By midday, he'd received more than 3 memos from Tabatha informing him of personal correspondence, that she most definitely read before giving him. Without checking he could name who had sent them. The first, Astoria, elated and inviting Pansy and himself to dinner with Draco, Narcissa, and herself. A follow-up from Draco seething, giving him shit for riling up Astoria. The final, from one of the Potter's either warning him of blind rage coming his way OR one starting the storm early. Either way, he thought it best to save for another time, not that it mattered, as he was sure Pansy will have added them to the list of guests attending 'his' soiree this evening.

After spending the entire afternoon going over contracts, financial statements, and the grilling dispute he currently had to deal with, after the last trip to the ministry. It was enough to keep his mind perfectly busy until almost seven. It was only by chance he happened to look at the Rolex adorning his wrist.

"SHIT, SHIT, SHIT" he uttered as he packed his papers and quill away as fast as he could before grabbing his blazer and coat, rushing for the apparition point by his office building.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Perfect you're just on time," Pansy said with a gleam in her eye.

She'd been yelling at some poor girl about the drink menu in the parlour when he'd arrived hearing her from the entrance hall.

"So, your suit is hanging on your closet door, people will be arriving in about an hour, and you desperately need to shower." Looking over him as he lent against the door frame when she spoke, he noticed her glaring at his crossed arms, the ink stains on his hands from signing and making amendments to contacts for hours on end and his hair, now more of a mess than usual, from where he'd ran his hands through it out of stress.

His response was to simply raise an eyebrow in her direction.

"Come on Theodore, you need all the time you can get. And PLEASE for the love of Morgana take that ghastly muggle watch off, you'll find a new one on your bedside table along with-"

He started towards the main stairs before replying "-The watch stay Pans." He paused and turned just before taking the first step up "Do I want to know how you got past the wards to my private quarters?"

A look of pure tenacity spread over her features as she swept into the parlour without answering his question.

"Of course, ask no questions and all..." he muttered to the shadow of where she'd been stood.

20 minutes later he was stood showered, dressed, and was fastening the watch he knew Pansy hated so much. She also knew that he would never be convinced to part ways with it, it meant more to him than he would ever tell her.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

September 7th, 1996 Hogwarts- Hogsmeade

"It's so good to see you looking so healthy on such an important day, Daddy and I both agreed that when we saw you at platform 9 you looked a little sickly. Though, I suppose life for you is different now you know who is back." Luna's normal dream-like state was noticeably absent today.

"Yeah. Things are definitely different." He replied trying to block the images of what he endured during the summer out.

Luna's eyes remained forward on the path as she spoke. "I think it's time you leave that house, Theo, you know you have a home with daddy and me, it's in your eyes that you're hurting. They're the wrong green." She said it as if eye colour were a medical indication of wellness.

He chuckled "What green are they supposed to be? Sea green? Emerald or do you still think they're bogie green?" he grinned at her side profile and she smiled in return but without turning her head to him.

"well, they're typically lucky clover green, but recently they're... cloudy. If it weren't for all the whacksburts, I'd think you were under the imperious."

He threw his arm over her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. "Don't ever change Lu"

She smiled and promised she wouldn't.

"And thanks, I hear you but, I just... I can't leave. There is so much of mum there, you know." He felt her nod against him, and he felt her arm come around him as they walked. "Things aren't great, but it was our home and I'm not losing it to a bunch of sadistic fucks."

"I understand Theo, but if they're to continue torturing you and you insist on staying, start taking gnome saliva in your tea, Daddy always says it has some wonderful healing properties"

He didn't have a lot of time to ponder upon how she knew he'd become target practice for a select few of his fathers' friends, as the three broomsticks was coming into sight.

But that was Luna. Over the years he'd known her, from being babies to teenagers, he'd become fond of her usual lucid demeanor.

She always seemed to know what mood he was in without having to properly look him in the eye. It was a talent her mother had possessed too. That's how the unlikely pair had become friends. Their mothers had been in the same school year and both in Ravenclaw, so when they had children, they had ensured a bond as unbreakable as their own. He knew he had that, and more with Luna. She was the sister he never had, he'd been 8 when the Lovegood's became his saving grace, following the death of his mother. Luna's mother and father had taken him in for weeks or months at a time, his father had decided that to look at his son was to see too much of the woman he'd loved and lost and happily shovelled the responsibility of his only son off to someone else.

They included Theo in all their family outings, discussions, holidays, and events. The time he spent with them helped while he healed. Making the passing of Luna's mother only two years later hit him so much harder.

It was that exact reason the two friends were walking side by side into Hogsmeade on Theo's 17th birthday to meet Xenophilius at the three broomsticks.

Once they were inside and seated the three drank their butterbeer and caught up on what summer had been like, he did not specifically say what his summer had been like. By the expression Xenophilius held, he like his daughter had guessed.

About an hour into their meeting Rosmerta brought over a small cake in the shape of a quaffle, a tradition the Lovegood's had continued from his mother, as she had one made for him every year. He blew out the candles thanking the two for wishing him a happy birthday.

It was then Luna pulled out several wrapped packages from her fathers' bag and handed them to him, "These are from me" she said with a smile of anticipation.

