I landed with a crash as I fell out of the fireplace. At the same time, I heard the sound of shattering china on the slate floor just a few feet in front of me.

"Holy shit!" Tracey cried as she tripped backward over a chair leg and fell onto the floor as well. There was silence for a moment as she got herself together and realized who had just burst into her living room. "Daphne, Jesus!" she breathed a sigh of relief. She paused again and made an odd face as she looked at me. "What are you wearing?"

"My sister's horrid choice in a bridesmaid dress," I grumbled back as I pushed myself up from the floor. "Or I guess I should say ex-sister..." I added with a low sigh. I now noticed the broken teacup on the floor; no doubt I had scared Tracey so much that she dropped it. "Sorry about that..." I muttered as I flicked my wand and mended the teacup back together.

"Wait, what? Ex-sister? What happened!?" Tracey asked, eyes wide in curiosity and excitement, jumping up from the floor, taking my hand in hers, and leading me over to the couch, where we sat together in silence for a minute. I was trying to think of how I could describe what just happened. I would have to tell her about last night's engagement party... which means I would have to tell her about Blaise...

"Let's just say that I've officially destroyed my chance for reconciliation with my family," I muttered as I twisted the material of the dress in my lap. "As far as they're concerned, I never existed."

Tracey stared back at me in complete amazement. Whether she was amazed at how brave I was... or how stupid I was, I couldn't tell."All at the wedding? What did you do?" she pressed, her expression so anxious that I could tell she could barely contain herself.

"Can we just not talk about it for 5 minutes!?" I snapped in frustration, then put my hands in my face. "I need to think."

"Sure thing, Daphne," Tracey said in a kind tone. I smiled a little, although my expression was still hidden from the world behind my hands; thank God there was someone who listened to me and understood me.

There was a noise from the kitchen that would have normally made me jump had I not been numb with the realization that I now had no family. Yes, to begin with, I never had much of a family, but now I really did have no family.

I'm as bad as Potter now. I thought spitefully. But despite the fact that yes, I no longer had a family, I did not regret my actions. In fact, it was the fact that I didn't do it sooner that made me angry. Why had I waited so long to rid myself of them? I could have survived on my own in an orphanage surely...or at least when I turned 17.

Because I was a stupid, pathetic child obsessed with love, and convinced that I could only be with Draco if I endured my family.

What a fool. Who would have thought that my family would be the reason I would lose him in the end...

"I forgot something in the kitchen," Tracey said lightly, patting me on the back and telling me she'd be right back. I sat silent, focusing on the low whispers I could hear in the distance. I couldn't make out everything they were saying, but I could hear my name repeated a few times.

I wish I could bring myself to care who's here... I thought as I sighed and leaned back against the over-stuffed couch and closed my eyes. God, I just want to sleep and never wake up. I breathed in and out slowly as I tried to make myself fall into an eternal sleep. It wasn't working.

"Daphne, I brought you a drink," Tracey said quietly as she entered the room. As someone who had spent the past year living off the stuff, the scent of Firewhisky filled my nostrils and brought me right out of my trance. "Probably not the best thing for you to have right now, but I think you deserve one..." she said with a crooked smile as she handed me the small shot glass. I took it and instantly threw it into the back of my throat, barely feeling the burn as the alcohol slid down into my stomach.

"Who's in the kitchen?" I asked curiously as I put the glass on the coffee table in front of me. Tracey smiled and looked towards the door that led to the kitchen.

"Do you feel like receiving company?" she asked me. I looked at her for a moment, trying to figure out what she meant.

"Uh... I guess so? I don't look that horrible, do I?"

"Well, that dress does look disgusting on you, but no, you look alright." Tracey teased. "So can I ask my guest to join us?"

"Who is it?" I asked again. As I expected, she just smirked and walked over to the door. She told the person to come in, and I could hear footsteps on the hardwood floor behind me. I didn't bother to turn around and look since I was convinced I probably looked like crap. I heard the footsteps stop behind the couch, and I could feel whoever it was staring at me.

Well, I am a bit of a freak show in this dress... I reminded myself, trying to deflect the agitation of being stared at. The footsteps continued around the side of the couch, but I didn't make a move to turn my head to see who it was; I waited until they stepped into my sight line.

From the corner of my eye, I saw someone dressed in all black with their pale hands at their side. I could see a gold pocket watch tucked in the front pocket, and what looked like a gold seal ring on his right hand.

Who is this, Tracey's new boyfriend? I thought, finally letting curiosity get the better of me. I tilted my head slightly to the left to get a better view of the stranger, only to see that it was no stranger at all. He's grown so much! He doesn't look as thin or scraggly anymore! My eyes grew wide at the sight. There, standing before me, looking like a grown man that had everything in life he could ever want, was my saviour himself.

