1978

When Theo stormed home one evening after meeting with the Death Eaters, Hermione tried to give him a wide berth, knowing that he might like time to himself to cool down. He grabbed a bottle of firewhiskey and retreated down the basement and she didn't see him again until the morning.

He came to her with red-rimmed eyes and an agonized look on his face and she knew that it involved his mother. The sinking feeling in her stomach was confirmed when he pressed his face into her shoulder and told her. "It happened. She's been promised to him," he mumbled into her.

Hermione wrapped her arms around his middle, hoping to provide some comfort to him. "We'll make sure history doesn't repeat itself," she said, quietly, wishing that she would be able to keep that promise.

Theo sighed and righted himself to his full height, looking completely dejected. "That's not even the worst of it," he said, furrowing his eyebrows. "Alfred has asked me to stand with him at the ceremony. Apparently since we've helped him with Ursula, he thinks we are some sort of friends."

Biting her lip, Hermione could completely understand how gutted Theo must be feeling. Not only did he know the fate that his mother had ahead of her, but now he was being forced to be a party to it as well. "This might be a good thing. Maybe Alfred will listen to you," she offered, though she wasn't sure if she even believed that.

He shrugged, not having the energy to think about his relationship with Alfred.

The invitation arrived not too many days after that, and Hermione finally was able to see who Theo's mother was. The name Cora Mildreth Selwyn stood out from the heavy-weighted parchment written in beautiful gold calligraphy. Even if the Selwyns were sacrificing their teenage daughter, it seemed that they were determined to give her the wedding she deserved - a far cry from the hasty ceremony that Ursula and Alfred had had previously.

The days ticked by and before long their wedding day arrived. Hermione and Theo wore nice robes that weren't too flashy, but which presented them as a well to-do couple. It wasn't as fashionable or as revealing as what Hermione typically would have worn, but she also didn't want to chance outshining the bride on her wedding day, hoping that Cora would at least have some good memories to look back on.

In the end, it was silly that she ever thought it was possible. Cora Selwyn was exceedingly beautiful. She had Theo's dark brown hair, lush and simply styled. Her own robes were light linen and in the old style to reflect the ancient ceremony that they were about to partake in. She had big blue eyes that seemed to highlight how young she was, but Hermione could see a spark of excitement in them as well. "Oh, Theo, she is beautiful," she whispered to her husband, giving his hand a tight squeeze.

"I'd nearly forgotten what she looked like," he whispered back, clearly taken aback. "You don't think the resemblance is too obvious?"

While it was clear to Hermione that Theo took after his mother in looks, she did not think it would be obvious to anyone who didn't know they were related. She was sure he wouldn't want to hear it, but there was more than a bit of Alfred in him as well, most notably his stature and build. "I think we'll be okay. Hardly anyone will be able to take their eyes off of her today," she reassured him.

Theo seemed to relax at that, but it was short lived as they were quickly approached by Alfred.

He offered his hand to shake Theo's, before pressing an awkward kiss to Hermione's cheek. "It feels right to have family here today," he said gruffly. "It was a mistake to not have you there at my first marriage."

Hermione knew that it probably took a lot for him to admit that he'd been wrong. It was certainly a social snafu for him not to have invited them to the first one, but it seemed that Alfred had little care for what was proper. "You've made up for it here, Alfred," Hermione said, seeing that Theo was yet to find his voice. "What a beautiful ceremony this will be. And on the autumnal equinox as well. I hope that your marriage is as bountiful as today."

Alfred seemed pleased with her wishes for him and Cora. "I think I've managed to infuriate Abraxas by managing to nab a more beautiful witch than he did for his son, despite my old age," he said with a snort, before elbowing Theo in the side. "I am fortunate that the Dark Lord saw fit to grant me such a boon."

Theo recovered well after hearing his mother called a boon. "Don't worry about Abraxas," he said with a laugh. "He should be worrying about himself if he wants to find favor again with the Dark Lord."

Privately, Hermione thought that Narcissa Malfoy probably did not care one bit for this wedding ceremony, as it was certainly not upstaging her massive wedding ceremony. Cora was beautiful, but it would be hard to top Narcissa. Hermione looked around the guests and realized that a veritable who's who of Death Eaters was in attendance. Abraxas and Lucius were off with Cygnus Black looking around furtively and obviously judging every detail. Orion and Walburga had brought along Regulus, and Hermione realized that she hadn't seen him since he was just a child. Now he was as handsome as Sirius, but he looked far more perfect in a way that seemed off.

Unwittingly, her eyes found Selwyn next. She didn't know much about the man, but it was obvious that he was a bit green at the thought of his daughter marrying a wizard like Alfred. He remained silent while his wife fluttered about, adjusting the cornflower and yarrow in Cora's hair.

