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Wizarding England; 2004
Theo hated galas and balls.
Perhaps it was because of the way he was raised; every chance that his father got to parade him around, showing off the heir that he'd resisted creating for so long, Thaddeus Nott took. It was always some big, disgusting display of wealth, in his opinion. The types that frequented galas were so self-involved he often wondered if they even knew what the cause they were supporting was?
Then, when Voldemort was in power, galas were grotesque displays of sadism. Those were the worst; the ones where victims were splayed out like bugs pinned to a board, where Death Eaters practiced Unforgivables in the grand ballroom, and where they all laughed about how this reign would never end.
After the war, galas changed. There were quite a few; so many causes to support. If Theo was going to one, it was a sort of 'look at our mercy, look at these poor Slytherins'. Where he'd once been a man of honor, he was now a circus freak for the side of the light to click their tongues at and pat themselves on their backs at how they'd been so nice to snakes like him.
So, Theo avoided most any gala he got invited to.
He hated galas with a burning passion. No, that didn't really explain it. He hated galas with the fire of a thousand suns. He hated galas with the fury it took to actually cast an Unforgivable. He hated galas so much he'd rather cut his own eyes out rather than look upon the facade of 'goodwill' and 'humanitarianism' that galas presented themselves as.
He'd done a grand job so far of avoiding these events. After his first one right after the war, he'd found an excuse every time. They were outlandish reasons he declined, such as he was searching for the Lost City of Atlantis with a muggle metal detector or he was going to be busy wrestling a hippogriff because goblins bet him he'd lose the fight. The people organizing such galas never seemed to make note of his ridiculous way of turning them down, so he only had to assume they didn't really care if he was there or not.
Logically, there was one thing, nay - person, who he had such an equal, intense, and opposite feeling toward, so if that person collided with his hatred of galas, they'd cancel out. If he despised Galas with the zeal of Voldemort's hatred toward noses, he had the love for Hermione in equal measures.
Which was to say that one singular person could get him to a gala...three guesses who.
He was well aware that a gala was coming swiftly upon them. He'd heard more about it than usual because Luna was organizing it, her first foray into the adult Wizarding community that did these sorts of things. Yes, organizing a gala was a sort of rite of passage that most purebloods experienced.
He'd heard everything second-hand through Draco, who worried endlessly for Luna's success, though Luna herself seemed bothered overall. The Gala was to celebrate the recognition of previously imaginary creatures that Luna, along with Rolf Scamander, had worked to discover. They were vying that the Ministry give these creatures endangered species, arguing that this is why they'd gone into hiding the first time, because of Wizards hunting them to near extinction, so much so that they became a myth of existence.
One of Draco and Theo's potions had been instrumental in the discovery of such creatures, so Draco and Theo were also being given, as Draco said, a 'very nice plaque to hang in our store'.
Draco had been preparing for months. He'd changed the color of his Wizarding Robes eight times already, and if Luna was not so easygoing, any other witch would have strangled him.
They were a week out from the event, currently, and Theo was hanging out at Draco's with Luna. It was far better than sitting alone and Draco always had good imported alcohol.
"So, Theo," Luna asked with a mischievous smile, "I haven't gotten your Owl in rejection yet. What's your excuse this time?"
"Oh, well, I can't make it," Theo waved his tumbler of whisky around, "You see, I'll be swimming in a pool of molten lava in just my birthday suit to prove to Goblins that I can."
"Sounds like an excellent reason to miss," Luna waved her hand and a little 'X' was sketched over his name by a large quill on her table, "Though I should have discounted you before I even sent the invite."
Theo clicked his tongue, pointing towards Luna, "That would've been the smart move."
"Theo, we're being honored," Draco sighed in frustration.
"And you can graciously accept our square of metal for us, and then go around licking the boots of everyone in attendance," Theo sniggered. Draco's face was a shade of red and he stood, nearly knocking over his chair.
"Apologize!"
"Oh, come on, we both know that's how it is." Theo rolled his eyes.
"Not to me! To Luna!" Draco threw a finger out, "She's worked so hard on this, Theo, and you piss on all the hard work she's done."
"Are you offended?" Theo asked uncertainty, turning toward Luna. Maybe he had overstepped. Maybe he was rude. He did like Luna, genuinely, and didn't mean to offend her. She was always so chill with everything that perhaps he'd missed the signs of her annoyance.
"Oh, Draco, we know how Theo feels. I agree that most Galas are dreadfully boring," Luna kissed Draco's cheek, "But it is sweet you came to my rescue."
"But yours won't be." Draco argued, "He can suck it up for one night."
Luna raised an eyebrow, "Does it mean so much he comes?"
