Submitted for The Houses Competition Forum - Round 2

House: Ravenclaw

Subject: Prefect

Category: Drabble

Prompt: 1. [Action] Begging

Word count: 981

Warnings: Canon Divergence

think pawsitive thoughts

Today was the day, Theo decided; today was the day he was going to finally ask her. It wasn't like she would refuse, right? He was almost positive that she wasn't going to say no to him, but these days, he could never be sure with her.

"All you have to do is look in her pretty hazelnut eyes and ask," Theo said to himself before he walked towards the fireplace to Floo to his destination. "You know she's going to say yes. And if everything else fails, beg her."

It was weird working at the Ministry after the war, especially being a son of a Death Eater, but since everyone knew he was never one of Voldemort's lackeys, Theo had a relatively easier work environment than his former classmates.

Of course, having married the most intelligent witch of their age didn't hurt.

"Good luck today, Theo, think pawsitive thoughts." Blaise's extremely bright teeth were visible as he beamed at Theo and gave him a thumbs-up. Honestly, Blaise's enthusiasm sometimes freaked Theo out, but what could he do? Blaise was his best friend and he did love him, even when Blaise was being weird.

The two men worked together in the Department of Mysteries, and, although they had some crazy hours, it usually meant Theo could get home in time to have dinner with his wife.

Hermione worked as well at the Ministry, but since her department was considered more normal, she was home right after five, unless she was working extra hours, which was a rare occurrence these days.

"Thank you, I hope everything goes smoothly." Theo waved to his friend before entering the fireplace that would lead him towards his home.

.:.

"Hermione? I'm home!" Theo called her, as soon as he stepped in the foyer.

"In the library!" came the response of his wife.

He never ceased to smile at this, his wife; he thought he would never be able to call Hermione his wife. Theo always had a soft spot for the Gryffindor witch since their Hogwarts days, and even though they had only got together while working at the Ministry, Theo was still absolutely delighted with the turn of events.

Until the day she had told him she was pregnant.

Theo still remembered how he had screamed and cried on his knees and just held Hermione, while she smiled patiently at him. It was the day he had promised her she would get everything she desired; it was also the day he vowed he would never be like his father and desert his child to do something terrible like join the next Dark Lord wannabe.

"What a treat having you coming home early," Hermione said when Theo entered the library. Theo sometimes wondered if Hermione had only married him because of the Nott Library. She was always there, her face buried in a book—but then again, so was he. He couldn't begrudge her that. "I thought for sure you would still be at the Ministry."

Theo shrugged, "I had better things to do, like spending time with my wife and my daughter."

Hermione beamed at him, and Theo felt it was a good time to ask her what he had been thinking of for the past week.

"Speaking of our daughter…" Theo started, seeing the look on Hermione's face. "I know you miss Crookshanks and I know you didn't want to adopt another cat or Kneazle, but love, think about how Aurora will be happy growing up with a pet for company."

Crookshanks had died sometime after the war, and Hermione vowed she would never get another pet ever again. Theo, on the other hand, had always wanted a familiar. The idea of their daughter growing up with an animal that would protect her was immensely appealing to him.

"Aurora isn't even here yet and you're already trying to get her things?" Hermione asked amusedly, but Theo knew what she was going to say before she even said it. "I don't know, Theo…I don't think it's a good idea."

Being prepared for it, Theo decided to use the big guns: he was going to beg Hermione to let him adopt a cat.

"Mi, please! A cat or a Kneazle, even a half-Kneazle is exactly what our daughter needs," Theo openly pleaded, making Hermione raise an eyebrow. "I know you don't want to subject yourself to love an animal, but please?"

"Do you really want a cat so badly that you're throwing your Slytherin ways out of the window and are outright begging?" Hermione seemed amused, so Theo decided to continue.

"Yes, I'm planning on begging for the next five months—until Aurora is born and she can join me in begging like a peasant. So, please, please can we adopt a cat?" Theo pouted like a toddler, not even ashamed of it.

If Blaise were to ever find out, he would never let Theo live it down, but Theo didn't care at the moment. He needed to have a cat. He wasn't doing this just for their future daughter; he also wished to practise how to change its nappies, hold a little living thing in his arms the right way without snapping its neck, burp it gently, and even feed it with a Muggle bottle.

Theo held his breath when Hermione sighed, her forehead slightly wrinkling as she mentally weighed the pros and cons, and he knew this was the moment. He was prepared to get down on his knees to beg, his Slytherin upbringing be damned, but Hermione put him out of his misery.

"Alright, we can adopt a cat, but I—" Theo didn't let her finish before gathering her in his arms and twirling her around, an excited squeal leaving his lips.

Whoever said begging never worked hadn't met a Slytherin intent on getting what he wanted. Even if it was just a kitten for starters.