Authors note:

Hi guys, just adding this in to say a HUGE thank you to the people liking and following this story! It means the world to me to know you're enjoying it! I've never written anything longer than a one shot before this. When I started writing on Wattpad, it was only getting around 10 reads and now I'm getting almost 1k! Which is mind blowing to me! So thank you, thank you, thank youuuuu!!!! Sending endless love to you all!! Keep liking and commenting (only if you want) it's such a motivator to keep up 3

If it had not been for the fact, Malfoy had sat patiently by as Theo himself had spent long minutes pacing by a fireplace, in attempt to find words that accurately express both a situation and his feelings, he would certainly be annoyed at how Blaise, Ginny, Pansy, Potter and himself had been in suspense for almost 10 minutes.

Malfoy finally stopped, downed his remaining drink. Finally turning to the group who sat in various positions around the fire in Theo's Library away from the party that was still ongoing. With an anxious hand running through his hair and a look of fear and exhaustion.

"She's pregnant. Astoria. She-"

Pansy let out a shriek of excitement before Malfoy could go on.

"That is so exciting!" She continued. Though, Theo knew that Draco would certainly not appreciate having to explain why that was not the case for him. Luckily, it was Ginny who intervened, stopping Pansy before she dug her hole too deep.

"But what does that mean for her?" There was panic and worry in her voice as the words aired. "I've never heard of someone with an active blood curse conceiving… Never mind surviving it"

"That's because no one ever has." His voice was so strained and laced with concern the whole room seemed to shrink around them.

Malfoy had built a reputation for going through witches quicker than he did ties, though once he met Astoria, everything changed. He had fallen in love with her easy temper, her excitement for life and her graceful beauty quickly. It had surprised the entire wizarding community when he had proposed to her only 3 months after they officially began courting. It was no surprise, however, to those that knew him. He was possessive, once he knew what he wanted he did everything he could to secure it. Astoria brought the best of him to light; her kindness only amplified his good qualities and lightened his dark past.

"The whole thing is ridiculous; healers have told her she could die… and she… she's fucking elated still. I don't know how to get through to her!" He had begun pacing as anger and frustration continued to swell within him. "I'd give her the fucking world, but not this, I refuse to lose her, but she just thinks it will ALL work out, how the fuck does that make sense? Apparently and here is the real fucking joke, if she doesn't make it, then I just have to love the child enough for the both of us?"

"Malfoy, you have to understand she has always wanted this. You can't ask her not to go through with it…" Everyone in the room looked between both Pansy and Draco as they were both correct. Though none of them could conceive of a world without Astoria's shining personality, no one could deny her of the one thing she had longed for since being a young girl. Though, Malfoy looked as though he could have sent a crucio at Pansy for saying it out loud.

Theo felt the weight in the room but could only wish to know how to comfort his friend. "What will you do?" It was the question they all wanted to know but were afraid of having answered.

Malfoy's response was to simply drop into his chair with his head in his hands. "I don't know…" it was only a whisper but loud enough to catch everyone's attention. "I can't tell her no… She is so happy, but if I l- if I lose her, I know I could never love what took her away from me." There were tears in his eyes as he slowly lifted his head to survey the group around him. "How does life go on if she's not here?"

Theo's eyes found Ginny's that

where streaming silent tears down her cheeks. They both knew the weight Malfoy was feeling at this moment, a choice between love and family. Though they had no words to comfort him through it.

"You take it day by day." Came Potter's voice. "You spend every day with her now feeling lucky she loves you enough to want to share this time. You respect what she wishes. We all want to be here for the both of you, and no matter what it is, we will all help. Healers perform miracles every day, just because it hasn't happened before doesn't mean she won't get through this. Astoria clearly believes she can, and so you have to believe in her." Even though his words were hopeful Potter's voice was grave.

Malfoy simply nodded and Blaise handed him a refreshed glass of fire whiskey, which he took gratefully.

POP

"Master Theodore, you have been requested by a quest, they await you in the entrance hall"

Theo looked to where his elf stood in a low bow.

"Right, yes. Thank you Timble" he addressed his elf standing to leave. "I'll go sort this. And Draco" their eyes met as he spoke directly to him. "I'm sorry mate, anything you need I'll be available, okay?" They both gave a soft nod, and he exited the library.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

With his head full of processing thoughts he made his way to the entrance of his home. Trying to imagine ways in which he could help both Draco and Astoria. He knew the odds of a curse like Astoria's allowing her to live and they were low. He had studied blood curses in his healer training before he had specialised in healing potions. They were ruthless and cruel. Destroying lives and leaving grief in their wake. It was these thoughts that were interrupted by a lone guest waiting on him as he looked up to them already cloaked. He cleared his throat to alert them of his presence.

