So I made a few changes in the past chapters (all of them) mostly adding in mentions of tails/ears as I'd forgotten and better explaining some things. For those who don't feel like rereading the past chapters I made a huge edit where Theodore's ears and tail are described since his don't match his hair completely. Which is:

"Unlike most other people with their ears and tails still, the Slytherin's set were tri-colored. While one ear was solid black like his hair, his other had a golden tip and two small chocolate spots beneath the gold. His unusually long tail was also more gold than black and had chocolate mixed in with it. He was, from what Harry had learned, an abnormal "calico" type, which were said to typically be girls, making this boy incredibly rare."

And that's really all that's important :P

Harry awoke with a start and stared up at those around him. It was the entire Gryffindor Quidditch Team and Hermione, all looking worriedly down at him. They explained what had happened, that the dementors had attacked him and he'd fallen from his broom and Cedric Diggory had caught the Snitch and Harry's broomstick had been blown into the Whomping Willow, thus destroyed. Sure, Dumbledore had been angry, but that didn't stop the shame Harry felt over fainting again. Madam Pomfrey began to clear everyone out.

"You must all go. He needs rest!" She insisted. "Oh, but you may stay, Mr. Nott, of course."

Harry's ears perked and he stared in awe at Theodore, who seemed incredibly out of place behind the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. He was drenched just like everyone else, but Harry was sure the Slytherin hadn't gone to the game. He wouldn't have!

Hermione gave a wink and followed everyone else out, leaving Harry with Theodore alone...but this time it wasn't a lock-in. Theodore was choosing to be here with Harry.

"Why?" Harry whispered, too shocked to even think about tact. "Why are you here?"

"I sensed your fall." Theodore replied coolly, ears pinned back, but he wasn't angry: he was embarrassed. His cheeks were rosy and his eyes averted. "I didn't think we were close enough for me to sense you yet, but perhaps the strength of the danger was what permitted it."

"You sensed..."

"You were in serious danger and I sensed it."

"And you came running to my aid?" Harry asked, afraid to be excited, but unable to feel otherwise.

"You think it was for you?" Theodore shot, but the venom was absent and Harry had a feeling the Slytherin was lying. "Chances are, with me able to feel your endangerment, I would die as well if you did."

"That can happen?"

"It often does."

"But..."

"So I was only concerned for my own life." Theodore explained coldly. "There was no fear for you."

"That's mean."

"It's the truth."

"You came running because I was in danger though." Harry stated, his hopes getting the best of him. "You were afraid something bad was going to happen to me and you came for me."

Theodore's eyes finally found his and Harry suddenly knew it was true. Theodore had come for him because he was in danger.

The doors to the infirmary opened and Theodore gave a quick nod and mutter before exiting the room, Harry calling after him, but he was ignored. Dumbledore had entered with McGonagall alongside him. They checked with Madam Pomfrey and let Harry know that the dementors would not be doing this again. Harry didn't believe that anyone could control them though. This all felt trivial though considering what progress had just happened between him and Theodore. He was surprised he noticed the twinkle in Dumbledore's eye and the smile upon McGonagall's face.

"Um...Professors?"

"We seem to have had poor timing, I'm afraid." Dumbledore told him. "For that I apologize. If we had waited a little longer, perhaps you and Theodore would have had more time to bond..."

McGonagall suddenly interrupted. "Oh, but it is so exciting. I've never seen someone so young...oh..." She beamed at Harry.

"I'm sorry, Professors, but what's going on?"

"He came to rescue you." McGonagall explained. "He arrived out on the pitch and cast a Patronus! It was incredible! It couldn't drive off all of them, but it was strong enough to get them away from you. If it wasn't for the wind and rain, I'm sure all your friends would have been very shocked to see who had done it."

"It's just as well." Dumbledore added. "The Slytherins can be fairly harsh when they must."

"Well," McGonagall huffed, crossing her arms. "I wouldn't let my own House treat anyone differently just because they had a particep in Slytherin."

"Oh, no." Dumbledore gave a small laugh. "The Slytherins would never treat him any differently. They would make him feel ashamed and for him that would be worse. Now," He turned back to Harry. "I'm sure you're very confused."