"Theodore?!" I breathed in disbelief. As soon as I said his name, he cracked a small crooked smile. All at once, it was like nothing had ever happened! The last 2 horrid years of my life had never occurred, and we were just reuniting after being apart for a summer.

"Hello, Daphne." He smiled with such warmth that I thought I might cry. Before I even knew what was happening, I was up off the couch, throwing my arms around him in a tight embrace that I apparently sorely missed. He was now somehow taller than me, having apparently grown half a foot since I last saw him at the Battle of Hogwarts. I now came up to just below his chin as I huge him around his chest. As he squeezed me back, I could feel muscles that I never knew Theodore had flex around me.

Some people change for the better, I guess. I remarked smartly in my head.

"Theodore, you look amazing! When did you grow so much?" I laughed lightly as I pulled away and took another look at him. "Did you become a Quidditch player?" I teased.

"Not exactly." He chuckled.

"He's the youngest wizard to be a permanent member of the Wizengamot," Tracey smirked from where she stood, watching us with a curious smirk. "Ever."

"You got it? Theodore, that's fantastic!" I beamed brightly at the thoughts of Theodore actually achieving what everyone thought was an impossible goal. After all, it normally took years of experience in other departments before you could even be considered qualified. He had told me in the first letter he sent after Hogwarts that he was in the process of taking the tests. I never knew Theodore was one for justice, but he certainly had the brains and wit to be a member... but to be the youngest ever?!

"I always knew you'd get it," I told him with a smile.

"I understand I'm not the only one who's been advanced in the workforce." Theodore teased playfully. "Working for the ministry since you were 18? Quite the feat, isn't it?"

"I'm not the only one, Theodore; you know that... Half our house got hired straight out of our NEWTs." I made a face at him, then smiled as I hugged him again. "I missed you so much, Theo!"

"I missed you too Daphne." He said softly into my hair.

From beside me, I could hear Tracey giggling about something. I turned my head and looked at her with furrowed eyebrows of confusion. "I was just thinking that that dress really does look awful on you." She said with a smirk. I knew from the look on her face that that was not the reason she was laughing, but I didn't feel like pursuing the subject. The ugly dress had served as a reminder of how I ended up here in the first place, and my heart sank.

"Why are you even wearing that ugly thing anyway?" Theodore chucked. I didn't answer; I just stared at the floor for a moment. There was an awkward silence between the three of us.

"It was Astoria's wedding today..." Tracey said flatly. She didn't tell him who it was to... although I'm sure he already knew. Yet another awkward silence. I wasn't sure why; none of them knew the whole story... but they probably knew enough of the story to figure it out...

"Oh right... I forgot about that." Theodore muttered. "Well! I understand that you and Tracey have some, uh, catching up to do." He said, clearly attempting to excuse himself from whatever he perceived as an uncomfortable situation.

"No, you don't have to leave Theo..." I said quietly, now barely focused.

"I was on my way home anyway." He reassured me. Then, he looked at Tracey for a second, then back to me. "Hey, why don't you come over to my house after? You still haven't seen the place, and I don't think it's safe for you to go home."

"Oh Theodore, I don't know... we'll probably be here for hours," I mumbled.

"I'll wait up." He reassured, checking his pocket watch for the time. "I won't be going for bed for hours anyway."

"It's true; he's practically nocturnal," Tracey added, a subtle smile on her face.

"Well, I'm certainly not going to take up space in your house by spending the whole night just keeping you up... I'll just stay here if I have to."

"My house is huge; it will be no problem," Theodore reassured me.

"Plus I have work early in the morning," Tracey added, evidently making the past part of my proposition impossible.

Defeated, I sighed in agreement. It wasn't that I didn't want to go and see Theodore's new life, but I wasn't sure what kind of condition I would be in when I was finished divulging all my secrets to Tracey. "Alright, I'll stop by after I'm done talking to Tracey."

"Excellent." He smiled at me. I missed his honey brown eyes that were warmer and more welcoming than anyone else's I'd ever met. "Just say 'Nott London', and Tracey's marvelous fireplace will take you right there."

"I think we all know how Floo Powder works, Theo." Tracey teased.

"I would hope you know how it works; you work for them!" Theodore teased back. All I could do was shake my head slowly from side to side; it really was like we hadn't been apart. "I'll see you later," Theodore said quietly as he passed me, then said goodnight to Tracey before he went back into the kitchen, where I assumed he disappeared.

"Alright, spill." Tracey sighed, jumping onto her overstuffed couch. I looked at her for a minute, my eyes turning cold as I was reminded yet again of everything that I had not told her.

"Well, I have to confess something to you, Tracey..." I sighed as I took a seat beside her.

"You're pregnant!?" she assumed automatically.

