Theo barely slept that night. It was the first time since returning to Hogwarts that he had spent the night fully alone without Hermione. And let me tell you, it was agony. He knew of course that it was very un-Slytherin of him to be so open and attached to her, but at this moment he did not seem to care. What had house loyalties brought him other than anguish. Anguish at his father's choices, despair at what it had caused his best friend to turn into. No Theo had decided that from now on he would be standing in the light not the shadows and Hermione was just that. Pure light. Golden.

He rose with the sun and made his way to the owlery. He must have written and rewritten this letter twenty times before he deemed it was moderately acceptable enough to send to Mr Weasley. But what were you meant to write to the man that wasn't technically the father of the girl you are not technically yet dating, to ask permission to traditionally court her despite the fact your father literally tried to kill her, and she has absolutely no idea what traditional courting actually means!

Theo had to stop to breathe has his pulse raced. No. now was not the time for a panic attack. Pull it together Nott. He looked at the letter one last time, checking for the hundredth time that everything was correct.

Dear Mr Weasley,

We may not know each other well yet and I have every intention of changing that. My name is Theodore Nott, and I am writing in order to seek permission to officially court your magical ward Hermione Jean Granger. I understand if this comes as a shock to you given house affiliations and such but rest assured, I have spoken with Hermione (and Ginevra) about my intentions to write to you and she has given me her blessing to do so. I have also spoken with Headmaster McGonagall and am most certain that when you are ready, she would be happy to facilitate an official meeting between both Mrs Weasley, yourself and I.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Theodore Nott

Taking a deep breathe Theo placed the letter back in the envelope and sent it on its way to the Burrow. Well, there was no going back now. It was done.

No sooner had Theo returned to the castle as to when he heard the first frantic screams

"Where the bloody hell is he!? I'll kill him I will!"

There standing in the middle of the entry way to great hall was Ronald Weasley frantically waving what Theo assumed to be his letter to Mr Weasley in Hermione's face. By Weasley's side looked a very disheartened Potter. It was at that moment Theo realised his mistake; he had addressed the letter to Mr. Weasley. He hadn't specified which one! And it would appear as though it went to the Weasel and not his father.

"Ronald, you need to calm down right this instance." Hermione's tone was calm and collected, Theo could tell this was clearly not the first time she had to talk Weasley down.

"Don't tell me to fucking calm down Hermione, do you know what this thing fucking says!" He threw the letter in her face and by this point Theo was both close enough to intervene and furious that Weasley had spoken to Hermione in such a way.

"WEASLEY!" Theo's voice boomed causing the red head to jump startled by the tall Slytherins sudden presence.

"Shit..." Potter mumbled under his breath.

"You would do well to remember that is a lady you are speaking to and watch your tone! Last time I checked Hermione was a grown women and did not have to run her decisions by you, nor you Potter I see the face you're making. You know damn well that letter was not intended for you. Did you at least have the decency to let your father read it before you came storming in her like an overgrown toddler?" Weasley turned to face Theo, Potters hand resting on his forearm as if keeping him in place.

This was now a full-blown scene, Ginny had come to stand by Hermione and Draco and Blaise were watching tentatively from the sidelines, knowing Theo would be less than impressed if they did not allow him the sole privilege of defending Hermione's honour. It was of course his right as he planned to court her.

Weasley muttered under his breath something along the lines of 'yes my father read it' before he turned his back to Theo, grabbing Hermione harshly by the forearm "We are going. Now. Somewhere snakes aren't welcome."

"Ron...Ron let go" Hermione protested.

"You heard her Weasley!" but this did not appear to matter as he gripped her tighter and begun to drag her toward Gryffindor Tower.

"Ron… Ron, you're hurting me! Let go"

In a moment that shocked many, none more than the Slytherins watching. Theo did something truly muggle.

Reaching forward he grabbed Weasley by the shoulder, the pressure from his grip forcing the other to let go of Hermione. Turned Weasley toward him and punched him in the face.

As the redhead hit the floor Theo let out a growl "Don't you ever fucking touch her like that again"

His body was shaking, he could feel his heartbeat in his ears and to his surprise he suddenly had a beautiful witch in his arms.

"Theo are you alright? You didn't have to do that" she looked over his hand and muttered a quick cooling charm to stop them from swelling further.

Of course, this was the moment that Headmaster McGonagall and the Weasley parents arrived. Theo with bloody knuckles and Ronald Weasley laying on the floor, Potter at his side. Un-bloody-believable. Impeccable timing really.

"You six, my office, now." The headmaster boomed pointing to the group.

"What did I do!" Both Draco and Ginny yelled as they were forced to follow along.

Great just great this was not the first impression Theo wanted to make.