A/N: I do not own Harry Potter or any characters/locations related to the franchise. That all belongs to the wonderful J.K. Rowling. I hope you enjoy the only thing I do own...the plot. Also M rating for language and possible sexually explicit scenes (really just wanted to be safe with the rating).
A/N 2: Since this is a memory any mentions of Hermione that are past versions of her will be called 'Hermione' if mentioned by name to try and limit confusion. This was difficult to write and I hope I made it clear enough. Also if Nott is used as a name, it SHOULD only be mentioning Theodore, as that is what Hermione calls him most days. Any other members of the Nott family should not be called "Nott" directly. I have no Beta so I am sorry if there are mistakes in this chapter.
TRIGGERWARNING: This chapter contains mention of Child/Domestic Abuse, and death. Please read at your own risk. I tried to put warnings at the beginning of each section (Separated by page breaks) that had these triggers in them, but I may have missed one so here is a blanket warning. There will be a short summary at the bottom!
-TNHGTNHGTN-
As Hermione tumbled through empty space awaiting the first memory to materialize she let her mind race. Usually when someone releases memories into a Pensieve they are calm and collected, this calm mentality allows the witch or wizard to ensure that only the memory chosen has been selected and placed in the device. Hermione knew that Nott was trying to find a way to prove that he was trustworthy to her, that what he told her the day he kissed her was the truth. At the same time she feared what memories may have been included when he hadn't wanted them to. It felt like even more of an invasion of his privacy to realize that she was about to see a portion of memories that he may not have wanted her to see at all. She could always pull out now; leave the memories once and for all, and forget about that night in the greenhouse. She needed to see what he offered though. She needed to know the truth. Summoning her courage she felt her feet hit solid stone flooring before blinking a couple of times and looking at her surroundings.
Hermione was now standing in what she assumed to be the Slytherin common room. There were dark green and silver tapestries hanging behind a large ornate fireplace with carvings of snakes built into the mantlepiece. On the back edge there was a wall of glass that led out into the Black Lake, giving the entire common room an eerie green glow, which was only increased by the occasional green flames flickering in sconces. What drew her attention though was a group of young students sitting on one of the black couches positioned just before the fire.
The room was deserted except for four small boys. She would know that shock of white-blond hair anywhere. Smirking she rolled her eyes as she approached a young Draco Malfoy. Draco's hair was slicked back, so it had to be either first or second year. He was sitting across next to Zabini, across from them were younger versions of Crabbe and Goyle. Hermione felt her stomach twist when looking at Crabbe, her last memory of him being his face twisted in fear right before he was consumed by his own Fiendfyre. The four boys seemed to be playing a game of Exploding Snap. As she watched, Zabini took the win and turned to Malfoy, who had been getting more agitated the longer they played.
"What's got your wand in a knot?"
"Granger."
"What about her?" Zabini scrunched his face in confusion as Goyle began to redistribute the cards for another game. When Zabini raised his hand to show they wouldn't be playing another round, Goyle heistated slumping back into his seat with a drawn out sigh. Crabbe just stared at his school bag as if contemplating homework he wasn't going to turn in.
"She just needs put in her place."
"Where exactly is her place, Malfoy?" The voice was lower than the others, but raised in pitch at the end of the sentence as if on the cusp of puberty. Hermione turned to face it's owner, noticing for the first time the dark haired boy positioned behind the wall of glass, in a corner away from the rest. He was vaguely familiar. Her eyes got round in their sockets when she recognized Theodore Nott, at around 12 or 13.
"What do you mean, Nott?" Goyle grunted from his place in his chair while putting his deck of cards in his pocket.
"I was talking to Malfoy, Goyle." Nott hadn't looked up from the book he was reading, but carefully he set it aside as if it was made of porcelain, before standing up and striding over to where Malfoy sat. Draco quickly stood so that he was eye level with the other boy.
"Her place is the same as all other Mudbloods-"
"Don't." Theo hissed through clenched teeth, "Don't say that word."