"For you, yes," Draco said, "Plus, for our brand. He should be proud of the work we do." He turned to Theo, "Mate, we've fought tooth and nail to be seen for our work and not our names. We've been lauded in small ways, but this is one of the first times that the world is applauding and saying 'hey, you did something great'. It wasn't Luna, but it was Rolf that pushed for our recognition here. Don't throw the bird at everyone who is just starting to see us as reformed, equal members of society."
Theo faltered; he hadn't thought of that before.
Luna furrowed her eyebrows, "You make a good point," She tilted her head, "Alright, I'll mark him going."
"Hey...I still haven't agreed," Theo said, retreating back into all of his sour feelings about this sort of event, hiding behind his own bad experiences and lashing out.
"Oh, I'm sure you're going to attend," Luna laughed.
"How are you so sure?" Theo squinted. Luna smiled, looking more like a Slytherin than ever, holding up an owl with penmanship Theo would recognize anywhere. His mouth went try.
"Because Hermione Granger gave her 'yes' to attend already."
Draco burst out laughing, falling over the back of the couch. As Theo glared at him, Draco wiped his eyes and stifled sniffles.
"Oh, man. She got you, Nott. She gotchu good."
XXX
It was infuriating, but that was that.
Since Hermione was going, and for that reason only, Theo was persuaded to go to the stupid gala. It would be in London; they'd be getting an International Portkey the day before, and some very foolish part of him also thought about reaching out to her so that they could travel together.
Then, he remembered he'd said a lot under the influence of the truth potion, he remembered Hermione was in a relationship that was apparently heading toward a proposal, and he remembered how she'd snapped away with a look of horror at her own actions.
What was he hoping to do here? Honestly, pine from afar. He had hoped Hermione would reach out to him since the kiss, but so far it hadn't happened. He still had all of her books, stacked nicely in his office, but she hadn't even tried to retrieve those.
He was a Slytherin which meant he never gave up, but he was unsure if he should make any other motions towards her. As the muggles said, the ball was in her court now.
Didn't mean he wouldn't be present and with her, as much as he could, at all times.
The trouble was the dinner seating list.
Galas were very long, long fancy events, usually with a full eight-course meal. Who you sat by was absolutely paramount and directly related to the fun you had. Luna, though she was overseeing the planning, had Hannah Abbott - who was doing the catering - oversee the seating arrangements.
"If you want to sit by Hermione, you'll have to make a plea to her," Luna had explained.
"You're the one funding this whole thing. Can't you just call in an owner's favor?" Theo had groaned.
"No." She said simply. Theo studied her.
"Because you took your hands off this part of the party, or because you want to see me suffer?" Theo asked, highly suspicious. Luna just patted his cheek.
"You're the third smartest in your year, Theo. I am confident you know which."
He bit the inside of his cheek; though he knew Luna to be an exceptionally kind person, dating Draco had made her a bit more cunning than when they'd first met, unlocked some part of her she had just been laying in waiting. Though the first of the two options was the logical one. The second one made sense. Saying 'yes' to the Gala, searching out Hermione, was never going to be as easy as he thought it was.
"Fine," He grumbled, "How can I find Hannah?"
XX
The kitchens of the Three Broomsticks were flying with activity. As Theo opened the door, he immediately had to duck lest he wanted to be hit with a face full of hot oil and sauteed vegetables. The kitchens had been magically enlarged to fit a full team, and what looked like thirty witches and wizards beat eggs, tossed vegetables, doused flames, and plated items. In the middle of it was Hannah, who looked like she was doing eight things at once, flicking her wrist to wandlessly tell the sinks to clean dishes or the heat to be turned up on a stove, all the while tasting and giving feedback.
Theo understood that this was likely a very bad time.
However, he'd paid for the International Floo fare, and really didn't want to make a return trip another day. The best he could think was that he would go and catch up with some friends and come back later in the evening, but Hannah turned, spotting him right away.
It was her kitchen; of course, she knew everything that went on in it.
"Nott?" She called out amongst the chaos. Before Theo could say anything, Hannah strode across to him, waving her hands to create a path through all the cutlery and kitchen wares flying across the stoves and tables.
"Hi Abbott," He said, unsure they were on friendly enough terms to use her first name. He knew that she was good friends with Hermione, but to what extent currently, he was unsure. Or, they'd been very close during their 8th year.
As far as his own interaction with her? None that he could recall.
"Do you know what I'm in the middle of?" She waved a hand, frustrated.
"Ah, yes. I mean, Luna's gala. You seem busy. I'll just return when you have less on your plate." He watched her face stay exactly the same, "Bad pun," He winced.
"It's less than a week until the gala. I won't have free time until after it's done."
Hannah sighed, motioning for him to follow. He made a 'huh' of surprise.
"If you came all this way from Paris, it would be important. Let's go." She said simply. He recalled why he liked Hufflepuffs. No subterfuge. They got to the point and didn't try to trick or manipulate.
