Beta love to the lovely Jasmett...who is entirely responsible for Theo and Hermione's argument!
Severus sighed as he watched Moody run yet another session. So far he had made Harry and Hermione work harder than any of the rest of them, putting them up against everyone else individually, all at once and in doubles until they were exhausted.
"You'll not be hexing me again now, will you?" Moody grinned.
"No Sir," they grumbled, glaring at him.
"Good. Now. Nott with Potter, Longbottom with Granger-Snape, Bones with Female Weasley, Twins against each other and Draco with Weasley three." Fred and George gaped at him in horror. Moody's grin was sharklike.
"Move!" he barked.
It was utter chaos. Harry and Theo were surprisingly well matched given how hesitant the boy had been before and like Longbottom had previously, he was making Harry work. He saw Hermione narrow her eyes at them. That was not going to end well. Longbottom appeared to have no trouble flinging hexes at Hermione thankfully, he dreaded to think what would have happened if he'd been hesitant with her too. As it was, they were rather amusing to watch as their friendship took over and they began taunting each other playfully while keeping up a constant barrage of jinxes. Susan however looked less than pleased, making short work of the youngest Weasley so she could watch….or well, glare.
Draco had Ron bound in under five minutes, although the boy was improving, just not quickly enough. Someone was going to have to step in if it continued. Fuck it had better not be him. Remus. Remus could do it. The boy might listen then.
Harry finally got a clear shot at Theo, just as Hermione did the same with Neville. Everyone paused to watch the twins who were dancing around each other, laughing as they duelled with exaggerated flair, neither really taking it seriously. Moody watched with narrowed eyes. "Girl Weasley, Malfoy." he muttered softly, "Take them down."
Their eyes widened momentarily before they did as they were told. The twins gazed up at their sister, the betrayal evident on their faces.
"That's what you get for not paying attention! CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" Moody roared, releasing them. "Right, Malfoy and girl Weasley, Bones and Longbottom, Nott and Granger-Snape, Potter and Weasely three, Weasleys one and two. Again. Properly this time all of you or you'll all face me! Individually! I'll let Snape at you after that!"
All of them paled and moved to comply.
"He's still hesitant." Remus murmured, watching Theo and Hermione.
"At least he's attempting to hex her this time," Severus replied, watching as his daughter had him bound, sans cushioning charm in under five minutes. "It's the longest he's lasted."
"True. You might want to convince her of that though." Severus winced, silently agreeing with the wolf as he caught the look on Hermione's face that she was too slow to mask before he turned back towards the ongoing duels. He could worry about Hermione later, hopefully before he had to help her bury a sodding body.
An hour later Moody dismissed them, ordering them to find and practice three different spells they could use for next week. Utterly exhausted they trooped out of the door, murmuring their agreement as they left. Moody followed them out with a grin.
"Next week should be interesting. I never told them to make sure they're benign." Severus stifled his groan with difficulty as Moody disappeared from view. Fucking wonderful. He dreaded to think what they would all fucking come up with. He prayed that Moody had enough sense to prevent them from actually hurting one another, although he couldn't silence the small voice that pointed out that he'd view it as a learning opportunity. Poppy was going to fucking murder them all.
"They're doing well, you should be proud." Remus voiced into the silence, as they did a final sweep of the room to ensure no one had left anything.
"I am. Although Nott and Longbottom are still too hesitant. The girls are going to lose their tempers soon, did you see their faces when they faced the boys?"
Remus huffed out a laugh, "I almost swore I saw steam."
Severus quickly stifled his laugh, shushing Remus as he heard voices.
"Hogsmede is coming up soon, are you still wanting to go?" Neville asked hesitantly, Severus smirked from the doorway as he paused, wondering what Susan would say. Beside him, Remus rolled his eyes.
"After that?" Susan replied pointedly.
"I….yes?" Neville voiced carefully, clearly not sure what she meant.
"Gods this is painful," Theo muttered to Hermione.
She looked at him incredulously "What makes you think I still want to go with you? At least he had the balls to check."
"What?" Theo gaped
"What in the name of Merlin was that, Theodore Nott!" Hermione growled, losing the battle with her temper. "Am I some fragile little thing? Do I need the big bad boys to take care of me?" Theo's eyes widened as she poked his chest. "Well?"
