Theomione. Say it out loud, it sounds funny. Hmm... Hermidore? Nah that's terrible. Theone/Theonie? Nah, the spelling of that is confusing. Thermione? Hmm... maybe not quite direct enough. And it sounds like something biochemical. I like Theomione best.

Hey readers... what is the strangest name you can come up with for a Hermione/Theodore pairing?

BREAKING NEWS: A day after posting this chapter, this fic received it's 10,000th hit. I guess it has gotten there pretty slowly, and most of those hits are for the first four chapters, but I still feel like I've reached a milestone. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the twenty-thirty or so fans who have stayed with this story for so long. And welcome to any new readers; I'm fairly busy and generally update The Slytherin Stand every month... or two if one of my other projects demands more attention. So, yeah... it might be a really good idea to add this story to your alerts if you want to keep reading.

Anyways... enjoy this latest chapter everyone. Oh, did I mention that I like reviews? :)

Chapter 19: Couples and Quarrels

Harry led Theo up to their Dormitory, trying to work out just how he felt about this turn of events. Did Theo's actions equal a betrayal? Why on Earth would he want to hurt Ron by doing this?

"Why did you do it?" Harry asked once they were in the Dormitory. "You know Ron really, really has a thing for Hermione, why did you have to go betray him like this? Is it because of what's happening between him and Blaise?"

"No, it has nothing to do with Blaise" Theo said.

"Then why did you ask Hermione to the Ball Thingy?"

"Because I love her!"

That was not the answer Harry had been expecting. Theo loved Hermione? He had never even considered it. He had been worried about something happening between Hermione and Blaise, and since last week he had been worried about Ron and Hermione... but Hermione and Theo?

Actually, the more he thought about it, the more sense it made. But that didn't change the fact that Theo had betrayed Ron... did it?

"I didn't even know the Newt Ball was on" Theo said. "But I felt like I had to tell her how I felt. Knowing that Ron liked her, and was going to tell her... I've had a crush on her since Third Year. I, I just couldn't stand the thought of Hermione being with Ron and me never being able to tell her how I felt. I just didn't think about how it would affect Ron. I'm sorry if I like, betrayed you two or anything."

Harry was about to go off at Theo, but then a vivid memory surfaced. A memory of asking Cho Chang to the Yule Ball, only to learn that she had already said yes to Cedric. It had really hurt him to watch the two of them dancing together.

And even though he would never admit it to anyone else, it did hurt to see Ginny with Dean.

Now Ron would feel the same pain... but could he really fault Theo for what had happened? After all, Harry had often wished he had gotten to Cho first.

"No it's alright" Harry said. "I know what it's like to have feelings for someone, and see them with someone else."

"Really?"

"Yeah. During the Yule Ball, I asked Cho Chang to go with me, but Cedric had already asked her."

"Oh."

"Yeah, that was hard. It'll be hard on Ron too, but it would have been hard for you if the roles were reversed. Congratulations on your new girlfriend."

"Well, I'm not really sure if she's my girlfriend or not" Theo said. "I started to tell her how I felt, but I got scared and stuttered. Then Lavender asked if I was trying to invite her to the Newt Ball, so I said yes and she accepted. But, there was an incident with the Yule Ball she feels like she owes me for, and I still haven't told her how I felt, so I don't think we're like, together-together."

"Oh I see" Harry said. "I think. Well, still, good on you. You still need to explain things to Ron though."

"I guess I owe him that. I'll talk to him tomorrow."

"I think we better do it now" Harry said, taking the Maruader's Map out of his pocket. "I can find him on this map, and then I think we better go to him and you better explain everything. I've never seen him this angry before, and the longer we let him dwell on it the worse it will be."

"Yeah, alright. You'll come with me right?"

"Of course" Harry said, finding Ron and Lavender in an empty classroom near the Common Room entry. Harry noticed Theo looking at the map with interest, but the Slytherin didn't ask any questions.

Harry put the map away, and then went back downstairs with Theo. Harry asked Hermione if she wanted to go see Ron as well, but she just rolled her eyes and declined. Harry and Theo left the Common Room together, intending to make things right with Ron.

Meanwhile:

Ron found an empty classroom and sat behind the teacher's desk. Hermione didn't want anything to do with him; all because Theodore Nott had gotten to her first and told her Merlin-knows-what. Ron cursed himself for confiding in Nott; Slytherins were after all, Slytherins.

