CHAPTER 4
BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY
THEODORE
Theo stood in the Dothraki hut revealing in the tribe's applause as they welcomed him into their tribe, he had become a master at deception, slithering his way seamlessly into a different world with a new identity. A surge of exhilaration ran through his body, he was getting closer to completing this mission and finally getting Pansy back. Weeks were passing and all he wanted was to see his wife again, feel her touch, save her from whatever was happening. For now Theo had to play his new role. He needed the respect of the tribe along with their trust, he needed to get closer to Ashara gaining her trust.
Once the revealing was done Theo walked outside away from the rest of his new tribe, his mind going crazy with processing everything that he had seen, it wasn't the battle that crossed his mind it was her. Ashara Targaryen knew from the first time he saw her bushy brown curls, he knew it was her.
"Am I going fucking mad?" Theo laughed to himself, unable to contain his disbelief. "There is no fucking way, bloody hell I must be mad." His mind raced trying to comprehend the impossible truth.
"GRANGER? Really Hermione MUDBLOOD Granger is the last Targaryen?" Theo muttered in disbelief, unable to grasp the enormity of this revelation. Potter's golden girl hid this secret for years, Voldemort had been searching for this mudblood, a mudblood with Targaryen blood, dragon's blood in her. "When did she even get dragons?" was the only thing that seemed to cross Theo's mind, he sat outside the Dothraki hut chuckling in disbelief. How had no one known a mudblood was hiding this.
Throughout his time in Meereen, each night Theodore slipped through the city. The moon became a silent witness, bathing the city in a soft eerie glow, casting his elongated shadow moving through the streets. He sought out the most secluded areas, producing herbs, exotic flora, and clandestine elixirs. In the solitude Theo worked, his alchemy kit laid out before him. He meticulously brewed his potion, an elixir that would bind it's victim in a false web of devotion.
Weeks began to pass as he spent more time with the tribe, Theo couldn't help but realize how perfectly he slithered his way into his role. He integrated himself with the warriors, earning their trust and respect. His combat skills became impeccable fighting alongside the Dothraki. Theo navigated the unfamiliar lands, learning the ways of the Dothraki riders. He found himself absorbing their language, their beliefs, their way of life, and their brutality. Each day that passed he inched closer to his goals.
"Khaleesi want to see Rhako." Theo heard from behind him turning around to see an Unsullied soldier. Making his way into the throne room stopping at the step, he knelt to the ground. All he could think of at the time was how pitiful he looked kneeling to a mudblood.
"Khaleesi, you wanted to see me?" Theo said, his voice tinged with slight annoyance from the fact that he was knelt before a mudblood. A loud screech caught his attention, as he looked up from his knelt position. The once little dragon, now grown alarmingly bigger, soared above capturing his attention before reverting back towards Hermione, seated upon her throne.
"You may rise, Rhako," her gaze locking onto Theo's as a soft smile curved onto her lips. "You've proven yourself to be a very strong and valuable soldier in my army."
A surge of pride coursed through Theodore. "Well obviously I am Theodore Nott." It's not like he hadn't been putting all his time and efforts into becoming a Dothraki.
"I plan on holding the traditions my mother once held, I will be attending the fighting pits." Hermione's eyes glinted with a hint of pain and determination as she spoke of her mother. "And I'd like you to attend these fights with me."
Theodore's mind became clouded with the thought that this was the opportunity he'd been waiting for, the chance to get closer, closer to her. To finally gain her trust and eventually lead her into Voldemort's clutches doing this for his own ambitions and for the Dark Lord.
"Rhako," His false name rolling off her lips like silk, snapping him out of his trancelike state. "You will accompany me to the fights."
Theodore's heart swelled with gratitude and determination as he nodded his head. "Anything for you Khaleesi."
As the day of the fights drew near, Theo found himself standing in the grand arena. The roar of the crowd echoing throughout the arena, it was a thunderous symphony of loud yelling and clapping, the passion of the crowd calling out "Mysha" as Hermione entered. Theo stood by Hermione's side with a large smile on his face.
"This is just what I needed, maybe I can learn some killing from these wankers." With a loud clap from Hermione the fights finally began. Mighty clashes erupted in the pit, gasps and cheers erupted from the crowd. Blood splattered, swords clashing, and the fighters battled for their lives. "Cut his head off, cut it off." Theo chanted in his head hoping for more brutality.
As the battles raged on, Theodore began whispering a silent spell, the words a mere breath slipping from his lips. Arrows suddenly began whizzing throughout the air, aimed towards Hermione. Theo instantly jumped into action as he saved Hermione from the oncoming danger. His eyes darted around, searching for the source of the arrows.