He grinned widely at her, taking them, and opened one by one, revealing a build a boat in a jar kit, a book on aeroplanes Makes models and uses, and a beaded bracelet he knew she will have made herself, he immediately put it on then hugged her tightly.

"Thank you, Lu, I love them" they both smiled.

"Here now you can open this one" Xenophilius cut in, putting a large parcel down that turned out to be a book on plants with healing properties, a book on healing potions, and a book on healing spell work. "Luna tells me you still wish to study the arts of a healer and these were recommended to me when I asked a healer for St. Mungo's featured in the magazine a few weeks ago." He was smiling when he said it. Xenophilius had always supported Theo's wish to become a healer.

"Thanks, Zen! These are great, I can't wait to get into them tonight." He really couldn't, reading had always been his favourite pass time.

"We have something else for you, from the both of us. It's traditional for your 17th and we didn't know if it is a tradition your father would follow so we got it anyway." As he said it, he passed Theo a square box wrapped in gold paper.

The box held a beautiful watch.

"It's a muggle watch!" Luna said excitedly "I remember you talking about how they fascinated you a few years ago, so Daddy and I went into muggle London and the lady at the shop said this was the best of the best, just like you" the smiles they held were so genuine it radiated over their table toward him.

Theo couldn't explain the gratitude he felt at that moment, that she'd remembered such a small detail he'd mentioned in passing over 2 years prior, that they had gone so out of the way for him, into muggle London when the watch he received from his father had been plain and with a note written by his house-elf. He promised himself to always treasure it as he treasured them.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

He smiled at the memory of the gift and made his way down to begin the festivities.

An hour later his parlour was full. He stood with Pansy talking to Astoria, who seemed to be even more excited than normal and Draco who, smiled brightly his new bride looked at him but the second she looked away, something formed over his expression that worried Theo, and he wasn't the only one to notice.

He was with Blaise discussing possible explanations for Malfoy's odd behaviour when he notices 2 people making their way over.

"Ahhhh it's Red and Scar head! How are we on this fine evening?" was Blaise's greeting to the couple.

"watch it Zabini, just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I won't hex you; it just means you can't retaliate," Ginny said with a sickly-sweet smile.

"there she is, stay feisty Red" Blaise winked and then left to re-join Astoria, Draco, and Pansy. Receiving glares from both Harry and Ginny.

"I hate your friends, have I ever mentioned that?" She asked snapping her attention to Theo.

Both he and Harry smiled. "once or twice... But hey, there's non-alcoholic wine, if that makes you feel better? I also had the elves make you some pastries to take home with you, I know you love them and felt I'd owe you after subjecting you to my friends for a whole evening"

Her eyes lit up. "That is exactly why you are among those I like, see you in a bit?" She asked, already setting off to the bar.

Theo and Harry exchanged a stiff greeting having not spoken since Theo's office two weeks ago.

It was as Harry left; he saw her enter. As beautiful as ever and oddly alone for a newly engaged woman. They locked eyes and a smile lit both their faces. It was the familiar warmth that flooded him around only her. He'd bottle the feeling and have his company sell it if he could, he was sure, being around her was euphoria like no other, it would make him a fortune if he could recreate it in a potion.

"Hey, you." She said as they met halfway, and she enveloped him in a tight hug. "I've missed you; I wrote you last week, but Ginny told me you've been in Paris?" she said as she released her hold on him.

This was odd, he hadn't been in Paris, and had certainly not received her letter. "oh, yeah. Sorry, only got back this morning. Though, the elves have been bringing my letters and, I'm sorry Granger, I haven't come across it, you sure you wrote the address outright?"

Her eyebrows drew together in confusion "What? I've been writing to you for years Theo, I think I know the address... Ron told me he sent it with pig last Wednesday, He hadn't come in from his nightly hunt before work, so Ron sent it later on..."

Of course, he did Theo thought bitterly... must have coincidentally got lost in their rubbish. He could have rolled his eyes but knew she'd understand and be upset by the insinuation.

"I'm sure it will show up, was it anything urgent? And speaking of, where is the lucky man?" He had to dig deep for the light and friendly tone that came from him when he said this.

Hermione went pink, and her eyes darted around the room avoiding his gaze, "Oh, well he had to go out of the country for the week, something about an investor in the states?" she gave him a small smile.

"leaving you without an escort for the evening?" he smirked knowing he'd get a rise from this.

He was right, she swatted his arm and gave him a look that told him he was being a prat.

"Alright, alright, no need to get physical Granger."

She let out a small giggle and put her hand to her mouth. It was just then he noticed it. The ring, it was diamonds upon diamonds, not what he'd pictured her with. She liked simple, natural beauty... not showy in your face beauty. But still, he hadn't been prepared for the feeling seeing her wearing it would cause.

He swallowed and took a deep breath forcing himself to address it. "wow Granger, look at that thing." The word he'd use to describe it would be sparkly, he'd only ever seen her in sparkles once and he thought, she had forgotten that night. Time to put what potter said to the test.

"You know, I've not seen you in anything that glittery since that sequin number new year in 8th year" he forced a smirk.