"But that's what she is. She is a filthy little Mudblood-" Whatever Draco was going to say next was lost to his thoughts as Theodore Nott threw a quick left jab to Malfoy's nose followed by a right hook to his jaw. Malfoy stumbled back a few steps before collapsing to his knee and holding his nose.
"Merlin," Blaise huffed, jumping over the back of the couch he was sitting to put distance between the squabbling second years.
"Nott-" Crabbe and Goyle both stood from their chairs and made their way over to Draco, diligently helping their leader to his feet as he clutched his nose.
"If you ever call her that word again in my presence, I will make it so your family won't have to bother looking for a pure-blood witch to marry you." Theo took a step closer to Draco shaking out his hand which was beginning to bruise, "Instead they will be busy considering if they want marble or granite for your headstone. Got it?" Draco nodded furiously before shrugging off the helpful hands of his two brutes.
"Are you going to tell your father?" Goyle asked in a low tone as Nott moved away from the group of boys. Upon hearing the hushed question Nott turned around and raised an eyebrow at his blond Housemate. Draco stared at him for a couple of moments before squaring his shoulders.
"No. Neither are any of you! If I hear of a single person breathing about what happened just now to anyone outside of this room you will live to regret it." Draco pulled himself up tall and kept his eyes on Nott. They shared an nonverbal conversation, similar to the way they often did now, before Nott nodded and made his way through a hidden door. Hermione assumed it led to the dormitories, but as she made to follow him the memory shifted just as she reached the door.
-TNHGTNHGTN-
Hermione was standing next to a memory of Nott. He was sitting on a window seat in the castle near the bottom floor. His back was leaned up against the wall of the window sill, with one foot resting on the ground the other bent at the knee with his foot on the sill, his robes hanging loosely down his body. She watched him read an advanced Ancient Runes book, having it propped on his bent knee. She observed him for a couple of minutes before he raised his wand and cast a quick tempus spell, after checking the time his eyes flicked up to the end of the hallway before looking quickly back down to his book.
Hermione peered down the hallway that he had chanced a glance at when finally a memory of herself turned the corner. It looked like it might have been fifth year, and she was chatting with Luna as they laughed in the hallway. They were probably heading to the Great Hall for lunch based on the time of day. As non-memory Hermione watched, Nott pulled his gaze and looked up as the witches sauntered past. 'Hermione' didn't seem to notice he was even there, but Luna gave him a smile as she passed. The sun was streaming through the windows, and it was almost like the scene was moving in slow motion as 'Hermione' stepped into a spot of sun that was clinging to the ground. Watching the other girls move forward, Hermione heard Nott's breath hitch as the light hit her younger self's hair causing it to erupt in a halo of beautiful golds and bronzes that she had never noticed before.
"I love the gold color of the sun," Luna sighed dreamily as she half skipped and spread her hands out as if she was absorbing the layers of sunlight like a plant. "It's so warm and full of life! What's your favorite color, Hermione?"
"I've always been rather fond of lavender." 'Hermione' answered with a small laugh before pulling the ditsy Ravenclaw behind her and turning the corner.
Hermione saw Nott's lips pull into a small half smile that caused his dimple to show. His eyes were her color now...that precious forget-me-not. He blinked a couple of times and they returned to their usual royal blue before he pulled himself up and packed his book. Nott eventually followed the girls, causing Hermione to walk with him to keep up with the memory. He walked quickly around the corner to the Great Hall for lunch, taking a seat next to a disgruntled Malfoy.
"What's got you in such a dreadfully cheerful mood?" Draco grunted as he shoved some potatoes around his plate. The other Slytherins sat around chatting idly, keeping their elbows off the table, as Draco glanced up at his dark haired friend. Nott shrugged, but gave Draco a half smile as he grabbed a banana, peeling it and taking a big bite causing his cheeks to puff out as he chewed like a chipmunk. Draco glanced around making sure all the other students were preoccupied with other conversations before whispering harshly to Nott.