The Headmaster went on to explain what a Patronus was and how incredible it was that Theodore could cast one. Harry wasn't even listening anymore. He was in awe that the Slytherin had done so much for him, who Theodore was always pretending he disliked. The boy had rushed to the pitch, had cast a Patronus, and had risked exposure of this kindness to his Housemates. Harry was hoping suddenly that the boy was back in the Hospital Wing, so he could thank him.

Dumbledore and McGonagall finally left the room and Harry waited hopefully for Theodore to return, even though he knew he was waiting in vain.

He lay there and listened to the rain and wind outside while his thoughts swimmed with what he had heard. Theodore, the self-centered Slytherin with an insult always on the tip of his tongue who always claimed to hate Harry, had come running to save him. He'd even performed incredibly difficult magic. Dumbledore had expressed shock that the Slytherin could cast a Patronus as many Slytherins who came from rough homes had a hard time casting such a spell since it required a happy memory and Harry instantly wondered with smidgens of wishes and hopes what kind of happy memory Theodore had chosen. He honestly doubted it had anything to do with himself, but he couldn't help wanting it to be.

Harry was shocked when he was waking up and he fumbled for his glasses only to find someone sitting in a chair beside him. He lurched, surprised, his ears pinned back and his tail frizzed.

Slouched with his head resting on his own shoulder, Theodore was sound asleep, black hair falling over his long-lashed eyes and ears relaxed and tail limp. He was still in his weekend robes and his long thin fingers were holding onto an open book in his lap. Harry smiled as he stared at the Slytherin, temptation eating him up. Cautiously, he leaned forward and glanced at the book. As he suspected, it was in runes, so he returned his gaze to the Slytherin's face. He barely realized he gasped.

Theodore's eyes were open, the blue like icicles piercing Harry beneath the shade of long black lashes. It was odd, but Harry really thought Theodore had an intense beauty about him, even for being a fourteen-year-old boy.

"You're a bit close."

Harry yanked suddenly away from the other boy, startled by the deepness of the whisper. For being only fourteen, Theodore seemed incredibly older than all the other boys and girls in their year, even more so than Hermione. Swallowing, his ears back and his tail flicking around nervously, Harry watched the Slytherin straighten, fix his robes, and close the book he had been reading before falling asleep.

"Sleep well?" Harry asked anxiously.

"No." Theodore's growl was expected, but Harry plowed on anyways.

"You could have just slept in one of the beds. I'm sure Madam Pomfrey wouldn't have minded."

"I didn't mean to fall asleep." Theodore hissed, ears twitching backwards and Harry stiffened at the accompanied venom. He pondered whether or not Theodore was a morning person.

"Don't like mornings?"

"Do you?"

"Not really."

"Most people don't."

Harry smiled. "You know, you like to answer questions indirectly then no one actually knows the truth."

Theodore's eyes flicked over to Harry to give him a quick once-over. "You're awfully bright-eyed and energetic for not being a morning person."

Harry just gave a shrug and then asked, "So what are you reading?"

"Learn runes and find out on your own."

Sighing, Harry abandoned the topic. "Were you here all night?"

"No." The word was spoken too quickly, announcing it was a lie. "Are you going to question me to death?"

"I don't mean to." Harry admitted sheepishly. "It's just we don't get to talk otherwise."

"You're rather needy for being a foolishly proud Gryffindor." Theodore's eyes were coy. "Maybe deep down you're a Hufflepuff...hmph...maybe not so deep."

Rolling his eyes, Harry bounched to the next topic at hand. "Did you really cast a Patronus?"

Theodore's eyes chilled drastically. "What of it?"

"I was just wondering if you could..." Harry hesitated at the glint entering the Slytherin's eyes. "Never mind. That's mean."

"You want me to teach you?" Theodore asked with annoyance.

"Only if you want to." Harry put in hastily. "I'm just getting tired of the way those dementors and I don't know anyone else who can cast one."

"All of the teachers." Theodore began to list. "Most of the sixth and seventh years. Even some of the fifth years..."