He pulled out his wand and began swishing it around. He soon found himself conjuring some birds, but stopped when he remembered that he had learnt that spell by watching Zabini teach it to Hermione.

Zabini and Nott. Both of them were bastards. And to think he had trusted them. Trusted those Slytherins! And now they had Hermione converted to their side.

And he had really thought Nott was alright.

Even though his parents had both been Death Eaters and he was friends with Zabini.

The door crept open, and Ron got a nasty remark ready in case it was Hermione or Nott. He swallowed the remark when he saw it was Lavender.

"Hi Ron" Lavender said. "Nice birds, did you conjure them yourself?"

Ron looked up at the two sluggish birds he had conjured before he had stopped. They circled each other, and Ron found he didn't want to zap them into nothingness just yet.

"Yeah I conjured them" Ron said. "I could make more if you wanted."

"No that's okay" she said, sitting on the desk next to Ron. "I just wanted to make sure you were feeling okay."

"Yeah, I'm okay" Ron said.

"Are you sure? That was a pretty bitchy thing for Hermione to say."

"Yeah... but what can you expect? She has Zabini and Nott in her ear all the time. Damn I really thought Nott was alright."

"He probably didn't know you wanted to ask Hermione to the Newt Ball" Lavender said.

"He fucking did too know it!" Ron said, bashing his fists into the table. "I told him right after classes finished. He must have run straight up to the Common Room to get to Hermione first."

"Really?" Lavender asked. "What a jerk! And I thought he was alright for a Slytherin."

"So did I" Ron said. "Can't believe I forgot that all Slytherins are jerks. What did he say to Hermione to get her to go with him?"

"Not much" Lavender said. "He just stuttered, acted shy and innocent, then asked her and she said yes. She didn't even think about it."

"She didn't even think about it?" Ron asked. "She, just said yes."

"Yeah. Don't worry Ron, we know what Hermione is like. She just thinks everyone is too stupid for her, and is all miss-perfect. I bet she would only consider a boyfriend who was a fellow geek. And since Nott just saved Malfoy everyone thinks his a hero and a really really good guy. His her Little Mr. Perfect. They'll be like the smart goodie-goodie couple that all the teachers think are sooo perfect. Hermione would never be interested in a real man."

"A real man?"

"Like you!"

"Like me?" Ron said, raising his voice an octave as Lavender inched closer to him. Things may have gotten interesting then, if the door hadn't chosen that moment to fling open. Ron felt his blood boil for a second reason when he saw that Nott was standing in the doorway with Harry.

"Hey guys" Harry said. "Are you alright Ron?"

"Yeah I'm pretty alright" Ron said. "For a guy that just got stabbed in the back!"

"Ron I'm sorry" Nott said. "Please let me explain, I really wasn't thinking about how it would affect you."

"How the fuck was that meant to affect me?" Ron said. "You knew I was crazy for her, so you just waltzed up to Gryffindor Tower, forced your way in, and put on the cute hapless act so she would go to the Ball with you? How could that not hurt me? How can there possibly be a reason for doing that?"

"Because I feel the same way!" Nott said. "And the thought that I would never have a chance to tell her how I felt was just... hard."

"But you still didn't tell her any deep feelings" Lavender said. "You just asked her to the Newt Ball. There was no romance or confessions or anything!"

"Well I... I... I'll tell her later."

"Typical Slytherin" Lavender said.

"Yeah" Ron agreed. "You just wanted her because you knew I wanted her! That's all this is. You really are just like Malfoy, a spoiled brat! Well just because Daddy gave you everything doesn't mean you can have any girl you want! You can't have my friends just because your Mummy raised you to be a selfish spoiled - "

"My. Mother. Is. DEAD!" Nott said. "And you're talking about Hermione as if she's a thing. Hermione chose to go to the Ball with me."

"Because she thought you were being all romantic by coming to the Common Room" Lavender said. "But you know, I'm glad you did this Nott. Hermione isn't good enough for Ron, and the two of you seem made for each other!"

"What do you mean she isn't good enough for Ron?" Nott said.

"Hey guys, can we just calm down a bit?" Harry asked.

"Well," Lavender said to Nott, ignoring Harry completely, "If Hermione can be such a bitch to her friend after he bears his soul to her, then she deserves a snivelling Death Eater child as a boyfriend!"