"Better not be Granger again."
"I am telling you Malfoy...she is perfect."
"If you care about that witch at all you will stay the fuck away from her." Draco hissed, "She has enough of a target on her back without getting your father in the mix." Nott's face fell, as he tossed his banana down on a plate that was in front of him.
"You're right," Theo growled, then as if a sudden thought just occurred to him he glanced quickly at Draco, "If the Dark Lord wins…"
"We will cross that bridge when we get there." Draco whispered slowly, "Keep your head down, yeah?" The memory began to ripple and swirl, changing as both boys looked up and made eye contact with 'Hermione' at the Gryffindor table, who rewarded their glance with a snarl.
-TNHGTNHGTN-
"Where is my brave Teddy Bear?" A woman asked in mock confusion as she crept around a large bedroom. The bed, which was massive, had several toys all over it. The room was decorated in a pretty grey with rich blue accents. She noticed a familiar quilt with the Nott family crest resting on the bed. There were dark rich brown book shelves all around and a large chest filled with numerous toys. Along the wall she saw several toy brooms all mounted. She heard a child giggle from behind a dark wooden door on the other side of the room. The door was open just a crack, allowing the giggles to escape the confines. The woman's eyes flicked over to the door before putting a long thin finger to her chin and tapped it with childlike-playfulness.
The woman was wearing expensive silk robes. Her wavy blond hair was hanging loosely along her shoulders. She gazed around the room, as if on an imaginary safari, investigating every nook and cranny. She had pale skin, and rosy cheeks with eyes of a beautiful cerulean that held intelligence within their depths. As the lady glanced around, Hermione could hear giggles stifled on the other side of the room.
Hermione immediately knew this was a memory that she was not supposed to see. She felt like she was trespassing on the mind of Nott by watching, but it wasn't like she could choose to leave. If she did leave, she wouldn't be able to see what other memories he had provided. If she wanted to see what else he had given her, she would have to stay. So, instead of leaving, Hermione watched on intently as the women continued her hunt.
"My sweet little Teddy Bear has disappeared? Oh no! Who will I cuddle when the dark comes? Who will save me from the evil things that go bump in the night?" The blond let out a dramatic sigh before flopping on the bed. There was a noise towards the door that Hermione had noticed and a small boy of maybe four or five wearing footie pajamas jumped out from his hiding place. The footie pajama's were covered in dragons that flew around his legs and arms, as he put his tiny fists on his hips, reminiscent of a superhero pose. His dark hair was just long enough to start coming down in waves over his tiny ears.
"I will mummy," He declared confidently. The woman, Nott's mother Hermione decided, smiled at her son, a familiar small dimple forming on the side of one of her cheeks. Puffing out his little chest, bright blue eyes shining in determination he ran across the floor. He lost his footing and slipped just before the bed landing hard on his forehead. He let out a little cry as the woman rushed forward, long golden locks of hair flowing behind her as she leaned down to scoop the small boy into a hug.
"Oh, Teddy. Let me see," She gently pulled his tiny hands from his face. There was a small scrape on his forehead. His mother gave it a small smile, and summoned a washcloth from the bathroom with a wave of her wand. She noticed that the woman wet the towel with a simple Aguamenti before treating it as if she was a muggle. She ended the treatment with a kiss to the affected area before banishing the washcloth to the dirty clothes hamper and turning back to her son. "You were so brave. Maybe you will be a Gryffindor!" Hermione stared at the woman shocked. She had never heard much about Nott's mother but always assumed she would be similar to Narcissa Malfoy. A Pure-blooded Slytherin purist from the tips of her manicured toes to the roots of her perfect hair.
"Maybe," The little boy twisted his mouth while moving his head sideways as if weighing his options within what she had said.
"You got another house in mind?" She queried, picking him up and propping him on her hip. Giving him a quick tickle, she caused adorable little boy giggles to raise through the room once again.
