I have rewritten this chapter 3 times! Each time, it's been completely different. After having deleted 3 different versions of this chapter, I am about ready to pull my hair out!
I have become obsessed with this story in a way I never really meant to. Now I am having a hard time separating things I have planned for this Fic, and for Songs Live Longer Than Kingdoms. I bought a notebook though, and have been writing plot lines, timetables for events, and such down, which has helped organize everything quite a bit. Now it's looking like this story may be longer and more involved than I originally planned!
And once again, this WILL be Hermione-Draco. Theo's role is as yet undecided, but I am willing to be prodded in the direction of Hermione-Draco-Theo. (You will have to beg for it though. because I'm a jerk)
Luck
Nott Hold was impressive, to say the least. A dark estate, built out of soot colored stone, on top of hill almost large enough to be called a mountain. It resembled a fortress, a bit more decorative, but it looked quite impenetrable to Hermione's eyes at least. It was huge, easily 3 times the size of her own home, Fox Hollow. Which was quite large even by Muggle standards. When she had first laid eyes on it, all she could think about was that she couldn't wait to explore it. A magical household! The wonders it must hold, the secrets she had an inkling it hid.
A week later and she was no closer to really getting any sneaking and snooping done though. The Lord of the Manor was always away on business, his young heir in tow with him most of the time. You would think this would leave the perfect opportunity for her to go all James Bond on the formidable building. But no, she was kept busy, with dance classes, which she had already had per her parents, etiquette classes, which really differed little from the classes that were provided at her private Muggle boarding school.
Dolohov had also instructed her quite thoroughly on Magical customs, rules, and courtesies, in the short time they had together. So even that part of her tutoring was quite boring. Plus the witch Nott had hired was, well, a bitch. Hermione couldn't help but find herself missing her serious faced Russian guardian. Hired though he was, he had fallen for her childish charms quite quickly. Antonin had always been a favorite though.
The witch that Thoros Nott had hired, a Madam Pillroy, was driving Hermione spare! Clearly, she held the same bigoted views on blood status as her employer. She took great pleasure in berating Hermione at every turn, though there was little she could truly find fault in. Hermione could dance, and her posture and manners were impeccable. But that did not stop the wench from finding other ways to get under her skin.
She sat her lessons alone for the most part. Thoros kept his young heir close to him, dragging him along on all his ventures. She had only managed to see Theodore Nott a handful of times, either at dinner, or one of the few times he joined her in her dance lessons. That just would not do.
Which was why Hermione sat, huddled in the corner of the massive guest room that had been appointed to her, her arms wrapped around her legs, and she waited. She had found the very first night of her stay at the estate, that Thoros made sure to ward her into the room each night. There was to be no sneaking about at night for Hermione. Frustrating through the bastards actions were, she really couldn't fault him for it.
And so she waited, and waited, until around Midnight, when with a small Pop, the air in the room was displaced and a small creature appeared. It had appeared every night at this time, Hermione had huddled in her bed, pretending to be asleep and watched it. Watched as it tended to the fire in her room, making sure it would last her the night.
"Wh-Who are you?"
The creature jumped nearly as high as he was tall, and as he turned to face her, she got her real first look at it. It had large batlike ears, and eyes the size of tennis balls. His skin was like leather, and he wore, what looked to be a dark blue pillowcase with the Nott family crest on it.
"Missy be awake? Oh dear, is lates Miss, Missy should be in bed."
Hermione's bottom lip trembled, her eyes glassy and filled with unshed tears.
"I'm scared."
The creature looked on her, his gaze softening.
"No need to be scared Missy, Scorch will help. Would missy like some warm milk mayhaps? Or some sleepy tea?"
Hermione shook her head, and let some tears escape.
"Scorch, is that your name?"
"Yes, Missy. I is Scorch, I's to be seeing to Young Misses rooms."
With a sob Hermione ducked her head into her knees, and watched through her hair as the creature flew into a tizzy, stepping closer to reassure and comfort her. Hiding a smile she listened as the creature explained it was a House Elf, there to help her, and take care of her. And that no harm would come to 'Little Miss' under his watch. Slowly she let him cajole her out of the cold dark corner, and into a seat in front of the fire.
