Edited 5/2/23: I'm going through and editing a chapter a day until I'm caught up! At which point I'll finish writing the story! I got so overwhelmed with how behind I was this fall that I couldn't convince myself to catch back up, but (fingers crossed) this time next year, this story will be complete!
Fall, Fourth Year
"Remind me why you're here again? Aren't you a Future Death Eater of England?"
Theo scoffed and turned to face her. "No, Granger. I hate all that shite. I've been sneaking out to Muggle London since before Hogwarts. I had this Governess who was," he kissed the tips of his fingers in a "Chef's Kiss" motion, "and she took me everywhere. Father obviously got rid of her, but she'd sparked an interest in me. Just because some of us were forced to join doesn't mean we believe in what our parents do."
She rolled her eyes. "Are you trying to convince me that all Slytherins aren't rotten?"
"I know that some of our more vocal members might make you think that we're all a bunch of tossers, but did you ever consider that maybe they didn't have a choice?" he asked, shrewdly.
She laughed mockingly, "Ah so now I should just be okay with slurs being thrown at me because he doesn't know any better? That's utter bullshite. I had it hard enough being a Black Bookworm in Primary. Then I come here, and not only am I a 'know-it-all bookworm,' but a Mudblood as well?"
"Come now, Granger, we don't use slurs in this section of the library. How about this," he said, cheekily, "you don't call me in-bred and I won't call you that word?"
"Fine. I still don't know why you're still here though. I have work to do and we've already completed our Arithmancy project," she huffed.
"Well, I don't always get the best reception down in the Common Room, and I was hoping that you'd allow me to study with you. I promise I won't be a bother," he said, in a quieter voice.
She eyed him for a few moments and then nodded. "We'll have a trial period. As long as you don't interrupt me we can study together." The rest of the day sped by in a series of notes and short discussions about the texts.
In a wonderful turn of events, Hermione found that Theodore Nott was her constant companion at the table in the Alchemy section. He was smarter than anyone she'd worked with before with a matched thirst for knowledge that was refreshing. He constantly challenged her and helped edit her essays. They discussed everything from books to the many intricacies of Pureblood Culture that weren't written down.
Before the Yule Ball, he flopped down on the chair next to her. "Granger, we need to talk," he said softly. She looked up at him, biting her lip. Was he breaking up with her? Not that they were dating, but he was the best study partner she'd ever had and she wanted to ask his advice about the Second Task. "Why do you look so nervous? I-" his voice cracked and he cleared his throat, "I got you this." He thrust a package that had clearly been hand-wrapped in purple paper with a bronze ribbon at her.
"Wh-What is this?" she asked, surprised.
"It's a Christmas present, I saw it and I knew you had to have it…" he trailed off. She slowly unwrapped it and found a plain stoneware mug. "It's unspillable. I just, you should be able to drink tea at the library-"
She surged forward and hugged him, "Theodore Nott! This is the most thoughtful-" she choked out a sob. "Everyone always just gets me books…"
"But you have so many, and this is more useful!" he said blushing.
"Thank you Theo, it's perfect," she said, holding it in both hands. She set it down and reached in her bag. "I… I didn't know what to get you, so I knittedyouascarf."
"You what?" he asked with a chuckle.
"I knitted you a scarf, to go with your eyes-" now it was her turn to blush. She hadn't meant to tell him that she'd picked the colour because it would make his eyes pop.
He opened the package and grinned at her. "I've never had anything homemade. This is perfect!" He wrapped it around his neck and batted his eyes at her dramatically. She let out a louder giggle than she meant to and quickly covered her mouth. "Ms. Granger!" he whispered teasingly, "We're in a library! Hush!"
She pushed his shoulder fondly and looked back up at him. The scarf did look perfect with his eyes. Suddenly it hit her that she wished that she was going to the ball with Theo, not Viktor. She looked down at her books, and mumbled, "I'm glad you forced me to let you stay back in October."
"It was the best decision I've made yet," he said, squeezing her forearm.
As she ran away from the Yule Ball in tears, she heard feet running after her. She spun, thinking it was Ron coming to apologise or Harry telling her that he stood up for her. But there was Theo, in his dress robes, chasing after her.
"Mi-" he panted, bending at the waist and putting his hands on his knees. "I- needed- to- tell- you-"
By this point she'd stopped crying, as she looked down at her friend panting in front of her. "Yes, Theo? The night hasn't ended like I'd wanted it to and I-"
He surged up and kissed her. She was shocked. He was standing there with his lips pressed against hers and she wasn't doing anything.
He pulled away, flushing. "Uh, sorry I didn't mean-"
She pulled him back in and kissed him soundly. They fell into the kiss as teenagers tend to do, it was a bit messy and awkward, but it was an excellent first - well second - kiss. When he pulled away, he grinned at her. He was only a few centimetres taller than her. She'd stopped growing last year and didn't think she'd get much taller than the 167 (5'6") she was now.
"I needed to tell you that you were- are the most beautiful girl at that ball and that you shouldn't let that prat ruin your night. And I wish that I'd gotten up the courage to ask you myself, but…" he trailed off.
"I know, Theo. I know you're not like your father but that doesn't mean you can just go defying him," she said softly.
"Mi, I may not have been your date and I know you had a date, but that red clashed terribly with your dress and I wanted to show you," he pulled open his robes and she could see that the lining was a silk that perfectly matched the periwinkle of her dress.
"Theo! How did you know?" she asked, laughing.
"Well, Ms. Granger, have you heard of Colovaria?" he said with a flourish of his hand. "May I have this last dance?"
They heard the strings from the Great Hall and she put her hand in his, agreeing to his request
Come follow me on Instagram louisa . caraballo