"Father says I have to go to Slytherin." He nodded his head once. His mother became quiet for a moment before tucking him under the black satin sheets, and pulling up the quilt.
"You know...one of my friends was a Gryffindor?" She told him, making sure to tuck in the sides of his quilt.
"Really?"
She nodded, "Yes, her name was Sarah. We used to practice charms together every night in the library. You're Uncle Sirius was a Gryffindor too. I also had a friend named Connor who was Ravenclaw. But...my absolute best friend was Hufflepuff. His name was Caiden, and he was the nicest boy I have ever met...until my Teddy Bear that is." She gave him a warm smile as she cozied up to him, laying against his headboard, and giving him a kiss on his head.
"Can I meet him?" His mother looked at him for a second, and grief passed quickly before she shook her head. Hermione saw the emotion, but the little boy had been distracted by a wind-up toy that started flying around the room.
"No, you can't. He died long ago, though I am sure you would have been the best of friends." She whispered sadly, summoning a book from a nearby bookshelf while starting to get comfortable in the bed.
"Mummy, whats a Mudblood?" Hermione saw the women's blue eyes go wide in shock before she turned to face her son.
Her mouth opened several times as her eyes searched the young boy's face before she finally sputtered, "Where...Where did you hear that word?"
"Draco told me, his father told him, that since the Dark Lord has gone away we would have to go to school with dirty Mudbloods." Hermione winced every time that word passed such innocent lips, and she noticed that she was not the only one as Nott's mother's eyebrows scrunched in pain.
"That word just means that the witch or wizards mummy and father didn't have magic." She explained, "Want to know a secret?" She slowly leaned down so that she could whisper in his ear. Hermione had to get very close to the bed in order to hear the whispered words. "Caiden was one."
Theo looked at her with bright blue eyes as she nodded. "But we should never call them that. Do you hear me?" Theo nodded slowly in understanding, "We call them muggle-borns. But if you want my opinion they shouldnt have a seperate name at all. They are just witches and wizards. Like you and me." He nodded again.
"Ok, where did we leave off?"
"They just left Tom Bomafils?"
"That's Bombadil, Teddy," She corrected gently as she opened a well worn copy of The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien. Hermione stared in awe at the title as Lady Nott began to read her son his favorite bedtime story from a muggle book...as the world rippled out and was replaced with a new memory.
-TNHGTNHGTN-
"You have to protect her, Draco." Nott was pacing a dorm room. His hands rubbing up and down his face as he tried to to calm himself down. The room was a double person suite, and the colors made it clear she was once again in the Slytherin dormitories. Both boys looked extremely stressed, but their bags remained packed beside their trunks indicating it was still early in the school year. "They weren't on the train, they weren't at the feast. She fucking went with them. Why couldn't she stay here...why did she have to fucking go with Potter on what is probably a fucking suicide mission?"
"Nott...Mate you have to calm down." Draco stood in front of his friend putting both hands on his shoulders, "It's just Granger. I'll never understand what you see in her anyway." Theo pulled from his arms and stared at him as if he had spoken gibberish.
"What do you mean? She is beautiful and talented and powerful and compassionate and courageous and smart-"
"She's a Mud...muggle-born."
"You know I've never given a second thought to that." Theo sneered, storming across the room flinging things off his desk in frustration as he went. He grabbed a small package wrapped in lavender wrapping paper and shoving it into the wooden chest at the foot of the bed.
"Your father will," Malfoy stated, stepping closer. "You know what he will do to her if he finds out about this." Malfoy hissed, gesturing to Theo with one of his hands.
"That's why he will never find out, and you are going to promise me you will help her if you can." He nodded factually, as he closed the chest before sitting down on the edge of his bed. His outburst now over, his Occlumency walls pulled back behind his eyes at the mention of his father.
"Why the fuck would I do that?" Malfoy scoffed, scrunching his eyebrows together before flinging himself down on his own mattress.