"Okay..." Harry mumbled, crestfallen. "I'll ask one of them."

Theodore's face showed his dislike. "Another attempt to use and so quickly after..."

"I wasn't trying to use you." Harry shot a glare. "I was only hoping you'd say 'yes', so it gave us an excuse to hang out some more."

This caused the Slytherin's features to show momentary shock before he got his emotions under control. "W-well...fine. I can teach you."

"Really?" Harry was surprised.

"If I find out you have ulterior motives..."

"I don't! I swear!"

Theodore stood abruptly. "Ugh...I'm going down to breakfast."

"Thank you" Harry threw in before the Slytherin could slip off. "For staying here with me."

The older boy straightened and he gave Harry a scowl, but the fierceness behind it was gone. "Whatever."

Then he spun smoothly and stalked off, leaving Harry as confused as he ever had been.

Harry was surprised that Malfoy wasn't taunting him about his fainting during the match, but he had a strange feeling Theodore was behind it. Though he seemed finally unable to take it and made a fainting imitation finally in Potions class. Harry couldn't keep a smile off of his face when he saw Theodore shove the blond hard enough from behind for Draco to stumble and latch onto a table to keep from falling.

The day would have continued looking up if he hadn't gone to Defense Against the Dark Arts and found Lupin there, his presence instantly reminding Harry why the man had been sick. Gut twisted and his entire body nervous. Though he was sure the man meant well, Harry was also sure that any person willing to risk child safety wasn't entirely good. When the bell rang, he packed up his things quickly and tried to escape out of the class as hastily as he could, but Lupin called him back.

More anxious than ever before, Harry was barely able to answer the question about his broomstick and he certainly wasn't paying attention to the story the man was telling him about the Whomping Willow.

"Well, that's interesting." Harry said stiffly.

"Is something wrong, Harry?" Lupin asked curiously.

"Oh...uh...n-no...not really. Just that Theodore and I were meeting up." It was a lie, but probably the only one any teacher would heed enough to permit him to run off without further word.

"Ah, yes." Lupin gave a genuin smile. "It is good to see the two of you getting along. We were all very worried."

"Yeah..."

"Well, I won't keep you."

"Thank you, sir."

Harry gave a quick nod and left the room faster than he probably needed to. He hoped the man brushed off his haste to eagerness to meet up with Theodore and not fear of being alone with him. Lupin was a nice person and Harry didn't want to hurt his feelings.

As he made his way towards the Great Hall, he suddenly averted his path and slipped into the library where he found, as he expected, Theodore in his usual corner, but he was accompanied this time by a Slytherin girl, who seemed a year older. Nervously, Harry hid behind a nearby bookshelf and, though he was a little bit ashamed of it, listened in on their conversation.

"Draco says you're getting mean." She smirked, green eyes watching the younger Slytherin.

"When have I been nice?" Theodore turned a page, his interest not yet sparked by the conversation.

"He says you're getting defensive."

"When haven't I been?" He replied in the same even tone.

"He thinks you're getting close to that Potter boy."

Theodore's tail twitched, but it was hidden from the girl, who didn't notice it. "Draco isn't exactly the sharpest mind out there and his speculations often turn to naught. I wouldn't rely on his intuition either."

"So you're not getting close to that Potter boy?"

"What do you think?" Theodore's eyes were slits when he looked at her. "A Gryffindor? A Slytherin? That's asking for trouble."

"But you could die." She pointed out.

"I'm not afraid." He honestly didn't sound even a little bit frightened. "Besides, he's needy and clingy and he won't leave me alone, so there's no chance neglect will break the bond. It'd take an actual spell. In a few years, the bond will be strong enough and I can finally break from him and not worry about death."

"So you intend to leave him behind once the bond is strong enough not to break from neglect?"

"Isn't that what I said?"

The girl gave a laugh that reminded Harry of an angry cat. "You give questions more questions and hop around the answer. You're never direct. It's impossible to know what you're really thinking. You let everyone do the assuming and then no one actually knows the pure simple truth."

"Truth is never pure and never simple." Theodore told her calmly. "It is littered with deception and complications."

