes dramatically and she was surprised at how worked up he was becoming. "You're unbelievable! I'm over here telling you I'm no longer hiding my gayness and you can't even be openly straight?!"

"Yeah well that's the difference between us, innit?" she spat, feeling hurt by his words. "You don't care what people think of you. I do."

Theo snorted into his drink. "Clearly."

They were silent for a while as Theo swirled the amber liquid around his glass, his eyes half-focused on a pair of dancers moving seamlessly around the stage in elaborate costumes.

"It's just, I don't want to settle! I'm done with school, I'm doing that workshop, grandmother is paying for my 'round the world trip. I'm not ready to accept that Anthony's the one."

She waited for him to reply but he said nothing. After a moment the music changed and Theo finished off his drink.

"Come on then," he said, standing up and holding out his hand.

"What you want to go now?" she said, trying to keep the whine out of her voice. They were supposed to be celebrating, not arguing.

Theo smirked and shook his head. "Quick before I change my mind."

Surely not.

But, in fact, when Daphne put her hand in his, Theo led her out onto the dance floor. They moved slowly and purposely, the way they were both taught in those horrid finishing classes Mrs. Malfoy insisted all the children take. After a rotation Theo jerkily pulled her closer and they swayed a bit more intimately.

"You're doing a 'round the world?" he asked.

"Yeah you wanna come?"

Theo shrugged, causing them to misstep. He paused and readjusted. "Sorry," he muttered, moving slowly again with a look of fierce concentration. "I need to take care of my accounts and things first. If I can't do the academy this year, then yeah."

Daphne clung to Theo's back as the song changed and he spun her quicker to match the pace. "The academy? You are such a swot!"

Theo laughed into her hair. "I'm a swot? I'm not the one that gets aroused by fungi."

Daphne pursed her lips. "I dunno. I can think of a few mushrooms that might turn your head."

Theo pulled back to look at her but did not stop dancing. "You kiss your father with that mouth?"

Daphne hiccuped slightly, feeling woozy from drink and dance. "Yeah, why? Jealous?"

Theo rolled his eyes as he pushed her into a small turn. "While I do enjoy a man with facial hair, no, I'm not jealous, he's a bit too old for me."

"A shocker," she replied sarcastically as they were joined again.

"Yeah yeah," he said, moving them with surprising grace to amore secluded space on the dance floor. They pivoted there slowly and Daphne felt goosebumps break out on the back of her arms as Theo pushed her long hair behind her ear. "I'm serious, Daphne. I feel, motivated, you know? To make my life better. No shitty job, no shitty apartment, no shitty men. I sort of feel like, I deserve it."

Daphne stared at him hard before wrapping her arms tightly around his neck and letting her head fall into the crook of his shoulder. Both of Theo's arms moved to embrace her waist, his hands resting lightly on her lower back.

"You do deserve it," she said placing a kiss on his cheek. Theo stopped moving and pulled away slightly to look into her face.

"We both do."

A/N 2: And that's all she wrote…er, published! Hope you enjoyed this little peek into the lives of Theodore Nott, Jr and Daphne Greengrass. If you are interested in reading more about them, they are sporadically recurring characters in my big fic Dumbledore's Army and the Collection of Days.

I can tell you that Theo's first appearance in that story takes place in Chapter 32 "Rearranged" and I just posted the first meeting of Daphne in Chapter 44 "Replaced".

This is the first story of substance I've completed, so I'd love to hear your thoughts. I know it isn't a traditional story by any means, but I'm still proud of it and really grateful to those of you who've taken the time to read and review.

I do have other stuff for Theo and Daphne, but I might save it for a later date.

Until then.