A/N: Taylor Swift 'You Are in Love'

We really would love if you listened to this song while reading this chapter! Enjoy ;)

"No proof, one touch. You felt enough."

XXX

Birds of the night were chirping their dusk melodies from the trees of the Nott Manor courtyard. The smell of fresh rain filled the air and droplets of water fell from the gutter of the roof down to the top of Theo's head. As he stepped out to the top stair, he yawned, taking in the cool evening scent and smacked his lips together. He sent up a silent prayer to the Gods for the safety of his best pal, since she and her friends had narrowly escaped the Weasley wedding party. Draco had rushed to Theo's home only an hour ago, frantic and fearful, telling him the tale.

After a deep breath, he disapparated from the step to the front door of the newly remodeled Madam Mysteries–now known as Honey's Lounge.

Once he steadied himself on the front porch of the old house, his head rushed with pressure and his nose began to bleed. "Ugh," he groaned loudly as he cleaned himself up with a quick Scourgify. The nose bleeds, the dizziness, and occasional blackouts had become a normality for him, so why would tonight be any different?

He stepped through the door, the bell dinging letting the Keep know of his arrival.

Theo glanced over to the counter and noticed a pretty blonde sitting behind it, reading. He pursed his brows together in confusion; he hadn't remembered hiring a face like hers.

She looked up from her book, "Hullo. How can I help you?"

She had a slight curve to her accent, not completely English, but what was it? Theo smirked crookedly and spoke casually, "Hi there. Is Honoria in?"

"Yes, she is in the beck, would you like me to go get her?"

"No, no, it's alright. What's your name?"

She picked up her takeaway cup and sipped in the steam, "I'd really rather not share that information with a potential client."

Playing hard to get, Theo thought to himself.

"Oh, is that so?" he asked lightheartedly. As she was about to answer his question, Honey made her entrance.

"Theo! I am so glad you're here! I was worried that you weren't going to be making it tonight."

Theo winked at the blonde and turned his attention to Honey. "Of course I made it, darling. I just had to take care of some personal business first."

Honey pecked both of his cheeks and bowed her arm to the sitting witch.

"Have you acquainted yourself with our lovely Matti?"

Matti's cheeks went rose red as Theo smiled gallantly, "Only just."

"Good! Matti, this is Mister Nott, he is co-owner of the lounge."

Matti choked on the hot liquid and swallowed hard, "I… I apologize, Meester Nott."

Theo scrunched his nose and winked again, "Not a problem, love."

Honey took Theo's arm and hurried him to her office. As she did, Theo glanced back at Matti, smiling, and she returned a shy one.

"Where did you find her?" Theo asked as he plopped down on a large, ornate black sofa.

"She was down at The Hogs Head a few days ago asking for work and silly old Aberforth said he didn't have any openings, so I offered her a job."

Theo looked down at his nails, acting as if he was observing his cuticles while thinking that the woman was way too pretty to be working as a working lady.

"Don't worry yourself, Theodore! She is only working the counter," Honey said smiling sweetly.

Theo looked up, absentmindedly, "Whatever are you talking about?"

"Oh don't be so dippy, I saw how you looked at her," she winked playfully.

Theo shook his head, "No woman is going to tie me down, no matter how beautiful they might be."

"Hm, well, isn't that ironic?" Honey teased, as he rolled his eyes.

XXX

The bell rang from the front door, and Theo heard the sound from his office of Matti greeting the customer. Rather rudely, to be perfectly honest.

"What are you doing here?" he heard her ask.

"'Ow much for a brunette?" the voice asked.

"You're not answering my question, why are you here?"

Theo dropped his quill at Matti's distress. He stood from his chair and leaned against the doorframe.

"Well, if it isn't Mister Krum. What the hell are you doing here?" he said warmly.

"Vhat am I doing here? Vhat are you doing here?"

Theo waved his hand as if he was showing his possession off, "I own the place."

"I'm sure your father iz proud. Now, 'ow much for a brunette?"

"Vik, come into my office," Theo said moving from the frame.

Matti crossed her arms when Viktor walked passed her.

