Theo was pacing back and forth in Draco's room. His mind running a million miles a minute.

"Mate, seriously stop, you're going to burn a hole in my floor." Draco chuckled lightly.

"How am I meant to do this? Do I court her as I would a Pureblood? I don't know how to date a Muggleborn Drake! What are the rules? McGonagall looked like she was going to hex me for a moment there."

"Okay firstly, you are asking the wrong person if you want to know how to date a Muggleborn, believe it or not I don't have much experience in that error. Secondly, why don't you just court her traditionally? I'm sure Ginny could explain the rules to her. Or even better just ask Hermione yourself. I get it's not an entirely Slytherin concept to bear your emotions, but you seem to have given up on self-preservation when you picked this particular witch to have a crush on. Besides McGonagall's not going to stop you, if anything you and Hermione getting together would help things in terms of unity."

Draco was right of course, the whole purpose of the dorms they had was to mix all the houses, to allow them to create bonds not dependent upon the colour of the tie they wore. A cross-house couple would help foster this, especially if it was a Slytherin and a Gryffindor. But Theodore didn't know if he was ready for that kind of pressure. Every move they made would be watched and scrutinised. He could picture the horrible things people might say about her being with the son of a Death Eater, was he ready to put her back in to the limelight when she seemed so eager to shy away from it.

"You're spiralling." Draco's voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"I am not" he stumbled

"You are too, and you got yourself into this, what were you thinking when you grabbed her hand today?"

"I wasn't thinking obviously. I was just drawn to her, waking up and seeing her trying to sneak out, it crushed me a little. I just couldn't stand to see her walk away from me again, so I reached out and grabbed her hand."

"WAIT, go back, sneaking out?"

Theo inwardly cursed himself, he hadn't told Draco about Hermione falling asleep in his bed.

"Theodore Nott! What were you thinking! You know the rules. What if you had been caught? "

"Don't lecture me about rules; I caught you and Astoria in her just yesterday."

"That is different we are officially courting, and I would never impede upon her honour by having her stay here overnight. A few stolen moments in private are one this but sleeping in the same bed is another and you bloody well know it."

"It was an accident, I was having another nightmare, and she came in to soothe me. I asked her to stay until I fell asleep and when I woke up, she was still there."

Draco was shaking his head and his best friend. It should come as no surprise that honour was of the highest importance among Purebloods. Whilst the men are the heads of the families, it was always made abundantly clear that the utmost respect was to be given to their wives. They after all ran the household and would bring their heirs into the world. To disrespect your woman was to bring shame upon your family name.

"If anyone where to find out do you have any idea what this would do to her reputation?"

"Of course, I am aware! I seem to believe you were part of the problem with her reputation during the Triwizard tournament."

"This is different Theo this isn't some stupid reporter printing gossip pieces; we aren't kids anymore. If you like her, hell if you think one day you might love her, then you must do this the right way. The Pureblood way. Talk to her, figure this out before you royally fuck it up."

Theo knew he was right of course. If he ever wanted a serious future with Hermione, then this needed to be approached the correct way. Whilst Pureblood mania was on the decline traditions such as this were still to be upheld. He would not be to blame for Hermione's honour being besmirched.

He walked back to his room and was lost in thought when he bumped into Ginny. He could tell by the look on her face that Hermione had told her everything.

"She knows now, I explained. Well, everything I knew, so you two better figure out what you are doing because everyone is already talking about this after the little stunt you pulled today."

"I know, I wasn't thinking McGonagall already spoke to me." He looked at his feet nervously he was screwed.

"You want my advice?" he looked up to see slight pity in her eyes.

"Yes"

"Ask her yourself first, then if you are serious, and I mean serious, and she says yes. Owl my dad. We are the closest thing she has to family and while she may not need their permission. And you both better be ready for the shit storm that will follow, it will work out better for you both in the long run."

He nodded his head, "Thanks Red."

"And Nott," he met her strong gaze, "if you hurt her, they will never find your body."

"Noted."

They shared a smile before Theo entered his room so he could get clean up before dinner. Though he wasn't sure he would be able to eat knowing Hermione planned to talk to him after.