"NO!" I said sharply, laughing awkwardly. If I was, it would be Blaise's, which was a thought I did not want to even consider. "No, I haven't been a hundred percent honest with you... for a long time, in fact."


I spent the next 2 hours recounting all the experiences I had had at Hogwarts with Draco that I had kept secret from her. No detail was spared. By the time I finished telling her what had just happened at the wedding, I don't think I'd ever seen Tracey so legitimately shocked it my life. She sat there for a moment, processing all that I had told her.

"Can you believe that I actually don't know what to say?" she chuckled as she stared at me in amazement. "I always knew you and Draco had something... I just never knew it was that much! And to have your slutty sister steal him out from under your nose! I always hated her!"

"You don't need to pity me, Tracey," I said flatly.

"No, I really did always hate her." She reassured me. "And I must say that I take slight offense that you didn't tell me all this at the time!"

"Tracey, I told you! I couldn't risk Pansy catching wind that you knew something!" I sighed in agitation "I mean, I could have offered you up as a sacrifice, if you really wanted. It's what you would have become."

"Pansy never scared me." Tracey scoffed. "You, on the other hand, were scared shitless of her."

"Well, of course, I was! She had the potential to ruin my life and my love!" I explained sharply.

"She couldn't ruin anyone's life but her own, Daphne."

"How was I to know that!?" I exclaimed, now scoffing at her.

Tracey just shrugged. "Well, what are you going to do now? You have no family, you've lost Draco; except for me and Theodore, you're kind of on your own."

"You're awfully cheery, aren't you?" I replied smartly. Then I sighed and thought about it for a moment. "Well, I suppose it would be smart for me to move out of my apartment now."

"Yes, I suppose them knowing where you live might not be a good idea," Tracey said lightly. "What else? Should you change your name or something?"

"No, I won't change my name... not yet at least," I remarked with acid in my voice. "I want to bring that sorry excuse for a family down a few levels first."

Tracey smiled and clapped her hands together with glee. "Oh, I always love it when you're in a diabolical planning mood!"

I smiled weakly, then stood from the couch, looking down at stupid dress I was still wearing. The only other option I had was the red gown that was in my bag, which although it fit me much better, was not a very appropriate idea for me to wear to Theodore's...

"Do you have any clothes I can borrow?" I asked as I held up the material of the gown to make my point. Tracey giggled and shook her head slowly.

"A midget like me? Nothing's going to fit you properly." She pointed out. "Maybe Theodore will have something."

"Theodore?" I laughed, making me smile for the first time in hours. "Yeah, maybe he will... along with a time turner so I can take myself back to Hogwarts, kill myself in time, then relive my life over again... fix all the stupid mistakes..."

"You've really given it some thought, haven't you?" Tracey laughed.

"More than any sane person should." I flashed her a wide smile.

Another hour past, and finally Tracey stretched her hands high above her head and yawned."Well, I don't mean to be rude or anything, but I need some sleep... so you need to get out."

I couldn't help but laugh at her failed attempt to be subtle. "Yeah, alright. I might as well get a move on to Theodore's I suppose."

"Oooo yes! You'll have to tell me everything that happens tomorrow." She said with that knowing smile. I stared at her, confused by her expression as usual. Then, I chuckled to myself and shook my head slowly; I had by now, after all these years of friendship, accepted that Tracey knew more about me than I did, and no doubt she knew something now.

"Yeah, I guess I'll send you an owl or something tomorrow morning." I sighed as I stood from the couch and picked up my bag again. "You know, I'm not exactly sure why I'm even going to Theo's; can you just tell me something to say to him? I want to keep my mind off the events of today if that's alright with you."

"Hmm..." she pondered to herself. "Just... catch up with each other." She said with a smirk.

"Ok, seriously!? Why do you keep doing that?" I asked, chuckling in confusion.

"Oh, look at the time! I'd best be off to bed!" Tracey said dramatically as she guided me towards the fireplace. "I'll talk to you tomorrow!" she added brightly.

"Sometimes I really question your loyalties, Tracey," I muttered as I climbed into the grate and took a handful of Floo powder.

"Have fun." She said with a wide smile and mischievous eyes.

I didn't answer her. I was actually a little afraid to say something because she was likely to randomly throw out some little time-bomb of a detail that would float around in my mind until it finally exploded hours later. Instead, I sighed and cleared my throat."Nott London!"

The next thing I knew after I flew past the hundreds of green grates between Tracey's home in Scotland all the way to London, I was standing in a dark room with only the dark reflection of city lights off the black tile floor.

Where the hell am I? I thought as I stepped out of the grate. Sure enough, I tripped on a footstool and fell forward onto something else that felt like a coffee table. "Oh, mother fu-"

"Sorry, Daphne!" I heard Theodore call as he rushed down a black hallway and then magically turned the lights on around me. Now I could see that I was indeed lying on top of a coffee table like something that was being served for dinner, it what was clearly a library. The shelves were black, the chairs and couches were black, the floor was black; everything was black, except for the spines of the books.