"How are you fourteen?" She grinned at him, clear adoration in her eyes.

Sparks were flying through Harry's chest and he narrowed his eyes at the girl, wondering who she was, what she was doing with Theodore, and why she wasn't enjoying pudding down at dinner. He watched her with dislike, wanting to smack her every time her eyes wandered over Theodore. Who did she think she was?

"It's dinner time, you know." She told the younger boy with a smile, her hand slipping onto his arm. Harry opened his mouth, but then grinned when Theodore moved his arm away from her touch, forcing her to return her hand to herself. "Aren't you coming down?"

"No." He held up his book slightly to indicate it. "I'm busy."

"Are you sure?" She purred. "Hestia and I would love your company."

"This is a bit important." He rephrased without a change in tone. "Go on ahead. I'll meet you in the common room later, Flora."

"All right." Flora pouted, but didn't argue as she grabbed her bag and finally left the library.

Harry decided to wait a little bit before approaching the Slytherin because he didn't want to seem like he'd been waiting, but he didn't get the chance.

"You can come out of hiding now, Potter." Theodore didn't even look up from his book.

Ears flat with embarrassment and tail lashing back and forth from his anxiety, Harry approached the Slytherin and took a seat across from him.

"How'd you know?" He whispered as he watched Theodore's eyes scanning the page.

"You haven't figured it out yet?" Theodore asked, zero interest in his tone. "Read a book."

"What book?"

"What book do you think?"

Harry sighed and rested his head on the table. "Who was that?"

"Flora Carrow." He answered without hesitation. "She's a year above us."

"Are you...friends with her?"

"I'm a Slytherin. Do you really think I have friends?" Theodore gave a snort.

"Does she know that?"

"Does she have to?"

"You don't seem the type to spend any time with people who aren't smart." Harry pointed out.

"Which is why you can leave at any time."

"You're my cover."

Theodore lifted his eyes. "I'm sorry. What?"

"I told Lupin I was meeting up with you."

"He's back?"

"Yeah..." Harry fidgeted. "Are you going to Hogsmeade this next visit?"

"Yes." Theodore's answer made Harry frown.

"Why?"

"You have to ask?"

"To avoid me."

"At least, you're learning to think."

Harry began to trace circles with his finger on the tabletop. "Are you going home for Christmas?"

"Of course."

"Your parents make you?"

"No." Theodore's eyes rose to meet Harry's. "My father would spend it alone if I didn't."

"Where's your mother?"

"She's..." Theodore looked away. "She passed away when I was young."

"Oh, I'm sorry." Harry meant every word. "What happened?"

"Life." Theodore answered sharply. "Shouldn't you be getting dinner by now?"

"I'd rather be here." Harry shrugged and changed topics as he noticed he'd found a sore spot. "So this Flora girl...does she have a crush on you or something?"

Theodore gave an amused smirk. "If she does, it's only a benefit for me."

"Easier to manipulate?"

"You're starting to catch on."

"You're a Slytherin, I guess."

"No." The older boy corrected with a coy smile. "I'm Theodore Nott. There's a difference."

Harry furrowed his brows. "Why be like that?"

"That's probably one of your more idiotic questions so far."

"Thanks." Harry ran a hand over a book. "So do you like her?"

"I'm fourteen." Theodore reminded with a shake of his head.

"Sorry..."

"You should go eat dinner."

"I'd rather be here." Harry insisted.

"Are you masochistic by chance?"

"What?" Harry sat up to stare at the other with perplexity.

"Never mind." Theodore closed his book. "Come on. You should eat something."

Harry's brow rose. "You wouldn't go with that Carrow girl, but you'll go with me?"

He realized a second later he shouldn't have pointed this out because Theodore stiffened visibly and then glared at him.

"You're good with coming up with your own assumptions." He growled, his ears pinned back. "I was going to my common room, for your information, since it's clear this library is too crowded. You can go down to the Great Hall on your own."

With that, he shoved his books into his bag and stormed off, leaving Harry miserable and internally beating himself up for his own stupidity.

Woohoo! I'm getting somewhere! YAY!