Taking a cup of tea that the elf had produced for her from thin air, she merely set it in her lap, her eyes downcast as she sniffled. The Elf shuffled from foot to foot, his eyes flitting form the undrunk tea, to the blanket he had arranged around her to warm her up, and back up to her tear stained face.
"I miss Theo."
The elf, Scorch, paused in his fretting then. It had just been a whisper, but he had heard it.
"Young Master?"
Hermione nodded her head, her fingers tracing the teacups edge.
"He is so kind to me. This is all so new, and daunting, but Theo…"
Taking a deep breath she looked up into the elf's eyes, a blush on her cheeks.
"He's like in the story books, like a prince."
The elf's eyes got big and round as he watched and listened to her. Gazing back and forth between her brown and blue eyes. Eyes he saw every day, just like his Masters.
"He makes me unafraid."
Hermione watched as the Elf looked to the fire, deep in thought. She took a sip of her tea, if only to hide her smile. No she could not leave the warded room, but this elf could.
On the other side of the massive home, a young Theo lay in his monstrously large bed, staring up at the ceiling in thought. It had been a busy week for him, shadowing his father. Theo had never really had a regular childhood. He treasured the times when his Father would leave him in the care of the Malfoys or the Flints. He could relax and play with their children, enjoy his boyhood, savor the fleeting attention of their mothers.
Those times were getting few and far between now though. Thoros Nott preferring for his son to follow him, and learn from him, his duties and responsibilities to House Nott. Though earlier than most other Heirs would begin such training, Theo, ever a practical boy, could not really fault the man for it. He knew his father was far older than most of his friends fathers. His hair already more white than brown. And with Theo starting Hogwarts next year, slated to be away most of the year for the next 7 years, his father was obviously making due with the time they had available.
And then there was the girl. Hermione. She was here in his home, somewhere. He hadn't much chance to spend time with her, only really ever seeing her at dinner and twice having joined her for a dance class. She moved so gracefully, just like the little charmed ballerina he had once seen on Mrs. Flints vanity. And her smiles…
She never smiled at his father, and most definitely had no smiles for the pinch faced tutor his father had hired for her. But when ever she saw Theo, her cheeks would turn the cutest shade of pink, and she would give him a warm, albeit shy, smile. As if she couldn't help it, it would just bloom on her face, like a sunflower in the sun. It made his chest feel all tight, but in the best way. And she was just so small, with the daintiest little hands and feet. With long coffee colored hair that matched his own, and her blue and brown eyes, she almost looked as if she could be Theo's sister. The only real give-away being her lightly olive tanned complection, standing out against Theo own peaches and cream.
It was with these thoughts, swirling in his head, when all of a sudden there was a load pop, and she was there. Hermione, standing in his room, in nothing more than a pajama set made up of pastel blue shorts and shirt, lined with white lace. Sitting up in bed, Theo blinked a few times in surprise, mouth agape.
She stared back at him, her own eyes big as saucers as she looked him over form across the room.
" Er- Did I magic you here? Or did you Magic yourself here? Only you couldn't have, Nott hold allows no apperating within the property lines, save for Father."
He was babbling, he was definitely babbling. Except it was ok, because she was smiling, and then she was giggling. She scurried across the room, and climbed up onto Theo's bed beside him. His bed, a girl was on his bed. Theo thought there might be rules against that sort of thing, but all such thoughts quickly left his head, as she burrowed under his covers, pulling his blanket over both their heads. After taking a moment to adjust to the darkness, he turned to lay on his side like her, facing the Little Lady in his bed.
"Hello." She said, and then he was smiling back. He loved her little voice, so soft and warm, just like the rest of her.
"Hello, what are you doing here?"
"I'm sorry, I had a nightmare. And I was just so terribly scared, an-and lonely. All I could think of, was how much I wished to see you."
Her smile fell than, and she looked away from him. Her hands came up to fuss with some of the white lace trim around the collar of her shirt. She met his eyes briefly, before looking away. Theo brought his hand up to twirl one of her curls.