Her office was filled with paperwork. It was also magically charmed, and Theo saw a menu board in constant revision as it seemed to draw produce information, dietary needs, and her own comments on dishes. Every second he glanced at it, it shimmered and the ingredient list changed ever so slightly, the recipes creeping this way or that way by just a tablespoon here or there.
He knew, like most galas, this was a large event. 600 people, per the last time he heard Draco talking about it. Sure, people would drop out, but then this person would want to bring their newest fling and well, they were back to an even and obnoxious number.
Over on the far wall was the seating chart. It seemed much more fixed than the menu. It was not in motion, but stagnant, with almost all the seats filled. He supposed it was late in the game to be replying.
He found himself, sitting with Draco and Luna, along with Cho, her French boyfriend, Ginny, and Lavender Brown. Not the worst table, but hardly the best either. In usual cases, he'd be glad to have Draco there.
"What can I do for you, Nott?" Hannah asked. There was no malice in her tone, just curiosity.
Theo turned to reply, but as he swiveled his head, his sight caught Hermione's name. She was not sitting next to Ron, but maybe he wasn't coming, but was sitting next to Hannah, Neville, Faye, Seamus, and Ernie.
"Ah," Hannah said softly, arms crossed. She had a cagy look about her, something telling, and Theo had to wonder...did she know? Did she know how he felt? Did he know about the kiss?
"Ron's not here."
"He and Harry have a mission," Hannah said, never letting anything slip.
"I-,"
"I get why you're here right now. You want to sit by Hermione." Hannah said, staring him down. Though she was a petite witch, the way she was looking at him sort of made him shake in his boots.
"Well, yes." Why lie now, since she knew already?
Hannah ran her fingers through her warm golden hair, "Oh, Luna," She sighed.
"Luna could have demanded I sit there?" Theo groaned, understanding.
"Of course. It's her gala. I'm changing people on her request every day. Just this morning, I had to separate Anthony and Katie Bell because they broke up two days ago. Had a huge row. Obviously, Luna realized they shouldn't sit together. Apparently, she asked the moon and found better romantic matches for them."
Theo wondered if Luna had asked the moon about his woes.
"So...you'll switch me?" He studied Hermione's table, "Ginny is friends with Faye, isn't she? That'll be a fine one."
Hannah gave a laugh, "You think it's that easy?"
"Isn't it?"
"Literally, sure. Theoretically?" She clicked her tongue at him, "Nott...what are you playing?"
"I'm not playing," He said, bristling at the accusation.
"Then why? Why sit by her? When you know what I know…" She trailed off.
"About Ron?"
He had to remember to perhaps invite Hannah to his game nights. She had a fantastic poker face. He was getting nothing out of her, which was shocking. He always thought Hufflepuffs wore their emotions on their sleeves. Perhaps they did, when they were not defending their friends.
Theo found he wasn't sure how to answer. He stared helplessly at Hannah, unable to even really articulate how he felt. Perhaps it was in his eyes, or maybe it was the broken look on his face, but Hannah was able to read all the things he didn't say.
"Yeah." She nodded, "Well, you'll have to go ask Faye herself. She wanted to sit by Ernie- I think she might hold a flame for him - but she also is good friends with Hermione. Or we were in school, near the end…" She trailed off, "Either way, you convince her, I'll do it."
Theo tried to hold in a groan; another quest? Another task? It was like the world was seeing how far he'd go for Hermione Granger, how much he'd grovel and beg.
Or, perhaps, that was exactly it. He had to prove his worthiness, show he'd go to the end of the earth for her.
He squared his shoulders, smiling at Hannah in his charming Slytherin way, "Mint. Where can I find Faye?"
XXX
Faye was at a Quidditch pitch outside of London. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he recalled she had been rather good at this sport.
No, rather good wasn't the way to put it. She'd been great, and had they been in the business of talking, he would have loved to play against her some time.
Either way, it was easy to find her. While her face still looked exactly the same as it had during their school years, her hair was now cropped short and an array of electric colors that shimmered and changed with each second. He waved her over and when she gracefully dropped down, the only time she ever was graceful (he recalled a time she'd tripped over the Great Hall mess tables and splattered food all over Ron) and whistled out loud.
"I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me," She said, smiling as mischievous as a fox, "Theodore Nott. In the flesh."
"Faye, I have a favor to ask you," Theo said, sighing, getting right to the point.
Faye magically parked her broom and started to unwind her braces, "Yeah?"
"For Luna's gala...I want to sit at the table you're at. Hannah said that I have to get your permission to switch before she does it."
"You don't go to galas," Faye huffed out a laugh.
"I do. I do now." Theo said, trying to keep the conversation in a straight line.
"Do 'now'." Faye hadn't been stupid, and this didn't slip past her.