"Protect your queen! Get her out of here now!" Theodore commanded as he slaughtered the man who sent the arrows towards Hermione, blood splattering onto his face as he sent his sword through the neck of another man.
Rushing back to Khaledsi's side, Theodore felt his heart pounding in his chest. Had his plan worked? Will this get him even closer to her or would it only grow suspicions? Lost in his thoughts he hadn't noticed that the crowd around them had fallen silent, their gasps brung him from his thoughts as they were swallowed by an earsplitting roar that reverberated throughout the arena. His eyes darted upward until he saw it - Seraphus , soaring across the sky with her powerful wings.
"There's no fucking way this Dragon gets bigger everytime is see it."
The dragons' loud roars were ones that commanded attention, capturing everyone's gaze. Theodore could almost feel the ground tremble beneath his feet as Seraphus swooped in and landed at Hermione's feet.
The arrows were still whizzing through the air going towards hermione. "We have to go now, Khaleesi!" Theo clutched onto her arm with a sense of urgency, his voice laced with false nervous tremors. Although the thought of a dead mudblood thrilled him, he still needed her alive.
Hermione's attention remained fixed on Seraphus as she murmured encouraging words to the dragon. "Come on, Seraphus. It's okay, you can do it." Theodore watched as she encouraged her dragon. He knew what was coming, her determination was laced in her voice.
"Dracarys!" The command rolled off of Hermione's lips effortlessly, In that moment Theodore knew that she wasn't Hermione Granger, It was Ashara Targaryen, It was Khaleesi. He watched as Seraphus unleashed a torrent of fire, the flames engulfing the space before them as he watched people burn.
"Damn Granger is a badass, no fucking way I did'nt mean that. Her dragon's are badass not her, I need a fucking dragon."
"Now, Khaleesi!" Theodore gripped Hermione, Lifting her into his arms as he guided her through the chaos and back to the safety of her chambers.
Theodore slowly lowered Hermione from his arms, their bodies no longer intertwined. The room remained silent as his hands gently scanned each curve of her body, searching for any signs of hidden wounds that might have been inflicted during the incident at the arena.
"Are you hurt Khaleesi?" Hermione remained still, her eyes never leaving Theo's face, her voice silent. "Will Seraphus be back? Does she know how to get back?" It's not like Theodore actually cared for whatever answers she gave him; all he cared for was ensuring her well-being and keeping all the dragons for the Dark Lord, for Pansy. Hermione couldn't know this, he needed her trust.
Theodore's questions hung in the air remaining unanswered, but her gaze never left his. The weight of the world seemed to lift from her shoulders as she finally found her voice. "Rhako… you've saved my life," a slight smile formed at the corner of Theo's mouth, noticing the awe in her voice.
Theo took a slight step back as he studied her expression. "Khaleesi, I've told you I am yours, my sword, my life, and my heart is." he replied, his voice filled with false affections, hiding all signs of the truth.
Hermione's eyes began to shine with a mix of emotions as Theodore leaned forward, his finger sliding under her chin, tilting it up to meet his gaze. Their faces mere inches apart the scent of her filling his senses.
"Fuck she smells like cinnamon and parchment."
He spoke in a low tone. "I'm here to protect you, Ashara." He whispered to her before planting a kiss on her lips. At this moment all Theo could think of was Voldemort's hissing word in his ear.
"By any means necessary."
This was his chance, he had to do it now. Turning away from her Theo softened his voice. "I should've done better, protected you sooner. You could have died Ashara." He let his voice tinge, slowly drifting his hand from his pocket to his mouth. Letting the iridescent potion coat his mouth.
"By any means necessary"
He felt her hand press against his back, sending a chill down his spine. Was she falling for this? Her voice came out soft "I am alive Rhako, you saved me." Theodore turned back facing Hermione. Letting sorrow and disappointment etch into his features. He placed his finger beneath her chin guiding her face to his.
Merlin, he didn't want to do this but what choice did he have? He planted a kiss onto her lip, deepening it each second slowly letting the liquid coat her tongue, he felt her throat bob as she swallowed. She didn't break the kiss, his eyes met hers. Her gaze became consumed with obsession.
Theo could taste the cinnamon on her lips as he deepened each and every kiss, his hands instinctively found the curves of her hips as he pulled her closer to him. Hermione's fingers tangled in his long black hair as she pressed her body into his.
Finally breaking the kiss, Hermione let out a breathy moan. "I'm in love with you Rhako."
The heat between them was palpable. Theodore pulled back not letting himself give in, he brought his thumb to her lips slowly swiping over them as the potion seeped into her tongue just as he'd planned. The kiss of betrayal, not to her of course but to his wife. The kiss was just a necessary wasn't it?
