A/N: I finally got around to writing a NottGrass story, yay! I've been meaning to for ages. I hope you enjoy it :)

This story is written for my fanfiction BFF, Ned, as part of the Monthly One-shot Exchange.

Also for: [QLFC round 3 - Beater 1: a truth that is hatred - midnight black - "You don't have a choice. It's do or die." - You don't have to live forever. You just have to live. - Natalie Babbit] [Endless Possibilities Challenge: TheoDaphne - rain - "Tell me a story." - "If you do this, you're dead to me] [Monthly oneshot exchange: TheoDaphne - angst - maniac]

Story WC: 2928

Thank you Mary for being my lovely beta :)

One Last Story

'You don't have to live forever. You just have to live.'

- Natalie Babbit, Tuck Everlasting

xxx

It was the dead of night, and Theo was pleased to be greeted by the dark solitude of the common room when he left his dormitory with a book in hand. He regarded the dying fire and the extinguished candles on the tables and realised that it must be really late if even the seventh years had finished studying and retired to bed. He would surely regret staying up this late when morning classes began, but it would be worth it if it meant he could be alone with his thoughts for once.

Theo sat on the one sofa in front of the fire that wasn't littered with Potter Stinks badges, and gazed blankly into the midnight black abyss that was the view out of the window. The common room was so far beneath the lake's surface that even the moonlight couldn't stretch down to this level. It was daunting compared to the shimmering green and blues he was used to seeing, but Theo was deep enough in thought that he didn't focus on that too much.

He'd just opened his book when the sound of footsteps made him look around. Daphne had just emerged from the girls' dormitory, wearing a dressing gown and slippers.

"I thought you'd be out here," she said.

"Oh yeah?" Theo felt his chest tighten, and he smiled at her, closing the book again.

"Yeah." Daphne sat beside him. "You weren't the only one who heard those Muggleborns talking about how it's Mother's Day today. Plus you've been pretty quiet all day."

"Oh." Theo's smile fell, and he began picking at a corner of the book.

"You okay?" Daphne asked softly, putting her hand on his shoulder. Theo initially stiffened under her touch, but he soon relaxed again.

"I don't know. I know it's only a lame Muggle tradition but..." he sighed, "I miss her, Daph. How stupid is that?" Theo let out a hollow laugh. "I barely knew her. I was only a baby when she… when she died."

"It's not stupid!" Daphne's grip on his shoulder tightened. "Even if you were just a baby you would have bonded. Of course you miss her! Why would you think that?"

Theo grunted. "Do you remember when we were six and there was a week I practically lived at your house because my dad kept taking me to play there?"

Daphne smirked. "How could I forget? That's when I knew I'd be stuck with you for the rest of my life."

"Charming," Theo managed to laugh. That was one thing he loved about Daphne: she could always make him smile even when it was the last thing he wanted to do. He'd never tell her that, though; that girl's ego didn't need to get any bigger.

"Anyway," he continued, trying to concentrate with Daphne rubbing his arm comfortingly, "the five year anniversary of my mum's death was during that week, and his way of dealing with it was to dump me so he could go and get drunk every night. I once heard your mum ask him why he wasn't doing anything to comfort me, and he said that there was no need to because I was too young to remember her."

Daphne bristled. "How selfish can you get?"

"That's what your mum said," Theo smiled. "That memory has really stuck with me over the years. It's probably why I feel so stupid for missing her."

"I can't believe your dad would say that in front of you."

Theo shrugged. "It's no big deal. It's not like we ever had a good relationship in the first place."

"Theo…" Daphne was at a loss of what to say.

"It's okay, Daph," Theo said, lacing his fingers between hers. "If that hadn't have happened I wouldn't have met you until we came to Hogwarts. And you said so yourself that you doubt we'd have become friends under those circumstances."

"What can I say? You were the most well-behaved Slytherin in our year and I was quite-"

"Mean?" Theo supplied jokingly, to which Daphne replied by smacking him on the arm. "Ow. See!"

"Troublesome," she said haughtily.

"Same thing," Theo teased.

Daphne glared at him. "I hope you're going somewhere with this, Theodore. Or else you'll be on the receiving end of a jinx."

Theo laughed. She always called him that when he pushed her buttons. "Of course I am," he said. "I'm very happy that I met you when I did. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you in my life."

Daphne's cheeks immediately flushed, though Theo didn't notice. "Alright, alright; no need to go soppy on me," she joked, trying to play it off.

"Sorry," Theo smiled. "But I mean it."

Daphne smiled too, and rested her head on his shoulder. "Remember how you used to make me read you stories all the time?" she asked after a brief silence.

"Mm." Theo nodded.

"Why did you do that so much?" she asked.

"You were the better reader so I milked your powers for my own gain," Theo quipped.

Daphne nudged him. "Come on. I really want to know! What is it?"

"All right," Theo said, his expression turning serious. "I've never told you, but being told stories just really made me happy. Apparently mum used to read to me every day, even though I was too young to understand her. Stories just make me feel closer to her, I guess. I don't have an emotional bond with dad, so knowing that I did have one with her means a lot."