Theo clicked the door shut with his wand and cast a silencing charm.

"What is my long lost cousin doing here?"

Viktor sat down brusquely in the chair across from him. "I've had a rough night, and I vould like to blow off some steam. Is that a problem?"

"No, the problem is you were causing my damsel in there some distress and I would like to know why."

Viktor scoffed, "That's an ex girlfriend of mine. Ve dated for a vhile, and ve broke up. No harm done."

Theo puckered his brow, "When did you break up exactly?"

"Two days ago."

"Why?"

"Because, I vas going to have a night vith Hermy-own-ninny," he said very coolly.

Theo cleared his throat, blinking in disbelief, "I beg your pardon, what the hell did you just say?"

"Hermy-own-ninny?" he asked simply.

"And when exactly did you see her?" Theo could feel his heart start to pound beneath his ribs.

"Tonight? Vhy so curious?"

It definitely sparked an interest, why would Herm-own-ninny, er, Granger Danger be dillydallying with this twat cottar?

"Did you two… You know?" Theo asked as if it were Quidditch locker room talk.

"Ha ha ha, Merlin. Ve vere so close. She begged me to come vith her to Mister Veasley's garage and she vas so…" he held out his hands before him parenthetically, "so inviting."

Theo held his hands up, "Woah, woah, woah, n-n-no, I highly doubt that!"

Viktor pulled down the neckline of his jumper and revealed a bite mark, "You asked! I tell the truth! This is all her. That's vhy I am here, she didn't finish vhat she started."

Theo leaned back into his chair, pursing his brows together in great annoyance, "Brunettes are five-hundred galleons for two hours."

"Vhat! I am family!"

Theo crossed his legs onto his desk, "You're right, one thousand galleons. Now get the fuck out of my sight."

Viktor stormed out the door, and said something to Matti as he did.

Theo stood from his chair and saw Matti wiping at her face, her back was to him.

"Are you alright? What did he say?"

She jumped a bit, and straightened herself out. "I'm fine," she said quietly into her shoulder, "And he said nothing of importance."

Theo crept up behind her and placed a hand upon her shoulder, "He's not worth your time, sweetheart."

"I don't care about that," she sniffed, "I just, I don't like being used is all."

Theo chuckled, "And you're working in a place like this?"

"I… I needed a job, Honey offered me one, and I took it," she turned around to face him completely, "Theo, you're bleeding."

"Theo…Theo…"

XXX

Theo sat up suddenly, his body covered in sweat and chills.

"Fuck," he spat, rubbing at his head.

He looked over to see Matti sitting with a new book in her hand. She looked over the top edges and gave him a stern look. "Do you want to tell me what exectly is going on?"

Theo smirked, "Want to tell me exactly what your underlying accent is?"

"I hardly think that is pertinent information, Meester Nott. You are unwell," she said as she moved to kneel beside him, "Should you go to St. Mungo's?"

Theo shot her a look of discomfort, "No, absolutely not. If my father finds out that I am unwell again…"

"What?" Matti's concern was genuine and written in a thousand little lines all over her face.

"It's no matter, sweetheart." He didn't want to tell her of the likings of his father. Actually, he was quite impressed that she didn't know who he was, and it made him feel loads better. The Nott name was a famous one, and not usually in a good fashion these days.

She scooted up to his bed, and pushed his chest back, forcing him to lie back down, "You should get some rest. Do you have any type of business you need taken care of? I can tend to it..."

"I could think of a few things," he winked.

She playfully slapped his chest, and he cringed with feigned injury. "Oh! I am so so sorry! I am so sorry!"

He laughed and grabbed her hand, "It's okay, really, I was kidding."

Her face reddened with embarrassment, "You are cunning, you know that?"

"Thank you!" he exclaimed enthusiastically, "Really, don't worry, I'm fine. Miss…?"

She smiled and rolled her eyes, "Bettine…It's French."

"Ah, I knew I could get you to tell me."

"Tell you what exectly?"

"Your accent."

"Mum's English, Dad's French," she smiled again, blushingly. Theo couldn't take his eyes from her glowing cheeks, and then he noticed she hadn't taken her hand from his.