"I know Khaleesi."
"By any means necessary"
Theodore scanned the room with his eyes, he couldn't help but notice the abundance of open parchment sprawled over a desk. He couldn't look into it now nor did he think he should ask it could raise suspicion. His concentration was broken by the loud roar outside of the chambers.
"It's only Seraphus, she is back home." Hermione assured him.
Guilt began consuming Theodore's mind as he grappled with the fact that he had just betrayed his wife, Pansy. Theodore was disgusted with himself for betraying her with a mudblood.
"By any means necessary."
It meant nothing to him, just another order from the Dark Lord. Lost in his inner turmoil, Theo hadn't heard Hermione calling his name.
"Rhako?" Hermione's voice finally reached him, snapping him back to reality.
"Yes Khaleesi?"
"Be an advisor to me, '' Hermione asked, almost pleading. He knew there was more to it Ashara Targaryen didn't plead. "You have saved my life, you have proven yourself loyal, and a great warrior, so advise me Rhako and help me get back what is rightfully mine."
He knew there was more to it but he couldn't be the one to help her, he didn't care to help her.
"And what is that Khaleesi?"
"I want the Iron Throne," she declared, sending a shockwave throughout Theo's mind; this is just what he needed.
"My, My little mudblood you have no idea how soon you will be seeing it."
"Anything for you Khaleesi." His last words as he watched Hermione's eyes flutter shut, her breaths steady and calm.
As the morning light slowly crept into Hermione's chamber, Theodore slid out of bed carefully ensuring not to wake her. The room filled with her essence, her scent lingering everywhere. It disgusted Theo, he had to get out of these chambers.
Wrapping himself back into the familiar rough fabrics of his Dothraki attire. Which also disgusted him, he'd rather be dressed in his death eater robes full of blood than this bloody awful dothraki attire.
"And they call these clothes what a dumb fucking lot they are."
Stepping out into the harsh sunlight, Theo made his way back to the dothraki huts. He began to feel the weight of the dothraki culture settle onto his soldier. Although he was disgusted with their attire and their awful huts, one thing Theo admired was the raw brutality of their culture, he craved the bloodshed, he wanted more. Death eater or not there was something to be learned from their brutish ways. He intended to use these lessons for his next torture victim one in which he has been yearning for, killing was one thing but torture was something that made Theodore excited.
Within the camp Theo was stripped from his torturous death eater ways and became Rhako, a fierce brutal warrior loyal to Khaleesi.
As the days progressed, Theodore engaged in intense battle practices with the dothraki, his body bruised, bloody, and battered. These battles were some of the only things keeping him sane, keeping his mind off the possibilities of what could be happening to Pansy. Days turned into weeks as he kept his hardened facade, days filled with battle and nights indulging in wild feast, copious amounts of drinking, as well as secret nights spent in Hermione's chambers. Constant nights filled with Theo disgusted with himself, with a mudblood who only seemed to make his blood feel dirty.
As his battle practice continued. Theo couldn't help but notice a raven flying towards Hermione's chambers and then vanishing. Possibilities began racing through his mind, could it have been The Order? Maybe Potter? After all she was a member of the order of course until she dropped off the face of the earth and became the dragon princess. He had to know who and where the raven was coming from.
Distracted by his thoughts left Theo vulnerable during his training with another Dothraki warrior. Theo winched in pain being sure not to show any other emotions. His shoulder was stinging from a minor cut as he watched his opponent swipe his blood off of the sword.
"Focus Rhako, yeri will die if yeri hash vo." The warrior sneered, Theodore tossed him back an annoyed glance before picking his sword back up and continuing on with his battles.
As night drew near, Theo joined the other dothraki in what they called a feast. Their feast always looked quite ghastly to Theo, he devoured chunks of meat the only good things were the drinks he washed it all down with the fiery liquids. The air was thick with the smell of roasted meats, vulgar conversations and boisterous laughter.
Amidst the revelry, a lustful voice called out from behind him. "Rhako" he swiftly turned around, only to find himself face-to-face with the Khaleesi. Instantly, Theo dropped to one knee. "Now none of that is necessary Rhako, you may rise." she said, her voice filled with authority. "Would you follow me?"
Quickly rising from his knee, he followed Hermione through the hut of Khalasar and back into the temple. Stepping inside he found them surrounded by her most trusted advisor.
Hermione wasted no time coming to the point. "I asked you here tonight to discuss the battle plans, Rhako." Her eyes burning with an indomitable fire. "I will have what belongs to me - the Iron Throne will be mine. I shall wait no longer than a fortnight."