"That's ok, I understand. It must be quite a change for you, all this, yeah?"
She looked back up at him once again, a smile fighting its way onto her lips.
"Yes, it is."
"So, you really did apparate into my rooms?"
And then she was giggling again and reaching out, taking his hand that had been playing with her hair into her own. He watched amazed as she fit their fingers through each other to clasp hands, as if it was the easiest thing in the world. As if they had done it a thousand times before. When was the last time someone touched him? He certainly couldn't remember the last time his hand was held.
"No you silly boy. Scorch brought me here, to you."
"Our Elf?" Theo burst out in surprise, much louder than intended.
"Shhhh! We don't want to get caught. And yes, your House Elf. What peculiar creatures by the way, I have never seen one before you know. Anyways, I told him you were my Prince, and only you could keep my nightmares at bay."
Theos heart skipped a beat. A prince? No, her Prince.
"I'm your prince?"
And then she was blushing again, her gaze shying away from his own once more, but she still smiled.
"Yes, that is, if you don't mind."
Theo shook his head so adamantly, he had her in a fit of giggles again. He loved that sound, she should always be laughing and giggling he decided.
"No, I don't mind. I only ask that you give me a list of my Princely duties, so as I don't disappoint."
Scrunching up her nose in thought, which, of course, was just as adorable as her blushes. She hummed to herself while she mulled it over.
"Well, as my Prince, you are to keep me safe, and chase away my nightmares."
Theo nodded.
"And, help me in all my endeavours, right?" She looked at him then, her face so open and trusting.
"Of course, my Little Lady."
She giggles at that.
"I won't be little forever you know, I intend to grow quite tall."
Theo couldn't help but laugh at that.
"I don't think you really get to decide that, it just happens, nature picks."
She shook her head violently, curls flew everywhere in the closed space under the blanket.
"Oh no, I have decided I wish to be tall, so that's how it will be."
"Ok, I believe you." (He didn't believe her.) "Anything else?"
Leaning her head in till their noses touched, she whispered, oh so low.
"Stay with me, always?"
Theo met her kaleidoscope eyes, and without hesitation, he whispered back.
"Always, by your side."
And he felt… something. Like a lock closing in his chest. He had no chance to examine the feeling, before she was chattering away again, bursting with energy.
"Well you know what we have to do now, right?"
She pulled away from him, her eyes were nearly glowing in excitement. Theo merely shook his head, unable yet to speak from the tightness in his chest.
"We have to build a blanket fort obviously! To seal our pact!"
She had thrown the covers off them both and sat up, her curls sitting up at attention as well, filled with static from being dragged all about under the bed covers.
"Blanket Fort?"
She blinked down at him in confusion.
"Theo, have you never built a Blanket Fort before?"
He blinked up at the her, and shook his head. Was this something Mudbloods did when closing a deal? Wizards either shook hands, or signed contracts, and in rare cases took wand oaths. Did Muggles build things to solidify deals, contracts, and relationships? Is that why they needed so much space, so many big cities? Did they need to continuously build and build any time a deal was struck? And then she was taking his hand in hers again, dragging him off the bed, chattering non stop. It appears Blanket Forts were a right of passage to young Muggle children around the world. She gathered all the blankets and sheets off his bed, as well as his pillows and every decorative pillow she could find in his large suite.
She then walked all over his rooms, to pick out the perfect spot for their fort. This was important apparently, for defending against invaders. (He had the distinct impression 'invaders' meant his Father) So Theo followed, as she walked all about, her arms full of blankets and pillows, all too much for her small frame to carry. He had to pick up strays that fell out of her tiny grasp as she surveyed.
Finally she found his large walk-in closet. He was a child yet, his rooms were made for him to grow into, so his overly large closet was not even close to half way filled yet. This was perfect she had declared, so they began. Well she began, he watched and followed her instructions, as any good prince would do for their Lady. Soon enough it slowly started taking shape, that is, before it collapsed.
Theo had a panicked moment, thinking such a small girl could definitely get smothered under such a stack of heavy comforters and pillows. He dived in after her, frenzied, only to find her having a giggling fit at the very bottom. This did not deter Theo from believing his first rescue attempt ever, of his Little Lady, as a wild success.