Theo was not looking at her, but Daphne's eyes remained fixed on him. It was a rare occasion for him to open up like this, but when he did, it always surprised her how much emotion he harboured when he was usually irritatingly laid-back about everything.

"I had no idea," Daphne whispered, her eyes falling on the book in Theo's lap. "Is this why you brought that out here with you?"

He made an unintelligible noise in response, and Daphne saw that while he was looking the window, his eyes had clouded over.

Daphne shook him gently and picked up the book. He turned to look at her. "Do you want me to read to you?"

"Please." His voice cracked when he spoke.

"Come on, then." Daphne shifted her position and lay Theo's head in her lap, threading her fingers through his tawny hair as she began to read.

"I'm gonna miss you when summer starts," he mumbled sleepily.

"There's still a month left," Daphne said. "Plus the third task of the Tournament is at the end of term, and I'm sure seeing Potter undoubtedly fail will cheer you up, right?"

Theo smirked at this and closed his eyes, allowing Daphne's soft voice to lull him into a peaceful sleep.

Theo was more reserved than ever once the summer holidays arrived. Not only was he apart from Daphne and having to spend several weeks in his dad's company, but the end of term had left a sour taste in his mouth that was yet to dissipate.

Cedric Diggory was dead. Killed by Lord Voldemort himself.

Granted, Theo had never spoken to Cedric, but the rumoured return of Voldemort had shocked the entire school, leaving everyone, including him, in a somber mood as they returned home.

Could it be true? Theo wondered at breakfast one day as he regarded his father over the top of his book. He seemed on edge, and kept fidgeting in his seat, constantly touching his left forearm where his Dark Mark was. Theo had never made a big deal of the fact that his dad was a Death Eater like Draco Malfoy did; he didn't really care.

"Theo, put that book down," his dad said in a gruff voice across the table.

"No," Theo said, defiant because his father had never cared to understand why books were so important to him.

"Close the book," his dad repeated.

"No."

"Son, I need to talk to you, so close that damn book or so help me, I'll burn it to a crisp!" came the hissed reply.

Theo scowled at his father and closed the book slowly. "What?" he asked.

"The Dark Lord is back and returned to full power," his dad said without preamble, still fidgeting profusely. "Plans are in motion to set us on our way to conquering the wizarding and Muggle worlds once again."

"So?" Theo asked, slightly perturbed by the sick excitement in his dad's eyes.

"They will not go down without a fight, Theo," he said. "There is great strength in numbers, so when the time comes, you will fight alongside us to subjugate the Mudbloods and aid the downfall of Harry Potter."

"What?!" Theo exclaimed. "I'm not doing that!"

"You don't have a choice. It's do or die," his dad spat. He lunged across the table and snatched the book from Theo. "You have to start growing up. That means no more stupid stories. I need you focused on the real world."

"Give that back!" Theo shouted, leaning over the table and swiping wildly with his hands before drawing his wand. "Accio book!"

"Expelliarmus!" His dad was milliseconds faster, and in a flash, Theo's wand flew from his hand and clattered to the ground.

"You give me no choice, son," his dad said gravely, pointing his wand at the book. "I'm doing this for your own good. Incendio!" It was too late once Theo realised what was happening; before he could say a word, his precious book was nothing but ashes.

Theo glowered at his father, angry tears running down his cheeks. "Just so you know, those 'stupid stories' were the closest thing I had to mum." His dad's own glare faltered at this, but Theo didn't let him speak. "But I was too young to remember her, right? That's why you never comforted me about her! That's why you only cared about your own feelings and got dru-"

"Shut up!" his dad roared, storming over to Theo and striking him hard across the face. "You will grow up and fight for the Dark Lord, Theo. I will make sure of it."

Feeling like he was going to explode, Theo pushed past his father, heading for his room and slamming the door. He slumped down with his back against the door and drew his knees up to his chest, loathing the fact that his dad was a Death Eater. It had never bothered him that much, but now that it meant he'd be dragged into battle against his will, it was an entirely different story.

"Theo!" Daphne ran up to him in the Great Hall. "Look what 'Stori got for her birthday." She shoved a large book under his nose. "You want to borrow it? Astoria says it's okay."

"No," Theo said, pushing the book away.

"What's the matter?" Daphne frowned.

"I don't want to read, all right?" Theo snapped, his mind instantly filled with the memory of his father burning up his book.

He must have spoken louder than intended, for Draco, Blaise and Pansy, who had been deep in conversation, were now looking at him strangely.

"What's with you? Daphne refusing to snog you?" Blaise asked.

"Shut it, Zabini," Daphne glared at him.

"Seriously, Nott, what's going on?" Pansy asked. "You've been acting so weird for ages."

"I have not!" Theo shouted.

The group exchanged perplexed glances at this. "If you say so," Pansy said, looking bemused.