The figure had gasped in startle and turned from the door to face him.

"Theo, you scared me!" came Hermione's shocked chuckle. "I tried to look for you but, couldn't find you and was about to leave when Timble offered to get you, I hope I wasn't interrupting anything too important?" she asked with a hint of concern as she looked over his drawn expression.

"Never, Granger. I wouldn't want to have missed you." He replied with a small smile as he approached her.

"No, we do enough of that as it is already. Feels months since I saw you last…" Sadness washed over her as she too stepped closer.

His eyes seemed to work of their own accord sweeping over her. The way her eyelashes fanned out as she looked down, the blush that crawled from her neck to her cheeks so often around him, even the way her lip gloss sparkled in the dancing light of the candlelit hall. She enchanted him. Everything about her seemed to set him alight and want to make her smile. When she did, he felt butterflies overtake his insides. Like Malfoy, he too was a possessive man, and he knew exactly what he wanted, just not how to get it.

He took a slow deep breath. "Well, they do say all good love sweeps you away." He replied once again eyes flitting between hers.

Her mouth twitched at the corner "Yeah, well between Ronald travelling with George for the shop and my work, I see him as often as I do you recently, we've yet to even decide on a save the date card. So far, I've sent Ron 6 mockups, I even put dates on to show how they'd actually look, and he hasn't even bothered to owl me back to even say he received them."

"What? You haven't picked a date?" his mind now racing over the details of the envelope he had received not long ago from her fiancé.

her eyebrows pinched together, and she shook her head. "No, why?"

"Well, it's just…" Feeling unsure if telling her would bode in his favour or not he debated lying, but then, Weasel obviously wanted to play games and so why shouldn't he. "I received one, about two weeks ago now, July next year?" It wasn't a question. "Always had you down as an autumn girl, married in some small muggle church so your family could attend, with the sound of rain in the background over the music." He gave her a smile as he saw the blush once again tint her face, it was true, that is what he'd pictured for her. For them, if he could ever rid himself of his fathers' damned ring.

She was looking at him as if he were one of professor vectors arithmancy problems she couldn't solve for a few moments then slowly shook her head "You're right, that would be perfect, though Ron, hates the rain and it would simply be too much work to marry in a muggle church... Wizarding and muggle ceremonies are worlds apart… But how did you know?" her head had tilted slightly, and her right brow had perked up as it often did when she was searching for an answer.

He felt a half-smile cross his face automatically and gave a chuckle under his breath "Not hard to guess really, you had a photo of you and your father dancing in the rain outside a church in your dorm room remember, not to mention, every girl deserves a wedding day that glitters, right?"

Their eyes met, both taken back to their first real conversation where she'd told him how she thought rain looked like glitter.

"Yeah, I do remember." Her eyes fell down and he couldn't help but wonder where her mind was. He didn't have to for long however as when she looked back at him, there was a playful smile tugging at her lips.

"Do you remember my cousins' engagement?" As she spoke it her face lit up into his favourite smile and of course he remembered it perfectly.

"Of course…"

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

August 14th 1999 Lake District – England

Granger, are you sure this is such a good idea? I've never been to a muggle engagement party… What if I say something wrong or offend someone by accident?" Theo was looking over his muggle suit as he waited for Hermione to come out of her room at her parents where they had agreed to meet before apparating to the Lakes for the party.

"Theo, you will be fine, my mum, dad and I will all be there to save you from slipping up." She called from the other side of her door.

A minute later she emerged in a flowy lilac summer dress. "What do you think?" she asked spinning for a full view.

His throat restricted, he felt the dry lump as he tried to swallow it back, he nodded "Yeah, you look amazing… you always… you look great, Granger."

"Honestly, I cannot thank you enough for this Theo, I just could NOT show up to this party alone, Tara would just lovee to throw it in my face that, then again she will anyway. UGH, I can see it now." In a whiny pitch, she imitated what he imagined was her cousin "Oh Mia, you had to drag your poor friend? Whatever happened to that boyfriend of yours? Or did he leave you after that exclusive school?" She rolled her eyes and looked Theo over eyes pausing on the lopsided tie he'd knocked when appreciating her dress.

She stepped closer to him and held her hands to it "May I?" she asked intending to fix it.

His mind froze "Er what?... Oh yes, please…" He watched her face as she fixed it. Easier when her heels lifted her to closer his height, he could see how the sun had brought out more freckles over her nose and the darkened glow of a tan.