"Because if she dies during this...I am going to the Dark Lord and telling him to fuck off right in his face." Theo's eyes stared back at Draco's in a silent challenge. Draco waited for his eyes to move. To blink. To show any signs of a lie. They sat there as Malfoy stared him down, waiting for any sign of hesitation. When none was found the blond let out a long sigh.
"You would kill yourself? For her?" Draco grunted out in disbelief, one pale eyebrow cocked in question.
"No, but I will try to kill any fucker that harms her. If that happens to be the most powerful evil wizard and I get killed doing it...at least I won't have to live in a world without her. Draco...I-I love her."
"Shite." Malfoy's grey eyes looked back at the wall, his mind clearly moving fast in thought. Finally, after several long moments he spoke again quietly, "Why not take the Mark? You would have a better chance of protecting her then." Draco ran his hands through his pale hair, as grey eyes locked on Theo's royal blue ones.
"I can't take it, my mother-," Theo let out a long sigh, "She would have never forgiven me."
"What exactly do you want me to do?!" Draco stood quickly, pacing a similar path to what Nott had just done.
"I don't know Draco...just please try to help her if you can." Theo sounded small as he finished his plea. Draco stopped his pacing and stared at his best friend for several moments before relenting and releasing a long puff of air.
"If I can figure out a way to help the Golden Trio of Idiots...I will. For you." Theo nodded and the world began to fade again.
-TNHGTNHGTN-
Hermione was now standing in front of Nott in the Hogwarts library. She could tell by all the Beauxbatons girls it was fourth year. She watched as he wrote a little bit on parchment before scoffing to himself and crumpling the page. His eyes kept glancing through a small opening between a couple of books on a shelf to his right. She leaned down and looked through the empty spot so she could see what he was so distracted by. There 'Hermione' was in her normal study spot reading a book.
Occasionally, a student would walk up to her in order to ask her a question which she would answer quickly, and wave them off to find whatever they had asked her about. She watched as the sun came through the window behind her, making her hair erupt in the golden halo again. She had ink smudged on her thumb, and she was wearing her school uniform, her red and gold tie slightly askew. As she watched, 'Hermione' glanced through the opening in the bookshelf, and Nott quickly glanced back at the desk. Her younger self furrowed her brows, before shaking her head as if to clear it of a strange thought, before going back to her studying.
After a couple of seconds, Nott glanced back up at her and released a long breath before shoving himself from the table and standing. He began to pace back and forth in the area between the bookshelves. His long legs only allowed him a couple of steps before he had to turn around again. Muttering to himself the entire time, "Ok, Theo you got this. Just walk up and ask 'Granger, want to go with me...to the ball I mean'. Fuck! I can't even say it when she's way over there."
He growled as he ran his hands over his face. Taking one last glance at her through the small opening between the shelves he spoke again quietly,"C'mon man. You've faced worse than this...just go." Hermione smiled at his little pep talk as he paced the length of the aisle he had been situated in. He finally grabbed his bag, flinging it over his shoulder and started towards the end of the aisle. He walked determined to the stack she was seated in, and just as he was about to walk up to her Viktor Krum appeared as if from nowhere, only the occasional giggles of young school girls to announce his presence. Viktor pushed Nott out of the way, as if he had not seen the young boy.
Viktor cleared his throat before announcing with little pomp, "Herminny, would you go to the Yule Ball with me?" Theo stood at the end of the aisle, just out of her sight. His mouth stayed agape for several seconds, before he turned quickly and practically ran out of the library. Hermione watched his retreating form as the memory morphed into something new.
-TNHGTNHGTN-
Trigger Warning: Child Abuse/Torture
Hermione stood in front of a man who resembled Theo to a shocking degree. William Nott. She felt herself let out a small gasp as she instinctively stepped back. It was like he was looking directly at her. Remembering she was in a memory she glanced behind her, and saw Theodore was standing there. It looked like it was the summer before sixth year. He had begun to fill out a little more, especially around the face, giving himself a strong jawline. There was still a hint of stringy limbs, his arms and legs elongating faster than the rest of his body could keep up. His blue eyes were emotionless as he stared at his father.