"Creative colour scheme." I teased him as he helped me off the table. Much to my pleasure, I had put a large hole in the front of the dress in the process of falling.

"Don't mock; I've heard what your house looks like." He teased back.

"Hey, white is a bright colour that people can see in the dark with!"

Theodore chuckled at my defense and held his hands out, presenting the room. "Well, welcome to my place," He smiled. "Want the grand tour?"

"Of course!" I giggled and his showmanship.

He led me down a dark hallway (black, of course) that had 3 doors off it. As we passed them, he told me what they were; an empty room that would someday be the guest room, the guest bathroom, and the master bedroom. He didn't show me the inside of his room, but I expected it was because it was probably a mess.

"And here we have..." he paused as he let me pass him, no doubt excited to see my reaction. "The great room."

I had no idea when I saw the lights from the library that his 'house' was actually a penthouse suite in a posh new apartment building that I had heard the muggles raving about. The great room surely lived up to its name, as it had no exterior walls; just gigantic, floor to ceiling, single pane windows that exposed the whole room to a panoramic view of the city at night. I was literally breathless.

"Oh my God, Theodore!" I breathed at last, stepping forward into the room (also featuring all black flooring, furniture, and features), taking in the openness that made me feel like I was on top of the world. "How on earth can you afford a place like this, Theo? Even muggle lawyers can't pay for this!"

"Well, let's just say that when you 'convince' the landlord that you paid in cash upfront..." he trailed off with a smirk, and I knew what he meant.

"Still up to your old tricks, aren't you?" I smiled as I looked around and his gorgeous home. "I don't understand how you could ever leave a place like this to go to work."

"It's not that wonderful when you're by yourself." He mumbled quietly as he passed me and went into the kitchen area of the open room. "Drink?"

"Water, please." I heard myself say, and I was a little surprised that I didn't ask for booze. I stepped down the 5 steps into the sunken living room, which was closest to the windowed walls. There was a balcony that was out off the right side, overlooking the Thames River. I put my hand against the cool glass, still amazed at the sheer beauty of it.

If I lived in a house like this, I would never want to leave... I thought in vain, knowing that I would never have the skill (or guts) to jinx someone for that long-term as to own an apartment like this.

"Here you go," Theodore said beside me, making me jump a little. I smiled and thanked him for the drink, then turned back to the view.

"Honestly Theodore, this is so beautiful."

"So does that mean you want to stay the night?" he asked with a curious tone.

"Let's not get too ahead of ourselves..." I smiled at him. "But you know what I could use? Something else to wear."

Theodore looked at what I was wearing a chuckled. "Yeah, I think we need to get you out of that thing."

"So you have something I can wear?" I asked almost excitedly.

"Why yes, I have a lovely selection of skirts and tank tops actually," He replied sarcastically, sniffing a quick laugh.

"Theodore, did you just make a joke!?" I thought I might be going insane; did he really just say something that was humorous!? He only shrugged and motioned for me to follow. He led me back up to the first door on the right, which was the master bedroom. He opened the door slowly, then walked right over to the dresser and began pulling drawers open.

"I don't have anything that resembles girls clothes..." he muttered to himself as he shifted clothes around.

"Well, do you have any shorts?" I asked as I leaned against the doorframe. "Old boxers or something that I can wear as pants?"

"Uh... I have one pair that my grandmother bought me for my 17th birthday..." he chuckled a little to himself before he pulled out a pair of black, silk boxers that had clearly never been worn and tossed them to me. "I hate boxers."

"Ok..." I said slowly to myself as I held them up and looked at them. "Well, they'll fit... How about a shirt?"

"Holyhead Harpies work for you?" he smirked as he pulled out a dark green t-shirt. "This I've had since I was 15."

"Why do you have a Harpies shirt in the first place?" I giggled as I caught the shirt when he threw it over.

"Hey, just be grateful I'm not going to make you wear one of my work robes to bed." He teased.

"True..." I giggled a little as I thought about the giant flowing robe as a nightgown... not convenient at all.

I excused myself to the guest bathroom to change into my new 'clothes' and was not in the least bit surprised to find even more black. I was beginning to think that either Theodore was very depressed, or he was a clean freak (since black is impossible to hide the dirt on). I finally pulled the ugly pink dress off me; I examined the hole that I had put in it, and then with all my strength, I pulled at the sides of the wound, causing it to tear even larger. It was therapeutic for me, and I continued to rip it apart, with more and more force each time, until all I was holding were scraps of material and lace.

