A/N: Written for the Draco's Den Halfblood Prince Drabble Elimination Challenge in 2021! Thanks to the modmins for hosting this competition, it's one of my favorites!

Thanks to brownlark42 for being my beta!

If you liked this (or hated it) let me know about it in a review! You can find me on Tumblr at crochetawayhpff or Facebook at Shan Crochetaway. Enjoy!

Summary: Theo Nott lost his magic as part of his punishment for being a Death Eater. He was fine with this, until one fateful day that led him to what he was sure was the love of his life.

Pairing: Theo Nott/Luna Lovegood

Rating: T

Warnings: Car Accidents

Seven Years

The loss of his magic wasn't so bad... until that fateful day. Theo Nott had quickly adapted to the Muggle method of doing literally everything. It was the price he had to pay for the accursed mark on his arm, and he was happy to pay it. Reluctant as he had been as a Death Eater, he did do some terrible things. He needed to make amends. If the wizarding world decided the best way to do that was to remove his magic for the next decade, he was happy to do it.

He at least had an easier time of it than most. Making tea the Muggle way wasn't so bad, and once he'd figured out how buses and Muggle money worked, he was able to get around. He didn't even mind the Wizarding Vow that they had thrust upon him. Like the others, he was banished to the Muggle world, and to ensure that he didn't do anything he shouldn't, they made him take a Wizarding Vow that forbade him from speaking of the wizarding world. Not that there was anybody in the wizarding world he wanted to talk to. He was even forced to go live in some obscure Muggle village in Devonshire. They had scattered the exiled Death Eaters far and wide, making sure they couldn't go around colluding with each other.

That fateful day started like any other. The wizarding world was far from Theo's mind, but it wouldn't be for long. He had left the small accounting firm he worked for to walk down to the pub to pick up that day's lunch order for the office. It was a nasty, rainy spring day. Cold and looking as if it might just rain forever. His umbrella was on the fritz, one side of it hanging down limply and drenching his back. He gave a fleeting thought to an Impervious Charm, but then put it out of his mind. There was still another seven years left on his sentence. It would do no good to torture himself with the things he couldn't have.

He didn't hear the car as it came around the corner, too fast for the wet road. Too fast for the dry road at that intersection, really, but Theo wouldn't know as he didn't have a car or a driver's license. He never did find out if the driver of the car saw him before it hit him or not. But it didn't matter. The car hit him regardless and without a moment's thought, Theo was flying through the air. He first hit the windscreen, then the top of the car, before finally rolling off of the boot and onto the pavement with a wet smack. His head landed in a puddle. Thankfully he was just conscious enough to turn his face so that he didn't suck in the water.

Tires squealed and the car was gone. Theo started to become aware of the pain taking over his body. Maybe not worse than the Cruciatus, but certainly close. His entire body ached as he became aware of more and more injuries. None more than his head, and judging by how red his vision was becoming, he was bleeding profusely from where his head hit the windscreen.

"Oh, no!" a voice that sounded vaguely familiar murmured.

Then something he hadn't felt in three long years... magic enveloped his body. He wasn't crying until he felt the warmth and comfort of magic, healing what it could. Then the tears came, fast and freely. He'd forgotten how lovely magical healing was.

"I'm so sorry," a soft voice said from above him. He opened his eyes to see an angel cradling him in her arms. Her long, blonde hair was hanging free and her blue eyes were so large and luminous that he felt like he could drown in them. She had an Impervious Charm over the two of them, and he could see the rain stopping just above her head and dripping down the sides of the bubble she had placed around them.

"This might sting a bit," she murmured and dripped a potion onto the wound at his temple. He could just see the billowing green smoke that told him it was Essence of Dittany she was using. His skin itched as the wound closed up.

"Who are you?" he asked, his voice slurred and he coughed, shaking his head.

"Broken ribs," she said with pursed lips and pressed her hand against his side. More of that beautiful healing magic poured into him. "I'm Luna Lovegood," she said once she was finished.

"Luna..." he trailed off. "I remember you, I think. Ravenclaw?"

She smiled at him. "You always were a smart one, Theo Nott."

"How... what... why are you here?" he asked.

"I Saw the accident happen in my morning read," she explained. "Took me ages to track down where you were living or I would have stopped it entirely."

"You're a Seer?" he asked.

She nodded. "It's a burden, but I try to do what I can."

"Thank you for helping me," he muttered. "I hope you don't get in trouble for it."

She shrugged. "I'm sure I'll be fine."

Then she helped him to his feet and off the street. A few waves of her wand and the magic she used to block them from the Muggles disappeared. Including the Impervious Charm.

"Bye, Theo," she said with a smile and a wave before floating down the street.

Theo watched her go, feeling much as he had before he had gotten hit by the car, with one major exception. His heart thumped hard in his chest as he watched her go. He didn't want to, but he knew the rules of his sentence. He was to have no contact with anyone in the wizarding world. He could only hope that Luna, beautiful Luna, would be receptive when he came to call on her in seven years.

~Fin~