Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

AN: Another big thank you for all the reviews, follows, and favorites. The readers here really are the best. Also, a HUGE thank you to Modges, who is nothing short of awesome.

Slight warning: the language in this chapter is a bit stronger than previous chapters. This is a M-rated fic. Thank you.

Lucius watched with narrowed eyes as the Zabini heir led his daughter away from the party. His daughter. It was still unbelievable to him that she was back. Although, he still wasn't sure she would ever truly forgive him for his actions. For that matter, he wasn't sure Narcissa would forgive him either. They had barely spoken since his outburst towards his daughter. Ever since the twins seventeenth birthday, he had been in despair over the fact that his daughter was most likely dead. It had caused a huge strain on his marriage, that was just starting to repair itself when he bungled it again. As he continued to watch her being led away, he promised himself to do whatever it took to get his family back together. It was then that he noticed something out of place. The Nott heir had taken off after the couple, a furious look on his face. Not too long after that, both Draco and Potter followed, one right after another. Thinking that was odd, he also decided to follow along. As he came upon the group, he could feel the tension right away. As Hermione opened her mouth to start yelling at the boys, he decided to interrupt.

"Is there a problem here?"

As all five turned to face him, he took in the different expressions on their faces. Zabini looked confused, while Draco looked both confused and irritated. Potter was looking straight at him, defiance shining in his eyes. Nott was cradling his jaw, looking hurt. Lucius wasn't sure if that was because of his jaw or something else. Lastly, he turned to his daughter, to find her looking down at the ground. While he could not see her face, the sadness that was radiating from her was overwhelming. He tapped his foot impatiently as none of the group had yet answered his question.

"Well?"

"Potter punched Theo in his face!" Lucius raised an eyebrow at this revelation, certainly not expecting to hear that. He did hear his daughter hiss 'Draco!' under her breath, clearly not happy that her brother blurted out happened. Lucius shifted his eyes to Potter, who shrugged his shoulders and smirked at him.

"He deserved it." Both Draco and Zabini started arguing with Potter at his statement, demanding to know just what Nott did to deserve it. Lucius was certainly curious himself, especially since he assumed it had something to do with his daughter. He slammed his cane down on the group in order to obtain some order. The two boys stopped talking at once.

"And just what, pray tell, did Mr. Nott do to deserve such an assault on his person, Mr. Potter?" Lucius watched as Potter's eyes drifted over to his daughter. Ah, so he was right. It did have something to do with her. He saw her give a quick shake of her head and with that, Potter stayed quiet.

"I really don't feel as though detailed explanations are needed. Harry is sorry and I'm suddenly not feeling so well. If you gentlemen would please excuse me, Harry, I would like to go home."

She turned on her heels and walked quickly out of that section of the garden. Harry, giving one last glare in Nott's direction, followed after her. Lucius turned his attention back to the remaining three. Zabini was still confused, but Draco looked like he was starting to put things together.

"Was it you?" he demanded of Nott, angrily.

"Was what me?"

"The day we had lunch, she told me briefly what had happened between her and Weasel. That she couldn't give him what he wanted because she loved someone else, someone that broke her heart. She outright refused to tell me who it was. I thought it was because we were just starting to get to know each other as siblings. And maybe that was part of it, but another reason was because the person who broke her heart just happened to be one of my best friends, wasn't it? What the fuck, mate?!"

Blaise turned his confused eyes to Theo. "Theo, is this true?"

"Yes, Mr. Nott. Please enlighten us."

Theo could hear the venom in Lord Malfoy's voice. Shit, he thought. This has the potential of being so much worse than Potter's punch.

Harry winced as Hermione's nails dug into his hand. She practically dragged him across the garden to where her mother was standing with Severus.

"Narcissa. Uncle Sev. I'm extremely sorry, but Harry and I really need to be going."

Narcissa looked closely at her daughter's face. It was obvious that something had happened to make her very upset. She reached out and gave her a big hug, which was a bit awkward since Hermione refused to let go of Harry's hand.

"Of course, darling. I'll owl you tomorrow and we'll set another date for tea, okay?"

"Yes, that's fine. It was a lovely party, thank you. I shall talk to you later."

With a quick nod toward Severus, Hermione led Harry to a corner of the garden and with a POP, they were both gone. Narcissa turned to Severus and lifted an eyebrow, silently asking if he had any idea what just happened. Severus sighed, thinking he probably had a good idea just what went wrong.