Before long, Hermione realized it was time for the ceremony to begin and the assembled joined in front of the gnarled old hawthorn tree on the grounds. It seemed that Tom Riddle himself had decided to perform the joining as he stood between Alfred and Cora. "Who comes this way?" he asked, giving a vile smile as Selwyn walked arm and arm with his daughter.

"It is I, Gawain, of the Ancient House of Selwyn, come to offer this maiden in the sacred ritual of marriage," he said, his voice shaking a bit.

Voldemort's smile deepened when he saw how Selwyn was clearly struggling. "Which maiden is this?" he asked.

Cora stepped forward then. "It is I, Cora, of the Ancient House of Selwyn," she said, holding her head proud.

"Who has come to claim this maiden?"

"I, Alfred, of the Ancient and Noble House of Nott, wish to claim this maiden. In return, I will provide her with food and comfort, home and sanctuary, and many sons to continue our line," Alfred said, stepping forward until he was arm to arm with his bride.

Hermione barely was able to keep her face straight, wondering how he could possibly promise something like that when she knew from Theo how Cora would be treated. She would unfortunately find now comfort or sanctuary with Alfred. Hermione briefly wondered how these oaths worked, exactly.

"Does your Ancient and Noble House support the match?" Voldemort questioned.

For a moment, Hermione thought that Theo wasn't going to do his part, but eventually he was speaking. "I, Theodore, of the Ancient and Noble House of Nott, vouch for this match," he said, almost meekly. "The match is the best option to continue our family line."

"Then we are in agreement," Voldemort said, looking excessively pleased with himself for making this match. "Cora and Alfred, please join hands so that I may perform the fasting."

Seeing the ceremony again, Hermione was no less impressed with the intricacy of the spell. It took time, but eventually the magic had settled and the two were joined in marriage. Alfred did not need to be reminded to kiss his bride, as he was pulling her towards him, eager to seal the ceremony. Cora, who had looked proud and brave during the ceremony, withered once she was face to face with her new husband and cowered when he leaned his mustached face down to hers. Mercifully the kiss was short, and then Cora was pushing herself out of Alfred's arms.

"We would like to invite you into our home for a feast and dancing," Alfred announced, clearly unused to hosting events like this after decades of bachelorhood. "Since it is the equinox, I guarantee that the wine will flow until sunrise, so please drink your fill."

Everyone seemed excessively pleased with the news, and the guests milling about on the lawn began their walk up towards the old house. Hermione grabbed Theo's hand and gave it another squeeze. "It's strange to see the ceremony again. It's so similar to our wedding, but so different," she told him.

"At least you were more willing than Cora was," he said quietly, making sure not to catch the attention of anyone around them.

"For the record, I'm glad it was you," Hermione revealed, looking up at him. "I'm serious. I wouldn't trade you for any of the others - even Ron."

Theo turned to face her, his expression unreadable. He looked like he wanted to say something, like he wanted to argue with her that he knew better than she did, but he struggled to find the words. Finally, the first hint of a smile pulled at the corner of his lips. "I am enjoying being on the good side for once, and not just being discounted for my family name or house at Hogwarts," he told her furtively. "Even if it doesn't look like it."

Disappointed that they couldn't have a more in depth conversation at the wedding, Hermione knew that it wasn't safe to be speaking so openly about these sorts of topics with such company. The trouble was she wasn't sure if Theo would be quite so open with her later when they were free to talk. Ever since he'd told her about his mum, he'd been a little bit less closed off, but she could tell that it was still difficult for him to rely on others.

Once they were inside the manor, Hermione was impressed with the feast that Alfred had assembled, especially considering he must have planned it all on his own. She and Theo were given seats at the head table, same as the Selwyn family. It was strange to be sat up in front of everyone on display, but luckily most guests were too interested in their own meals than to be looking at her.

After the dinner was over, the tables were cleared away and the dancing began. Hermione was happy to remain on the sidelines with Theo and a fresh glass of elfwine. She wasn't a particularly gifted dancer and to top it off the wedding still did not seem a joyous occasion to her, knowing how painful it was for her husband.

However, it seemed as though fate could simply not leave her be, and after several waltzes, Lucius Malfoy was approaching them, with a smug smile on his face. "Excuse me, but might I take your wife for a spin?" Lucius asked Theo, clearly baiting him. "Around the dancefloor. Her robes are too exquisite not to show off."

She gave Theo a look, hoping that he wouldn't take the bait, now that she knew her husband really wasn't keen on her having an affair with the other wizard. Theo was a better actor than she gave him credit for, though, as he was pushing her into Lucius's arms then. "Of course you should, Lucius," he answered. "In fact, I think I might ask if the bride wants a dance. I don't think Alfred is much for waltzing and she should dance on her wedding day."

