Hey guys :) I'm still trying to update everyday, and this chapter is really more of a continuation of Chapter 3, except it's from Nott's POV :)

Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed,

HogwartsBianca

,

XxRaindr0pxX

,

Smithback,

lady innogen

! Your support means a lot to me :) Also, as this is an ongoing fic, your plot/character suggestions will be welcome.

And I think someone was wondering if Ron is going to make an appearance - I assure you he will very soon!

So here's Chapter 4 - please read and review!

Why was he here?

Or rather, why was he here with Hermione Granger off all people, especially on this day? Theodore Nott looked on inquisitively as Hermione wolfed down the last of her chicken salad.

"Don't you need to eat?" she had asked.

"I'm not hungry today." All he'd had was a cup of black coffee.

"Suit yourself, then."

He swallowed. Cold and bitter. The coffee was oddly comforting, though. He felt terrible today.

"Is something the matter with you?"

Some people never did learn. Maybe she didn't remember, or simply chose to forget, but he clearly remembered that exactly 9 years ago, she had asked the same question and he had, without changing his expression, told her to fuck off. He wondered if she had ignored his apology or really just didn't hear. He remembered that day almost as well as the reason why he had felt terrible, and why he had lashed out at her.

He gave her a crooked half-smile.

"Nothing's the matter at all. Not anymore."

Despite the snickering and the taunts Hermione to endure from him once, he almost imagined that he saw a flicker of concern in her warm brown eyes. He didn't deserve that sort concern from anyone. He had neither received nor given care his whole life, and it was too late now – he was no longer a helpless child but a grown man.

They finished their meal in silence. But unlike the silence between them in the office, this silence wasn't wholly uncomfortable. As they paid for the meal, a picture fell out from Hermione's wallet.

Nott picked it up. It was a photo of a rather cute little girl, with thick, bushy Weasley-red hair.

"You have a daughter?"

She took the picture back quickly, as if he had crossed some sort of line when he saw it.

"Cute. What's her name?"

"Rose. After my grandmother."

They began to walk down the street through the village, back to the office to use the fireplace and some Floo powder. The red, yellow, brown autumn leaves swirled to the ground.

"Theodore!"

Nott spun around, recognizing Daphne Greengrass's voice instantly but seeming considering less enthused about meeting her. She remained oblivious to this.

"Sweetie, I haven't seen you since Draco and Astoria's wedding! Why didn't you come visit my mother and I like I made you promise too? Oh! Granger's here!" She wrinkled up her nose.

Nott only nodded at Daphne and coldly said, "Time wouldn't allow me the pleasure of doing so. Nice seeing you today."

"Oh! I forgot, sweetie! It's been, what, 10 years since that awful day? You holding up okay? If you want to we can go for a round of Firewhiskeys – "

Daphne sneered at Hermione. "And I'll invite some people, good company for you, you know what I mean?"

"No, I don't think so. Let's go, Hermione."

As Nott and Hermione left, Daphne stood gaping at them.

"Sweetie?" Hermione couldn't resist a grin.

"Yeah, terrible, I know. At least it isn't 'pumpkin' anymore though." He grimaced and chuckled.

He was trying to act nice. He was trying to be normal, but Hermione realized from his hollow eyes and clenched jaw that he was in deep pain. What had Daphne been talking about when she asked him how he had been holding up?

Hermione wanted to say something, but she couldn't find the right words.

It was only when they were about to enter the Floo Network that she mustered up the courage to say something.

"If you need some help on your new time-turner design, you can talk to me."

She hoped he knew what she meant. It probably wouldn't change anything for him, but that's why Hermione was surprised when he smiled at her.

A real smile. A genuine, bright smile. Something he had never seen from before.

And then they each left to lead their own lives. Hermione went to pick up her daughter, and Nott decided to walk home home. To clear his mind.

15 years, 11 months, 0 days.

It didn't hurt anymore. Funny how he still remembered the date, though. Funny how he thought of it almost every single day – the brief, blinding flash of green, his furious father stalking out of the attic, and the sealing spell he placed afterwards on the attic doors.

Lost in his thoughts, Nott had accidentally wandered into a small Muggle village. In front of a Muggle grocery store, a teacher led a group of young children in a song…

In this life you will know

Love and pain

Joy and sorrow

So when it hurts

When times get hard

Don't forget whose child you are

This little light of mine

I'm gonna let it shine

This little light of mine

I'm gonna let it shine

Gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine…

For the second time that day, Nott smiled. But he was a little sad, and he was afraid that if he were less cynical about human nature and life in general, he would be too disappointed in himself. He would have to change.