Author's Note: I know this one back tracks a wee bit with the timeline already presented, but there are some things that I wanted to shed some light on, and to be frank I have recently really enjoyed Theo's character, and I know I wanted more of him in this, since he does become a bit more vital later. Reviews are wonderful Thank you!

Change can happen all at once, in one moment of force, or it can happen slow like waves upon the shore. Each slow lap of water removes some sand, subtly changing the landscape. Abrupt change causes people to wonder, to question things, subtle change is easier on most people. Changes in the wizarding world happen much the same, the war was abrupt. Recovery was slow and subtle, years later and they are still reeling in the aftermath, yet there are those that choose to embrace change.

Theodore Nott was one such wizard who believed that in order to move forward, he needed to embrace the change that was happening around him. Dropping his father's ideologies was easy enough to do when he saw first hand the devastation that it caused. Never taking the mark himself, that black ink that hung over the heads of so many, he was in a better standing than some. Even if the margin was only slight. Headlong into his studies he threw himself, grasping early that only he could take over the reigns of his family businesses and have any hope at reestablishing a name.

The name of Nott was considered to be blackened, but not enough that they stopped using the illustrious K & N Solicitors. Other companies with the Nott name backing them were less knows, less public, and obviously did not flaunt the Nott name. Those companies were safe from the wrath of the public. The K & N Solicitors was a private brand, only the elite used them in times of need. Of course this suffered the most losses after the war. The Sacred 28 were dropping like flies, the heads of their houses arrested and thrown in Azkaban, most of them perishing within a few years. Notably the most profits came from that company and Theodore Nott knew that he needed to find a way to fix the floundering situation. Against his father's wishes (before he was put in Azkaban, mind you) he knew that the only way to fix that would be to bring in new blood. The solicitors working for the company left to find new employment and he was alone managing what he could.

Stumbling upon the letters for Hermione had been…. Interesting. They were brought to his office by a very official looking Hogwarts owl, which he found odd, but there was an accompanying letter from Professor McGonagall was even stranger.

" To Whom it May Concern,

After the battle that occurred here on the Hogwarts Grounds, a complete cleansing of the grounds and building was needed. These letters were found hidden away in the headmaster's office. I do not know who they are for, or which child these belong to. There is no date on the letters and the last name is one that I had not seen in a very long time. I know that at one time your office handled all of the last will and testament of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. I am hoping that by looking at your records, you would be able to see into whose hands these letters belong. I wish you the best of luck.

Minerva McGonagall

Headmistress

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry"

More than happy to take a break from the monotony of staring at the blank walls, Theo dug into his old files looking for the last names of Prewett or Selwyn. In the dusty tomes of long ago, he found the names he was looking for. Both of the names were from long dead families, with surprisingly no relations left alive except for the willful Molly Weasley (nee Prewett). Quite a bit of digging needed to be done from there, quite a puzzle. Theodore Nott was not afraid of puzzles, infact he loved them.

Luckily for him, both the Prewetts and the Selwyns used his Family's solicitation services for generations, and not just for mild solicitation purposes either. Luckily the men in his family had kept to taking very meticulous notes on their clients to be passed down through the generations. In all honestly, at least in Theo's mind, these notes were more than likely kept for blackmail purposes down the road should anything come across as a slight to the Nott name. Scouring these notes he came across a few passages under the Selwyn surname. On May 1 1981, Imogen Selwyn had set up an account in Gringotts for the Muggles who took care of one of the families properties deep in Muggle Britain. It was rare that they Muggles would be given a vault at Gringotts…. He dug a bit deeper, seeing as how that vault would have fallen under the family funds.

"May 1, 1981

To Miss Imogen Selwyn,

The Goblins at Gringotts Wizarding Bank are pleased to present the Selwyn family with vault 684 for the caretakers Mr. & Mrs. William Graner for their family's years of service to the Selwyn family.

As per contract establishment, a measure of 500,000 Galleons, 600,075 Sickles, and 450,500 Knuts is to be sent here for the first year, and to withdraw in the amount of 100,000 Galleons, 100,000 Sickles, and 100,00 Knuts a year for the foreseeable future until the Last Will and Testament of Imogen Selwyn is read to her final Heir, her Daughter Wilfreda Jean Prewette nee Selwyn or her Grandaughter Hermione Jean Prewett. See Codicil 113.