"Okay this has gone too far!" Harry said. "Ron, I know you must be really hurt now; which is why you would have done the exact same thing as Theo did if the situation was reversed."

"I would not!" Ron said. "I would never stoop that low! My parents raised me to treat people with some basic respect. If Nott had told me he was madly in love with Hermione, I wouldn't have gone behind his back like that. I wouldn't have assumed I was the better man for her just because what? Because of my rich prestigious Pureblood family or some other Slytherin superior trait? You know Nott, I thought you were I good guy. I guess I didn't really know you at all."

"Well of course you don't really know me at all if you think I'm from a rich prestigious family" Nott said. There was anger in the Slytherin's voice, but it came out in teary eyes and clenched fists rather than raised voice. Ron wondered if maybe he had gone too far. After all, his family were Pureblood but had no money or prestige. He really didn't know anything at all about Theo's family.

Except that his father was in the Department of Mysteries last year.

And that he joined the DA and saved a life just last week.

"Oh yeah that's right" Lavender said. "Ron doesn't know anything about you. In fact no-one does because you don't even talk to anyone except Blaise Zabini."

Oh yeah, Nott was also friends with Zabini.

"You know Nott, I really don't want to know anything more about you" Ron said. "You're Slytherin, you're from a Death Eater family, and you fucking stabbed me in the back. You're scum!"

Ron expected some retort, but instead Nott just spun around and shot back out the door with that awkward trying-not-to-run-away walk of his.

"Coward" Ron said.

"Don't you think that was a bit harsh?" Harry asked.

"What? Don't tell me you're taking his side!" Ron said.

"I'm not taking sides" Harry said. "The other night you told me you had a thing for Hermione, and that really shocked me. Now I've just found out that Theo has a thing for her as well. I don't know who's the better boyfriend for Hermione - "

"You're Ron's best friend for five years and don't know if his the best person for Hermione?" Lavender asked.

"No I don't!" Harry said. "Because I'm not Hermione. It's her choice, and this matter is between her, Ron, and Theo. I'm not taking sides; all I'm saying is that Theo realised that this was his last chance to act on his feelings for Hermione, and he did that. If the situation had been reversed, you would have done the same thing Ron."

"I'm not a back-stabbing Slytherin!" Ron said.

"No, but you would have done it because it would have hurt not to" Harry said. "I know what it's like to see the girl you like with someone else, and if I was in Theo's position I would have done the same thing!"

"I can't believe you're taking his side!" Ron said. "What about everything you about always being my best friend."

"You are my best friend and I'm not taking sides!" Harry said. "But I think Theo did what he had to do and you shouldn't have said all those things to him."

"Well why don't you go run off and comfort him since I've hurt the poor delicate Death Eater's feelings so much."

"His not a Death Eater!"

"Well his a back-stabbing Slytherin whose just screwed me over, and now your siding with him! Your siding with the son of one of those bastards that killed Sirius!"

"Okay Ron, you're upset. I brought Theo here to apologise, but that didn't go so well. And now you're pissed off at me. Well, you have Lavender to comfort you, so I'll just leave you to your own self pity and talk to you when you've calmed down."

"I'm calm enough to know that you're betraying me too" Ron said. "Just go Harry. Go hang out with Theo, and Blaise."

"Ron I -"

"He said go" Lavender said. "I think you should just leave us alone."

"Fine" Harry said, stepping through the door. "But Ron, don't act like a complete git like you did back in Fourth Year."

And with that, Harry was gone. Ron tried to work out what he had done. Had he just driven away his best friend? Had he lost Hermione and Harry? What did he have left?

"Don't worry about him" Lavender said. "You're worth ten of Harry Potter."

"Ten of Harry?" Ron asked.

"Yup" said Lavender, leaning in to kiss him.

Meanwhile:

Theo wanted to put as much distance as he could between himself and the fiasco he had just created. However as he go to the stairs he realised that in doing so he would be ditching Hermione. He leaned against the wall, trying to regain his composure before he went back to see her.

"Oh, so it didn't go so well?"

"Dave!" Theo said, turning around to see the rockstar patting a lion in a massive African Wilderness painting behind him. "Were you following me again?"

"No I wasn't following you" Dave said. "I knew you'd have to come past here on your way back so I waited. I was expecting to see you with Hermione though. I guess things kinda, didn't work out so well?"

