Hermione could feel her breath catch in her throat as she moved to knock on the bathroom door that connected to Theo's room.
"Come in" he called from the other side.
She opened the door tentatively searching the room for him. He was sitting in the window looking out over the grounds. His hair messy from running his hands anxiously through it waiting for her to arrive. Worry etched in his features.
"You weren't at dinner, have you eaten?" Her voice was soft, and she looked at him concerned.
"I wasn't and I have. One of the elves brought me something though, no need to worry."
"Oh, good" she looked everywhere but at him. He could tell she was just as nervous about this conversation as he was.
The normal comfortable air they have around them gone, now filled with each one's own worries and doubts as to how this conversation would go. Hermione opened her mouth to speak but Theo found his voice first.
"I'm sorry for today, it was foolish of me, I forgot myself. It won't happen again" his tone was serious but his face warm.
"Don't be. I liked it, I was just unaware of the implications that's all, Ginny explained."
"I know, I ran into Red in the hall. I am sorry though, I put your reputation at risk, more than once the past few days. I know it seems foolish considering everything we just went through, a war and all, but I forgot the difference in cultural upbringing, I forgot that you might not know the rules and I took advantage of that. I am sorry Hermione, truly. With your blessing I would like to write to Mr Weasley and ask his permission to officially court you."
Hermione nodded her head as he spoke, waiting until he took a moment to breathe and watch his shoulder relax.
"You don't have to apologise. You are right, we come from different backgrounds, and it was also foolish of me to not even consider that the way you were behaving, whilst normal in Muggleborn/Muggle society is normal that for you it would not have been. I'm not upset with you Theo; you think I would be standing here talking with you if I thought you were taking advantage of me? You think Ginny would let you be alive right now?" Hermione couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips as she watched his face change. "But yes, you have my permission to write to Mr Weasley, and thank you for asking me instead of going behind my back."
Feeling slightly emboldened she walked to the window and joined in on the loveseat.
They sat for hours in the window.
Theo explaining all the ways they, well mostly he as she was a Muggleborn and had no idea, had messed up. How even now them sitting here alone in his bedroom would be frowned upon, that they should move to the common room for the sake of her honour.
Hermione explaining everything Ginny had told her and how backwards and completely mental Pureblood society seemed. How dating was different in the muggle world.
Mostly they laughed at their friends. At the look on Draco's face when Theo had told him, at how Ginny had threatened Theo.
"She's right you know," Hermione laughed "they would never find your body and even if they did, I doubt the girlfriend of the chosen one is going to end up in Azkaban."
"Yes, but you see Hermione you lot are underestimating just how much of a pain in the ass Draco Malfoy can be"
"Oh, sweet Theodore did you forget we all went to school together. I am well aware of the HUGE pain in the ass he can be."
The night air became cold, and they knew it was time to say goodbye. Theo had told Hermione that although sleeping next to her brought him more peace than he had ever felt he would not risk her reputation more than he already had. With a soft kiss on her hand, he wished her goodnight.