We hope to see you again,

Vilx Mudwick ,

Head Goblin

Gringotts Wizarding Bank"

Theodore sat back and ran a hand through his already worried hair. Hermione, how many bloody witches in England were named Hermione? Just the one, with the same last name as the Muggle Caretakers no less! He knew very little of Hermione Granger when she was at school, other than the fact that her grades were impeccable and that one of his only friends was half in love with the chit in school. He could never act on it, of course, but love is not something that takes Rank into consideration. One measly piece of paper was not going to be enough to convince the brightest witch of her age that she was suddenly a pureblood. He needed to keep digging.

Imogen Selwyn was nothing, if but meticulous, she saved bloody everything.

"February 20, 1979

Tiberius Nott!

I have gone to great lengths to protect my family, and i pay you for that privacy. It would pain me to do so but I could take our business elsewhere. My mother never quite felt her information was private and safe, and she instilled that to me. I am not asking you to do the things I have requested. I am demanding them, after what was done to me by your family, I would have hoped that you would have some consideration for my daughter. Wilfreda is a raw spirit, and yes she saw fit to marry below her station, but that man loves her more than the moon. I do not wish for their privacy to be violated.

As such, I request that you get over to that pompous paper and demand that they retract any and all statements slandering my daughter. No one is to know she is married and with child, that is for her family to know only, especially in times such as these. Your lord may be watching for any signs of her, but he does not know who she is and we are going to keep it that way. You owe me Tiberius, your family more than most. You will protect my daughter if is the last thing you do.

Imogen J Selwyn"

He blew out a breath as he read the words so neatly written on the page, his grandfather Tiberius must have known Hermione's grandmother, and known her well. None of the men in the Nott line were good at handling threats, and that was certainly a threat.

"February 20, 1979

Imogen,

What happened all those years ago, it was not my decision to make. Your father and mine, they had decided it was the only thing that could be done. Looking back now, we know how foolish it was, and I assure you that I will go to great lengths to protect you and yours Imogen. We were close once, I wish we were still so, Talbot misses you… I wish things were different, I must confess.

Your daughter will be safe, this I promise you, Talbot is with Tom now, and that should keep him from pressuring you any more than necessary. Before you yell, He took it upon himself to join the ranks to protect you. He loves you, even if… even if it cannot be seen in public. I will do all within my power to provide anything your daughter shall need. Your grandchild will not go for wanting, he or she will be protected by the Nott name, even if it is in secrecy. I will do as you request and set aside some vaults for you, both in my name and in yours. Stay safe Imogen.

Forever yours,

T. Nott"

Seeing his grandfather's scrawl, shot tingles down his spine. This sounded interesting, but this letter was… it was different than all the others he had seen strewn in with blackmail files. His grandfather seemed almost…. Warm….

There was another letter,

"February 21, 1979

Talbot Nott,

You foolish, foolish boy! How could you do such a thing! Your father has told me what you have done, and I had hoped to spare you from the madness! Your grandfather made a mess of things when he signed on blindly with Tom…. and my father… well he took no one's word but his own. You may be older than most Tal, but you have just begun a life! What would Diantha say? You two have only just wed, and I can tell by her face it is a love match! I have seen the way that you look at her, much like…

Diantha told me that she is expecting, and this is wonderful news…. Your involvement with Tom terrifies me Tal. I know why you did it, you stubborn fool, but Tal…. your family, your life? How… how could you have done that after what Tom has already done to your family? I know I don't say it nearly enough, but I am proud of the man you have become. The life you have foraged, the beautiful family that you make with Diantha, I am just sorry that this has happened to you.

Wilfreda reminds me so much of you, it's uncanny. She is stubborn and free spirited, and she married for love. No it wasn't announced, they ran off to Gretna Green. I missed her wedding! Can you believe she had the audacity to hide from her own mother! They positively adore each other and i am so happy for them, even if I cannot show it. I love both of you have gone on to have what I was never able to have, happiness. Please make yours last Tal, you deserve all the Happiness the World can offer, especially after all this time. Wilfreda is expecting too, even f she does not see what is in front of her nose. I cannot wait until she finds out for herself.