"Well, I was too scared to tell her exactly how I felt" Theo said. "But, I ended up asking her to the Newt Ball and she said yes. So, everything is good. How did things go with M'Lady?"

"She's not angry at me anymore" Dave said. "But that's awesome with you and Hermione. So, why are you out here alone and looking like you're about to burst into tears?"

"I had a fight with Ron Weasley."

"Oh. He found out."

"Yeah, he came around not too long ago."

"And you fought. Both of you?"

"Well, I don't think I said anything too bad to him. But he was still pretty upset."

"Ah I see. And you're pretty upset too. This is about more than just Hermione isn't it? What did the little git say to you?"

"Nothing much."

"You look like it's pretty deep."

"Come on, I was bawling my eyes out before, and you think this is worse?"

"Yeah. this is something you're burying. What happened?"

"You sound just like Blaise did back in First Year."

"Don't change the subject. What did Weasley say to you?"

"He didn't intend to hurt me as badly as he did" Theo said with a sigh, turning his eyes to the floor. "He just, he accused me of being selfish because I was from a rich family and got everything I wanted."

"Where did he get that from?"

"A lot of Pureblood Slytherin children are from rich families. He just assumed I was too and well, it reminded me of just how much that isn't the case. You know things weren't that good for me before I came to Hogwarts right?"

"I do now."

"Well, hearing him talk like that well, it made me think of what my childhood really was like. It was like I really was scum."

"You're not scum" Dave said. "Sounds like his being the selfish one. Don't worry, I'll make life hell for him!"

"Well he didn't know - " Theo began, lifting his head to look at Dave as he spoke, but stopping mid sentence when he caught someone in the corner of his eye.

Harry was standing just a few metres away, looking a bit awkward.

"Oh Harry" Theo said. "Did you come looking for me?"

"Yeah" Harry said. "I'm sorry for what Ron said back there. I don't think he knew that talking about your family would hurt you so much."

"I know."

"And his been worried so much about Blaise talking me and Hermione away from him that well... his not happy with you right now."

"I know. But I'll be alright."

"That's good."

"Herm-hum" Dave cleared his throat, and looked down at Theo expectantly.

"Oh right" Theo said. "Dave, this is Harry, his Hermione's best friend. Harry, Dave; His erm, a poster that Blaise brought to life. His also the Fat Lady's boyfriend."

"Hi Harry" Dave said. "I hear you're the school's resident hero?"

"That sounds like me" Harry said. "Though sometimes I wish it wasn't really the case."

"Really? Hmmm, guess things are a bit more serious outside the portrait world. So, who are you going to this ball thingy with?"

"Oh um, I only just found out it exists, so I haven't had a chance to think about that" Harry said.

"Hmm..." Dave said. "You should talk to Blaise - "

"No" Harry said.

"Not like that" Dave said. "Ask him about his sister. I'm sure she'd love a chance to visit Hogwarts. You can take her to the Ball."

"That's a good idea" Theo said. "I'm sure you and Camille would have a good time. And given how much Blaise and Mrs. Zabini approve of you, you're probably the only guy in the world apart from me that Mr. Zabini wouldn't try to scare off."

"I'll think about it" Harry said. "Hmm... I'm starting to get hungry; want to go to dinner Theo?"

"Yeah alright" Theo said. "But can we go get Hermione first?"

"Sure. Well, nice meeting you Dave."

"Same Harry. Good luck with the hero thing."

"Thanks."

They left Dave and made their way back to Gryffindor Common Room. They walked in an awkward silence, and Theo got the impression that Harry wanted to comment on whatever he had overheard. Theo hoped Harry wouldn't bring it up; he had just regained his composure and now wanted to go see Hermione.

Fortunately the silence was only broken when they arrived in front of the Fat Lady.

"Erm, Theo" Harry said. "Could you please block your ears for a sec while I say the password?"

"Armortentia" Theo said, causing M'Lady to roll her eyes and swing open.

"Oh" Harry said. "Alright then."

They found Hermione with her nose buried in Tales of Beedle the Bard while the rest of the girls discussed potential dates for Sally-Anne Peaks. Hermione finished the paragraph she had been reading, then joined the two boys as they made their way out of the Common Room and to the Great Hall. Harry filled Hermione in on their encounter with Ron, and Theo couldn't help but feel he had irrevocably damaged Hermione and Ron's friendship.

