Thank you so much to all those who reviewed the first chapter: NatRose17, DaniGB, Guest, Elizabeththelast, sophiecambellbower.

Guest: I already have much of it written, so no fear about it stopping anytime soon! Hope you enjoy!


MUGGLE PARIS; 2004


Hermione's heart thumped. She felt her fingered clutching her books grow sweaty and clammy as she flexed her grip on them. Theodore looked just as handsome as ever, his sharp jawline like a painting from the Louvre, his sea-green eyes boring into her like she was an Arithmancy problem he was desperately trying to unravel. His hair was shorter than the last time she'd seen him and he'd gotten glasses. While Harry's always made him fade into the background, Theo's were expertly picked out to higher his already very aristocratic features. That with his billow robes and well-groomed hair made him look like he'd stepped out of an advertisement.

If Hermione had someone been able to know that today, of all days, she'd run into Theo, she would have worn something else. As it was, she was in a ratty pair of jeans and a t-shirt she'd already spilled coffee on, and frankly, she'd been too tired to do any makeup or put her hair up nicely, so it hung in untamed tendrils around her cheeks.

Eleven months of cohabitations the same unfamiliar city, in a different country at that, and she finds him of all places in Muggle Paris. The odds seemed astronomical.

She could feel the blush that was creeping over her entire body, blazing upon her cheeks. For a couple of seconds, she just stood there, exhaling out, unsure of what to say next.

"It's been awhile."

Theo licked his lips, his jaw clenched as he nodded. Still, a quiet hiss slipped out.

"Nearly a year." That was so imprecise, but after a second, after a soft groan, Theo added, "Ten months, two weeks, three days."

Her breath took in sharply. She'd known this, but the fact he'd been counting too...no, she couldn't get her hopes up. Perhaps he just had a good memory with specific dates?

Hermione bit her lip, "What are you doing here?"

"I told you I'd be in Paris awhile," Theo said. He seemed to be in pain. His words were strained and there was a hardness, preciseness that Hermione didn't recall. Did he know she'd been trying to avoid him, while also hoping to see him? Did he finally see it, after all those years, had he figured out how she really felt? "The potions lab, I-," For some reason, Theo seemed to be having difficulty, so Hermione cut him off, sparing him whatever was ailing him.

"No, yeah, I know," Hermione stumbled over whatever he might have said next, "The shop, yes. I take it it's doing well? I was asking about here-here. As in on this street."

She didn't actually have to ask how his shop was dong; she knew well enough. She hadn't allowed herself to step forth in, but she kept very aware of its success through the gossip of others. She always longed to hear his name, hear a hint of an update.

"It is. We've had many commissions from important people; the French Ministry in particular, and then there's the regular crowd who seem to enjoy what we have to offer. We work hard to make this, well, worth it." He paused a long moment, and she could see his fists clenching through his pockets, "I'm walking home."

"Oh! Well, it's a nice day. I see you're partaking in the Muggle grandeur," She said, waving. Theo's lip almost twitched into a smile, but she felt stupid. She'd put a joking tone into it, but even still, it hadn't been a good joke. It had just seemed to fall from her lips. Whenever he was around, she always ended up talking too much, saying more than she'd wanted. Overplaying her hand. However, it seemed that Theo was talking far more than usual. For most of the time she'd known him, he'd been extremely reserved. She was far too embarrassed about her own loose lips to consider this fully, however.

As it was, right now, her whole body was shaking and she could feel how warm her cheeks had turned. The familiar feeling of something uncomfortable and wonderful was twisting her stomach in knots, as she wanted on bated breath for his next words. She hadn't felt these sort of uncomfortable flutters in, Merlin, years. At least not with anyone but him.

Always him.

"I was just coming from the bookstore, but I'm sure you can see that. I'm working with children right now, at a school, I think I told you that I was considering a professorship. Hogwarts has no openings, but Beauxbatons has been owling me..." She trailed off. Theo gave a swift nod, his lips still closed tightly.

"Right, yes. Well, I wanted to teach at Hogwarts, or somewhere comparable, but I was offered this job and it was good money, so there I went, as it were," She continued to ramble. If Theo wasn't saying much, Hermione would fill the space. She was terrified of what she'd do with open air and silence, "Although it's much younger than I'm used to."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, like... five-year-olds," Hermione said, "Not that they're not adorable but-,"

"Yeah," Theo flashed a quick smile, looking down. Hermione quieted. He'd always...understood her without having to say much. She wished he was as easy to read. She wished she could dive deep into his brain, know what he thought of her. Even now, his eyes seemed glazed and distant, like he was a thousand miles away from this conversation. Or, trying to be, because she'd see moments where he'd resurface and his whole body would quiver.

"But it's...good. Lots of work. Want to do it right. Thus the books," She patted the top of her pile like it was a cat, "But, oh, enough about me...Draco still in Paris?"

"Sometimes," The words came out quickly, "He splits his time between here and Scotland, where Luna's living. Bloody keeps me up at all hours, flooing her to talk. He's obsessed. Talks about her all the time."

"Oh! Yes, of course," Stupid, since Hermione knew that Draco took an international portkey back to Luna at least twice a week. Whenever Theo was around, her brain seemed to fizzle out, "You know, she thinks he's going to propose soon," She said.

"He is, has the ring. It's big. Pretty…" Theo choked back, like his throat was dry, "It's just, it's pretty, I guess."

She looked at her feet. She wished it hadn't turned into dating territory. A part of Hermione knew she'd be heartbroken if Theo said he was dating someone, which was terribly unfair of her. She looked at her book pile, unable to meet his gaze as she spoke her next words.

"Me and Ron are still together," She whispered, "Ginny and Harry got married last summer, so now everyone's turned to us, wondering when we'll get married." She noticed Theodore's head snapped up, but she couldn't look at his face, "I mean, it seems...inevitable, after seven years and all. I don't need to rush into it, I don't, but everyone keeps asking and-,"

"You're wasted on Ron," Theodore said, his voice unusually rough like he'd tried to hold it back. This got her attention. She lifted her head slowly, halfway believing she'd heard him wrong, "You deserve so much better, Hermione, Merlin! I'm sure you're a fine couple but...you…" He bit his lip down, as though bottling up his words right at the tip of his tongue, "I don't get why you're with him."

"As opposed to who?" Hermione's voice shook. Had he not spoken first, she doubted she'd ever had the courage to offer up her soft question, "Someone like…" She couldn't finish it, terrified she was misreading all of it, and he was just looking out for her like a good friend.

"Fucking bloody Merlin," Theo cussed, his shoulders shaking and his expression nearly pained, "Someone like me."

Hermione felt her heart stop.

10 years (well, 9.75, if one wanted to get technical), nearly a full decade, of pining over Theodore Nott. 10 years of attempting to interpret his smiles and words and dissecting every conversation. 10 years of foolishly hoping, but knowing that it was probably just what she wanted. 10 years of arguing with herself in the dead of night, half-begging for some god to release her from this madness, and half-praying to never let herself stop loving him.

10 years leading up to this single moment.

The books clattered onto the sidewalk all at once, like a roaring thunderclap. Hermione kicked them aside as she placed her hands on either side of his face and pulled him down into a searing kiss.


Yes, I know, a little short, but these were always just going to be little moments, if you will, to make up the bigger picture. On the plus side, that means that I will absolutely be able to update weekly on schedule since I have MOST of the story already written! Other chapters may end up being longer, like I know I have one planned that so far is about 6 pages, probably will be 7/8 with edits...
Hope you all enjoy!