I don't own Harry Potter nor any of its characters. They belong to the lovely JK Rowling
Chapter 29: Remember Me?
"Bloody Hell, woman! Why'd you do that for? I wasn't going to hurt you!"
It took a moment for Astoria to recognize him through the smoke and his billowing black cloak. Then it hit her.
"Theodore?"
Astoria held her wand steady, refusing to let her guard down.
"Why else would you be here?" Theodore looked up at her, insult written across his face.
"Tori, really? I came here to find you, to warn you! The Dark Lord has placed a bounty on your head. Every Risen Follower is out looking for you."
"Risen Follower? Changed your name, have you? Deatheaters suddenly became too melodramatic?" She scoffed before sobering quickly, her eyes suddenly filling with tears. "Wait… a bounty? If – if Voldemort wants my head that can only mean – Draco! He's been found out, hasn't he?" With that her wand lowered and her countenance fell, her legs sinking to the floor. Theodore rose to catch her, holding her as she sobbed.
"Wait, wait Tori, it's not what you think. He's alive, I swear! He'll be alright!" He waited for her to gain control again, wondering how much he should reveal concerning the state Draco was in.
"Did you even try to help him?" She finally whispered. Theodore sighed, avoiding the question. She already knew the answer, anyway. She knew him well enough by now, she needn't have bothered asking. Theodore was a coward and always would be.
"I disabled all the hexes and things set up for you, but they'll be back before long." He said. "I wanted to warn you about the bounty. I wanted to protect you."
"Well, you've delivered your message, so you can clear your conscience. I've got something to do so if you'll excuse me…" She rose and brushed past him, but was stopped short at the top of the stairs by a hand closing around her own.
"Tori, wait! I know about the necklace!" Astoria turned sharply. She tried to compose the shock that was evident in her reaction, but it was too late.
"Yes!" he said triumphantly, the truth plastered across her face. "I knew you would know about it. What has Malfoy done?" Theodore asked, impatiently.
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean." She said, trying to save what she knew was already lost.
"Don't lie to me, Tori. I know you too well. Besides, if you tell me, I might be able to help Malfoy…" Theodore trailed off quietly and reached into his pocket, removing the subject of their discussion.
"How did you get that!?" Astoria reached for the necklace Theodore was now holding, only to feel it slip from her fingers.
"Tell me why it's so important!"
Astoria huffed, knowing she was defeated. "Fine. But how do I know I can trust you?"
Theodore looked at her, his face softening, his voice cajoling. "Tori, you've always known you could trust me." He moved closer until he was just a hairsbreadth away. "Remember all those years ago, when we were still in school? My seventh year, before Christmas?" His fingers caressed her own, drawing her nearer. She closed her eyes in memory – it had been a long time since she had thought about that. "Those were the days, weren't they? Just you and I?" He continued as he slowly reached his hand up to cup her cheek, moving to capture her lips in his. Astoria's breath trembled, sensing his closeness before feeling the soft kiss.
Then her eyes snapped open, and her hands pressed firmly against his chest, pushing him gently away.
"Theo, please. It was years ago, we've changed. We've hardly even seen each other since you returned from Christmas break that year. You were different." Astoria's eyes suddenly misted over, more tears threatening to fall. "The mark changed you. Besides, I moved on a long time ago. I love Draco, Theodore. I just want to save him. I'm sorry if that hurts you to hear, but –"
"No, no! I – Look, I know you love him. You and I, it never would have lasted, anyway. What you said to me that night - that I was a coward, that I was choosing the wrong side to save myself –"
"I shouldn't have said those things –"
"Yes, you should have. You were right." Theodore took a deep breath. "And you still are. I could never have been enough for you – your fire, your passion. I could never openly oppose the Dark Lord, but I can at least help you with this. Tell me, Astoria – how does it work?" He held up the necklace again, pleading with her.
Astoria hesitated only a moment longer, then sighed, finally surrendering. "It's called a telesol. It connects Draco and I when we are both wearing them. We can talk to each other – read each other's thoughts, rather. We used it many years ago when I went to Spain, and he thought – he thought it would be a way to lead the aurors to Voldemort."