"Just stop interrogating me!" Theo exclaimed, standing up from the bench and heading towards the doors, needing to get away from them all as fast as possible. How could he act normally around them when he felt the way he did? He'd surely be made an outcast if he ever let on that he hated the fact that his dad was a Death Eater, especially when Draco seemed so proud of his own dad for it. The only way for Theo to avoid being shunned was to avoid them.

"Theo! Wait!" He turned to see Daphne standing behind him. "What was that about?" she asked, panting.

"Nothing," Theo replied, trying to sound nonchalant. "I just want to be alone for a while."

"You can't tell your own girlfriend when something is bothering you?" Daphne asked, looking upset.

"No, no," Theo said quickly. "Nothing's bothering me. I just feel a bit sick." And he really did feel sick.

"You don't want any company?" Daphne asked.

"No. Sorry, Daph," said Theo. "I want to be alone." He walked away feeling even worse than he did before. He didn't want to lie, but he just couldn't risk losing her; she'd think him as so pathetic if he ever told the truth.

Daphne was becoming increasingly hurt by Theo's attitude, but as much as it pained him, he continued to keep his distance from her and the other fifth years. That is, until the day came where she presented him with the ultimatum he'd been dreading.

"Theo, if you don't tell me what's going on, I don't know if I can be with you anymore."

He felt his stomach drop, realising that he had no choice but to come clean. He faltered for several seconds before managing to force out an explanation about what had happened over summer.

"You hate that your dad is a Death Eater?" Daphne's expression was unreadable.

"I'm sorry," said Theo, "but it's the truth. I just don't want to be forced to fight for someone else's desire. I'm sorry I didn't say anything, but I've been terrified of losing you and my friends because of it."

He almost couldn't believe it when Daphne threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. Had she understood what he'd said?

"Oh, Theo," Daphne let go of him and shook her head. "You've been pushing us away when you're afraid of losing us; what kind of logic is that?"

"Well, now you put it that way," Theo said sheepishly.

"I understand," Daphne continued. "I feel the same. My family remained neutral during the last war."

"But there's no way my dad will let me be neutral," Theo said. "He'll make me fight."

Daphne offered a reassuring smile. "That's probably a long time away, so try not to worry about it now. Until then, you just have to live your life how you want to, and be true to yourself. Don't waste what time we have worrying about maybes. Go back to being the old care-free Theo we all admired and hated."

"I'll try," Theo laughed, leaning in to kiss her.

The sound of explosions and screaming filled the air throughout the grounds. The floor was littered with rubble and bodies, and there were jets of light flying in every direction through the rain. It was like hell come to earth.

"Theo!" his dad shouted as he shot a Killing Curse at a Centaur. "Take out that man next to the entrance. He's on their side."

Theo looked over to see the man, who was already badly injured and being approached by an Acromantula. He raised his wand, and hesitated.

Be true to yourself…

Daphne's words floated through Theo's head, and it was with that that he changed his target, and shot a Killing Curse at the Acromantula instead.

"What are you doing?" his dad roared as he killed a witch Theo recognised as a resident of Hogsmeade.

"I'm not fighting for you!" Theo shouted back. "I'm not fighting for anyone!"

His dad bared his teeth. "If you do this, you're dead to me," he snarled.

"I don't care!" Theo yelled. "I never have." He blocked the spell his father immediately sent his way, and ran as fast as he could away from him.

"Theo!" He heard Daphne's voice dimly over the racket of the battle, and saw her bolting towards him. Her blonde hair was sodden, and she was shooting spells left and right as she ran.

"What are you doing here you maniac?!" Theo yelled, stopping in his tracks.

"I knew you'd be here," Daphne replied, "I wanted to -"

Crack!

A jet of light hit Theo in the temple, and he collapsed. Daphne shrieked, and ran over to him, not hearing the sound of Voldemort calling for his forces to retreat over the mad thumping of her heart in her ears.

"Theo." She cradled his head in her lap and looked around, meeting the malevolent eyes of Nott Snr for a fleeting moment in all the chaos.

A wave of nausea overcame her as she realised what must have happened, and she looked down at Theo, who was bleeding heavily and losing consciousness.

"Daphne," he moaned weakly.

"Shh," she said, panicking and crying. "I can fix this. Just let me think of the right spell -"

"No," he said. "Tell me… a story."

"What? No!" Daphne said. "I need to help you." But then she noticed how quickly he was losing blood, and realised that he knew he wasn't going to make it. "No!" she yelled stubbornly, her tears mixing with the raindrops and splashing onto Theo's forehead.

"A story... Please…" Theo's voice was barely a whisper.

Daphne was shaking violently, and tried to talk through her sobs. "I love you, Theo," she said, planting a kiss on his mouth. Then, gathering all her strength, she began reciting a story she remembered telling him when they were children.

When she finished, she saw the ghost of a smile pass Theo's pale face, before he fell asleep in her arms to be with his mother again.

A/N: I really hope you enjoyed this. Please let me know what you thought! :)