Meanwhile:

After a long night of trying to open the locket, Blaise had fallen asleep wearing it. He was awoken from this restless sleep by an incessant pounding at the door and someone calling his name.

"Blaise!" His mother said. "I know you are in there. Open this door right now!"

"Dave!" Blaise said. "Open the door."

There was no response from Dave, and Blaise's mother was still demanding to be let in. Blaise rolled out of his hammock and trudged towards the door. He opened the door and saw his mothers face go from furious to worried.

"God Blaise, you look terrible" She said. "have you had any sleep at all?"

"Of course I've slept!" Blaise said.

"Hermione and Theo said you stayed up working on a project all night."

"Yeah. They were supposed to be helping me, but they fell asleep."

"Well I can't blame them. And you shouldn't be pulling all-nighters like this. I was really worried when you weren't in class today."

"I missed class?" Blaise said. "What time is it?"

"Almost dinner time" She said. "why don't you pack some pyjamas and tomorrows books and come to my office? I'll get a bed ready for you and we can have dinner and an early night. How does that sound?"

"I'm too old to sleep in my mother's room and I've been sleeping all day" Blaise protested.

"Well that sleep today doesn't seem to have done you any good at all."

"I have work to do" Blaise said, holding the locket.

"You've done enough work last night. Now you be at my office in time for dinner or else. I want to make sure you don't miss tomorrow either."

He stiffened as she grabbed him and planted a kiss on his forehead. She left and Blaise let out a sigh of relief. Then a groan; he had been making progress with the locket last night and wanted to get straight back into it. However his mother was not a woman to be ignored, so he took off the locket and placed it gently in it's container, then got his bag and headed off.

On his way to his mother's office, he ran into Dave.

"Blaise!" Dave said. "Nice to see you up and about. Man you look like shit."

"Thank you."

"Hey I need a favour" Dave said. "Could you find me a picture of Ron Weasley?"

"Why do you need a picture of that git?" Blaise asked.

"Revenge."

"Revenge? What did he do this time?"

"He got into a fight with Theo."

"What? Theo got into a fight with someone?"

"Fight is the wrong word. It was more like a torrent of verbal abuse. I found Theo afterwards ready to burst into tears."

"What? He made Theo cry?"

"Theo didn't actually cry. At least not that I saw."

"That prick! You can make his life hell with a picture?"

"Yeah. M'Lady has agreed to help me with it."

"Okay. I'll go through last year's school photos and get one of him. Where's Theo now?"

"He went back to Gryffindor Tower with Harry."

"Huh? Back to... I think I'm missing something here. Theo is in Gryffindor Tower?"

"Yeah, he went there and asked Hermione to the Newt Ball."

"The... wha? Okay, I have to go see my Ma. Fill me in on the details as we walk.

Three Days Later:

It was snowing heavily on the day of Lucius Malfoy's second wedding. Three days after the Dark Lord introduced Lucius to the eldest Nott daughter, and now Lucius was marrying her. They stood in the centre of the Malfoy ballroom, surrounded by Death Eaters and other supporters of the cause. They wore not elegant robes and dress but their Death Eater robes, and standing before them was not a preacher, but the Dark Lord himself, conducting the ceremony.

"We are gathered here today," the Dark Lord said. "To witness the joining of two noble and pure bloodlines. Today is a celebration of all we are fighting for. Today, we usher in the dawn of a new era for Wizard-Kind."

No mention of love or even of Lucius and Gabriella as individuals. For a second Lucius felt disgusted that he could have ever wanted this world.

But he suppressed it. He blocked all thought from his mind as he listened to his Master's speech.

"Lucius Malfoy and Gabriella Nott" He said. "Two powerful, loyal servants. Two champions of the Pure Blood. Your marriage honours us all. May your sons and daughters be amongst my most distinguished followers."

Lucius couldn't help but feel horrified by this service. It wasn't like his wedding to Cissy... but damn thinking of Cissy triggered that disgust. He cleared his mind, and focused on the face of his young bride.

Gabriella had an expression that reminded him of Bellatrix. This service was quite obviously to her liking.

"Gabriella Nott," the Dark Lord said. "Do you consent to become a member of the House of Malfoy? Do you agree to take this man, to be the father of your children, your ally in our struggle, and your companion in the night? Do you consent to mix your blood with his?"