You take care, please Tal, I could not bear it if something were to happen to any of you, please.

Always,

M"

Theo shook his head as he stared at this last letter, Talbot Nott was his father. He barely remembered his mother Diantha, barely a babe when she died. Nothing in these letters made sense.

"March 1, 1979

M,

I know you are worried about me, but I know what I am doing. Dia, she is the best thing to happen to me in a long time, please know that I will treasure her always. Yes, the heir of the Nott line is on his way, I have a feeling about this. Freda has always done as she pleases, it does not surprise me in the least that you were the last to know. Have faith that things will work out, Prewett made an honest woman out of her and I am glad of that. I have been slowly taking over the family businesses so that Father can retire, he is not… he is not as young as he used to be.

Tom has been too interested in your family for too long for him to stop now, what was done to you… it is the tip of the iceberg. I have heard some awful rumors about what he has done to people, the places he has been and what he wants to do with the wizarding world…. Someone has to stop him. I am not strong enough to do it on my own, and I know no other way to gain any kind of backing. A new recruit came to dine with us, a half blood that had many of the members grating with Tom… Voldemort, he wants to be called now.

This new recruit… he will be the one that throws things into balance I suspect. There is something about this one that strikes me as different, the fear in him…. There is something else there. He has been jilted by love, and he has the hate in his heart to follow Tom… Changes are coming, only those that are in his innermost circle are going to be able to see what they are, and I want you and Freda far away from them.

Tell her congratulations for me, I am so very happy she has found what I have with Dia. She Deserves it more than I can express. I hope her child and my Son can be friends, once this is over. It would be nice to start over, if only. You know that I always love you, even when I cannot show it. Stay safe for me, please. Keep Freda away from "the Dark Lord", and take any precaution you see fit. I will do what I can.

Your Favorite,

Tal"

His father's scrawling script made him bleary eyed, he was carefree and in love once. Something that Theo had never really known. Growing up, Talbot Nott had been a hard man, shaped by war and the death of his wife. Teaching a young son about the ins and outs of proper society all alone with no one to help him save a handful of elves. Something in these letters still felt… it felt off, wrong somehow. It was almost if they were speaking in code…. That was something he would have to dig into deeper later, for now he would settle on more proof for Hermione.

"January 1, 1980

M,

Do you honestly believe hiding her amongst the muggles is the correct way? Tom is going after them, all of them. How…. How are you going to hide her amongst them?

Tal"

This note was peculiar, the letter itself was written on a scrap of parchment that had a charm of some kind attached to it. It sparkled a bit with the hint of magic. Perhaps it was a duplicating charm of some kind? He took a deep breath and carried the note with him to his desk. He needed a moment, all this bending over filing cabinets was giving him a crick in his neck. Leaning back against the chair, he almost missed the front door opening and closing.

"So this is what the illustrious Theodore Nott does when he works? Sleeps?"

"Bloody hell" Theo laughed as he sat up and rubbed his eyes before looking over to his best Mate in the hall.

"What a way to greet your old friend, Nott" Draco Malfoy slowly wandered into the room and sat at the chair opposite him on the other side of the desk. "Business appears to be booming…"

"Fuck off Malfoy," Theo laughed yet again and really looked at his friend. He looked…. Shallow almost a skellington of his former self. "How's your mum been holding up?"

Draco looked across the desk and sighed, dipping his head into his hands. "She's a mess honestly, we both are. We knew father was not going to get a lenient sentence, obviously. Seeing him carted off to Azkaban was awful on her, but his death… it is damn near ready to kill her. Zabini's mother is in correspondence, but I fear that without something… my mother is likely to just snap."

"I'm sorry mate. When is the funeral?" He reached into his bottom drawer and pulled out an aged bottle of firewhiskey, and two tumblers.

"The Minister is releasing his body to us in a few days, they are curious about his death, or perhaps they want to make sure he is dead. I was told that it would be done by no later than Wednesday, so we should be able to have a service on Friday. Not that I expect many people to show up." The pale man slammed back his shot, almost as soon as it was slid across the desk.