"There, perfect. As always." She smiled as their eyes met. She was so close he could see the reflection of green from his own eyes in hers… perfect. He could smell the hint of vanilla from her perfume, like a drug pulling him closer, he brushed a stray piece of hair behind her ear, it took everything not to close the small distance between them. It would be so easy here in the corridor outside her childhood bedroom. Surrounded by her.

The thing that stopped him was a loud bell-like noise that sent him into protection mode, scanning their surroundings. Hermione simply giggled and pulled a black device from her clutch bag and brought it to her face.

"Hello?... Yeah, no problem. The wood by the car park. Sure. Yes, He's here. See you in a second. By Daddy." She pressed something and returned it to her bag.

"I'll never get used to that talk cell" He chuckled. She grinned at him.

"Mum and Dad just arrived; the car park is clear. Ready?" He nodded and placed his arm out for her to take to side along.

"Hermione, we're here love" her mother was waving to the two of them. "Ahhh Theo, don't you look just dashing. How are you, sweetheart?" She asked with her ever-present smile.

Jean Granger was a kind woman, the first time they had met was their first trip to Diagon Alley. He had been picking up his supplies for his first year at school with his elf and noticed the couple struggling with the money in Madam Malkin's. He had offered to help which she and her husband happily accepted as their daughter was changing. He had made a conversion chart for them as he had studied muggle money out of boredom once. So When Hermione had invited him to a family dinner during their eighth year, they had recognised him and instantly welcomed him to their home, it was the first of many dinners with the family.

"Thank you, Jean. I'm well and yourself?"

"Good, yes, we are both well and good. William has been mumbling about spending the weekend with his sister but at least he has you to talk squash with." She said as she welcomed him in a hug.

"AAHHHH Theo ma'boy, good to see you. Oh Hermione, don't you just look dazzling! She's a sight for sore eyes if I've ever seen one, am I right lad?" Dr Granger had also always been fond of Theo, and they often talked about muggle sports such as golf, football or squash which he had introduced Theo to at their country club.

"Daddy, don't put him on the spot like that," Hermione responded rolling her eyes but hugging her father anyway. Dr and Mrs Granger then led the way towards the hotel to check-in and Theo and Hermione started to follow.

"You know, he's not wrong Granger, certainly an improvement to spending the weekend looking at 'a healers guide to skin conditions'" He winked at her and smirked as she once again blushed.

Overall it was an enjoyable party, and he certainly hadn't minded that Granger had let Tara and her family believe he was not merely a 'friend' when sly comments about her being dumped were made. Though she had apologised after, he assured her it was no trouble, and he could throw in a glowing compliment about her academic and career successes when he next spoke to Tara. They had both laughed and joked most of the day until it came to the dances when Dr Granger had suggested they both go and join the group.

They had just begun a slow waltz when the rain began to pour, and other couples ran under the cover of the marque. Hermione however had laughed as he spun her around and lifted her getting soaked through, clothes clinging and hair dripping until they were breathless and shivering.

He would always remember her bright smile just for him this time, as the glittering rain surrounded them, covering the sound of the other guests until it was just the two of them, moving out of time to the music in their own world. As he'd wished for since he was 15 watching her dance with Vicktor Krum.

It was a moment that was caught on camera by Dr Granger. There had been a copy of that very photo in his room, Hermione's living room and on Dr and Mrs Grangers fridge ever since.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Hermione's smile grew large "You know, I got the worst cold after that weekend, took me two weeks to fully shake it off. Though, Tara never bothered me again about not being able to get a date. You certainly charmed her."

"Yeah, so did I come to think of it. But, definitely worth it to finally understand your obsession with dancing in the rain. Can't say it's something I'll be forgetting. The summer dress wasn't a bad sight either." He gave her the same wink he had after her father had teased them, they both beamed in memory.

"Yeah, we've had some good times over the years. I've missed you, Teddy." As she said this, she threw her arms around his middle and he took the moment to enjoy having her close again.

"I've missed you too Granger" He spoke into her hair, not missing the use of his nickname.

As she released him, she looked around awkwardly unable to meet his gaze, "So, do you think you could show me that save the date? I'm confused as to why you have it and honestly surprised as we don't have a date…" She finally met his eyes as she trailed off.

"Er, sure. I'll have to find it but I could bring it by the office Monday if that works?"

"Oh no, I'm in meetings all day Monday. How about we do dinner? My place we can order from that Chinese place and watch the new Shrek sequel I got on DVD?" At that last point she perked up and they had gone to see the first one in muggle cinema with Teddy Lupin 3 years ago.

"I'm in, but only for the film Granger. Six sound good?"

"Sounds great, see you then." She smiled then turned on the spot and apparated out.