Here is your chapter today.

TW: This is one that talks explicitly about her Depression and it's affects on those around her, if you're not in a good place for that, please skip! I'll put a short note at the bottom about what the convo entails!


Monday, October 6, 1998

If Theo hadn't woken her up, she knew she would have slept through the whole day. She was going through the motions, she could feel it, but it didn't seem like anyone else was aware. Everyone seemed so wrapped up in their own worlds, Hermione wasn't sure if she was even a blip on their radars.

Even Draco and Theo seemed more wrapped up in each other these past few days than usual, not that she could blame them. She supposed that was one of the things she appreciated most about their relationship. It was a very even circle with all of them loving each other, for the most part it was all equal, but some days the boys were more affectionate with each other than with her.

"Pull yourself out of it," she mumbled to herself after dinner. She was wandering down the hallway towards her favourite window seat. It had the best view of the stars and was always the best place to think when she was in one of her moods. The worst part is there wasn't a reason. It was so illogical. There had to be a reason she was sad, but she couldn't find one no matter how hard she tried.

She knew it was literally depression, but depression didn't make any sense. She was smart and driven and loved. She had enough food and a warm place to sleep. She was married to her bloody soulmates. Her parents were back in her life…

"Hermione," Draco said softly. She turned to look at him, tearing her gaze away from the stars outside. Draco was standing next to Theo, who was holding his hand and looking nervous.

Great this is when they're going to tell me they need a break, Hermione thought to herself.

Theo's jaw dropped and Draco sputtered. He dropped Theo's hand and kneeled in front of her. Theo took a step forward and stood a bit off to the side.

"What would ever make you think we don't want to be with you?" Draco whispered.

"What do you mean?" she asked, pretending to play dumb. She hadn't meant to think so loud, but she wasn't going to admit that.

"Playing dumb doesn't suit you," Theo scoffed, crossing his arms. "You thought that loud enough for the bloody Queen to hear you."

Draco shot him a look and he shut his mouth and clenched his jaw. Draco turned back to look at her. "Darling, we've noticed you've been… off," he said gently.

"I'm just tired," she said, trying to brush it off.

Theo snorted, but didn't say anything. "Hermione, you know we're here for you no matter what," Draco continued, undeterred. "Please talk to us."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," she said, crossing her arms over her stomach.

Draco gave her a curious look and was about to speak when Theo butted in. "That's absolute bollocks, Hermione! We've been together since bloody Fourth Year! You think I don't know that you have Depression? It was one of the first things your dad talked to me about. You think you fed yourself and finished all your assignments when you were in a depressive episode all by yourself?"

Hermione sputtered out a noise. "Theo I don't think-" Draco started.

"No! She needs to hear it!" Theo said angrily, clenching his hands. "Hermione I've tried to let you pull yourself out of this, but enough is enough. You need to talk to a Mind Healer. I know you can't control this, it's a bloody disease, but if Draco had diabetes would you just tell him to 'eat better?'"

"Well of course not, but Theo this is jus-" Hermione tried.

"It's not 'just,' Hermione! Don't you see.?It kills me when you're like this. I know I'll never know how it feels, but I hate that it sucks the life out of you. I hate seeing you isolate. I hate watching how when I kiss Draco it puts stupid thoughts about us leaving you into your head. Thats. Not. You. That's the depression!" he said, panting now.

Hermione blinked at him, "I thought-"

"Let me guess, you thought we didn't notice?" Theo snorted. "Bloody stubborn witch! I've noticed since bloody First Year. Every late September, early November, your insecurities take command, it's usually low grade until we get back from Christmas break. Then you spiral for a few weeks until exam stress pulls you out. Then the summers are magical rainbows, then we start all over again."

"Well if you hate it so much, then why are you here?" she asked, frowning.

"I think what Theo is trying to say-" Draco started.

"No, I want to hear it from him, he has no trouble shouting at me, let him try to dig himself out," she said, growing at Theo.

"Oh that's fucking rich," Theo scoffed, "try to push us away. Well good fucking luck with that, witch. You. Are. Ours. There is no getting rid of us. I'd fucking swim across the sea to save you. I'd carry you across the bloody Sahara desert. You think this," he gestured to her sunken posture, "Is going to scare me away? Fat chance! I just want you to be happy and healthy!"

Hermione gaped at him. "Well I-"

"Darling," Draco said quickly, "we love you so much and we're worried. You're not letting us in to help and that's all we really want, to help."

"I don't know how to ask for help," she said softly.

"You never have to ask, love," Theo said sitting next to her, his tone flipping into affection.

"But I don't know what I need," she whispered.

"We don't expect you to," Draco said, holding her hands, "we just expect you to talk to us and keep us informed on what's going on in that big, beautiful brain."

"I've been looking into different solutions from other people, Wizarding and Muggle," Theo said after a few moments, "There are Anti-Depressants, some that are pregnancy safe. We can talk to a therapist or a Mind Healer, there are a few potions that mimic some of the effects of the Muggle pills. Sometimes it's about having more Vitamin D."

"But I don't want to be weak," Hermione said. "I've always handled it, I can handle it."

"But darling," Draco said, "you don't have to. We're here. Really we've always been, but now you're our wife so it's extra official. Let us help you, please?"

Hermione sat for a few moments. "Do you know a Mind Healer who could help?"

"I'll talk to Yvonne, our midwife and see if she has any suggestions," Theo said softly. "Love you're the best thing that ever happened to us, and we just want you to feel happy and safe."

"I-" Hermione stopped before she said something defensive again. "Thank you," she whispered as she leaned into Theo's shoulder and squeezed Draco's hands.


TW: Theo and Draco confront Hermione about her depression, Theo gets slightly annoyed (because he's worried) and eventually they convince Hermione that she should talk to a Mind Healer


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