"You might be surprised Draco, the world may have disliked your father, but in the end it's those that care about you and you mother that may attend." Theo contemplated his shot before swallowing it.

"The war has done my mother and I no favors. She has thrown herself into charity after charity since the war…" Draco stood and walked over to the large window looking over Diagon Alley. "I was a foolish and insensitive git from the very beginning. I have come to the realization that I probably will only have you and Blaise for support, if you even could come."

"I will be there mate, and Blaise will as well. Don't sell yourself so short."

"I was a sodding Death Eater Nott." Draco whipped around in the office with a look of disgust and anguish about his features. "I'm a realist. I know where my faults lie. I know what I have done in my past… all the things I wish I could take back... " His voice softened.

"So maybe you were a git as a child, perhaps things could have turned out a bit better, but you are alive Draco. You have the means to make anything you want happen…. I know you have been throwing galleon after galleon into that little venture of Granger's…"

"Don't Theo, you don't…. " the look of utter despair on his friends features did something to him.

"Why are you so interested in helping her cause?" Theo spoke softly watching emotion flicker across Draco's face.

"I couldn't save her." Draco almost whispered it, but in the silent room it sounded like the crack of thunder.

"There was nothing you could have done in that moment. We both know this…"

"You weren't there! You didn't see her! You…. the screams, merlin… I hear them all the time. Every time I close my eyes I see her screaming…. I can't…." silent sobs seemed to wrack Draco's body. No tears, but just these odd convulsions. "I need to help her, I just have to…"

"Alright mate, I can understand the want to help her. I just… I don't understand the why her part. I mean I get the war, and all that, but it's Granger. You ridiculed her for YEARS Draco…"

"I know that you idiot!" Draco stormed back to his chair and threw himself into it. "I never really hated her, you know." Theo looked incredulously at his friend. "I mean I had to, to keep up appearances, but… I never really hated her. When I first saw her, there was something about her that just… drew me to her. I couldn't place it. Then I saw her with her muggle parents and it just… I knew right then that I was going to have to hate her for something she had no control over."

"At the time, neither did you Draco." Theo poured another glass for each of them and swirled the amber liquid in his.

"True, but I should have been…. I didn't have to be such a….prat about it. I used to hurt her all the time, and now I don't deserve anything but scorn from her." He swallowed his cup and dropped his head to stare at his hands.

"War changes everyone, some more than others, but you can't just wallow in self pity. Pick yourself up mate, and go do something worth something eh?"

"I will when you do Nott." Malfoy snickered, a strange smile lit his face, not a sneer or a smirk as he had been expecting.

"Oi! I will have you know that I have been working on it. In fact, I have a rather curious little case right here." He slid the note across the table and saw something that looked like amusement pass Draco's face.

"Nott, what is this rubbish? Learning a new language are you?"

"What? It's in English you git." Theo ripped the parchment out of Draco's hands to inspect it himself. "Are you telling me you can't read the Queen's English now mate?"

"I don't know how much of that you have been drinking mate, but I have never seen letters like those before in my life. They look close to runes, but they are distinctly curvy…"

"You tosser, there is no such girly symbol on this paper... "

"Theo… there is nothing on that paper in English mate." Draco stared at his friend, and in that gaze Theo saw that there was a seriousness. Draco was not joking about what he saw. Theo looked down at the firewhiskey and then back to the note. He could see the scrawling penmanship of his father, but Draco could not. Perhaps that is what the magic was surrounding the note. It could not be seen except for those that it was charmed, Talbot Nott was his father, perhaps anyone in the Nott like could read it. There were not that many options right this moment, but him, so he couldn't test his theory.

"Maybe I have been working too hard as of late." He sat back and rubbed his eyes again.

"How are things with Daph coming along?"

"We have been over for months Draco, where have you been? Daph wasn't pleased with me going to school to take over things here, she was pissed quite frankly. I haven't even thought about her since it was over. I guess that just goes to show that we weren't really all that ready for eachother, we weren't quite a match." Theo shrugged and put the Firewhiskey back in his drawer. "I wanted to make something out of the Nott name again. I don't want to live my life paying for my father's crimes. I put in the effort, I went to school both here in the Wizarding world, but also at a Muggle Uni. I learned a lot more than I thought I would, and I wouldn't change it. I needed the experience."