"I…no?"
"You don't sound fucking convinced, Theo!" Hermione howled, noticing his hesitance.
Beside them, Neville's eyes grew wide as he realised what was happening. "This is about duelling?" he checked, his eyes darting between Susan and Hermione.
"Yes!" they shouted simultaneously.
"Shit," Theo muttered, "Is it so wrong that I don't want to hex you?"
"In this case, yes!"
"It's not that I don't want to hex you." Neville tried before realising how that sounded, "I mean….I don't want to hex you but….Godric…..I don't like the idea of me being the one that hurts you."
"You need to here." Susan replied, looking mollified, "How else will we learn? I don't bloody want to hurt you either but I want to be prepared and I can't do that if you treat me like I'm made of sodding glass! You don't treat anyone else like that!"
"Fine." Neville sighed, running a hand down his face, "I'm sorry, I never thought of it like that, I'll do better next week and….maybe we could practise those spells Moody's asked for together?"
"Good save." Remus muttered as Susan nodded, "Shame Notts not quite as quick on the uptake."
"But I shouldn't want to hex you." Theo was pleading, "And…I was taught to look after women…not….not deliberately fire off curses at them."
"Fuck." Severus hissed as Hermione's glare turned deadly.
"You think I need looking after? That I can't handle myself?"
"I…of course you can but….you're…you're a girl and Fathers always said that if and when I….met someone, it was my job to take care of them. I can't just hex you because Moody thinks it's funny. What happens when we're older and I'm bigger than you and…."
"Because bigger means magically stronger?"
"Oh fuck." Remus breathed.
"What? No…but….women's magic is…different."
"Different how?"
"Like…home and children and….he said they tend to be good at defence rather than offence because they learn to protect their child."
"I see." Hermione's voice was eerily calm. "So women are only good for household spells, child rearing and defending their children should they require it?"
Theo seemed to finally realise the mess he'd just created and he paled dramatically as he took in his girlfriend's tightly controlled fury.
"That girl has never reminded me more of you." Remus breathed, both of them watching with avid interest, privately wondering if they'd be forced to step in at some point shortly. Severus wondered if he really wanted to before deciding that he did not.
"I almost hope she murders the misogynistic little bastard," he muttered.
"I mean….not you….obviously but…. it's just proving a hard habit to break…."
"What makes me the exception?"
"I uh….quite honestly, you're terrifying."
"And my Aunt is not? My grandmother?"
"Right well…I see how maybe…..Father's behind the times…."
"And you are incapable of thinking for yourself?"
"I….no….no of course not. I ah..."
"Tell you what Theo. Come and speak to me when you fucking realise that just because some ridiculously outdated views persist in this world, it does not mean most of us fucking want to follow them. Until then I have no wish to see you. If you want a proper pureblood who'll let you act like a fucking caveman, I suggest you ask your father for recommendations. In fact, I insist. It's not like you can make a decision without his input." At that Hermione swept off down the corridor leaving a bewildered Theo standing with Neville and Susan.
"I'll ah…just go and check on her," Susan murmured.
"What just happened?"
"I believe Mr Nott, that my daughter informed you it was time to stop hiding behind your father and think for yourself," Severus answered wryly, stepping into the corridor. Before he too swept off in the direction Susan and Hermione had gone.
Remus looked at him with something nearing pity. "I have no idea how you can want to be with a girl like Hermione and still expect her to fit into all those neat little boxes you've been told women fit into." he sighed. "Go to your common room. Perhaps have a long think."
"Yes, sir," Theo replied meekly, his eyes still on the corridor Hermione had disappeared down. Neville winced, squeezing his shoulder in commiseration.
Severus found Hermione and Susan in an alcove, Susan's arm wrapped around Hermione's shoulder as she murmured soothing nonsense.
"Come to my rooms." he sighed, refusing to do this in the hallway, ushering the girls out of the alcove and down towards the dungeons. This had not been part of his plan for today. He had a bloody session with Marilynn this afternoon that he wasn't sure he was actually making. Not that he was hugely sad about that but the Gods knew the witch was unlikely to fucking believe his excuse.