If only I could tear her apart like this... I thought, still wishing that I could just kill her with my bare hands. And then I'd get my mother... then my father... and leave Draco for last...only because I'm not sure if it would constitute as murder or rescue.

"Daphne, do you want something to eat?" Theodore asked from the other side of the door, knocking once to get my attention. I now realized that I had been in here for 10 minutes destroying the dress, and I was only standing in my underwear.

"Uh... I'll be right out!" I called as I pulled on the shorts, which fit comfortably.

"You didn't answer my question." He chuckled from the other side.

"Oh, uh, can I just have some bread and butter?" I asked, thinking of the first thing that would be easy to make.

"Sure thing." He said, and then I heard him walking away.

I don't know what I'll do with the dress...or what used to be considered a dress... I pondered to myself. Shrugging a little, I picked up the scraps and threw them into the bathtub, then flung the shower curtain closed around them.

There! Out of sight, out of mind... just like me.

Deciding that it was better to not linger on these thoughts for too long and that I should re-join my host. I picked up the Holyhead's shirt off the counter and pulled it over my head... only to discover it fit me like a second skin."Holy crap, Theodore!" I called to him from the bathroom.

"What!? Are you alright?" I heard him call from the kitchen in his usual protective tone.

"Well..." I said in an unsure tone as I opened the door slowly, my arms covering what I could of my chest. "Clearly I'm not even close to the same size as you were at 15."

I didn't even have to explain; he just took a once-over look, then burst out laughing. The fact that Theodore was laughing was strange enough, but laughing at me!?

"Can you breath in that?" he asked, nodding his head towards the kitchen.

"Barely." I laughed as I followed him back into the breathtaking kitchen, still holding my arms over my chest awkwardly. Theodore was chuckling to himself as he picked up a plate with bread on it, and tried to hand it to me.

"You might have to put your hands down to grab it, Daphne." He remarked smartly. "I also got you some more water."

"Well, aren't you the gracious host." I smiled, looking at the two things that he held out for me to carry. I was about to tell him to carry them for me, but then realized he had his own food and drink to carry.

It's only Theodore... like he cares if you can see everything through this skin-tight material. I reminded myself. I sighed and put my arms down from shielding me and took the plate and glass out of his hand. To my surprise, I saw Theodore give me another once-over, and I felt my face blush.

"Seriously Theo?" I laughed awkwardly.

"What? They're hard to miss, Daphne." He chuckled as he turned and grabbed his own food. "I could have told you that when you were 14."

I stared at Theodore with an amused, yet shocked face. "Did you just make reference to my chest?!" I laughed. "My God, you have changed, Theodore." I smiled as I sat down on one of the black couches and crossed my legs, balancing my plate of bread on one knee.

"For the better, I hope," he mumbled as he sat down at the other side. I stared at him for a second, trying to understand what he meant by that.

"There was nothing wrong with you in the first place..." I assured. "But the fact that you're not as serious, or at least not with me, is an interesting change?"

"What, you mean you weren't annoyed with the serious kid who never made a joke?" he said before taking a bite of his bread. I waited for him to stop chewing so he could clarify whatever meaning was behind that. "Well, now that I don't have to be so on edge, what with my father's case going through again, it's not so bad."

"His case going through? When?" I asked before taking a bite of my bread.

"I'm going to bring it back in the fall." He explained. "You see, with my position, I feel that I can have a great amount of influence over my father's trial verdict. Hopefully, I'll get him out of Azkaban by Christmas." He said with a small smile.

"I'm sure he'll be very proud to have you fighting for him."

"Well, I can't really fix up my family name with him in Azkaban, now can I?" he smirked.

We spent the next hour or so catching up on everything we'd missed over the past 2 years. He told me all about how when he got home from Hogwarts after the battle, he packed up his things and moved into London. He didn't buy this place for a few months since it was still under construction, and he had to wait for the suspicion to die down around him before he could Imperius someone again. Then after he finished telling me about all the trials and tribulations he went through to get his position, I told him about being accepted as a charmer, and how I got my apartment (which I was paying rent for, stupidly...) and just the random facts of life that I had endured helping my sister and her wedding. I still didn't mention who she was married to; I was sure that if he already knew, he would have brought it up already.

At some point, I felt my eyes getting heavy. I let out an involuntary yawn, and Theodore smirked. "Time for you to get some sleep?"

"Yeah, I guess so... I had a long night yesterday..." I sighed as I slouched down deeper into the couch "Can you bring me a blanket and a pillow?" I asked sleepily.

"Why? You're not sleeping in here." He said with a small chuckle.

"Where am I sleeping then?" I asked suspiciously. "You don't have many options..."

"You can sleep in my bed; I'll sleep out here." He shrugged as he picked up the dishes and brought them into the kitchen.