"Come, Cissy. I saw Lucius entering the area where Cassi just came from. Let us go see if he knows anything."

Narcissa followed Severus over to the mentioned area and the two of them walked into quite a scene. Narcissa looked over at her husband, who looked incredibly irritated, and quirked an eyebrow.

"Lucius, dear. Our daughter just left in a hurry, dragging poor Harry along. Whatever happened over here?"

"Apparently, Potter assaulted Mr. Nott out here in our gardens and the injured party was about to explain just why Potter felt the attack on his person was warranted. Is that not so, Mr. Nott?"

Seeing that he now held the undivided attention of five highly influential and potentially dangerous people, Theo visibly paled. He quickly ran a hand through his already mussed hair, wondering if he would be able to extricate himself from this situation without getting severely hexed. Somehow, he rather doubted it.

"Hermione and I dated. All through fifth year and most of sixth. I loved her, you have to know that. And yes, Draco, it is true that I'm the one who broke her heart, but I had to! No one knew about us, even Potter didn't find out until sixth year. We were careful, hiding our relationship, thinking it would be safer that way."

"So? What happened? . ?" Draco spat at him.

Flashback

Theo felt sick as he awaited Hermione in the Room of Requirement. Running a hand through his hair, he pulled on it slightly, trying to get the courage to do what he needed to do. This was going to be the hardest thing he ever had to do. At that moment, she arrived and Merlin, did she look incredible! She still had on her Hogwarts uniform, but she wore her hair down in cascading curls, just how he liked it. He inwardly groaned. Now that she was standing in front of him, he had no idea if he could pull this off.

"Hello, Theo. I missed you today. I didn't catch a glimpse of you all day!"

He said nothing, afraid his voice would betray him. Instead, he hauled her against him and lowered his lips to hers. He might have to end things tonight, but he was going to have his witch in his arms one last time before he did. As he traced his tongue along her bottom lip, she parted her lips to allow his tongue entrance. Their tongues danced together for a while until he felt her start to unbutton his shirt. His eyebrows shot up. This was new, just what did she think she was doing? Even though they had been together for a year and half, they had never taken that final step into intimacy. She felt as though she wasn't ready yet and he respected that. Feeling her hands start to play around with his belt, he decided to he needed to stop this now. If he didn't, he might never leave.

"Hermione. Hermione, stop. What are you doing?"

"I've been thinking, Theo. I love you. You love me. I'm not sure what I've been waiting for, but I'm ready. Now."

He was sure he had a look of shock on his face. Oh Merlin! His every dream was coming true and he was about to crush both of them. Shit. He had to do this and had to do it now. He knew if he slept with her that he would never be able to let her go. He forced a snarl onto his face. Hermione, seeing that, took a step back, confusion appearing on her face. He let a bitter laugh.

"You want to have sex with me? Like I would ever put my cock anywhere near your Mudblood pussy. This has only been a bit of fun, something to keep myself occupied. I wouldn't actually sully myself with a worthless Mudblood just as yourself."

He wanted to die as the look of love that was on her face, fell into hurt. He could see that her eyes had started shining.

"Fun? FUN? I must have been a lot of fun to keep you occupied for almost two years, Theo! You said you loved me!"

"I only said that to keep you around. I don't love you, I never loved you, and I never could love you. You are nothing to me. In fact, I think you should leave. Now."

"You are a complete bastard, Theo Nott, and I will hate you for the rest of my life!" She slapped him right across the face and turned to storm out of the room. He could see the tears starting to fall down her face and heard her breath hitch as she slammed the door and went running to Harry. But what she didn't see and what she didn't know was that she left behind a broken man. As soon as he heard the door slam shut, Theo sunk down to the floor, buried his face in his hands, and sobbed for the first time in his life.

End Flashback

Theo looked at the faces surrounding them. The only person who didn't look remotely surprised was Severus. Theo had always thought his Professor knew about the two of them, his reaction only confirmed it. The look on Blaise's face was what worried him the most. He knew he was hurt and it killed him that he was constantly fucking up with the people he loved. Draco looked like he was about to kill him and part of Theo wished he would just put him out of his misery.

"I don't understand, Mr. Nott. If you actually loved her, why the production? Why were you trying to push her away?"