His father had the same dark wavy hair as Theo, but he seemed to be slightly taller than the boy was even now. His shoulders were drew back in a haughty confidence only born of years being told that you were better than everyone else. He had dark stubble that lined his jaw but only added to his rugged good-looks. His eyes were the blue of storm clouds as he stared at his son. They were near carbon copies, except that Theo had his dimple and the scruff William sported.
"Don't you want to join the cause son?" His father asked in a very quiet tone. They were standing in Theo's bedroom. Gone was the chest full of toys, but the mounted kid brooms remained. There were several adult brooms added to the growing collection on his wall. His number of book shelves had increased, and she caught herself looking for the worn copy of the The Fellowship of the Ring. She couldn't find it before Theo's emotionless voice rang through the room.
"No." Theo intoned simply. His occlumency was as strong as she had ever seen it. He looked like he had no emotion at all, almost like a robot in a sci-fi movie just going through the motions.
"Why not? Don't you want that stupid Mudblood bitch gone so you can graduate top of the class?" His father questioned before walking slowly behind Theodore.
"If I cannot beat the muggle-born then that is my own failure." Theo's deep monotonous voice rang out.
"Say it." William paced around his son once more, his wand held menacingly in his hand, was now aimed at his son.
"No."
"Say it or you will end up just like that whore you called mother."
"Then so be it. Let the house of Nott fall with me over one stupid word." Nott replied, his voice remained calm and steady. Hermione watched in astonishment as Theo defied his father. She was impressed by his bravery, but couldn't help the mounting feeling of dread that had dropped into her gut like a brick.
"Your mother made you so weak. It would be better if the House of Nott had died with me." His father hissed in a low threatening tone, "But instead, I have you, son. Why don't we reevaluate the power of one word...Crucio." Hermione instinctively moved to protect him, reaching for her wand that was not on her incorporeal form here in the Pensieve. Realizing there was nothing she could do, and feeling useless, she stayed on her feet. Standing off to the side of the scene as it played out. This was another memory she was never meant to see, so she was forced to watch instead. She was forced to watch the memory of the boy she loved being tortured by his father.
Theodore's face twitched, but otherwise he showed no other outward signs of the curse hitting him. It seemed Theo had grown a resistance to the curse, which only happened after repeated exposure as he was still under the curse, and had yet to scream She watched, biting her lip until it bled, as William put more force behind the curse until finally his son dropped to his knees. Theo's mouth opened in a silent cry of pain and his veins began to bulge as the curse became more powerful. Hermione's heart was pounding by the time he finally screamed, only stopping as his father partnered the rounds of the cruciatus curse with a slicing hex. This continued on until the grey shirt Nott was wearing, and the floor beneath his knees were drenched in his blood. When the curse ended, the only outward signs of Theo's pain that showed on his face were a few stray tears that fell from his eyes as his Occlumency held strong.
"You will go to the Dark Lord when you graduate just like all your other classmates. That, or you will die just like your mother." William sneered as he walked towards the door, "Remember you are a failure, son. You will be a failure until you learn the ways of this world. I want to see those wounds as evidence of your negligence to your inheritance. Do not heal them or we will have this discussion again." Theodore nodded, gasping for air on the floor, while maintaining eye contact with his deranged father. William smiled cruelly before walking out of the room as the memory faded again.
-TNHGTNHGTN-
Hermione stood with Theo in his room in the Head's living quarters. She saw him stand in front of a mirror as he pulled trousers on. Hermione was extremely confused to see scars running up and down his body. She had seen him shirtless before, and she didn't remember those scars being there. They ranged from a few inches to almost a foot and a half in length and were thick and puckered. They were all over his arms, back, and chest to the point it looked like he was a doll stitched together. Evidence of repeated abuse at the end of a dark curse. From the previous memory she had a good idea of what, or more specifically who, had caused them.
