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 Nine – Aftermath

"I can't believe you would do that!"

Theo peeked out of the corner of his eyes to see that Hermione's friends had similar guilty expressions on their faces. They were all in for it now.

Hermione paced in front of them, her bushy brown hair crackling with indignation as she lectured the four silent bent heads.

"All of you know that Malfoy was only doing it to provoke you, right?"

Theo flinched when his ex-best friend's name was mentioned. The two other boys twitched and flexed their fists, while the redheaded girl rolled her eyes.

"You just had to rise up to the occasion, and magnificently, might I add."

Usually, Theo would have taken that as praise if it had come from Draco, but knowing it came from a sarcastic and irate Hermione, it sounded like the worst thing he had ever done in his life.

Hermione seemed to have tired of her role as their official conscience-eater, because she suddenly plopped down on the couch in front of them and sighed.

"The station wardens said it was the worst fight they had ever seen."

Theo grimaced.

After Malfoy had declared it open season on Hogwarts girls, Theo wasn't the only one to react, and rather violently, might he add.

Without even thinking of it, Theo had found himself punching Draco's face. He was vaguely aware that the rest of his old friends had tried to retaliate, but were stopped by quite a number of people.

Blaise had been the first to reach out for him, but the boy with messy black hair had stopped him by a well-aimed fist to the jaw. Greg had also tried, but it seemed the redheaded boy kicked him in the shin.

That seemed to start the full-scale battle on the platform.

The blood-red uniforms of Durmstrang mingled with the crow-black uniforms of Hogwarts.

Theo was lucky he was in the middle of Hermione's friends, otherwise any other Hogwarts student ignorant of his allegiance would have knocked him down, no questions asked.

When Hermione finally pulled him away, the fierce redheaded girl took his place, and continued on the beat up of Draco's face.

Hermione had forced him on the train that arrived, before going back into the throng and dragging her friends on to the train with her. They were jam-packed with the other students who were fleeing the scene.

"You three are lucky I got you out before the media swooped in. Your faces might have been on national TV last night."

They were now sitting in Hermione's living room. All five had gone to school earlier in the morning, and received what they deserve.

Theo was awarded a one-week suspension, as had Harry, Ron, and Ginny. Hermione received one free week for recuperation, and her stress over being away from school for one whole week and missing out on all her lessons had her irritated.

Theo was almost celebrating. He had one week to be with Hermione and get to know her more and just be with her. He was going to use that week as best as he could, even if that meant he had to hang with her friends. His mood was so high now that Hermione had finished her rant, that he playfully rolled his eyes at her comment.

"You forget that I've already had my name on national TV," he reminded her.

"And you would do well to keep it out of it if the reason why it's on TV is the same as the first time."

"Of course I would," he replied, smiling angelically.

Ron and Harry grinned slightly, while Ginny stifled a giggle at Hermione's glare.

"Aw," Theo groaned. "Loosen up, Hermione. You know I wouldn't do that again."

Hermione's glare didn't soften. "You better not ever do it again."

"Of course I wouldn't. You know that. You knew it wouldn't happen ever again the moment you ended our call that night."

Hermione's glare gave way to a smug look. "That I did."

Theo rolled his eyes playfully, before sending a commiserating look towards Harry and Ron.

"This is the woman I left sacrificed my life for?"

"That's her," Harry grinned.

"You're whipped, mate," Ron added, also grinning.

Theo pretended to groan before saying, "Gods help me."

Ginny laughed. "Oh, they would, Theo. If the woman you were trying to woo wasn't Hermione Granger."

"Har har," the brunette said sarcastically. "Nice to know I have such wonderful friends."

"Do you allow me to test their wonderfulness as friends, Hermione?" Theo asked slyly.

Four pairs of eyes turned towards him, but Hermione was the most suspicious.

"What exactly do you mean by that, Theo?"

Smirking slightly, he got down to his knees in front of her, and stared right into her eyes. They were head-to-head, because of her sitting down on the couch.

"Hermione Granger, I want to know you more. I want to learn your weaknesses and your strengths. I want to protect you from hurt and pain. I promise I'll look after you the best that I can."

Hermione gasped a little, while her friends were staring on in shock. Except for Ginny, who was smiling widely at them.

"Will you go out with me?"

Hermione was trying to find words to say, but her brain seemed to have frozen the moment Theo opened his mouth.

The room was silent when Ron remarked, "That's it? Almost gave me a heart-attack right there… Thought he was gonna propose."

Harry laughed silently. "She looks like she's going into shock."

Ginny laughed with Harry merrily. "Someone slap her."

AN:

In celebration of marginally converting Ellie to Themione =D

Review if you want to keep this story rolling.