"Sit." he directed, once they reached his rooms, Susan looking around with interest. "Roly? Can we have tea please?"
Thanatos bounced up towards them as the elf disappeared, whining until Hermione looked at him. Biting her lip, she didn't move for several seconds, Thanatos placed his paws onto her knee, dropping his head onto them, his whining getting louder when he didn't receive his usual response. After looking at him for a few seconds longer, she flung her arms around his neck and sobbed. Severus sighed. Fucking wonderful. Would Thoros really notice if Theodore lost a limb….he wasn't cruel. He could keep his wand arm. But perhaps the other one? Or an ear maybe….the boy wore glasses sometimes, that would amuse him. Or his tongue….if he lost his tongue he couldn't say things that upset Hermione. Maybe that was for the best.
Slowly he moved, wrapping his arm around Hermione and the infernal dog. "He is not worth crying over, my girl," he murmured.
"He's really not." Susan piped up from Hermione's other side "He'll either listen and fix it or he won't and then you'll know it wasn't worth it at all."
"Sound advice."
Slowly, Hermione extracted herself from Thanatos' fur, swiping at her eyes. "I know. But…was I too harsh?"
"No! Come on, you've been having the same conversation for weeks. You were just….less subtle about it this time," Susan protested, which was interesting. He hadn't been aware of that.
"It's how he was brought up though."
"And can you live like that? It was driving you mental and you've barely been together a few months."
Hermione sighed. "No. No, I guess you're right."
"What you need is a nice half-blood or muggleborn. That way you'll escape the pureblood nonsense."
"Or how about no boys at all," Severus interjected pointedly.
Susan laughed, "Lee Jordan's lovely." she replied smirking at Severus, "ooh or that hot Ravenclaw….Antony Goldstein."
Hermione gave a wet sounding laugh, "He is pretty to look at, so's Lee but I don't quite see that one working."
Susan shrugged, "No one mentioned a relationship. There's nothing wrong with just a date and a cheeky kiss."
"Cheeky kiss….No! For Circe's sake, absolutely fucking not!" Severus exploded, What the fuck was happening?
"Why?"
"Why? Why? Because just no! You're only fourteen."
Susan and Hermione were both laughing now. "You're ridiculous Father," Hermione murmured.
"And she needs a date for this ball Dumbledore's planning."
"How do you even know about that?" he asked bewildered, they hadn't announced it yet. They were waiting until Halloween.
Susan shrugged, "Hannah overheard Flitwick talking about it. Personally, I'd go for Lee, I imagine he'd be hilarious on a date. Or you could always ask Pucey….it might not get you away from the pureblood nonsense but it would definitely give Theo a kick up the…..ah…bum?" she finished flushing slightly as she looked at Severus.
He arched a brow at her. "You are a terrible influence."
Susan grinned back, "Such a shame you're not getting rid of me."
"Indeed."
"I don't actually want to hurt him, you know."
"I know." Susan sighed, "But do you really think he's going to be able to change the way he thinks?"
"I don't know," Hermione replied softly. "He cares too much about what Thorors thinks. And I get it, I just wish he had realised I was never going to be able to live up to all the rules. I wish I had realised I was never going to be able to live up to all the rules."
"There's nothing wrong with you being different, but maybe it's for the best. Lord Nott is really traditional and you're….."
"Not?" Hermione suggested
"Well yes. I worry about it with Neville. Lady Longbottom isn't exactly untraditional."
"So….I'll take Antony, you can have Lee?" Hermione grinned, making Susan laugh.
"Depending on how Hogsmeade goes, it might be worth a shot."
"You don't mean that!"
"No. I know." Susan sighed. "Which is a shame. He really is rather pretty to look at."
Severus sat in horrified silence as he listened to the girls. Apparently, he had been wrong this entire time. He shouldn't have been worrying about boys and alcoves he should have been worrying about Susan bloody Bones.
They were interrupted by Draco flying through the door. "Oh thank Merlin you're here!"
All four occupants of the room turned to stare at him, making him flush. "What's going on? Theo's in a right state, muttering something about Fathers and witches magic and you."