"NOTT!" She heard her own voice call. She watched as Nott smiled before starting to dig through the chest at the foot of his bed for something. He grabbed a small package with lavender paper before rolling his eyes. "Not yet," She heard him whisper as he dropped it back into the chest.
She heard her voice say something else followed by loud pounding on the door, before Nott cursed under his breath and grabbed his wand. He cast an illusion spell that covered the scars before calling out "Salazar's great beard, Granger," ripping the door open.
She then had the honor of watching herself from the past. Her past self very blatantly drew her eyes down his chest and checked him out. Only 'Hermione' didn't realize that she was looking at a lie. She hoped she got to tell him that she liked him better without the illusion. When it was fully him she was seeing. She watched them have a short conversation about quidditch while he pulled on a shirt. Eventually, 'Hermione' left him standing there alone. Hermione then watched as he went into the old trunk, pushing past the wrapped package and pulled out a picture of his mother standing with him in her arms and waving at the camera with his tiny fist wrapped around her thumb. "You would like her mum," He sighed as the memory disappeared around her.
-TNHGTNHGTN-
Trigger Warning: Domestic/Child Abuse, Torture, and Death
She was dropped into a small lounge. There was a fireplace positioned behind William Nott who stood before the woman Hermione knew to be Theodore's mother. She was staring at William with proud defiant eyes, her chin raised. The man's eyes were the familiar color of storm clouds as he began to speak in a cool voice. These two figures stood opposite of each other, him dressed in black robes, and her in a pretty pale blue sundress. The walls were a cream color but darkness seemed to cling to the corners of the room. "Would you like to know what my son, and heir said to me this afternoon?" William questioned patiently, his voice like oil as it spread across the room.
"Something intelligent I am sure," Nott's mother replied in a similar cool voice. It was so different from the one that she used with Theodore that Hermione had to take a second look at her to verify this was the same woman. Indeed she was, with the same wavy blond hair, and cerulean eyes guarded against her husband.
"He told me that I shouldn't say the word Mudblood." William continued flippantly, "That his new imaginary friend was one. What was his new friend's name again...oh yes Caiden." William narrowed his eyes, as he began to pace around the small woman. Once he was behind her, Hermione saw the look of fear and panic cross Nott's mother's face, but it was quickly replaced by a cool facade that reminded Hermione so much of the woman's son. "Tell me...why would our son think of that name?"
"Maybe he read it in a book-"
"Crucio." Hermione stood rooted to her spot in fear as the man tortured his wife. The woman thrashed in pain on the floor between two sofas. She screamed until the force of her screams caused blood to start pouring from her throat. This was probably the worst use of the spell Hermione had ever seen and that included when she was the one who had been laying under its power. The way the curse cut through the woman's body made what Bellatrix did to Hermione look like child's play. The woman's veins on her face were standing tight against her skin as her muscles contorted into unnatural shapes against the pain.
"Stand you filthy fucking whore," William growled as he lowered his wand, "Maybe if you dont lie to me it will stop."
After several long panting moments Nott's mother took a deep breath. Her eyes flicked to the door, and with effort that Hermione thought impossible she hauled herself onto shaky legs. Hermione, who was so caught up in what was happening in front of her, snapped her eyes in the direction that held the woman's attention, curious as to what had given her the strength to stand.
Hermione was forced to remember whose memories she was watching. There was only one reason why Hermione could stand here and experience this. Theodore stood peeking through a crack in the lounge door. He was still only five or six. His blue eyes held tears as he watched his mother be tortured by his father's hand.
"Tell me Alcea, where did he hear that name," William sneered again, his voice never wavering above the cool tone the conversation started in.
"From me...I told him," She panted as she tried to position herself so her husband had his back to the door. She was clearly trying to keep her husband from seeing their son.
"I thought we agreed never to mention that name again," He replied, his tone teetering on boredom as he held his wand and inspected it.
