Chapter 8

Theo had fought with himself all day. He wanted, more than anything, to see her but he knew he should stay away, give her the space she needed. So, while she was milling round the bookshop, he got some much needed shut eye at the Hotel.

He'd fully warded the bookshop as soon as he'd spotted her in it the first day he'd arrived into town, so he knew she'd be safe as long as she remained there. She had done a pretty good job of the warding herself, she was Hermione Granger after all, but he added a few extra layers of security on top to make sure she was well protected and he'd know straight away if anything was amiss.

He folded himself under the duvet, closing his eyes and sleeping dreamlessly.


When he woke later that afternoon, he scoffed down a sandwich he'd ordered from room service. It was an interesting choice of sandwich, something with prawns, but it came with crisps so it wasn't all a let down.

He'd received an update from Potter before he'd gone to bed that morning. It had taken a few owls and then a disgruntled floo call from himself to make sure that Potter stayed put in London. All they needed was Harry Potter rocking up to make Hermione really freak the fuck out and run. He had to remind Harry that they needed to keep Hermione where they could see her.

He'd accidently let slip that he'd spoken to her, he didn't mention the dinners or their arguments. Potter had gone crazy at him; his skin all red and blotchy as he paced angrily in front of the floo. "Fucking hell, Theo, I thought you'd have more self control than that!"

"Watch it, Potter." He knew Harry was his superior and he shouldn't have spoken to him like that, but some habits died harder than others.

Potter had breathed, "How is she?" The words were quiet, dejected, and he knew then how hard it must be to know where she was and not lay eyes on her.

"Not great." He'd admitted sadly.

"Look after her." Was all Potter had said before he disconnected the floo.

Thinking back on the call, Theo slumped back in the bed, looking at his watch. Harry had told him another two Aurors would be appearing in town as back up. These two were given strict orders not to engage her, and Harry trusted that these ones would obey those orders. He wondered who it would be, probably two people he didn't know either. It couldn't be anyone in their year as both Hermione and himself would recognise them instantly on sight.

It was almost five in the afternoon, Hermione would be finishing up at the bookshop soon. He could tell she hadn't left yet because there had been no notification of her moving through his wards. He hoisted himself out of bed, his weary bones sighing under the effort. He hadn't had nearly enough sleep.

After a quick shower under the hotels slightly dismal water pressure, he ran a towel over his head. With the last few days being a bit chaotic, he hadn't had time to properly shave. A soft sprinkling of stubble was appearing on his jaw. He considered it for a moment, quite liking the ruggedness of it. Deciding to leave it for the moment, he moved to his extendable suitcase and pulled out a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt, topping it off with a leather jacket. Since he'd entered the muggle world, he'd taken to sporting rather different looks than his usual style; suits and dress robes exchanged for casual muggle attire. He had to say he was liking this, more casual, Theo.

Walking out into the corridor, he said hello to a passing housekeeper and walked down the long passage until he reached the elevators. They opened with a ding. As he stepped in, he solidified his decision for today in his mind; he would give her space and stay away, he didn't want to push her.


He stopped outside the bookshop, casting a disillusionment charm over himself. He sat on a weathered wooden bench and waited. He could see her through the window. He felt like a fucking creep. This was not what he wanted to be doing. It hadn't felt so bad when he had kept his distance, but now she knew he was in town and they had spoken, he felt so gross spying on her. It's for her own protection. It didn't matter, it felt wrong.

He got up, moving into the shadows to remove the charm. He'd feel the wards shift if anything happened and he could quickly come back, she looked like she was still pottering around and would be there a while.

He moved away to the coffee shop around the corner, pushing open the door and listening to the bell tinkling softly as he stepped in. It was warm and cosy and comfortable. Everything he needed today. Ordering a coffee, he moved to sit on a table in the back, paper in hand.

He flipped through a few pages, sipping at his drink. Suddenly, a tall, bespectacled man slid into the seat opposite him. Theo looked up, uneasy, as he surveyed the stranger. "Otter." The man said before Theo had a chance to open his mouth.

The code word Harry had chosen. He didn't tell Theo why, but it had settled and was now the chosen one for this case. "What's your name?"

"Harold Pentworth." The man took off his duffle coat, exposing a knitted blue sweater. "You don't know me, I was a fourth year when you were at Hogwarts. I recently joined the Aurors and Harry thought I would be the least likely person Hermione would recognise." Theo waited, tapping his fingers on the table, "Kevin Howards also arrived into town with me, he's keeping watch over the bookshop now."

"Any news from Potter?"

"Nothing yet, still no sightings of Greyback." Theo nodded slowly, the man he didn't know continued, "Potter said you and Granger were getting cosy."

Theo choked out a laugh, "Not like that."

"No, but it would probably look weird if she caught you skulking around the shop or her home. Kevin and I will alternate day and night surveillance shifts and you can interact with her as you were."

Theo reeled, who was this fucking child telling him what he can and can't do. He looked barely eighteen. "I am in charge here."

"No, I am." Harold stood, throwing down a five pound note to pay for the to-go cup in his hand. "You blew it when you made contact with her." He stalked out before Theo could get another word in.

Anger surged in him and he smacked a hand fiercely against the table. He quickly realised that everyone was staring at him after his outburst. "Sorry," Theo murmured, bowing his head, collecting his jacket and coffee, and marching outside.

Potter was going to have some words coming to him. What the fuck.