Hermione took Lucius's offered arm and looked back at Theo, hoping that he was able to get whatever he wanted out of a dance with his mother. She hoped that he didn't overplay his hand by tipping her off or warning her about Alfred in a way that would impede Theo's eventual birth. Cora's face looked delighted at the prospect of getting away from Alfred for a bit when Theo approached her, though, so Hermione tried to be happy for them.

Lucius's hand on the curve of her waist had her attention snapping back to him. Despite his many attempts, Hermione had not spoken to Lucius since she'd stormed out of Malfoy Manor with the Diary. After all, she didn't see much of a reason to continue with him when she'd already gotten what she wanted. "I can't believe you'd actually approach me in front of my husband," she scolded the blond wizard. "I would have thought that you would have gotten my hints. How many unanswered owls do you need to know that I don't want to speak to you?"

"Then you must understand why I did it," he countered, spinning her around the dancefloor. "How else could I get you to speak to me?"

"And now I am your captive audience," she deadpanned, wishing that she was out of his embrace. "For one song. So...get on with it."

"I don't see why we can't continue on as we had been, Hermione," he said with a winning smile that was supposed to make her heart flutter. "Can't you just give me another chance?"

She snorted at his lame attempt. "We can't continue on as we have because you hurt me too much, Lucius. What you accused me of...well, it's just beyond the pale," she lied, not giving into his flattery.

"I apologize for that. I didn't mean it literally, of course. I was just upset that I drank so much champagne that I didn't remember all the nice things that you did for me," he cooed into her ear. "I'd love a repeat performance."

Pulling back from him, Hermione rolled her eyes knowing that nothing special had happened because she really had drugged him. "You don't even remember what it was still, Lucius," she scolded. "So stop acting like you do. You'll only hurt me further."

"Oh, please don't act like you are so hurt," he said, switching tactics. "Stop with the games, Hermione. What do you want? Jewelry? A trip somewhere?"

Hermione sneered at him. "I don't understand why this isn't getting through your thick skull," she said. "There will be no next time. Not even if you gave me all the jewels in your vault."

"And why not? Don't pretend that it's just because I blacked out a bit," he huffed, not wanting to take responsibility for what had happened.

"Well, for one, Theo and I are going to give it another go," she said. That was the truth. Even though they hadn't explicitly talked about what a relationship between them meant, it was clear that she had turned a corner with her husband. They were back on good terms and she was going to do whatever she could to continue that trend. She had come to love him over the years and she just hoped that he might love her, too. It was obvious that he cared for her, but she still wasn't sure how deep his feelings ran for her.

"Please," Lucius said, rotating her so that she could see where Theo was dancing with Cora. "He practically sprinted away from you to dance with the young bride."

Hermione laughed at his attempt to sow discord. If only he knew the truth of the matter, then Lucius might understand how little that bothered her. Why would she feel threatened by Theo's own mother? And did he think he was insulting her by suggesting that Cora was so much younger than her? Hermione still wasn't even twenty-five.

"Even if it wasn't for Theo, I still wouldn't be with you again," Hermione told him haughtily. "The guilt of it has really gotten to me, especially because Bellatrix and I are so close. I'd rather have her friendship than...whatever this is."

Lucius scoffed and looked like he was going to make some argument against it once again.

"And I suggest that you keep quiet about it. Bellatrix might be furious at me and refuse to be my friend any longer if she found out," Hermione warned him with a smirk. "But I can only imagine the number that she would do on you if she found out that you hurt her precious baby sister."

Finally it seemed like the message was sinking in with him, based on the way his face suddenly grew pale. Luckily, the song was ending so Hermione could free herself from Lucius's arms without drawing too much attention to herself. "Thanks for the dance, Lucius. I hope it was as...enlightening for you as it was for me," she warned him again, hoping that he wouldn't continue to pursue her.

Turning around, she picked up her wine glass before rejoining Theo who had likewise finished his dance. "Lucius got the message to stay away, I think," she told him. "No reason to keep stringing him along when I've got what I wanted from him."

"Good," Theo said, sighing in happiness that they could finally move past him.

"How was Cora? You made quite the pair dancing with one another," she said, hoping that it had been an enjoyable experience. She knew how much guilt Theo felt for her fate still.

A cautious smile worked its way across his face. "She's actually really great. I'd forgotten..." he trailed off before his thoughts became too somber. "She wants to meet Arthur, and insisted that we bring him to dinner sometime soon. It will be nice to know that...that she gets to meet him."

Hermione felt her heart swell, glad that Theo was able to get this moment with his mother. Maybe it was a sign that her future was not destined to be as dark as he imagined it to be.