"No, you and my father decided...right before you kill-"
"Crucio." She screamed again as she dropped to the floor. Hermione could feel the tears begin to slide down her face as the man held the spell, never releasing the curse as he lowered his larger frame to his wife's form. Finally, after what seemed like hours, but could only have been minutes, he released the spell. His mouth moved into a cruel smirk as he dropped a light kiss on her lips, Alcea too weak to push him away. "You are mine. Whatever I may have done all those years ago doesn't matter. I married you, and you are mine Ally."
"Don't-you dare-call me that," she pushed the words out between gasps of breath, "He had that-honor-not you."
"Oh, Ally don't you know he never wanted you anyway. When your father and I found him that night he told me I could have you. I would have let him live, but the Dark Lord had other plans," William sighed as if admitting a terrible loss. William stood and walked back to where he first cast the spell.
"You were always a terrible liar-" Alcea tried to speak but the curse was spoken again, and Hermione was so absorbed in the scene before her she didn't see the small body move. She only saw a blur as Theodore Nott threw himself between his father and mother, now standing in the way. Hermione heard herself yell no, and felt her feet move to stop it. She couldn't change the past, however, so she had to watch as the spell connected with Theodore's small body, taking the brunt of the curse for his mother. Nott's high pitched screams rang out through the room as his tiny form twisted in agony on the floor. Both parents stared in shock, but William eventually recovered from his initial surprise and let his lips lift into an eerie smirk. He never let up on the curse.
"Please, William stop...please Will," Alcea begged as she crawled across the floor. She reached up weakly and tried to move her husband's arm. He didn't stop.
"This will make my son stronger so he doesn't end up weak like that Mudblood. You were too good for him anyway. Such a beauty. So pure." Hermione could see the desperation in the woman's eyes. Hermione noticed the woman didn't have a wand, and watched as the determination from the beginning of the encounter came back over Alcea's pale face. As Hermione gazed on entranced the woman stood back up on weak legs and walked to the front of her husband before squaring her shoulders.
"I wasn't so pure."
William faltered. The spell ended. As the boy's cries started to quiet around them as Lord Nott turned to his wife. "No." William growled.
"The… the Mudblood had me first," Alcea held his gaze as William stared at her in disbelief. Theo cried softly on the floor, but Hermione knew what Alcea was doing. The attention was no longer on Alcea's son, as the small boy crawled to the corner. A house-elf Hermione didn't see enter grabbed the boy by his shirt pulling him towards the door as the boy fought to stand by his mother. Screaming calls of 'Mummy' echoed through the lounge.
"You are a filthy fucking whore," Hermione saw the moment William Nott decided to kill his wife, but still she watched. She saw William's cool face contort to one of full rage. She watched as Alcea Nott turned to her son, still fighting to run back to his mother through the small elf's strong arms, and let a few tears escape her blue eyes and down her pale cheeks. Hermione could feel herself trembling as she watched, her own tears streaming down her face uninhibited.
"I love you," Alcea declared loud enough to reach her son's ears through his tears and calls. Hermione saw the flash of green, and a feminine figure laying on the wood floor before she was pulled from the Pensieve, landing hard on the floor of McGonagall's office, gasping for breath.
-TNHGTNHGTN-
A/N 3: In summary: We learn that Draco and Nott came to an understanding about Nott's love for Hermione. We watched through his eyes as he tried to catch glimpses of her in hallways, tried to ask her to the ball fourth year, and stood up for her second year. We also learned that he had admitting being in love with her since at least seventh year. Finally, we learned about the horrors of living with William Nott and how he was both physically and mentally abusive to both his wife and son, to the point of him actually murdering her while young Theo (5-6 yrs old) was in the room.
Also, shout out to J.R.R. Tolkien for creating another wonderful world of fantasy in the Lord of the Rings Franchise. The first installment was mentioned here, obviously I do not own it, but wanted to put this in here in case you thought I did!
A/N 4: Fixed a couple of mistakes for the sake of continuity!