1979

"I feel like I'm beginning to go crazy from the endless parties," Hermione complained to Theo. "Don't pureblood women do anything other than have teas and go to parties on their husband's arms? I swear, if I wasn't doing research on the side I would have lost it years ago."

She slipped into the navy blue robes - a brand new set from Paris. It was the newest fashion, with her back left completely bare. Looking at herself in the mirror, she knew that she looked good. But what was the point in even dressing up? So that a bunch of Death Eaters could ogle her while playing nice with her husband? It made her skin crawl.

"You know that I would have made my excuses for you, if it wasn't being held where it was," Theo promised, his fingers slipping up the line of her spine, making her shiver. "It's too good of an opportunity to look for the horcrux."

Bellatrix has graciously opened her home to welcome the newest Death Eater recruits when the Dark Lord let it be known that Rosier's home was getting a little bit stale. She wasn't a typical hostess, but Hermione knew that she would do anything to make the Dark Lord happy. And, it was a good enough reason for her to tag along. One of them would be able to slip away from the party for a little and do some searching to see if the Lestranges even had the Cup in the first place.

"I know," she agreed, feeling bad for having complained in the first place, knowing that he had to put up with a lot from the Death Eaters all on his own.

"I don't really know what other pureblood women do," Theo said with a shrug. "My mother was devoted to me when she was alive, but I'm not sure that she had any other ambitions. I know Narcissa Malfoy served on some charity boards while we were at school, but..."

"It's not as if any of them have careers," Hermione finished his train of thought, her shoulders slumping. Even Molly Weasley had not seemed interested in having a job. "I just...I had always imagined I would work at the Ministry or something. Maybe I'd be the Head of something at this point. It's hard to let those dreams go."

Theo wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to his chest, mindful not to disturb her hair. "I understand. But, it's not as if you've done nothing, just...it's not been public," he said, before tilting her head up to look at him. "And, perhaps when this is all over you will be able to do whatever you want."

They never talked about what happened after the Dark Lord was dead and gone. It seemed too much of a jinx to dream about, especially when the Cup remained elusive. But now that they were getting closer to their tantalizing end date, something more seemed within reach for once.

His fingers found the dip of her collarbone and traced along the edge, light and fleeting. Hermione longed to lean into his touch, enjoying the return to affection with her husband. But, she knew that they had no time to linger. "We should go," she whispered. "Don't want to be late."

They flooed over to Rodolphus and Bellatrix's estate, but their entrance went almost unnoticed. Bellatrix was busy running around making sure everything was running smoothly, clearly struggling to be the hostess; Rodolphus was taking his twenty year old brother around, seeing as he was one of the two initiates to be welcomed that evening. Hermione hadn't been formally introduced to Rabastan yet, but she didn't really fancy it.

Antonin found them quickly enough. "Theo," he greeted her husband warmly, before giving her a very forced smile. "And, Hermione."

"How are you today, Antonin?" Hermione asked politely, though it was clear that neither of them enjoyed the company of the other.

"Good, thanks for asking," he answered, working hard not to sneer at her. "I was just going to find the other initiate. Have you met him?"

"No and I confess I don't even know who it is," Theo answered. "I've just heard about Rabastan so far."

"Let's go then," Antonin suggested, his dark eyes glittering in the low light of the ballroom. "I've heard from Orion Black that this Snape is quite impressive, for a half-blood. He vouched for him apparently."

Hermione felt her stomach sink when she heard the name Snape. How could they not have remembered that Snape was a bloody Death Eater? She hoped that Theo would be able to keep his cool around his former Head of House. "Perfect, I'd love to meet him," Hermione said with a big smile, knowing that Antonin had not been inviting her. "After all, Orion and Walburga are just the best judges of character."

Theo gave her an odd look, but grabbed her a champagne off a floating try and offered her his arm. "Yes, let's find him," he agreed.

Antonin looked like he'd rather die than spend more time with her than he already had, but he nodded. Turning and leading the way around the ballroom, he led them to a tucked away corner where Snape was slinking about, not speaking to anyone.

"You're Snape, no?" he asked gruffly, not at all the warm welcome that Hermione would have put forward.

Snape bristled, ready to throw a hex at whoever looked at him wrong. "Yes, I'm Severus," he said, his voice just as deep as she remembered. He raised one dark eyebrow, showing just how little regard he had for Antonin Dolohov - a dangerous enemy to have. "And you are?"

"Dolohov," Antonin responded, just as gruff as Snape. The two men were looking one another up and down like two boxers circling their opponents. "And this is Nott - the younger one, Theo. And his wife."

Pushing past Antonin, Hermione gave Severus Snape a winning smile. "I'm Hermione," she said with a laugh. "Not just 'wife'."

