DISCLAIMER: I do not own any recognisable characters.

This story was inspired by AkashaTheKitty's Dramione story, The Bracelet. The story made me fall in love with Theo Nott, therefore creating this "Themione".

Chapter Three – Chance

"Gin, please, please, don't tell Harry and Ron."

"Tell me one good reason why."

Hermione fiddled with the pen in her right hand. She had sat down at her desk, and wrote the date on her homework book, but for the life of her, she couldn't start. She couldn't let her two other best friends know.

"Er, because they'd kill me? What other reason beats that?"

She heard Ginny sigh at the other end of the line. "Herm, you know I don't want you to be killed, especially not by my brother and Harry, but they have to stop you liking him. You have to. He's from Durmstrang, of all places. I mean, you couldn't go for someone from Beauxbatons or anywhere else, could you? You just had to pick Durmstrang."

Hermione sighed at Ginny's rant. "Gin, there's a possibility that nothing will happen either. I mean, I'm not so pretty that some random guy from Durmstrang would like me back. Besides, I bet his friends would have discouraged him from liking me, too. Just like you."

"Herm," Ginny growled. "Never ever say that you're not pretty. Never. Because you are. Trust me on that one, at least. Look, I know there's a big possibility that nothing will happen, but there's still a possibility that something will. And I can't let that happen. No, fuck off, I'm using it, can't you see that?"

"Gin?"

"Sorry, Harry's being a bitch. He wants to use the phone to call his dearly beloved."

Hermione sighed at the bitterness in her best friend's voice. "I'll be there in ten minutes. Let Harry use the phone."

Ginny grumbled. "Fine, fine. Don't blame me for ranting to you though, and I promise you, I'll rant."

Hermione shook her head as she ended the call. Pulling on her favourite black skinny jeans and a black jacket, she left a note for her mum about where she'd be. She grabbed her homework folder, hoping that she'd be able to get some work done, and let herself out of the house.

Ginny's house wasn't so far from her own, if she took the shortcut. And the shortcut was a side alley with no lighting at all. Despite Hermione's bravery, she knew she couldn't go through that shortcut tonight; there was a reason it was called Knockturn Alley - dodgy men lurked in the shadows, preying on women with or without a partner. Besides, it was too cold, and she could literally feel shivers going down her spine.

So she took the main path. With the street lamps, she could see three boys bouncing a ball between them ahead of her, walking in her direction. She gulped. She had no defence whatsoever if they decided to attack her.

It eased her panic attack a little when she recognised one of the boys, but instead, her nervousness itched up three notches when she saw who it was.

"Hey," he said to her, when his group was right in front of her. "I didn't get to say…"

He eyed his friends guiltily, who were staring at Hermione, wondering who she was that their friend was talking to her. He cleared his throat, before giving them a pointed look and said, "Blaise, Greg, I'll come by later, 'kay?"

They stared at him incredulously, before rolling their eyes and continued on their way, neither looking back.

"Nice friends," Hermione muttered.

"Uh, yeah," he said uncomfortably. "Anyway, I didn't get to say thank you earlier this morning."

"That's alright."

"No, I mean," he looked down at his shoes, and Hermione felt a little shocked. Durmstrang boy feeling a little nervous or tongue-tied? Are you freaking serious? "It's not alright I didn't thank you."

"No, really," Hermione assured him.

He shook his head, before looking up at her almost shyly. "You saved my life."

Hermione blushed. "That's a bit of an exaggeration."

He smiled. "Not really. That train was going really fast. I just sort of forgot it was coming."

"More like you weren't paying attention to the announcement."

His grin widened. "Well, yeah, that too."

Hermione smiled back at him. "You're welcome."

"Can I walk you to wherever it is you're going? It'll sort of be a thank-you favour, I guess. I'm not exactly the most dangerous person out there, and forgive me for saying, but you look a little fragile by yourself."

Hermione was really shocked by now. He was kind and articulate! "S-sure."

He smiled again. "I'm Theo, by the way. Theo Nott."

"Hermione Granger."

He nodded, and Hermione started walking again, with Theo by her side. "What year are you in?"

"Year Eleven, you?"

"Year Twelve. I'm turning eighteen in a week."

Hermione nodded. "I've just turned seventeen."

"Belated happy birthday."

Hermione smiled widely. "Thanks."

They turned the corner to Ginny's street, and she paused. She knew how bad an idea it would be if Theo dropped her off right in front of the house.

"Thanks for walking with me, but I'll be fine from here. My friend's house is the third one."

Theo's left cheek lifted as he smiled, but Hermione could see how reluctant he was to leave her. She didn't want to stop being with him, either. She couldn't figure out why. Was it because he was nice? Because he was an anomaly, being a decent Durmstrang?

"It was really my pleasure, Hermione," he said softly. "Look, do you have a mobile? I'll text you later… make sure you're safe and everything."

She smiled again. "Sure."

They exchanged numbers, before thanking each other again. Hermione began walking towards Ginny's house, when Theo called out again.

"Oh, and Hermione?"

She turned obediently. "Yes, Theo?"

"Don't walk home alone. Call me if you want me to pick you up."

She smiled again.

AN: Hokai, so. I know some people would wonder why Hermione allowed him to walk her to Gin's house. He might be dangerous, have ulterior motives, blah blah. But the thing is, Hermione could see Theo was sincere about thanking her for saving his life. She knew it was sincere because he was awkward about it, and Durmstrang students are awkward with the whole emotions thing. Just fyi.

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