Hermione dragged Theo out of Snape's office. He hastily cast a disillusionment charm over them both when it became clear that Hermione was paying no heed to the fact that anyone could see them as she stormed up various staircases, finally pausing for breath on the seventh floor before dragging him into the room of requirement. Theo blinked as she whirled around to face him, having to fight the urge to take a step back.
"Sit," she commanded. He moved cautiously, doing as he was bid, wondering where exactly she was going with this chat. "Why didn't you tell me explicitly how bad it was?"
Theo couldn't stop the flinch. "Honestly? By the time I was thinking straight I was already too far in. Jesus Hermione, you're the only bloody good thing in my life and I'm so fucking selfish I couldn't give you up"
She frowned slightly, "I think we'll come back to that." she said finally. "What are we going to do?"
"That's up to you," he said softly. "I have nothing to lose, you do."
She froze, sitting down heavily. "I love you," she said, allowing him to reach for her hand. "I don't know if I can leave everyone and everything behind. Would we be forever looking over our shoulders Theo? Waiting for him to turn up?"
"Probably." he choked, pulling her to him, noticing the tears she'd been holding back. Hermione sobbed as she clung to him, the enormity of the day hitting her. Her life in the future was bleak but she also wasn't sure she'd do anything differently now she'd met the twins which left them in an impossible position.
"There has to be another option," she said when she was calm enough to speak. "I don't want to give you up either."
"We might not have a choice," Theo said softly, hating himself. "I won't allow you to be trapped in the life the twins describe Hermione."
"But then we don't get them either."
"No. No, we don't." he sighed.
"Is there any way to convince your father to give up his ideology?"
Theo snorted, "No." he paused, staring at her face, "Hermione?" he whispered, making her look at him. "What if…..what if Professor Snape's third option is our only viable one?"
She froze. "Theo…..Sweet Merlin. I….we can't!"
"He is a horrible man, Hermione. I truly have no idea how he escaped Azkaban after the war. The things he's done….it would be no loss." He swallowed harshly. "He murdered my mother you know?"
Hermione wrapped her arms around him tightly, shaking her head, "Jesus Theo. I'm so sorry. It still doesn't mean we can murder him!"
Theo sighed, "I thought that's what you'd say."
"Is there proof he murdered your mother?"
Theo froze as he contemplated her. "My memories, but I was five. The elves but I don't know if they'd be admissible and even if they are, I don't know if he could just order them to lie. He threw her down the stairs so there was no magical residue. I don't know. I imagine Professor Snape might."
She nodded, "Perhaps we also see if we can figure out how he escaped Azkaban after the war? Maybe there's something we could use there?"
Theo breathed out a long sigh, nodding, it was the best idea they had.
"We can discuss it with the Professor in the morning," he replied. "Stay here with me tonight? I can't promise not to murder Draco."
She smiled slightly, nodding as she moulded herself to him, both of them wondering if they'd be able to pull this off before she jerked up sharply, startling him. "I'll come back once I've seen the children. I promised Ophelia I'd try," she rushed out, seeing his questioning look.
"Do….do you think I could come?" he asked hesitantly.
"Yes. Maybe we can prove to them you're not who they think you are."
He nodded allowing her to pull him up. "Do you know where they're staying?"
She nodded, "Professor Snape told me just before we left. Come on."
"Paradox" Hermione muttered when they reached a portrait of a group of children playing in a field, the portrait swung open at the password. Inside, Ophelia was sandwiched between Alexander and James. Scorpus and Cassius were glowering at them from the other sofa.
"Mum! You came!"
All of the children's heads whipped up at the sound of Ophelia's voice.
"I said I would, did I not?" Hermione responded as Ophelia threw herself at her.
"Why did you bring him?" she asked, letting Hermione go.
"Ophelia." she replied softly, stroking a hand down her daughter's head, "He's not who you think he is."
Ophelia glanced at him, looking utterly unconvinced as Scorpius blurted, "Uncle Theo!" The boy looked utterly flummoxed. "What are you doing here?"
Theo looked at him warily. "I wanted to see my children," he said finally.
Scorpius gave a jerky nod, his face descending into a blank mask that was eerily reminiscent of Draco.
Hermione shot Theo a look. "Why do I get the impression there are some things we don't know about?" she said finally. "Some things we probably should know?"
"Because you're always so suspicious Aunt Mione?" James answered with a grin that fell slightly as he continued, "Although to be fair, you're usually right."
Hermione's eyes widened as she took in the boy she'd only laid eyes on briefly. "Dear Gods. Harry's son?"
"Yup." the boy grinned. "James Sirius Potter."
Hermione snorted, "Of course you are. I'm sure Sirius was over the moon with that name."
James grinned at her, "You told me he cried every time he looked at me for a month, and kept promising to teach me all the Marauder tricks until mum hexed him. Uncle Remus still laughs about the tentacles she gave him."
"Sounds about right," she replied with a laugh, allowing Ophelia to pull her down onto the sofa between her and Alex. Theo sighed slightly, feeling the clear divide yet again as he sat in one of the armchairs.
"Is someone going to explain what Hermione believes to be missing?" he asked, looking pointedly at Scorpius and Cassius, figuring they held the answers. Both boys sighed, their previous self-assuredness seeming to dissipate under Theo's glare. "Now." he barked when it became clear they were reluctant to speak. Scorpius jumped slightly, a jolt of fear flashing through his eyes that made Theo feel instantly guilty. Despite hoping he was wrong, he knew that look, Draco wore it often in Lucius' company.
"You didn't speak to Dad for years." he began slowly, "You hated him. You only came back after he apologised on his knees. I must have been about eight, maybe? Uncle Blaise was sort of the link that stopped you both from being completely estranged" Theo blinked slowly, unable to imagine Draco Malfoy apologising for anything. "He was really sorry." Scorpius whispered, "I….he thought it was a fling in the beginning and then I think he genuinely thought she was lying about you being the twins' father and then as Grandfather got worse…" Scorpius trailed off, collecting himself. "Dad's not stupid. He isn't a fan of muggleborns but even he admits that Hermione Granger was brilliant. He's well aware of what Grandfather's laws are doing and he doesn't agree. But well….I imagine you know my Grandfather. He used to punish dad every time he lost to Granger. Every time her marks were higher. Second place was not good enough."
Hermione watched the boy, absolutely horrified. "Was he ever rewarded?" she asked shrewdly.
Scorpius nodded slowly, "Every time he did something that my Grandfather saw as putting you in your place."
"And he continued with you?" she guessed.
Scorpius flinched. "Yes. He has eyes everywhere and my mother…..she agrees with him."
Hermione was off the sofa before she could rationalise it, wondering briefly if anyone would ever believe she had voluntarily hugged Draco Malfoy's son. The boy stiffened in her arms as she pulled him up before he slowly began to relax, his shoulders shaking. "I miss my dad," he mumbled into her shoulder. "But I don't want to go home."
The twins were frozen on the sofa across from them, wondering what they were seeing. Their world had already been upended, surely this was too far? Nothing made sense anymore.
"We'll fix it." Hermione was murmuring to the sobbing boy, "I don't know how yet but we're going to fix it."
"Can't I just stay here?" he pleaded, his arms tightening around her.
"You know you can't," she replied softly, "I'm sure your dad is frantic. You have to go home."
"Unless you're murdering my Mother and Grandfather, it's not like much is going to change," he muttered helplessly.
Hermione sighed, not having a clue what to respond to that.
Theo rubbed a tired hand over his face. What a fucking mess. Maybe they needed Draco too. Lucius had also escaped Azkaban, probably with bribery, he wondered if Draco would be willing to help now?