The fort ended up collapsing three more times under the heavy weight of the fine materials used in his bedding. Which each collapse her good humors grew more muted, and she grew more determined. Until finally Theo called for Scortch behind her back and asked the elf for a bit of help. All of a sudden the blankets and sheet were staying exactly where she had put them, they almost seemed light as air, she smiled in satisfaction and looked at Theo expectantly.
"See! Hard work pays off!"
Theo merely nodded his head and smiled back at the girl. He had promised to help her in all her endeavors after all. There was no need for her to know by what means. They finally stepped back and took a good look at their fortress. It was actually quite impressive, and very large. They could easily fit 4-5 other children in there. Not that, that would ever happen. This was their personal fort. Hermione tapped her tiny little foot, a frown on her face.
"Something is missing…."
Theo looked back and forth between her and the structure. He couldn't imagine what, honestly he was quite surprised as it was by their building skills. Even if they had been helped along by Elf Magic.
"Ah yes! Lights! You don't happen to have a torch do you?"
Theo looked at her alarm.
"I do not believe this would survive an open flame Hermione, not only that, the wards would go off, and father would come!"
"No my silly Prince. I mean, a flash-light." She muffled a smile behind her hand.
"Why would we want to flash lights? That sounds annoying, and headache inducing."
She rolled her eyes, before explaining that their fort would not be complete without some light sources, and not just any light source would do. It had to fit the aesthetic of their linen domicile. With that Theo knew exactly what they needed. Running out of the closet, he made his way to the end of his bed, where an overly large trunk sat. Throwing it open he dug through the messy contents of it. Till he reached the very very deep dark bottom, where he pulled out a disgustingly pink box. Running back to the closet he grabbed a startled looking Hermione, and this time he dragged her along behind him, as he crawled into their Secret Blanket Fort.
It was dark, he could only really see the outline of her inside. He squeezed her hand.
"Alright are you ready?"
"No wait!"
And then, she was crawling up onto him, and Theo froze. She put her back against his chest, and sat between his legs, her curls tickling at his chin, and she fit. It was a perfect fit.
"Ok, I'm ready now." She whispered.
Theo reached over till he found the discarded box. It had been for an invitation the Parkinson's had sent out early in the year for some silly party for their daughter. He pulled it over and placed it on her lap in front of him, and slowly opened the lid. He got to watch as the contents inside glowed warm and lit up her surprised face, and then slowly floated out. Like little bits of dandelion fluff in the wind, the little fuzzy lights drifted lazily about their fort, attaching themselves randomly to the blankets, sheets and pillows around them, lighting up the interior. Soon enough they took on the color of whatever they landed on, and it was as if they were one of those stained glass windows that dotted his father study. Soft blues, greens, yellows, and raspberry reds filled the tented fabric around them.
"Oh Theo.." She turned to smile at him, her eyes wide. Her blue and brown eyes, just like his. "It's perfect. Thank you."
He placed his arms around her waist, delicately, softly, (he had never hugged a girl before) and pulled her into him. Yes, a perfect fit. She was his after all, his Little Lady, his sister. She looked just like him too, it was meant to be. He would keep her Nightmares at bay, he would help her in all her endeavours, and he would always be with her. Always.
Isn't Theo just the sweetest? I love little Theo. Little boys in general are fun to write. I can't wait to work on Little Draco, I think that will be beyond fun for me. Speaking of, I had originally intended to also fit in Hermione's first meeting with the Malfoy family in this chapter, but that just didn't work out. So next chapter it will be.
What do you guys think? PLEASE REVIEW!
You will deff be seeing Dolohov again in the future. Also, if you didn't read the intro in chapter 1, this is one of the few stories I will write where Harry is raised by his Muggle Aunt and Uncle. That is important.
I will have a Pintrest page up soon with photos of Hermione's and Luna's epic runway styles and aesthetics. As they are the 2 main characters I usually write. And because of course, I love to write them as glamorous as all get out. (I'm 30 and my little teenage cousin taught me that phrase. Lol, am I using it right?)