"Theodore, no! I'm not throwing you out of your bed!" I protested, jumping up from the couch and following him to the kitchen. "Don't you have work tomorrow or something!? I'm not going to make you sleep out here, Theo."

"I insist." He said matter-of-factly as he flicked his wand and made the dishes wash themselves.

"Well, then I'll just go home!" I said stubbornly.

"You and I both know that's not a smart idea." He said in a sing-song voice. True, we had discussed how likely it was for my family to be waiting for me, but I didn't want to make Theodore uncomfortable in his own house! He slipped past me and walked into his room, flicking off a light as he passed.

I followed him and leaned against the doorway again, finally getting a better look at the room. The carpet was white, as were the walls, but all the furniture was black. The only colour in the room was the bedding, which was dark red. On either side of the bed was a giant ceiling-to-floor window like the living room, giving a view of the entire city at night. Theodore grabbed what I assumed were his pajamas from under his pillow and made a point to turn down the covers on the opposite side.

"It's all yours," He nodded at me.

I sighed in frustration and blocked the doorway so he couldn't get out. He chuckled a little at my effort, and I knew this wasn't going to be much of a fight for him. Wherever he got those muscles from, they were much more than I had!

"What if..." I started, looking past him at the bed. "Well, the bed is huge. What size is it?"

"King." He said, giving me a curious look like he was trying to read my mind. As far as I knew, Theodore was not skilled at that.

"Well, there is more than enough room for both of us..." I mumbled quietly, attempting (and failing) to not seem awkward. "Surely we're adult enough to be able to share a bed that size and not have a problem."

Theodore looked at me, then back at the bed that clearly had enough room for the both of us, and back at me again. "Well, it would solve both our problems."

"Just so long as you keep to your side, and I keep to mine," I said in an even, negotiating tone.

"Alright, it's a deal." He sighed, stepping out of my way and letting me approach the bed first.

I was in no way worried about sleeping in the same bed as someone. I mean, aside from the men I had slept with (in the non-literal sense), I had shared a bed with people before and not had to worry about something strange happening...But this was Theodore! Someone who I had known for years! I shouldn't feel awkward about it... except that he got a lot hotter since I last saw him, and I still couldn't believe how much he had changed!

This isn't strange at all! I mean, there's no reason for us to feel weird about this... it's just Theodore. I told myself as I pulled back the covers and climbed into my side of the bed.

As I expected, the bed was like sleeping on a cloud. Although not as comfortable as the ones at the Malfoy Manor, it was still extravagant and heavenly to someone who had spent 7 years of their life sleeping on a Hogwarts dormitory bed.

The floor was an improvement compared to those rocks.

"Comfy?" Theodore asked as he climbed into his side slowly. There was more than enough room between them, so I was barely disturbed when he moved.

"Yes, thank you." I yawned sleepily. "Good night Theodore," I said as my eyes closed slowly.

I awoke with a start sometime later, sitting straight up in bed, panting in fright. The room was still pitch black, and only light from the omniscient city outside.

"Are you alright?" Theodore asked, not sounding sleepy or tired in the slightest.

"Did I wake you?" I asked as I took deep breaths to calm myself.

"No. But you looked like you were having a bad dream." He asked, sitting up as well. "You were talking and shaking."

That's just embarrassing I sighed and put my hands over my face.

"Yeah, I had a bad dream..." I muttered, now massaging my temples gently to try and regain some sort of control.

"What happened?" he asked quietly. I sighed again at the prospect of divulging such a wide-open window to my psyche, which was clearly going to explain how messed up my mind really was.

"Do you remember when you saved me from Dolohov? That crazy night at Hogwarts?" I started quietly.

"How could I forget? It was terrifying for me too..." He replied in the same hushed tone.

"Well, this dream was worse..."I whispered. "Instead of Dolohov holding the knife to my throat, it was my father." There was a heavy silence between us as he no doubt stared at me. I still hadn't looked over to face him, afraid that my face would be tear-stained or pale. "And my mother and sister were there, preventing you from helping me. They were yelling at him to kill me." I shook a little at the thought of my sister's face, which had now embedded itself in my brain like a carving in stone. The sheer fury in her eyes was nothing compared to how I had ever seen her before.

"Daphne," Theodore said softly "It was just a dream."

"Was it? Or maybe it's another omen." I whispered quietly as I pulled myself into a tight ball, hugging the sheets around me.

"You're safe here, trust me. No one is going to break into my house to get to you," I assured me, patting my back softly.

"It's not tonight I'm worried about..." I mumbled to myself. I sighed and lay back on the bed again, looking straight up at the ceiling to prevent myself from crying in fear. I really didn't understand when I became such a weak little creature, crying at the drop of a hat, but it was beginning to get annoying. "My life is officially going to be worse than it was when I went to Hogwarts." I groaned in defeat at my fate.