Hermione sighed, leaning into Severus's side. "I might have ended things," she said softly.
"What? Why? I thought….I don't understand."
"He won't jinx me,"
"You ended things with Theo because he won't jinx you?" Draco clarified, looking lost.
"Yes."
"Hermione." he whined, "Make sense."
Susan rolled her eyes. "He essentially informed her that she's weaker than him because she's female and that's why when we're duelling he won't duel her properly."
"Oh fuck." Draco breathed.
"Language! All of you! Don't think I missed your language earlier you two." Severus cut in.
"To be fair, I'm just slightly stunned he still has legs," Draco muttered.
"I'm sure we can fix that." Susan grinned.
"Or not."Severus glared, before continuing thoughtfully. "Thoros would notice. Perhaps an ear or his tongue would be more appropriate."
Susan considered him for a moment. "I think I might like you after all," she announced.
"Oh for fucks sake," Severus muttered as Hermione and Draco giggled.
"Language Father!" Hermione reprimanded primly before she lost her fight with her smile.
Severus rolled his eyes at her. "You're feeling better then, my girl?"
She shrugged, "I like him." she replied softly "But I will not be told I'm weaker than a man. I'm not, regardless of what his outdated views say."
"Indeed you are not," Severus replied softly. "However I will have to pull rank and lock you up for your own good if you ever bring Lee sodding Jordan to me and tell me you're together, are we clear?"
"What's this about Lee Jordan?" Harry asked, walking into the room. "I came to see where you were." he shrugged when they all looked at him for an explanation.
"He's pretty to look at."
"I….OK…. I feel like I've missed something." he frowned looking at his sister with concern.
"Theo is….not currently welcome," Susan said carefully, her eyes on Severus.
"Because he's a misogynistic prick." Hermione supplied, grinning impishly up at him.
Severus growled."Very close to locking you up."
"I don't understand." Harry looked around the room bewildered.
"He won't hex her." Draco supplied.
"And that's a bad thing?"
"It is when he tells her he's stronger because he's male." Susan explained scathingly.
"Theo is a misogynistic prick. Got it." Harry nodded.
"For fucks sake! What did I say about language!"
All of them looked at him incredulously for a second before they laughed. "Yes, Father, do tell us how awful our language is." Hermione teased. Giving in he pulled her closer, and settled himself to listening to their, quite frankly, horrible conversation. Apparently, he'd need to start keeping a closer eye on all of them, they were all ridiculous. Why in the name of Merlin the girls needed to discuss whether Antony Goldstein was prettier than Lee Jordan was a fucking mystery. He drew the line when Susan brought up Cedric Diggory's arse and forced them to join the boy's discussion about spells for Moody. Not that it was any better, ten minutes in and they were having an apparently hilarious conversation about engorgio's in places the spell should not be cast. Had they fucking forgotten he was here? What the fuck had he done to deserve this? Was this a test? Were they trying to see how fucking long it took him to lose his temper? He almost wished he'd kept his appointment with the sodding Mind Healer, it was infinitely less fucking awkward than whatever the fuck this was.
"Can I….can I have a word?"
Severus stilled, stopping Remus from going any further as he heard Theo's voice. Remus rolled his eyes but followed him as he crept closer, hiding behind one of the stacks. He felt the telltale trickle of a disillusionment charm once he had stopped.
"We can hardly be seen lurking in the stacks." Remus muttered. He probably had a fair point. It didn't look good, spying on students, even if one of those students was his daughter. Nor would it be good to be caught lurking with Remus…the rumours that would start. They did live in a castle full of hormonal teenagers after all. He suppressed a shudder with difficulty. Gods, it didn't bear thinking about. Minerva would be fucking unbearable. Not that she had any room to judge. He'd caught her in the library before and Gods had he begged to be obliviated after that. No…it was that Remus was not his type. Owing to the, probably small, issue of him having a penis and those not doing anything for him. Other than his own. He was quite fond of that one. And if Saul heard the rumours….gods. He'd be a fucking nightmare for no other reason than it would amuse him. Yes…definitely better not to be caught.
"Fine." Hermione sighed, "You have five minutes. "
"Right I ah….Damn it, Hermione, I just wanted to apologise."