Her reaction gave him everything he'd needed. Her eyes went wide, cheeks went multiple shades deeper and her body went momentarily rigid as their eyes locked.

"Yeah, I can't believe you remember that... It feels so long ago now." She rubbed her arms, a tell that she felt awkward or embarrassed.

"Hard to forget really-" He didn't get a chance to finish, as Pansy picked that moment to come over and demand the need for them to mingle as a couple.

Hermione was left standing slightly confused and unsure how to feel...

After making a round of the whole room with pansy acting the loving affectionate girlfriend most definitely overdoing it with the kissing and pet names, but he played along.

He'd just managed to get a minute alone to go to the bar when his next assault came.

"What are you playing at?"

He jumped spinning to find an angry Ginny glaring daggers at him.

"I believe it's called socialising. I recall you used to be rather good at it before you got all sober and... Large." He gestured towards her belly which only made her features turn from scary to downright terrifying.

"That was rhetorical arsehole. I know what you're doing, it's stupid, juvenile, it won't work and for merlin's sake Theo, I. do. Not. Like. That. Woman!"

"Do forgive me. Must have escaped my mind that you had approval rights over my love life"

It was a snarky remark, he knew she would see-through, but he also knew lying about feelings and fake relations would only make him suffer more once this was over.

"HA!" Her hand was quick to cover her mouth as she'd clearly shocked herself with the sudden outburst, though she quickly dropped the laugh and continued on pan faced.

"Love life is a certain stretch for what you have. There is as much romantic tension between you two as there is between Ronald and me."

Both their faces screwed up in disgust at the reference. Theo even downing the remainder of his fire whisky in an attempt to process and eradicate the gruesome image her words had conjured.

"You do know you get weirder with each trimester don't you Gin? If you ever start expressing interest in hunting nargles, I'll know to send Potty for your hospital bag."

She gave him another dirty look, but he could see the smile in her eyes. It was true. When pregnant she tended to do and say odd things. His favourite moment took place in her first trimester. He walked in on her using a muggle remote like a sword. Claiming it to be some form of glowing sabre whilst watching a rather old ridiculous film about space wars.

"Evasion won't help you, Theodore. What you're doing is wrong. I may not like Pansy, who by the way thinks that my hair clashes with my pregnancy glow, whatever the fuck that means. But she can still get hurt... Your last breakup didn't exactly do much for you either. Can you put her through that again? Because you will break up, and you know as well as I do just as to why that is."

He looked into his empty glass, wishing he'd refilled and sighed deeply before being able to meet Ginny's sympathetic gaze.

"Trust me Ginge, Pansy will not be hurt by me again."

"You can't know that. Whatever game the two of you are playing is dangerous, she loved you, that feeling never fades you know. Unrequited love always hurts you."

There was a sadness in her face buried under years of repressed emotion. He knew where her pain was coming from. She had told him when they danced at her wedding. The feeling of seeing someone you love who can't love you back, how intensely it ripped in your chest, as you tried to breathe through lungs that were weighted and full of holes. Though for Ginny it came in the form of seeing Fred every time she looked at George laughing. She explained how, though she loved him, and she knew, that when he was alive both Fred and George had loved as fiercely as each other. Now when she saw George, she felt as if she was seeing Fred without feeling the presence of his love.

Theo understood how she could be annoyed; he knew Pansy had loved him. He knew love truly did never fade, and that seeing someone you love is always going to cause pain.

Without realising his eyes had travelled across the room to where the cause of his own ache was stood smiling brightly at what Astoria was telling her.

He felt it then. An ache, his heart filling and emptying simultaneously. It took several deep breaths after allowing that kind of pain to flood him. He turned to his friend who was stepping aside to stand next to him and noticed she too was watching Hermione.

"She's scared you know. Hermione, I mean, you can see it when she thinks no one's looking... She looks at her ring and... it's not joy or excitement she shows. It's..." Shaking her head Ginny turns to meet his eye-line then back to their subject. "Fear... Theo, my brother..." obviously torn between being honest and being a good sister when she spoke.

"He's not her equal. No one really is but, he makes her feel guilty and she makes him feel intimidated."

The scoff he gave was an understatement of that assessment.

"That's his problem, not hers. She's not reckless enough to make a mistake like marrying if she wasn't willing to give it everything she has."

"Everyone makes mistakes. The smartest often make the biggest."

She smiled sadly at something he didn't fully understand. But steadfast on assuring her he had no intentions of hurting Pansy the way he hurt seeing Hermione or Ginny felt seeing George. Putting an arm over her shoulders he placed a kiss on the top of her head.

"Don't you worry about anything other than giving me my godchild Gin. Pansy makes her own choices. I don't think me hurting her is an option."

He smiled as Ginny looked up to him and just above a whisper asked "And you? Are you hurting yourself in all this?"

He mulled this over silently, was hoping going to hurt him?... Definitely, hope was a cruel consequence of loving. But he was hurting regardless, and it had always been his own fault.

"Nott's don't hurt Hunny, we drink." He winked and squeezed her spotting a furious blonde making his way over. Intent on bulldozing this conversation and most likely his alcohol supply.