No doubt, I figured that my family was going to be stalking and sending me poison in the mail every day in an attempt to be rid of me... or keep me in check. Yes, in theory, I was still a member of their family, and since I had their last name still, anything I did could be connected to them. I liked this idea. That way, I could shame my whole family, and not feel any of the repercussions from it directly.

"That's certainly unfortunate." Theodore chuckled lightly as he leaned back onto the bed again as well.

"Do you ever wish you could go back, Theo? Go back and fix things or just not do them in the first place?" I pondered aloud, letting my fantasy of killing my 15-year-old self and reliving my life from there on out properly... the way it should have been.

Theodore let out a long, thoughtful breath as he considered what I was saying. "I'm not sure I'd want to re-live my childhood again. It was stressful enough as it was, and yet looking back now, I can see that it really wasn't that bad."

"That's my point though." I interrupted. "Life was so simple back then, and yet we thought every little thing was the end of the world!" I paused as I imagined how happy my life could have been if things had been a little different. "If I knew what I know now..." I trailed off, still imagining the scenario.

"What would you change?" Theodore asked innocently.

Where to start!? I sniffed a quick laugh but didn't say it out loud.

"Oh... I don't know. Change how much work I didn't do... Change who I was friends with..."

"Ouch." Theodore chuckled. "I see how it is."

"I didn't mean you!" I giggled. "I would never give up being your friend for anything in the world." I smiled at him, turning my head to face him for a moment, and then I looked back up at the ceiling. "But there are other people that I wouldn't associate myself with again if I had the choice."

"Oh, well I'm glad to see I'm in the good books then." He teased.

"You and Tracey are practically the only people in the good book!" I chuckled but shook my head slowly in pity for myself.

"I'm not sure why you were friends with me in the first place, to be honest..." Theodore sighed as he stretched his hands up and put them behind his head, staring at the ceiling as well.

"What are you talking about?" I ask, confused by the way he was talking now.

"Well, I was so serious and sulky back then... not to mention I'm the son of a murderer, right? I'm surprised you or Tracey had anything to do with me." He listed off. I stared at him in complete disbelief; he really had changed in the past couple of years. Perhaps living on his own had taught him that you can't control every aspect of your life at all times. It was something that took a little bit of getting used to for me... maybe it hit him harder than it did me.

"The things you say sometimes, Theodore..." I sighed in disbelief. "I would never replace you as a friend because I have never known anyone how would defend me and help me unconditionally like you do," I told him. Then I rolled onto my side so I was facing him. "And when I look into those honey brown eyes of yours, I see kindness." I told him with a smile "And that's not something I get to see very often, and I wouldn't give it up for anything."

He smiled at me, then looking back up at his ceiling. "Thank you, Daphne." He said contently. I smiled and nodded my head, then rolled back onto my back again. "I should probably tell you why I look at you like that though." He said quietly.

"And that is?" I asked with a small chuckle; he would feel the need to justify everything.

"Because I love you." He said simply. It was so simple, in fact, that I almost didn't catch it. There was silence for a second as I processed that, then I sat up with a start and looked at him with wide eyes.

"You what?" I breathed, almost inaudibly. I was sure that I didn't hear that right. He sat up silently as well, looking right into my eyes with those honey-brown beacons of kindness... and now love.

"I love you, Daphne." He said very calmly, but I could tell by his face that he was not calm. This was probably something he had been waiting to say all night. "I think I've loved you since the day I met you." He added with a small smile

"We were 11, Theodore..." I breathed, trying to get every detail out of him before I could even begin to figure out a response.

"I know." He chuckled and shook his head, but he was still smiling. "That's probably why I never tried to tell you when we were in school; I knew that the awkwardness of having been so close for so many years could have ruined both our friendship and our relationship." He paused for a moment "Not to mention you were far too interested in other prospects..."

"Prospects?" I asked, my eyebrows furrowed a little in confusion.

"Other boys? Blaise?" he explained himself.

I sniffed a quick laugh at myself and shook my head. "Yes, and they all turned out marvelous, didn't they?" I muttered to myself.

"Point is, I didn't know how I could tell you without giving the whole show away." He continued, and then smirked a little "I had a couple of plans that succeeded. Like that kiss in 6th year."

"That was planned?" I asked in surprise.

"Who do you think told the kid to swing his broom as he was walking down the stairs?" he smirked even more mischievously, but his eye's still held that same warmth. My jaw dropped in shock.

"That was your fault?" I asked, still in disbelief.

"Well, I didn't want you to get knocked out." He chuckled. "The kid went a little overboard... Guess I didn't pay him enough."

"Paid?" I breathed, then started to shake my head in disillusion. "All to kiss me?"

"All to kiss you," he repeated in a low tone.

"Please tell me you didn't tell Dolohov to hide out and try to kill me."

