Theodore Nott had boarded the Hogwarts express train for his sixth year, with his trunk, Cecelia, his most beloved burrowing owl and a concealing charm on his left forearm. During the train ride, he had sat quietly away from the others practising his Occlumency. The Slytherin had always assumed that because he was highly introverted, it would come naturally to him. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

More often than not, he either developed a migraine or fell physically ill. Mrs Malfoy had said it was the price one had to pay, and in time they would lessen. Theo didn't remember Draco having the same physical reactions to it though. For his friend, it was almost a switch that he merely had to turn on and off. But Blaise had once admitted to them both that he couldn't shield his mind to save his life despite his mother having tried to teach him. So he resorted to tricks instead.

"Rather than trying to hide things, turn the room upside down; clutter the timeline, confuse the facts, bring everything to the surface at once. It's difficult to navigate a mind when the infrastructure is demolished."

While Theo was tempted to use that technique, he knew relying on it would be too risky with a wizard as powerful as the Dark Lord. So he practised every day until he hoped, it would be as easy for him as it was for Draco, to shut off his mind.

He wasn't there yet, but he'd made good progress thus far. It would come in handy with dealing with Granger. She was on patrol tonight.

As a prefect, finding out when her shifts were, had been easy. He'd followed her a few times, memorising the route she would take, and when, if at all, she'd deviate from her usual course.

Only once, Theo noted, did she change her path around the castle grounds; to escort a couple of third years back to their dormitory after having handed down a hefty detention sentence.

Everything was planned meticulously, his words, his actions, his lies...

Theo watched from the shadows as she and Goldstein split up, as they always did in order to cover more ground. He began to follow her under a spell of his own creation. He found the disillusionment charm too common. This spell, on the other hand, was a thing of beauty. It acted to blind a person from seeing them rather than them themselves disappearing altogether; a selective blinding spell if you will.

He had created it to hide from his father.

Granger swivelled around and looked right through him. "Look, it's not funny anymore!" she called out exasperated. Her voice carried like an echo and faded out. He watched her expression change from irritation to apprehension as she looked about her and saw no one.

"Well, well, well—" She startled violently, a hand to her heart when he ended the spell, appearing as if out of nowhere. "If it isn't the little Mudblood herself."

"Nott!" she exclaimed, trying to catch her breath. "You nearly frightened me to death. It's past curfew!"

Tilting his head to a side, he scrutinised her. He hadn't thought it would be as easy to scare the brave Gryffindor princess.

"I was out looking for some fun," he intoned. "Blaise is with Pansy, and well, Draco's always with Tracey, so…"

He watched as his words planted a seed of doubt.

"That's not really a valid excuse," she frowned. "Go back to your dormitory."

But he couldn't, he wasn't done with her yet. He stepped into her, blocking her path. "Why should I, when I've just run into you?"

She shuffled back, moving away.

Good.

She was frightened.

"Really," he leered. "I can't believe my luck."

The tone of his voice wasn't something he recognised. He had never spoken to anyone this way. No one had ever looked so afraid to be near him.

It was intoxicating.

"What do you mean?" she stuttered.

He watched as she licked her lips and a flash of anger coursed through him. Was this how she had taunted Draco? How she was trying to entice him now—playing the damsel in distress when she was really a siren.

He had corned her without meaning to, and he heard her gasp as her back met the wall.

He needed to bait her.

"No one ever needs to know. I could just slither-in," smirked Theo, leaning into her, "and slither out. I'd make it worth your while."

Her eyes grew wide. "Excuse me?"

"Don't play stupid," he chastised. "It doesn't suit you."

He nearly bit his tongue as the improvised words fell from his mouth. He hadn't meant to say them, but his Occlumency was slipping.

She laughed and it made him feel small. "Sorry, I don't swing that way, but I'm pretty sure if you keep going straight and take a left you can go fuck yourself."

He pouted feigning disappointment. "So you'll make an exception for Malfoy but not for me?"

Her breath hitched. Genuine shock dancing across her face. She tried to deny it, and Theo could only smile at how very predictable she was.

"Don't put your eggs in one basket love. Why should he get to have all the fun? A girl like you deserves better and besides... whatever Draco knows he's learned from me."

Her eyes searched his, and he would have preferred she didn't look right at him. Not when he was acting this way.

Could she see he wasn't really there?

"Funny, last time I checked I was just a Mudblood."

Theo placed his palms on either side of her head, effectively trapping her. "In my dreams, you're both."

She scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm she sneered, "I'm truly honoured."