"Muggle Uni? How did that go?" Draco was curious, he was always one to want to learn.

"Rather well, actually. I met quite a few interesting blokes in the classes I were in. They were taking them to become Muggle solicitors, of course, but I keep in contact with them if there is something in the Muggle world I wouldn't quite know how to handle. Once I build things back up here, I might strike something out in Muggle London, perhaps open a firm there that deals with wills and land contracts. I need all avenues open."

"That sounds smart Theo, I have been looking over some of the business accounts for many of the Malfoy holdings and I am quite curious how secluded we are. I have been looking into possible Muggle ventures, Blaise and I have some ideas…"

"I can write muggle contracts for all kinds of things, I got their licenses, let me know and I can see what I can do. K & N Solicitors will always be open to the likes of the Malfoys' and Zabini's." Theo snickered and Draco laughed.

"We were thinking about meeting at that little Muggle pub later this evening, care to join us?" Draco stood and stretched out his legs.

"Yeah, nine sound good? I got a few things here I need to finish looking through, then lock up and get ready."

"Nine it is, see you then Nott." Draco nodded and exited the office. Theo stood and picked up the little note and walked back to the file room. He needed to organise things a bit better. Perhaps he could get some of those metal racks like they had in the library at the muggle school. Those cardboard boxes, he could get one for each of his clients, with perhaps some sort of extension charm. It would limit the number of filing cabinets.

He walked up to the drawer where he left off and pulled out a few more pieces of parchment and began to read.

"January 30, 1980

Talbot,

The Grangers have kept an eye on some of our properties for years, I trust them. They have taken a wizard's oath to protect Hermione by any means necessary. She would just be a muggle until she was 11. Hopefully by then this will be over. I would let you raise her if it would be feasible, but we both know that Tom is keeping a close eye on you after Dia….

Tal, I am so sorry…. Please know I am. I cannot come to you and say these things, but know I do care. Dia was a beautiful woman, she would have made a wonderful mother. I want to help you with young Theo, anything you think I can do please…. Even if it is just to watch him, have an elf pop over I can do that much. Take care of yourself Tal.

M"

Theo swallowed back the tears that were threatening to fall from his face. This was shortly after the death of his mother. He had always assumed that his mother died during childbirth, but this letter seems to be stating flipped to the next one.

"July 1, 1980

Tal,

I do not have time. Hermione is in the safe place, i have given her the potion to subdue her powers, the antidote is in your vault. Tom is on his way here….. i know we will not survive. I love you Tal, please…. Please remember that there was love once in this world.

Always,

Your Mother"

Theo dropped the letter. Imogen Selwyn was his grandmother? Wilfreda was his Aunt, which makes Hermione his COUSIN! "Merlin's Beard!" He heard himself say as he sat on the floor in front of the cabinet. This was not how he was expecting this day to go, not at all. He rather needed that drink with the boys.

Shaking his head, he leaned forward and gathered the paperwork, and his finger got sliced on one of the documents. After cursing, he grabbed the offending document and stared at it.

"July 1, 1980

Tiberius Nott,

Wilfreda and Fabian…The worst has happened. Tom is coming for me, I have done what is best for her. I love her, but she must be safe. Hermione Jean Prewitt will go into hiding. Not many know of her existence. She shall now be known as Hermione Jean Granger. Upon her 11th birthday, if this war has not come to an end, she will go to Hogwarts not knowing anything of her heritage. When the war is over, truly over and Tom no longer has a hold on the wizarding world, she will be able to reclaim her name. Upon my passing, the house will remain hidden until she comes to the gate, the vaults will be locked until she touches their doors, and the letters and journals hidden in your office vault will not be able to even be seen.

It is time.

Imogen J Selwyn"

"Bollocks…." This was the information he needed, and now he needed Hermione to unlock all the hidden things in his vault to show her the rest of the story. When had his life become so complicated.