Theodore's eyes widened, and he looked at the necklace with something akin to reverence. "How did you get it?" he asked, when suddenly shouting was heard coming from outside. They shrunk against the hallway, trying to find a place to hide as the front door banged open and many footsteps were heard entering the house. Astoria made to leave when Theodore grabbed her hand again.
"Wait! That wasn't all I had to tell you, Astoria. I have a message."
"A message? What do you mean, message? From who?" she hissed, trying to peer down the stairs for the intruders.
"From Henrick Ollivander." Astoria paused, dumbfounded as she turned wide eyes back to Theodore's.
"Henrick? The unspeakable?" She asked. Theodore nodded.
"He is the Dark Lord's right hand man – the reason You-Know-Who is back! He took me aside and told me he knew of my feelings for you. I don't know how, but someone must've told him about our relationship in school. He said he would allow me to protect you, and he wouldn't tell the Dark Lord, as long as I swore to give you his message."
"Well what is it, then?"
Theodore swallowed as the sounds grew closer, the intruders nearing the foot of the stairs. "He says that they're real; the three hallows, whatever he means by that. He wants you to know that Potter has them, and if you bring them to him, he will free Draco."
Astoria couldn't believe what she was hearing. "But how will I know how to find him?" She asked hesitantly.
"He says he will contact you, and that until he does, what he did for you 11 years ago must stay a 'little secret' or Draco will pay the price." Astoria was stuck in place, fear and guilt warring with each other, causing her limbs to freeze and her mind to go blank.
"Astoria, they're getting closer. We've got to move!" He whispered urgently, pulling her back into her bedroom, and shutting the door quietly.
Astoria shook her head, clarity finally returning. She looked at Theodore, panic in her eyes. "It doesn't matter now. Quick, Theo, just tell me where he is! Tell me where Draco and Voldemort are, and I can bring Harry Potter and his aurors. He could save Draco! Please!" She pleaded as the group of men talked angrily, having realized their hexes and curses had been disabled.
"I – I can't. I could never do that, Astoria. What if he found out?"
"You've already risked everything just talking to me at all!"
"That's different! I – I love you, Astoria. I always have, I would never turn you over to the Dark Lord. But turn against him completely? Betray him? That's different, Tori."
Astoria growled exasperated, glaring coldly at him. "You're right. I should never be sorry for what I said to you that night, all those years ago. You're just as much a coward now as you were then – worse so, because you don't have the excuse of being a child anymore. Pick a side, Theo! The rest of us already have." She hissed.
The talking got louder, and the footsteps closer. They were climbing the stairs, and they would be entering the room any moment. Theodore looked at her, hurt evident on his face. But his mouth remained resolutely shut. With a cry of outrage, she shoved him away from her, blasting the window open. With a last glance of disgust, she dropped from the second story, disapparating in midair.
The sounds alerted the intruders, and Theodore rushed to follow suit, and with a swish of his cloak he too disappeared.
Furor Grey stormed the room, wand raised, growling as he saw the flash of color and heard the pop! indicative of disapparition.
"Damn."
….
It was long after dinner by the time Astoria returned to Muriel's. As soon she stepped through the door, she was almost knocked backward by her son's hug. "Mother! I was so worried about you, I thought something had happened to you like what happened to dad!" he cried, refusing to be ashamed at his tears in front of his friends.
Heartbroken, she hugged her son fiercely, more tears threatening to fall.
"Astoria, dear, thank goodness everything is alright!" Molly crowed, embracing Astoria also and guiding her to the dining area. "Come and have something to eat, you must be starving!" Nearly the entire Weasley family was sitting there, except for Harry who still hadn't returned from work.
Tension reigned as Molly served her up a plate. No one could decide who would speak first. Finally, Ginny broke the silence, "So, did you get what you were looking for? Did you find the trinket that Draco was talking about?"
Astoria was frozen in place. For the first time, she finally understood for herself why Draco, and so many others of Voldemort's followers, had chosen to obey the Dark Lord. When your family is at stake, you will do anything – even go against everything you believe in.
They waited with bated breath and Astoria swallowed heavily, and looked Ginny in the eyes. She squared her shoulders.
"No, I'm afraid not. I've no idea what Draco meant."