"Fine, you've apologised.
"Hermione. Please don't do this." Theo pleaded, rather pathetically in Severus' opinion.
"Don't do what?"
Theo sighed, sitting down next to her, "I was wrong. I've…been wrong. I don't think I realised just how much I had listened when Father was talking. I…I've never expected you to be a typical pureblood witch. I don't want it. I don't want someone who just agrees with me and does as they're told."
Hermione blinked at him, "You cannot tell me that you're willing to change everything you believe."
"I don't believe it. If I did I'd have gone for a different witch, or none at all and let my father choose when he decided the time was right. Hermione, I love that you're different, that you're determined and that you don't fucking back down from anything. I don't want a witch who defers to me, I'd be bored witless."
Hermione sighed, "I'm not sure what you want me to say." she confessed, "We're fourteen and this just got….heavy and complicated and…you might not believe it but it's still there and I don't think ignoring it is going to be as easy as you think it is. And that's before we consider your Father, do you really think he's going to be ok with you ignoring tradition? Theo, I don't want you to have to change everything to be with me, you'll be miserable….I'll be miserable."
"I don't want to ignore it," he confessed, making Hermione frown. "I want to keep some traditions, you're right, what I was taught is not going anywhere….but….I want to figure out what traditions are worth keeping and I want you to keep challenging me on the ones that aren't. It's not changing to be with you, it's changing because it is outdated and I need to. Gods I can't be less progressive than Lucius bloody Malfoy." Hermione snorted. "I really like you and we might not actually end up together, even if I'd like us to, but regardless I'd still need to change some of what my father taught me. And if nothing else your father will likely murder me if I upset you again and I'd quite like to avoid that."
"Actually he was just contemplating removing an ear…or your tongue," Hermione murmured.
Theo flinched, "Fuck…like seriously contemplated?"
Hermione looked at him startled as she took in his panicked look and laughed, "I don't think he was entirely serious." she admitted, smiling as he sagged in relief.
"I fucking was," Severus muttered.
"Shhh! She's making a decision." Remus hushed him.
"I….fine. It's a bloody good job I like you. But Theo. You ever tell me witches are magically weaker based on nothing more than our sex and it won't by my father you need to worry about, are we clear?"
"Crystal." Theo grinned.
"And that is our cue to leave," Remus muttered in disgust as Theo leant forward and kissed her.
"She fucking let him off!" Severus stuttered looking at him."She fucking let him off and…and now I have to go back to fucking worrying about finding her and Theodore fucking Nott doing unspeakable things in fucking alcoves!"
"Or in the library," Remus muttered
"Yes! Or in the library!"
"Still, better him than Lee Jordan?"
Severus' eyes widened, "Better him than Lee Jordan." he agreed with a sigh, trying to ignore the fact that Theo still appeared to be fucking kissing his little girl and that unfortunately, murder was fucking illegal. If one could prove it of course and unfortunately they were in fucking public. Not that they'd always be….
"I'm still not talking to you, arsehole," Lucius muttered, glaring at Severus.
"For fucks sake. It's not for me, it's for Hermione."
Glowering Lucius allowed the silence to fall for a moment before Narcissa cuffed the back of his head hissing "Lucius!"
"Fine. What's for Hermine?"
"I need a contract drawn up."
Both Lucius and Narcissa stilled. "What type of contract?" Lucius asked warily.
"One for the Unspeakables." Severus frowned, what the fuck were they thinking this was?
"Oh thank Merlin. I thought you'd given in to Thoros."
"What?" he yelped, "For fucks sake. No! She's made some….discoveries and connections that need to be explored but we need to protect them until she's published."
"Published?"
"Yes." he sighed, "We can't get around it, it truly is groundbreaking. Albus is going to go fucking spare."
"Good." Lucius grinned. "I do so like it when he's disturbed."
"You would." Severus muttered, "Now will you help?"
"Of course, it's for Hermione! What are the terms?"
"The Unspeakables can experiment with the two substances, one with the properties of Nundu breath mixed with boomslang skin and one with the properties of Doxy venom mixed with alcohol. However, until Hermione's first publication they cannot publish any research they complete."