He watched her cringe as he hummed in agreement. "Didn't think you were the kind of witch who was happy screwing someone in secret. Especially not while they're off shagging someone else."

Something flashed across her delicate features.

The seed was sprouting.

"As I said, I have no idea what you're talking about, and neither am I interested in you. So, if you please—"

Theo grabbed her face and kissed her then.

In the next instant, she had shoved him off. He watched as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. He laughed at how angry and righteous and scared she looked at that very moment. Inappropriate, he knew, hardly helpful but it just came out. This was all too ridiculous—and just what the hell was he doing?

She made to leave, and he tried stopping her. He wasn't sure if he was going to apologise or try kiss her again. Theo would never know because he felt the tip of her wand pressing into his neck and knew if he pushed her any further, he'd end up in St. Mungos.

Letting go, he raised his arms in surrender

But he wouldn't let her win.

"Mark my words," he smirked. "You'll be begging me to take you when Draco's done playing. He always gets sick of his toys, and I always treat them with better care."

Without another word, she ran off down the corridor.

As soon as she was out of sight, he let his walls fall with a tumbling crash. His head felt like it was splitting open; black dots spotting his vision. He took several deep breaths to stop himself from fainting.

Try as he may, he couldn't sleep that night, nor the night after. He couldn't erase the expression of disgust on Hermione Granger's face from his mind.

The entire student body of Hogwarts was well aware that Hermione Granger had been found, bloodied and dying atop the Astronomy Tower. Theo had eventually gleaned enough information from Snape to piece together what had happened that night. He wasn't entirely sure how Potter and Weasley had come to discover Granger's secret, but he had predicted an unfavourable outcome such as this. It was all about calculating probability, after all.

Someone was going to get hurt, and someone was going to be killed.

Theo had tried to warn Draco of the consequences of his relationship, but his friend was beyond reason. It was no longer a question of whether he would fail to do the Dark Lord's bidding, but when he would betray him if he already hadn't.

There was nothing Theo could do expect trust that Draco had a plan, and he suspected by the way he was watching Potter closely that that plan involved the-boy-who-lived. So Theo watched, and he waited.

The school year was coming to an end. He was at a loss of what to report to Bellatrix, so he merely spoke of what he believed to be true. That Draco's plan would come to fruition soon, and the Dark Lord wouldn't have to wait much longer.

What Theo had failed to discover was Draco's plan to bring Death Eaters into the castle. Theo would have found fixing the Vanishing cabinet an impressive feat if he hadn't been so furious for putting Luna and the other students in danger.

Theo was laying in bed reading by the light of his wand when he felt the slightest burning of his Dark Mark. Draco hadn't returned to the dormitory, and he just knew in the pit of his gut, that something was taking place at that very moment in the castle. Without waking the others, he stepped out and turned toward the direction of Snape's office.

He was just about to round the corner when he heard voices. Pressing himself against the wall, he listened. They were two distinct female voices he recognised all too well. And then suddenly there was a third voice, screaming, the words inaudible at first, and then perfectly clear as he drew nearer.

"Death Eaters in the castle!" cried Flitwick. "Death Eaters in the castle!"

Theo acted quickly. Creeping slowly around the corner, he whispered, "Dulcis Somnia," putting them into a deep sleep.

The door of Snape's office burst open. He flinched at the sight of Professor Flitwick, and the two young girls splayed out on the floor.

"They're only sleeping," assured Theo, as he stepped out of the shadows.

For a moment Snape's eyes narrowed in suspicion, and then he was gone, his robes billowing out after him.

Looking down on the two unconscious girls, he murmured, "You're welcome."

Theo apparated before a large Manor perched atop a hill. It had been a long time since he had last visited, but he knew the lands here, by heart. He made his way up the winding path and marched through the gates of Malfoy Manor, shoving Scabior aside when the snatcher had tried to stop him. Theo, for all his father knew, was meant to be at Hogwarts, concentrating on obtaining his NEWT's. What he was actually doing was keeping an eye on the Carrows. Yet as soon as he got word that Luna Lovegood was being held at Malfoy Manor, he left school grounds without any word.

"Where is she?" he burst out, charging into the living room.

Draco was half-dressed by the large french windows staring out. "Keep your voice down," he said without bothering to turn around. "There are rats everywhere."

But Theo grew even more enraged at Draco's inertia. "I said where is she—I want her out—I want her out now!"

"She's gone," he deadpanned.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Too many prying eyes," he mumbled. "Death Eaters scurrying along the walls, spying, like vermin."