As her words weighed over the room, Theodore couldn't help but feel a sense of both awe and amusement. He found it quite adorable how she thought she was going to get the Iron Throne, he loved her ambitions. Yet he was amused at the Irony because he really will be the one to take her there, not for her own ambitions of course. Suppressing his grin, Theo fought to maintain his composure.
"My Khaleesi," Theo began, his voice confident. "If it is the Iron Throne you desire, I can assure you I will place you upon it before the fortnight is out." Khaleesi inclined her head slightly, encouraging him to continue.
"Let me help you lead our Khalasar across the narrow sea. Let me get you ships and we will sail to the Iron Throne." His words echoed throughout the temple, Theodore could practically taste the victory.
"There you have it Voldie Baldie, Soon this mudblood will be yours." Theodore's lips turned upwards slightly as this was all he could think of.
As the meeting drew to a close and Hermione made her way to her chambers. Theodore, however, seized this moment to slither into her chambers as well. Hermione's eyes wide with shock and intrigue.
"Rhako, what are you doing here?"
Theodore slowly approached her, his lips turned upward into a sly smile. "I couldn't resist the opportunity to spend time with you Khaleesi." His voice, husky and full of lies.
He watched with disgust etching his mind as her cheeks flushed in awe. As they settled into the plush bedding, Hermione laid her head onto Theodore's chest nestling into his presence. They spent hours of the night talking, conversation seemed to flow effortlessly. Their talk slowly came to a halt as Theo watched Khaleesi slowly drift to sleep.
Theodore's curiosity finally began getting the best of him, carefully moving from beneath Hermione's grasp he began quietly rummaging throughout the room, ensuring that Hermione was still asleep he finally made his way to the desk of parchment. As his gaze met the letters his heart jumped with excitement as he recognized the wax seal, intricately depicting a direwolf. "Winterfell?" Theo silently muttered to himself as he continued to read.
"Idiot Longbottom was telling the truth, Potter is in Winterfell. Too bad I took his tongue.. Nah I don't care." he chuckled. Picking up a quill and parchment he began writing the news to Draco, Unsure of how to get a raven in time Theo called for his owl watching as the owl quickly perched himself on the window.
"Orion, I need you to get this to Draco as fast as you can." Sensing the urgency in Theo's voice Orion took both pieces of parchment into his beak and disappeared into the night.
His gaze finally fixed on the one thing that he had to have aside from Hermione because without this Targaryen mudblood there would be no more dragons. Theodore pulled his wand out silently conjuring a protective bag, gently placing each egg in.
Without an ounce of hesitation Theodore opened the door of Hermione's chambers in a matter of seconds both unsullied soldiers were lying on the ground with a dagger in their necks. Theodore quickly closed the doors of her chambers while taking his wand out he looked over to Hermione who was still asleep amidst all the chaos.
"Petrificus totalus." He muttered softly, with a wave of his wand she was transformed into a statuesque figure. Waving his wand once more he placed invisible binds onto her body. With the dragon eggs in one hand and Hermione slung over his shoulder, he made his way out of the chambers and towards the stable where Seraphus was kept. Moving quickly throughout the castle he heard thunderous footsteps from each direction.
"Khaleesi is gone." The words sent anticipation coursing through Theodore's body. He had to move quicker. His feet hastened, guiding him through the dimly lit corridors. The urgency in his steps increased as he approached the castle's exit, guided by footsteps that seemed to draw nearer. As Theo approached the grand doors of the Mereenese castle, he found himself encircled by unsullied soldiers. Death was not an option for him. Not when Pansy's life hung in the hands of Voldemort, not when the Dark Lord's plans aligned with the presence of Khaleessi.
Dropping Hermione's body to the ground Theo gripped his wand in one hand sending a surge of slicing curses towards the unsullied, he watched as their bodies fell like autumn leaves beneath his relentless assault. All though he's like to torture them all, time wasn't on his side. Leaning over he picked Hermione's lifeless body up, throwing her back over his soldier before exiting the grand doors.
As he approached the stables, he could hear low cries coming from Seraphus, she knew something was wrong. Theo hoped the dragon would be willing to fly and not kill him. Theodore made his way closer to the dragon, not backing down as she let out loud roars towards him. "Come on Seraphus" Theo whispered to the dragon who began sniffing him and a petrified Hermione. "Khaleesi is ill, we must take her to the maester." The lie rolled off of his lips like silk.
With one last low growl Seraphus finally lowered her body letting Theodore gently place Hermione on her back before climbing up himself. As he settled in he heard footsteps and yelling from Khaleesi's army. "Let's go girl" Seraphus took off into the night sky leaving Meereen behind.