"Seems straightforward enough." Lucius shrugged. "Now fuck off, I'm still pissed off with you."
"As you wish." Severus snorted, "I never imagined you'd be such a baby about this."
"Baby?" Lucius spluttered, "You covered me in fucking glitter! I sparkled for fucking hours! It was everywhere! Have you any idea how fucking disconcerting it is to feel glitter enlarging in your arsecrack! I don't even fucking understand how it got there!"
Severus barely held onto his laugh, "I had no idea you were so kinky Lucius."
"Kinky! It wasn't fucking enjoyable arsehole!"
Severus choked, "Bad choice of insult." he mused, dodging Lucius' hex as Narcissa hid her grin.
"You were rather fond of me helping you remove it all though, were you not darling?"
"And that is my cue to leave, for fucks sake. I do not need to fucking know!"
"You're such a prude Severus!" Narcissa chided
"Because I have no urge to hear how you helped Lucius clean his glittery arse? If that's the case, I think I'm ok with my level of prudishness."
"It wasn't just his arse," Narcissa responded with a smirk. "It really did get everywhere."
"Dear gods. Goodbye, I've suddenly remembered why I don't visit." he shuddered, walking briskly to the floo. He'd need an entire session with the fucking Healer to get over the imagery in his head.
Deciding that he had earned some amusement, Severus detoured towards the Slytherin common room. It was time to pay Theo a visit. Smiling to himself, he straightened his spine and slid his mask into place before stepping into the room silently. No one noticed him until he evicted one of the sixth years from their seat so he could sit down.
"I…Sir…is everything alright?" Adrian Pucey asked, looking startled and more than a little nervous.
"Perfectly fine."
"I…ok. Can we get you anything?"
"No."
"Right….so….I'll just leave you to….sit here?" he almost laughed at how unsure the boy looked to even be suggesting such a thing.
"Yes."
"Right." Silence fell as Adrian scampered off somewhere. Severus wondered how long it would take to break. It really was rather amusing.
"Uncle Severus?" Fuck he must be really rattled, Draco never called him that in public.
"Draco,"
"Why are you here?"
"Can't I just want to visit?"
"No," Draco replied, looking at him pointedly.
"Very well. I came to see if Mr Nott wanted a game of chess."
"You came to see if Theo would play chess with you?" Draco checked.
"Yes."
"Uncle, be serious!"
"I am being serious. Is Mr Nott here?"
"Hermione is going to hex you you know," Draco muttered.
"For spending time with….what label are we using currently?"
"I have no idea. Ask your daughter if you can get the words out before she silences you so no one hears you scream." Draco shot back, stalking off, presumably in search of Theo. He hoped it was in search of Theo, it would be rather awkward if it was not. He'd have to look for the little cretin then and he didn't want to. He'd lose his seat.
"You wanted to see me, Sir?" The boy looked wary. Good. He fucking should. Little sod making his girl cry. Even if she was too fucking soft and had forgiven him.
"Indeed I did. Chess?"
Theo blinked at him, not responding for several seconds. "Chess? You want to play chess?"
"Yes."
"I…ok."
"Wonderful. Do set up the board."
Theo shot a look that could only be described as panicked at Draco who shrugged in response before moving to presumably comply with his request.
"You know," Severus started conversationally once the common room had adjusted to his presence and resumed its usual hum of conversation, keeping his eyes on the board as he contemplated his next move. "I really dislike it when Hermione cries."
"I…I imagine you do," Theo replied warily.
"Yes. Imagine my displeasure when less than a week ago you were the cause of those tears."
Theo gulped, "I apologised." he said softly.
"Oh, I am aware. It was… lacklustre at best. I shall endeavour to be lenient given that you are only fourteen but Theodore?" Theo stared back at him like a frightened rabbit as he finally lifted his head and looked directly at him, "If you ever make my little girl cry again because you're being a prick, there will not be enough of you left for her to forgive. Am I clear?"
"Yes sir," he gulped.
"Wonderful. Checkmate." Severus grinned down at the boy as he stood. "I'm sure we shall have a rematch soon." Theo looked like he'd rather they didn't. Shame. Grinning to himself, he swept back out of the room feeling much better about the day. That had been just what he needed.