"I think I could like you, Miss Bettine."

"You hardly know me," she stated, her smile never fading.

"No, but I could."

What was he saying? What was he thinking? Who was this woman? Was she veela? Only a veela could have such an effect on him, right?

Suddenly a tapping pulled their respective gazes and hands from one another, finding a brown owl waiting at the window.

Matti crossed over to the owl, and gave it a treat while taking the envelope addressed to Theodore in her hand.

She handed the letter to Theo, who recognized the penmanship instantaneously. Father. He groaned and rolled his eyes.

"Could you excuse me?" he asked Matti with that charming smile of his.

"No, I'm not leaving your side, so, you can read that letter with me sitting right here," she pointed to the chair she had been sitting at previously.

Theo dropped his jaw to argue, but found that nothing was coming out. Who was this woman, he wondered to himself again, as he looked away hesitantly, proceeding to open the intimidating envelope.

"Theodore, we have business to attend at Malfoy Manor, be home before sunrise.

Thackeray Nott"

"Huh. Can't even sign 'Father'. What a load of crock," Theo said out loud as he dizzily stood up.

"Are you sure you should be getting up?"

"I promise you, I am fine. Thank you for your concern," Theo headed for the door of his office, and opened it just in time to see Viktor coming down the winding stairs and what looked to be one-thousand galleons atop the front counter.

"Matti!" he whispered harshly back into his office, and waved for her to come to him. Once she did, he tussled her hair.

"What are you doing Meester Nott?" she asked frazzled.

"Just trust me, darling." He then tousled his own mess of hair up, and placed a hand on the small of her back and escorted her from the office. Viktor was busy saying goodbye to his lady of the night, before noticing the pair waiting at the counter.

"You trust me, right?" Theo asked, with an assuring look on his face that all would be alright.

"I…I suppose," she managed.

Theo watched up at Krum, and once the men made eye contact, Theodore took Matti into his arms, placing one hand on the back of her head, and his other tightly around her waist, pressing his lips against hers. Oh, he thought as the power surged from her lips to his, and right into the center of his heart. The atmosphere around them went silent, like a darkness was lifted in his troubled world.

Theo opened his eyes to see that Matti's were closed, and he barely noticed Viktor sneering as he walked by. He pressed his lips a little bit harder until he heard the light bell of the door ringing, signaling it's open and close.

After the ding had sounded, Theo moved his lips slowly from hers, her lips slightly swollen and red.
Matti held her hands on his chest, and looked up into his sea of blue eyes.

"You didn't have to do that, Meester Nott."

"Ah, but you see, Miss Bettine, I did. Like I said, I want to know you."

"You have a quick pace to you, Meester Nott," she sighed and pulled away blushingly.

"When I see something that I like, I have to have it, I will do what I can to get what I want," he stepped away from her. "Also, Matti, please, call me Theo."

She smiled and nodded, "Theo."

XXX

"Draco," Theo said as he approached his best mate, embracing him in a hug.

"Theo."

"You been eating mate? You look rather sickly," Theo said as he observed the baggy robes that Draco had on.

"I've been eating, just having a stressful time. You know…"

Theo nodded and clapped his friend on the shoulder, "Come on, lets dip into the lovely bottle of Firewhisky I swiped from Papa Nott's cabinet! Because I have a ravaging headache, and I am betting this will do the trick to wipe it out."

Draco chuckled and lead them up to his bedroom. As they entered, he cast a silencing charm as well as a sturdy locking spell.

Draco fell back onto his bed, and propped his feet over the footboard, "You, however, look well, save from the last time I saw you. You been working down at Honey's?"

"I have, just a couple of days a week. Yesterday was my actual first day. It was… interesting to say the least." He popped the top of the whisky and took a deep swig and then handed it over to Draco.

"Why? What happened?" Draco too took a large gulp.

"You remember my arsehole cousin, Krum?" Theo asked taking the bottle back.

"Yeah, who could forget that tosser?" he said, remembering that Krum had taken Hermione to the Yule Ball, fourth year.

"He came in last night," Theo said plainly.