Theo strode up the street, anger marring his vision. Potter had some bloody gall, sending him around the country looking for Hermione and then taking him off case lead. He was finally starting to feel a sense of purpose again, not just like he was milling around doing nothing... and now what? He was going to have to listen to some suck-up Ravenclaw giving him orders?

"Stupid fucking Potter," he cursed, chucking his cup into a nearby bin with more force than necessary. He was going to end up stewing in his own anger if he went back to the hotel, so instead, he turned left and found the town's only pub.

Pushing open the door, probably a little more violently than necessary, Theo marched inside, ready to stew in self-pity.

He was alone, bar the barkeep, who was wiping down glasses and surfaces that all looked spotless already.

"Whiskey. The bottle." He sat, tapping a finger on the bar and dropping a wad of cash. The balding barman pulled down a bottle of Amber liquid and poured Theo a healthy measure.

Theo downed it in one, knocking it back and nodding his head for a refill, "Bad day?"

"No, it's been smashing." Rolling his eyes, Theo chucked back the second glass in a gulp, "I thought barmen were meant to be good at small talk."

"Now now." The barman poured himself a shot and cheersed with Theo as they downed it with a grimace, "It's only six, it takes me a while to warm up."

Theo laughed, "Well, we have a lot to get through," He brandished the bottle and poured two more measures.


Theo's head slumped to the bar. The last time he'd checked, it was only nine o'clock, but he'd maybe... just maybe... had too much to drink.

"Hey." The barman prodded his cheek with a stubby finger, "You alright?" Music was playing in the background, something high pitched that roared with every beat behind his temples.

"Errrr." Theo tried to answer, but he'd lost the words. What a crappy end to a crappy day. "No."

The bartender laughed, he'd probably seen a fair few Theo's in his life, slumped over the worn wood. "Can you get home?"

"N-no." Theo laughed to himself, tapping a finger against the bar. He didn't think he'd ever been this drunk and lacking control in public before; it must be a terrible sight.

"Theo?" He looked up, eyes spinning slightly. White fluffy hair, on a short, old woman... he knew her.

He just couldn't place... "Margaret?" He asked, trying to focus on the small woman.

"Theo, darling, are you here alone?"

"Yes." He shrugged, "I'm always alone."

Margaret looked at the barman, "How did you let him get like this, Bob?" She scolded, tapping her cane on the floor and growling like the disgruntled grandma she was.

"I'm s-sorry, Margaret." Theo forced out groggily. Theo's head dropped back to the bar with a thump.

Margaret tutted, "You shush, dear." She looked at the barman, "Call, Hermione," Margaret reached into her burgundy bag, pulling out a small phone book and handing it to Bob. "Hermione Edwards."

Theo tried to shake his head, but Margaret just patted him atop his brown hair and told him to be quiet. Theo gurgled slightly but did as he was bade.

Margaret took the pint of lager handed to her by Bob and slipped into the seat next to Theo, telling him she'd wait with him. It didn't take long for Hermione to show up, brown hair pulled into a bun.

She looked exhausted and he felt guilt fly through him... he was meant to be staying out of her way. That had worked almost as well as his plan to sweep in and save her. "Theo," she whispered gently, touching his shoulder, "Are you alright? What happened?"

"No," He mumbled, pulling himself up and looking at her, "And I can't tell you."

"Theo," She raised her eyebrows, looking at him.

"Hermione," He mimicked her, eyes crinkling as he smiled.

"Thanks, Margaret, and he's sorry, Bob." She sighed, running a hand over her hair and pulling the glass he tried to take another glug from from his hand. "Come on," she pulled on his arm with both hands until she managed to drag him to his feet, "Let's get you home."

"My home is in London." Was all he said, waving a hand over his shoulder at Bob, who was laughing, and stumbling over his feet.

Hermione kept a hold on him. "Okay, I'll take you to my home."

She pulled him out of the pub and into the frigid night air. She shivered and he hugged her tighter. Theo laughed as they turned the corner, stumbling down the empty street, "I'm in no mood to seduce you, Granger." He ran a finger down her cheek.

"That is certainly not on the cards." She murmured. She tried not to let fear settle in her stomach, but the smell of alcohol, the thick weight of him, the blue eyes that had been haunting her nightmares staring hazily at her, was almost too much. She didn't trust Theo sober, and people were even more unpredictable drunk. She dropped him onto the withered bench that sat on the corner of the only main street. "Just give me a minute."

"Hermione?" He tried to reach for her, but pitched to the side and fell onto his arm.

"Please, Theo." Holding up her hand, she turned and walked a few paces away, hugging her arms around her body. It wouldn't do to breakdown in the middle of the street, where everyone could see. She took a deep breath, counting to ten and closing her eyes against the world. She could feel her heart slowing slightly, her breathing becoming shallower. Finally she turned. Theo was watching her, looking very dishevelled, but he kept quiet. "Okay." She said, summoning courage and holding her wand tightly, just in case.

She heaved him up with some effort, grunting out as she hoisted all six and a bit feet of him until he stood. He was no help at all. "Come on." Was what she got out before he spun on his heel and vomited into a bush. Dignified. "I think we need to stop throwing up in front of each other." She murmured, rubbing his back as he choked and then scrubbed a hand over his mouth.

"I told you that I needed you." He mumbled. She gripped his arm again, dragging him upright and leading him down the street to her home. She smiled drily to herself as she shut the front door behind them, It's somewhat nice to feel needed. She had to admit it wasn't a healthy thought.