'Where is she now?" demanded Theo.

"Gone. Escaped."

"Did they…" a lump lodged itself in his throat. "Was she hurt?"

"She was already injured when they brought her to the Manor. She must've fought back when they tried to take her."

"They?"

"Selwyn and Travers."

"Where?"

"On her face and her arms. Mother healed her."

"And when she was here?"

"She was unharmed."

Theo closed his eyes, trying to calm his nerves. When he opened them again, he found Draco watching him, waiting. "Add Selwyn and Travers to the list," he whispered. "We stick to the plan."

Draco blinked and then began to walk out and up the stairs toward his bedroom. Theo followed. When they were behind closed doors, he performed the silencing charm. Draco was clenching his jaw, his eyes vacant as he stepped toward the window of his bedroom. Theo noticed that among the old scars, fresh red welts ran down his back.

"Another lesson from Bellatrix?"

"Potter was here," he answered softly. "Don't worry," he added quickly, anticipating Theo's reaction. "He escaped with Dobby… suffice it to say, the Dark Lord didn't take the news well…"

Theo gulped. "Was Granger with him?"

Draco's eyes focused on the reflection of himself in the window. "She was," he murmured. "She escaped too."

Theo let out a sigh of relief.

"Tell me the names again," blurted Draco, his gaze still frozen on the glass.

"Dolohov, Rowle, Lestrange, Yaxley… Selwyn and Travers," he added lastly, "they're mine."

Draco crossed his arms across his chest, which was still relatively untouched to the rest of his body. "How will you do it?" he asked.

"The same way I'll take care of Rodolphus. When the opportunity presents itself, and the timing is right."

"No. I'll take care of Rodolphus Lestrange."

"That wasn't the plan," said Theo slowly.

"Plan's change—oh and Potter has my wand." Draco turned back toward him. "I'm using mothers."

He cocked an eyebrow. "Will that be a problem?"

"No, I'll make due with what I have."

"And what of the Carrows?" asked Theo. "They think Hogwarts is their new playground."

"We'll take care of them sooner or later."

"I think there's cause for concern to act sooner. Alecto's taken a shine to Blaise. She calls on him a lot to… discipline others." Theo's cheeks reddened at the perverse obsession the Death Eater had developed for his friend. "If we don't take care of it, Pansy will end up doing something reckless."

Draco frowned, his eyes falling to the floor, going quiet again. "Do what you think is best," he acquiesced.

Theo wished he was a Legilimens because he desperately wanted to know what was going inside Draco's head. Something crucial had changed, that much was obvious. When Theo had first spoken to Draco about the extreme measures they would need to take, he had been reluctant to act, but he seemed determined now to follow through. He wondered if it had anything to do with Potter's capture or Granger's presence at the Manor.

"What will you tell your parents?"

"Nothing," replied Draco. "Mother will be glad to be rid of unwanted house guests… Bellatrix keeps turning her roses to ash."

"What do we about your aunt? Should we… add her to the list?"

Another indeterminable length of silence pursued, and when Draco spoke, Theo had never heard such venom, such unaltered hate articulated so quietly.

"No, not yet… my aunt has much to teach me. Besides, I want her alive to witness things falling apart for her precious Dark Lord…"

Theo watched him stare out into Malfoy gardens and realised although Draco was here speaking to him, his friend was very far away.

"I need to return to Hogwarts before Snape notices my absence," said Theo. "You know this would be easier if he knew—if we had someone else on our side who could help."

"No," clipped Draco urgently. "Tell him nothing."

"But he saved you. He lied to the Dark Lord to save your skin."

Draco fell silent for several moments in deep thought. "And yet he killed Dumbledore… we can't trust Severus till we understand his motives."

Their eyes met, and Theo couldn't help but agree. It was far too dangerous a game, to trust their potions professor with something like this when he was clearly carrying out his own agenda—whatever agenda that may be.

The Ministry had fallen, and all of Britain would be next; then France, Germany, Spain, Portugal and the MACUSA would fall eventually too. Theo had always known he would have to choose a side. If there was anything he had learned being raised by a Death Eater it was that they rarely showed mercy…

Neither would he.

And neither would Draco.

"Why did you take the mark, Theo?"

The question startled him out of his reverie. He clucked his tongue reproachfully. "Do you really even have to ask me that?"

Draco's eyebrows furrowed, a grimace twisting his sharp features. "Only a fool follows another fool into hell."

Theo stood to leave. He couldn't help the small smile tugging at his lips, nor could he help his parting words.

"Heaven would be far too lonely without you mate."