"Really? I wonder why? He can get basically any witch he flexes his arms at."

Theo snorted, "He said... that Granger Danger left him hanging…"

"What?" Draco felt his face go hot, he sat up fast, "What the fuck do you mean, 'left him hanging'?"

"Woah, woah, mate, don't Avada the owl! I haven't done any wrong here. My guess is she is having a hard time getting over your thickheaded self, and he was there. Can you blame her?"

Draco shook his head, "I guess… I kind of expected her to… I don't know…"

"Draco, she didn't do it. I said she left him hanging! Listen to me mate, she is crazy about you. Like I said before, you simply can't fight fate."

"Give me the fucking bottle."

Theo handed it over and quickly made to change the subject, "I met someone."

Draco lowered the bottle from his lips and raised his brows, "And who would the lady be?"

"Not a lady of the house, mate. I mean, she is, but not. She works at the front counter and she's absolutely stunning."

"And she likes you?"

"Actually… I don't know. It's hard to put it into words, you know? I don't know, it's weird, it's like we have some sort of connection, one I've never really felt with anyone before."

Draco considered the blubbering idiot this girl turned his friend into. She must be really something.

"Interesting. I know what you mean by not knowing how to put it into words, I don't think I've even admitted it to myself out loud…"

"Admitted what?" Theo asked leaning himself into the chair across from Draco's bed.

"Being in love," Draco said as he brought the bottle back to his lips. "It's like a feeling you can't really place, you know? It's just something…" he paused to gather his thoughts, "It's like letting go of every fear, and wanting to scream it out to the world, not caring what anyone says."

Theo nodded, "You been drinking all day, mate?"

"No, arsehole I just… I miss her. You understand right?"

"I miss her too," he sighed. "I miss he-what the hell!" Suddenly the skin beneath his cloak pocket began to burn. Taking the pocket-watch from within, he rubbed his thumb over the monogram, watching as it turned into words. 'Arthur Probsthain' was now inscribed on its metallic surface along with a date and time.

Draco toppled out of his bed and over to Theo's side, "Y-you're communicating with her?"

Theo looked up to the steel eyes boring into him. "With who?"

"Hermione."

The breath escaped Theo's lips, "I had no idea. But do you know who Arthur Probsthain is?"

Draco absentmindedly took hold of his phial and clenched his jaw, "I know the name... I just can't place it. Why would this be relevant though? What is she trying to point out to you?"

Theo shook his head, "I don't know."

"Wait, I think I know... In the memory when we went to see what the baby was, I recall that name, it was a bookstore."

"So, muggle London?" Theo said as he rubbed his thumb over the surface, watching as it faded back into the 'TNI'.

"I guess so," Draco's head suddenly began to ache, so badly that he fell to his knees beside Theo, blood began to dribble down from his nose.

"You're bleeding?" Theo jumped up alarmed, "How long has this been going on?"

Draco shook his head, wiping the blood on his robes, "It hasn't. This is the first time." He abruptly held his hand against his chest, pain burning down his spine, "I can't. I ca-can't breathe."

Theo tossed his mate over his shoulder and onto the bed, filling an empty glass on the side table up with water from his wand. "Draco. Stay with me, mate."

"When you see her, tell her I love her."

"No. No mate, I won't do that. I will not do that. You will be the one to tell her you love her, when this is all over and done with. You, Draco Malfoy will tell her you love her, you hear me?" Theo heard his voice go shaky, and felt his throat tighten, "You hear me, mate?"

Draco nodded, scrounging for his voice, "Just let me know how she is, how she looks."

Theo nodded, "I will. Here, drink this." He poured the water into his friend's mouth, and then fetched a bottle of sleeping draught from the cabinets in Draco's well-stocked private washroom. "You need rest, mate."

After five minutes or so, Draco had fallen into a deep sleep, his nose encrusted with dried blood. Theo noted the bleeding had finally seemed to stop. He cleaned him up and tossed a blanket over him, Theo's hands fidgeting with nerves all the while. His mind began to race. Heart pounding, a thought beat heavily in his mind.

"We're...dying," he presumed silently.