Theo is trying to find a way to move their relationship from chess lessons and friendship to something more. Will Daphne understand the question he is asking from the surprise he has planned?

Song Oceans by Seafret

Theo: Morning brown eyes

Daphne: Moring chess man

Theo: Need a ride?

Daphne: Already at work

Theo: For tonight?

Daphne: Sure

Theo: Let's call it a date

Daphne: Okay

Theo: I have a present for you

Daphne: What is it?

Theo: A surprise - wear jeans

Daphne: Theo - what are you up to?

Theo: About 6'2". Why do you ask?

Daphne: Nevermind … see you at 5

Daphne tucked her mobile into her desk drawer. She and Theo had been going out to dinner a couple of times a week over the last month. He had hinted at wanting to be more than "just friends" and she was good with that. He was cute and funny and just sarcastic enough to keep her interested. They had gotten to know each other over the chessboard. Now, it looked like he was ready to take another step.

Theo: I need some advice

Harry: What's up?

Theo: Daphne

Harry: More than chess lessons?

Theo: I hope

Harry: How much more?

Theo: Dinner, dancing, hand holding, riding to Chess Club together…

Harry: Really?

Theo: Yeah … I really like her

Harry: So ask her to ride with you tonight

Theo: I did

Harry: And…

Theo: Picking her up at 5

Harry: Open doors, reach for her hand

Theo: Be the gentleman that Mum wants

Harry: And see what happens

Theo: I bought her something

Harry: Is it a "Be my girl" gift?

Theo: What's that?

Harry: Something that says you want to spend more time with her

Theo: I guess

Harry: What is it?

Theo: You'll see it when we get to Chess … if you get there on time

Theo looked at the box in his classroom closet. He was going to have to find a way to get it to Daphne's tonight. She was going to need what was in the box to get to Chess Club if he could plan everything right. He really liked her and wanted to spend more time with her.

He watched the way Harry and Ginny, and now, Ron and Hermione, were with each other and he wanted that with her. A connection to a person that understood who you were and still wanted to be with you. He didn't know if he loved Daphne, but he wanted to find out. Life's an adventure to be lived, especially with the right partner.

Daphne: So, who's coming to Chess tonight?

Ginny: Me

Hermione: Me

Luna: Me

Daphne: I may need a ride home after dinner

Ginny: Why?

Hermione: Car trouble?

Daphne: No …Theo

Hermione: Theo?!

Ginny: Have things moved beyond just chess lessons?

Luna: Do tell

Daphne: He asked me to ride with him to Chess tonight

Ginny: Nice

Hermione: What did you say?

Luna: Yes, Theo … I will RIDE you tonight

Daphne: LUNA!

Ginny: Car or bike?

Hermione: My bet is on his bike

Daphne: He didn't say. He did say he had a surprise for me and to wear jeans

Luna: BIKE … or something else ;)

GInny: Luna?!

Luna: If no one else will say it

Daphne: I do like him … a lot

Hermione: What do you see when you think about next year?

Daphne: A quiet Saturday morning, snuggled on the couch with him

Ginny: She's got it bad

Luna: He is a good guy

Hermione: I don't think she is going to need a ride home from any of us ...

Daphne finished her lunch and headed back to her classroom. She was glad she had talked to the girls about Theo. She really did see him in her life no matter how far into the future she looked.

She needed to get herself pulled together. She still had classes to teach today and students to keep in one piece as they used chemicals in her lab. She could plan her outfit on the drive home. She was not going to think about the surprise he had promised or what she would do if her reached for her hand. She had enough chemistry to worry about in her classroom without adding him into the mix.

Theo: Hey brown eyes

Daphne: Hey chess man

THeo: How was work?

Daphne: Not bad. How was your day?

Theo: Good. All the numbers added up

Daphne: None of my students exploded today … and the school is still standing

Theo: That's good

Daphne: Can I have a hint?

Theo: About what?

Daphne: My surprise

Theo: No

Daphne: Please …

Theo: No … it's a surprise

Theo grinned as he tucked his mobile into the pocket of his jacket. He had found a way to pack the helmet and jacket into the box he had strapped to the back of his bike. He hope she liked it. He was out of luck of she didn't. He probably should get ready. He didn't want to be late for this date.

Theo: Hey guys

Neville: Hey

Ron' What's up?

Theo: Food after Chess?

Ron: Sure

Neville: Where?

Theo: Pizza?

Ron: Sounds good

Neville: Anyone heard from Harry?

Theo: What time is it?

Ron: No … do not answer that

Neville: Almost 5

Theo: I bet he is late for chess

Ron: I said don't answer that

Neville: They are married

Ron: Baby sister … Never mind, but one day, you might have daughters …

Daphne opened the door and was greeted by a large box. "For you," Theo smiled as he handed the box to her. "I hope you like it."

"Come in and have a seat," Daphne took the box and set it on her coffee table in the sitting room. "Let me get my bag and we can head out."

"You will need to open your present when you get back," Theo hinted as he settled into her sofa. "It is only part of the surprise."

"Okay," Daphne's voice floated back to him from another room. "The present is surprise enough."

Returning to the sitting room, Daphne set her bag beside her present. "Theo, what have you done?"

"Open the present." Theo could not stop grinning. "Please."

Daphne pulled on the ribbon that was wrapped around the box. "What? No paper?" she teased, glancing at him over her shoulder.

"Just open the lid, brown eyes," Theo whispered. "I really hope you like it."

Daphne slowly lifted one flop and gasped. "Theo, you shouldn't have …"

"How else was I going to take you to Chess Club? I hope you enjoy the ride."

Hermione: I've got our table

Luna: Be there soon

Neville: Is Ron there?

Ron: I've got us tables

Luna: Any sign of the others?

Hermione: None

Ron: Theo just pulled in with Daphne … Wow

Neville: Take a picture and share it

Daphne and Theo held hands as they walked from his bike to The Bishop's Brew. He had gotten her a helmet and jacket so that she was protected when they rode together. She loved holding on to him as they rode and it was a nice surprise to hear his voice in her helmet. His declaration of the change in their relationship status was just him, setting it in front of her and let her choose. Tonight's conversations were going to be interesting.

"Can you get me my usual?" Theo asked as they walked in to the door. "I can see that Ron needs a chess lesson."

"Sure, I might even come and watch." Daphne smiled as she headed for the counter to place their order. "I do have some edits I need to get done for my fest piece."

Daphne could hear Hermione's fingers flying over the keys on her computer. The group chat was going to be a snarky place tonight, but that was okay. Luna walked in as she picked up her order and headed for the chess boards.

"I'll be over in a few minutes." She waved as she set Theo's coffee beside his board and kissed him on the cheek. "Start the gossip without me."