It was odd to see former (future?) Professor Snape in this way. There was no denying that he was still young, barely graduated from Hogwarts, but he still had that imposing air about him that had frightened her as a first year. He looked nervous and shifty, like he felt as though he didn't really belong there...like someone was just playing an elaborate hoax on him. But, he'd obviously dressed up for the occasion. His hair was clearly not greasy and he was wearing a brand new set of dress robes.

Although still skeptical, it appeared that Snape preferred her manner to Antonin's gruff one. "Pleased to meet you, Madame Nott," he said with a nod.

"Oh, please, just Hermione is fine," she brushed the formal name off. "Antonin was just telling us that Orion is very fond of you. How do you know him?" she asked.

"I'm friends with his son, Regulus, from school he said, slowly, measuring each of his words. "I quite enjoy potions and I believe that Mister Black wants to be my patron."

"How fascinating," Hermione said, wanting to know more about what Snape was up to. Had he already heard the prophecy and passed it along to Voldemort, she wondered? She wished she'd known more about that timeline, but she wasn't entirely sure.

Before she could continue her talk with Snape, though, Theo was gently touching her shoulder. "Darling, why don't you go and speak with Bellatrix," he suggested, giving her a knowing look. "I'm sure she'd be glad to see you."

Hermione tried not to let on her disappointment at being pushed aside, but she knew that Theo was right. This was an ideal time for her to go do a little bit of snooping around the house to see if she could find any sign of the Cup. "Of course," Hermione agreed, glaring at the little smirk that Dolohov rewarded her with.

Because she'd grown close to Bellatrix over the years, Hermione was glad to be at least moderately familiar with the layout of the Lestranges' home, and slipped out into the hallway and up their grand staircase to the second level. Deciding that Bellatrix was probably the person that had inspired the confidence in Voldemort to give the Lestranges the Cup in the first place, Hermione headed to her suite of rooms.

Hermione had been in Bellatrix's office many times and had never had even a hint that a horcrux might be there, but she decided to look there first. Sweeping into the room, she made a pass by the bookshelves, opening up drawers and cabinets alike, but was disappointed not to find even a hint of dark magic. It was a little surprising, if she was honest.

Next, she sat down at Bellatrix's desk and rifled through all the drawers on either side, finding nothing but loads of correspondence between Narcissa and even more with their mother. Huffing, Hermione tried not to let the hopelessness of the situation get to her. She dropped her head into her hands, allowing herself to take a deep breath to keep the tears at bay.

It would have been too easy.

Biting her lower lip, she resolved to look in Rodolphus's rooms next. She crept out into the hallway, shutting the door behind her as quietly as possible.

"What are you doing up here?" a voice asked, suspicious.

Hermione whirled around, keeping her face neutral when she came face to face with Rabastan. "I was looking for Bellatrix," she lied, letting her eyes look him up and down. He didn't look much like Rodolphus. Rabastan was much lankier than his older brother. "I don't believe we've met before, but I'm Hermione Nott."

"My brother says you and Bella are close," he answered, his suspicions melting away. "Pleased to meet you. I'm Rabastan."

"I'm sure your brother is incredibly proud of you," Hermione flattered him. "But this party is in your honor of course. What are you doing hiding up here?"

Rabastan laughed. "Not hiding, just coming back from the bathroom," he told her, unabashed. "Allow me to return you to your husband?" he asked, offering her his arm.

Hermione nodded, knowing that there was no chance that she'd be able to do any more snooping, not now that Rabastan had caught her sneaking around. Their walk back to the ballroom was silent, but not tense.

Theo met her eyes the minute that she walked back into the party on another man's arm. He was concerned, but if she wasn't mistaken there was a hint of jealousy reflected in his eyes. Over the past year, he'd shown her just how much he didn't want to share her with another wizard, and she could admit that she loved this more possessive side to her husband, especially considering that he only showed it to her.

Dolohov and Snape each had a cigar in hand, but Severus looked as though he'd rather not be smoking something that was likely to cause trouble the next day when he was working with potions. He was likely unwilling to say no to such a forceful personality like Antonin, though, when he was so new to the Death Eaters as well.

"Nott, I've come to return your delightful wife to you," Rabastan said with a flourish of his hand. "You are lucky it's just me that came across her and not some less scrupulous wizard."

Hermione immediately disentangled herself from Rabastan's arm, bristling at his words. She grabbed hold of Theo's arm once again. "I couldn't find Bellatrix anywhere," she told him with a little pout. "But thank you, Rabastan for generously helping me back. I don't know if I could have found my way without you."

Theo hid his smile by looking away, but Rabastan did not seem to understand the little jibe that she had made at him. "No trouble at all Madame Nott," Rabastan answered, before grabbing her hand and pressing a kiss to her knuckles like some sort of chevalier from a different time. Then he left them to their own devices.

"Careful, Theo, or that boy might just sweep your wife off her feet and leave you high and dry," Antonin said with a laugh once Rabastan was out of earshot.