"I think I can answer that, Lucius. Someone found out, didn't they? I've long had my suspicions on what happened and who caused all this trouble. I tried to talk to Hermione about it a few days before the party, but the very mention of you causes her to run off. Care to let me know if I was right?"

"You are right. Someone did find out. I'm still not sure how as we were very careful. This person threatened to tell their father if I didn't break up with Hermione right away. Their father was ruthless and in the Dark Lord's inner circle. I knew he was an actual follower, not someone who was forced into for family reasons. He would have killed us both. This person also threatened to tell one more person."

"Who?" Draco wanted to know. Theo turned to look at him.

"You. She knew you would not only stop being my friend, but that you would tell your father, another Death Eater in the inner circle."

"I wouldn't have given up our...wait. Did you just say she?"

Theo said nothing, just nodded his head in confirmation.

"It was Millie, wasn't it?" Theo shot a surprised look at Blaise, confused at how he could have possibly figured that out.

"How did you know?"

"I remember now. By the end of sixth year, every time you looked in Millie's direction you could barely mask the hatred on your face. And she looked at you with something akin to glee in return. She also hated Hermione with a passion. In fact, I'm pretty sure Millie fancied herself in love with you at one point. She obviously flipped when she found out you were secretly seeing Hermione, yet you wouldn't even give her a second look."

Theo turned to the Malfoys, remorse clear on his face. "I'm terribly sorry about what I did. I had no idea that Hermione was Cassi or that she would be here tonight. If I had known, I would not have come. I would never hurt your daughter any more than I already have."

"Oh Theo, you did what was necessary to keep my daughter safe. I forgive you," Narcissa told him, wrapping her arms tightly around him in a fierce hug. Theo's eyes widened slightly with surprise and Blaise chuckled softly, amused at his friend's obvious discomfiture. Lucius said nothing but sent a filthy look in his direction. Then he turned and stormed back towards the Manor; Narcissa hurried after Lucius, calling his name. Theo then turned back towards Draco, wondering if this fiasco would end up ruining an eighteen-year friendship.

"Theo, you are one of my best mates. I know Millie's father and he would have torn you both limb from limb. So I am going to forgive you, but there is something I have to do first."

"Anything, Draco. You have to know how-." Theo was cut off as a fist slammed into his face for the second time that night.

"Shit! Damn it! Do you and Potter both have iron fists?!"

"Well, I feel better now. I'm going back to the party." Draco and Severus left, leaving Theo and Blaise alone.

"You could have told me, you know," Blaise said softly. Theo looked down at the ground, his face growing red. He knew Blaise was hurt, he could hear it in his voice.

"I'm so sorry, Blaise."

"Stop. It's fine. It's not like you were cheating on me or anything. You don't think I'm so unobservant that I couldn't tell you were hurting when we first got together? I am a Slytherin, after all. You still love her, don't you?"

"I love you, Blaise."

"I know that, but you love her too." Blaise sighed. "You know, my father is pushing me hard for a contract with her."

"I know, mine is too. A Nott and a Malfoy, perfection! That's what he keeps telling me. You should-you should go for it. She really is perfection, she'd make you happy," Theo said with a choked voice. Blaise laughed bitterly.

"Right. It would be perfect. A wife who is in love with my best mate, who I'm also in love with, who is in love with us both. That sounds like a wonderful basis for a marriage."

"Do you honestly think I want that?! It's going to kill me to lose you, you know that! But just what are we supposed to do? As much as our fathers want us to be happy, there is no way they would allow us to marry each other. You know the rules with being the last heir of a house."

"Blaise?" The introduction of a new voice startled both men. They turned to see Blaise's father, Lord Zabini standing there, looking at them with curiosity.

"Father."

"Theo's the reason you've turned away every contract I've sent you? How did I not know my only son is gay?" Blaise turned bright red, not really wanting to discuss this with his father.

"I'm not gay, Father. I like both men and women. I just happen to be in love with Theo."

"And Theo is in love with the both of you? What do you think of the young Ms. Malfoy? Are you attracted to her?"

"She is quite beautiful and very charming. What are you getting at, Father?"

At his question, a smirk worthy of any Slytherin appeared on his father's face.

"I just might have a solution to your problem, boys."

AN2: So hopefully not too much of a cliffy, since I think we all know where Lord Zabini is going with this! :) Hope you enjoyed!