Theodore let out a quick laugh, then shook his head slowly. "No, I would never go as far as to risk your life to try and get your attention."

I sat in silence for a minute, thinking of all the times that Theodore did strange things that I never understood; staring at me, touching my skin so lightly, and of course, saving my life at every chance he got. I chuckled a little at something that occurred to me. "Apparently I am the blindest person in the world..."

"When you showed up at Tracey's today, so upset about whatever it was, she told me that now was my chance to actually tell you... so that's why I made you come here." He admitted cautiously.

"Tracey knows?" I asked.

"She's known as long as I've known... maybe even longer."

"She has that ability..." I mumbled. There was a pause between us again, and I decided to pose a question. "Why didn't you ever tell me? I just told you that you are one of my closest friends, and I know you knew that back then; why did you wait until now?"

"The truth?" he asked in a low voice. I nodded my head yes. "I didn't think I was worthy enough for you."

"Worthy?" I whispered like I was asking for clarification. Once again, I felt tears building up in my eyes.

How could anyone think that!? I'm nothing important!

"Anyone that would look twice is worthy, Theodore."

"No." He said automatically, but not sharply. More like it was a firm point he was trying to stress to me. I looked directly into his eyes again, and they were still so warm that I wanted to just live in them. "That's just is, Daphne. Your family has made-"

"I don't have a family," I replied in a voice that came from the back of my throat, like my possession by anger briefly escaped.

"Alright, the family you once had. They've told you over and over again that you're nothing, which is a lie. But now it means you're the most unselfish person I've ever met! You have no vanity, and no prejudice-"

"And no self-esteem." I sniffed, shaking my head as I listened to his words. I had never had anyone say anything so kind to me. Ever. I wasn't sure if I could believe them. I was starting to feel the tears roll down my cheeks, and I didn't want him to see, so I hid my face in my knees.

"Why are you crying?" he asked sincerely. He didn't appear to be concerned that I could be potentially rejecting him, but he was more worried about me being upset.

That's Theodore for you. I reminded myself.

"I've never had anyone say these words to me, Theo." I said from my cowering position. "I just... I don't know what to say to you..." I choked back a few more tears. "I don't understand how you could think you weren't worthy of me."

"Because you're beautiful, Daphne. Not just on the outside, but your entire being."

That killed me. I don't think anyone had ever told me I was beautiful. I'd been told I looked 'hot' or 'sexy' (I had my breasts to blame for that), but to have someone say I was beautiful was like opening the flood gates of my eyes.

"I should tell you something else too." He whispered, putting his hand on my back, gently rubbing it as if I were sleeping. "Everything that I've done; saving your life, my job, my house, everything, has all been in the hopes that someday you'd give me a chance."

"Oh God, Theodore..." I sobbed. I probably sounded like he had just broken my heart, when in reality he had probably restarted it. I sat up and tried to wipe the tears of my face and eyes. He looked at me so sincerely and serenely that I thought I might cry again. "I will never understand how that mind of yours works." I smiled weakly. "How could you think that if you said all of this to me I would ever refuse you?"

"Because I thought you only loved me as a friend." He said softly, taking my hand and squeezing it gently in his.

"I think I did at the time..." I admitted, wiping another tear from my eye. "But the way I feel right now... I'm so taken aback by what you've told me, but I think that it's shown me that there has always been a part of me that has loved you as more than a friend... I just never noticed it."

I sighed when I finished, attempting to hide my face again. I was embarrassed that I was crying, but also because Theodore thought I was beautiful, and no one could think that a face covered in tears and with swollen red eyes is beautiful. Theodore smiled and pulled me into a hug, holding me so close to his chest that I could hear his heart beating.

"I'm sorry if I ever lead you on, Theodore."

"I wouldn't have minded if you had," he said softly into my hair as he rested his head on top of mine.

"I know what it's like to be led on Theodore." I said flatly. "And I know the pain it can cause. I'm sorry for never noticing your true intentions."

"Well, if you feel that bad about it," he said softly beside my ear. "Can you do me a favour then?" I nodded my head slowly; I would kill to have him forgive me if necessary. "Can you give me the chance now? To prove that I'm worthy of you?"

I let one sob of happiness escape me; his offer was so simple it was almost sacrificial. I sat up from leaning against his chest and nodded my head slowly. "You're the best man I've ever met, and I'm so happy that I have you."

"Is that a yes?" he asked quietly as he inched closer to me face. I nodded my head slowly and waited with anticipation for what I knew was coming next.

A moment later, I felt his lips press against mine, and it was like coming home after a long and hard journey. I felt so relaxed, so at peace, that all the trials and tribulations of the last few years faded away.

For the first time since I'd left Hogwarts, I thought that there might be hope for me to have a happy ending after all.