"Excuse you, Dolohov," Hermione answered primly. "I'd appreciate it if you would not suggest that I could be swayed away from my husband."

Dolohov rolled his eyes at her insistence. "Well, you must not have looked for Bellatrix very hard. She's been holding court with the Dark Lord in the opposite corner for half an hour now," he said, gesturing to where the other woman was, clearly wanting her to remove herself from the conversation a second time.

Theo turned away from Dolohov and Snape for a moment so that he could look at her, concern on his face. He pressed a quick kiss to the side of her neck, making an excited shiver race up and down her spine. "Is everything okay?" he murmured, loud enough so that only she could hear.

"Fine, Rabastan just caught me outside Bellatrix's office," she said, after wrapping her arms around his middle, uncaring of what anyone would make of their display of affection.

"He didn't try anything?" Theo asked, clearly not enjoying the way that Rabastan had been enamored of her. "Touch you?"

Hermione bit her lip and gave him a look. "No, he kept his hands to himself," she answered, knowing that he needed to be reassured that he was the only one for her. "And I could have taken care of it myself if he hadn't."

Theo relaxed then, but kept his hand on the bare skin of her lower back, needing to touch her. "And the Cup?" he questioned, softly.

She shook her head, trying not to let the disappointment get to her. "I didn't get a chance to look in Rodolphus's office, though. I can't say with any certainty that it's not here." It would be dangerous to snoop around again, but if she needed to do it, she would.

"Enough with the whispering," Antonin said with a frown, obviously not liking to watch Hermione and Theo being so close together. "Theo, are you coming with or not?"

Hermione looked at him curiously, wondering where they were meant to be going. Theo shook his head though. "I'd love to come with, Antonin, but we need to go speak with Alfred before we leave. Maybe another time?"

Antonin shrugged his shoulders, before turning to take Severus under his heavy arm.

Theo turned and guided them right towards Alfred, who was chatting with Cygnus Black. "Alfred, Cygnus, good to see you," he said with a smile.

"And you as well," Cygnus answered, with a tip of his head. "And Madame Nott."

"I'm sad not to see your wives here as well," Hermione said smoothly, with a smile. "I was so hoping to speak to Druella again. She had mentioned a recipe that her house elf might give to ours."

"I'm afraid that Druella and Bellatrix aren't speaking to one another at the moment," he said with a laugh. "So she wouldn't come unless Bellatrix thought that she was forgiven. They can both be so stubborn."

Hermione joined his laughter. "And Cora? Is this perhaps not her sort of party?" Hermione asked, knowing that Theo just wanted to know how his mother was doing. He needed assurances that she was being treated well.

"I would have brought her, but...well, it's good news," Alfred said with a tiny smile nearly hidden by his bushy moustache. "We are expecting our first child. Pregnancy doesn't agree with her, and she finds herself sick more often than not."

"Oh, that's wonderful news, isn't it, Theo?" Hermione asked, beaming up at her husband. Surely the knowledge that it was him that was due to be born would ease his mind somewhat. "But, of course unfortunate that she's been unwell. I will have to owl her with some suggestions."

"I'm sure she would like that," Alfred agreed.

"When is she due?" Theo asked, his voice sounding a bit strangled, like he didn't actually believe it was true.

"In early September," Alfred said. "I hope that it is a boy."

Theo made a little noise in the back of his throat. Hermione squeezed his hand tightly. "I am sure that it will be Alfred," she said, knowing that she had advanced knowledge. "I'm afraid that we have to be off. Arthur has been poorly and I don't like leaving him for so long. Tell Cora to look for my owl."

Guiding Theo to the floo, Hermione grabbed the powder and took her husband home. Once they were in the safety of their parlor, and she closed the connection for the evening, she turned to face him. Cupping his face with her hand, Hermione looked over his face, trying to determine what was wrong. "What is it, Theo? I know that it's not ideal, but this is a good thing...it means that you'll be born," she promised.

"I know, but it's just...unnerving to see how proud and, and happy he is," Theo said, before collapsing onto the couch in a heap. "I never got the impression that my father was pleased with me, outside of that I was his heir."

Hermione felt so horrible for her husband to know that he didn't think that anyone had ever really wanted him. He nearly couldn't believe it. But, she also knew there was nothing she could say that would ease his past. He would carry that hurt for the rest of his life, even if he didn't care about Alfred.

She watched as he ran his hand across his face, before standing up abruptly. "I need to go see Arthur," he said, determined. "Promise me that you'll check in on Cora?"

She nodded, knowing that she would go send the letter right away. Even though Theo was upset, she was pleased to see that he would not make the same mistakes with his own son. Theo was always sure to tell Arthur how much he loved him, even if he wasn't able to spend as much time with him as he'd like - pulled in too many directions. She hoped that soon they'd be able to give Arthur the childhood that Theo hadn't gotten.