"I have a vested interest there," Theo said, hoping he could brush it off as some business venture or otherwise. He wasn't the type to spill his hearts everywhere, and certainly not to three people in one day. Luna was, well, Luna so fine. He'd felt he needed to for Hannah, but he wasn't keen on getting mushy a third time for Faye.
"Godric, who was at the table again? Seamus, Neville, Hannah of course, Ernie-,"
"I'm with Lavender, Cho and Ginny, Luna and Draco. Not a bad group," Theo interrupted her, "So...if you'd…"
Faye pulled a face. She stared at him for a moment and Theo gave a long sigh.
"I know it's asking a lot. I know that you wanted to sit by Ernie and well…" Wasn't he doing the same? Trying to sit next to the person he liked? "I'll make it worth your time." He said plainly.
"Okay…" Faye's hair was still changing colors, and he distractedly wondered if they meant something, "I'm listening."
He had thought perhaps she'd have something in mind. Or maybe she did and she was waiting to see what she'd pony up. Usually, people named, stupidly, what they wanted and sold themselves short. Faye was not doing this.
"One favor. Later." He said, "With some obvious restrictions." He added sharply.
Faye sighed, "I really wanted to sit by Ernie…" She pouted, and damn it, maybe Hermione was making him soft and swayed by romance, but he groaned.
"Two favors." He hated promising non-explicitly clear favors. He liked to know what he was agreeing to, but it seemed Faye was surprisingly adept at this. And, for Hermione? He'd get Faye the moon if that's what she wanted. Two favors were hardly anything in comparison. Plus, how bad could favors from Faye truly be?
Faye considered it, tapping her chin, "Well, now that seems fair. Shake?" She asked. Her palms were sweaty, but Theo hardly cared. He just felt relief.
He watched as Faye used her wand to summon a paper and quill to write to Hannah. Just as Theo was about to turn to leave, his work done here, Faye gave a strange choking sound.
"Are you okay?" He asked politely. If she died, at least that would get rid of those favors- and that of course, he reminded himself, was a very bad thought. Old Theo thinking, something Draco would tell him to be better about. Still, he hated being indebted to people.
"I just...the rest of the table. Hermione. She's the other person." She licked her lips, staring intently at Theo, "You know...she was always-,"
She cut herself off.
Theo spun on his heels, coming back to Faye.
"Hermione was always what?" He demanded, hoping to hear the end of this, to give some much-needed insight he felt he'd always been missing.
Faye grinned mischievously, shrugging, "It's probably not for me to say, Nott." She said, "Well. Now I'm put-out I won't be there to see it."
"See what?" How many people knew about this...thing he had for Hermione? He could still count the numbers on only one hand, but he would prefer it to be no hands.
Faye's lips were sealed. He had to consider she was just playing him for laughs, so he stood, brushing off his jacket.
"Right then. I am sorry that you'll be separated from Ernie. I'm sure you two can...find time for your romance later." Theo said sincerely. He had no way of knowing if those two would get along, but out of gratitude for her agreement, he had no reason to wish them badly.
Faye made a laugh, "Merlin, you think I fancy him? Hannah thinks I do?" She guessed at Theo's raised eyebrows, "Oh, she's always been a bit flighty. She probably means well. All I said was 'I'd like to get next to Ernie'. Maybe she misheard me and thought I said I wanted to get on top of him? No matter; Ernie and I have a bet going and I-,"
"So wait, you don't like Ernie?" Theo said, "You just made a big deal about not wanting to switch! I thought it was because…" He groaned. He thought he'd really been putting Faye out. It was over a silly bet?
"Wanted to see what you'd offer up," Faye said, and somewhere, he knew he'd been had, just a tiny bit.
He wasn't sure if he wanted to groan or laugh, "You do realize that was very Slytherin of you."
Faye shrugged, "I've been told. You know I went to Durmstrang for a moment there. Picked up a few things."
"Seriously, no attraction to the duffer?" Theo knew he'd be up regretting those two favors all night, and basically forever unless things went to brill with Hermione he forgot.
"Not that you'd know, I suppose, but I'm actually with a bloke from America. Have been for, oh, three years now? We just moved in together." Faye said, "So no...nothing for Ernie. And honestly, the bet isn't even that big of a deal."
Theo felt ready to pull his hair out, "Then why go through all this?"
"Because," Faye was starting to pack her things up to go home, "The rest of the world may have written you off, but I haven't. I still know that a Nott's promise is worth its weight in gold." She saluted him, "I'll be writing Nott. Keep a lookout for my owl. Ciao."
As she popped away from the field, Theo had mixed feelings. Or, more so, arguing feelings. One side of his brain was telling him he should be embarrassed the way Faye ran circles around him in terms of cunning and told him he was foolish for letting that happen! The other part and the part he was pretty sure was winning, was just a repeating loop that he was going to get to sit next to Hermione at the gala.