"I do" Gabriella said.

"And do you, Lucius Malfoy, consent to join with this daughter of the House of Nott? Do you agree to take this woman, to be the mother of your children, your ally in our struggle, and your companion in the night? Do you consent to mix your blood with hers?"

No Lucius thought I'd sooner die than betray Cissy like this. No I can't, I have to think of Draco.

"I do" Lucius said.

"Good" the Dark Lord said. "And do both of you, as a couple, pledge that your children will be my loyal servants. Proud of their blood and willing to defend it, with their lives forfeit if they are over wise inclined? "

"I do" Gabriella pledged.

"As do I" Lucius said.

"And with that, I now pronounce you husband and wife. My followers, I present to you Lord and Lady Malfoy!"

The crowd cheered as Lucius took his new wife by the hand and led her down the aisle. He wondered if everyone was really okay with this; was power worth giving up the pleasures of being human? Worth giving up love? Maybe he would have said yes if he had never met Cissy, or had never had Draco. But still;

How can anyone be alright with this?

He soon separated from Gabriella and began mingling with the wedding guests. He was looking for some sign that there was anyone else in this room that agreed with him. He was desperate for some hint that the world hadn't gone completely crazy.

He couldn't find it.

Everyone he spoke to was full of congratulations and good wishes. there was no fear or disgust in their voices. Logically Lucius knew that there had to be others like him around. He couldn't be the only one! Maybe Viper was here too, but if she was she did nothing to reveal herself.

Lucius had never felt so alone in his entire life.

He had never imagined that he could feel so alone in a room full of Death Eaters.

Eventually the cake was cut, the bouquet was thrown, and the guests were starting to get restless. Lucius had long since had enough of this night, and was ready to make his exit before he let his Occlumency guards down.

But he couldn't escape without his new wife.

He found her with her sisters and their husbands. Jolene and Ethelred Selwyn were both acquaintances of Lucius', and he knew that Ethelred Selwyn was just as Pureblooded as the Malfoy's.

Estelle and Henry Harper were a bit more of a mystery to Lucius. The Harper's were one of the 'Modern Pure' families that had sprung up around about two hundred years ago.

"Yes Henry" Gabriella said to her brother-in-law. "I know that the Harper family has been Pureblood for many generations. I'm just curious about your mother. Michelle Noonan. I know Ireland has it's share of old families, but I thought the Noonan's had gone extinct?"

"Her branch of the family settled in Australia not long after the Muggles began colonizing the country" Harper explained. "Her side of the family weren't in contact with the Irish Noonans much after that. There was no international floo network back in those days."

"Ah, is your mother from Australia?"

"Yes."

"So, did she go to Hogwarts?"

"No, she emigrated after graduating from Ngama Sorcery School."

"Ah, and her parents?"

"Died before she came out here."

"Hmm... how convenient."

"Are you accusing Henry of something Gabriella?" Estelle said.

"Not yet" Gabriella said. "But after what happened to Alice, I don't want to see my sister married to a Half-Blood."

"I'm not a Half-Blood!" Harper said.

"Don't even say something so terrible!" Estelle said, shielding her pregnant belly from the accusations.

"I'm sure you're carrying a beautiful Pureblood baby Estelle" Gabriella said. "I'm just being careful; blood-traitors are everywhere."

"I have known the Harper family for a long time" Ethelred said. "And I can tell you Gabriella, they would not marry a Mudblood."

"Trust us Gabriella" Jolene said. "We know these men."

"Very well" Gabriella said. "But I'll be keeping an eye on you Henry Harper. Ah Lucius. Finally come to meet your new family?"

Lucius had already met the Nott's, but still he allowed Gabriella to introduce him to them.

He made idle conversation with his new family members, and then mentioned to Gabriella that some guests were getting restless and the Dark Lord was getting ready to retire for the night. For a brief second distaste flickered across her face, and Lucius wondered if maybe she felt the same way as he did about this wedding.

Of course not Lucius; that distaste was because you're almost fifteen years older than her. She is not your ally.

Gabriella bid her sisters and in-laws goodnight, then linked arms with Lucius. He led her through the crowd, escorting the guests all to the Apparition points. Soon the only one left was the Dark Lord; he clapped and smirked as he watched the newlyweds go upstairs to do their duty to him.