POV switch* / Theo

Beliefs can change: what a notion.

I find myself scoffing at her romantic thinking.

Choosing to take my time in answering her question, I instead reached into my book bag and pulled out the potion she had suggested months back.

Meeting her eyes again, it sent me back to my childhood. Such a familiar honey gold. I could feel my teeth as they grinded together: how have I not noticed sooner? Why have I put off this meeting?

Dropping my eyes I decided to focus on the grain of the table. Something my father would have reprimanded me for doing…but I just can't look at her.

Clearing my throat as I set the potion between us, "I ran into Potter back in September…he had your book bag with him and the embroidered initials of someone I was currently writing to. With that evening's post…it just pieced together."

Silence.

The Only sound in that little corner of the library was the sound of her fat cat purring on my lap, the ticking of my watch and a very loud ringing noise in my ears.

I haven't had to deal with this level of anxiety in a long time. But in this moment I can feel the blood in my veins. I am very aware of my stomach acid as it sloshes around.

My legs are feeling restless.

"Was the potion easy to brew? I have been wanting to try since I read about it."

Her hands cupped mine and the table and I felt this peace wash over me and I looked at our hands before looking at her once again.

POV switch* / Hermione

We talked about the potion for well over an hour: how easy it was to brew, how atrocious the fermentation process had been and how he had to buy his dorm mates anti odor charms during said process.

It wasn't until I felt the coin in my pocket heat up that I realized that lingering as much as I have had been a mistake.

"Theodore-I can't stay much longer before the boys come to find me…I still haven't told them about…well anything. "

Grabbing a fly away strand of hair, I shut my eyes tight and give it a pull.

"I will write to you, I promise. I just have to get my ducks in a row!"

I hand him the strand of hair before scooping up both my book bag and my loaf of a cat.

I hesitate for a quick second before I bend down and press a kiss onto the top of Theodore's forehead.

"Good night!"

I didn't even wait to see a reaction or hear a response. I had to hightail it out of there with my face burning bright.

He probably thinks I'm insane.

I groan loudly as I run through the hall-my embarrassment growing the more I think about what I just did.

Lost in thought I didn't even notice the shoulder I ran into.

Muttering a quick sorry I tightened my grip on my bag and hurried down the hall.

POV switch / Draco

That was Hermione Granger. Or was it Nott?

Normally when she is that fired up, any little problem will set her off-from being overly apologetic or ready to give a tongue lashing.

Brushing my shoulder off I quickly pick up the pace to match with Blaise once again.

"Granger seems to be extra huffy tonight doesn't she-"

I just ignored the question and pushed open the door to the library: this is the last place to look for Theo.

The quidditch pitch was empty, the common room just had the girls gossiping about the latest drivel. His favorite alcove was empty and the black lake didn't even have a ripple of evidence that he'd been there recently.

Theo has been off in his head the past few weeks: and in all fairness, finding out that the poster child for muggle born teacher's pets ends up being your sister. It is understandably a lot to take in.

But I think it all caught up to him when Granger got confrontational with Umbridge.

Hermione Granger is a known "muggleborn": who is also his sister.

Who was sorted into Gryffindor.

Who is also best friends with Harry Potter-who in turn is the reason behind the downfall of the Dark Lord.

Who has officially returned from the dead.

The last few weeks have been hell: the potion he was working on stunk, but to watch our friend suffer with his anxiety has been brutal.

We found him in the back corner of the library: Green smoke dissipating from the potion vile on the desk.

Pulling out chairs, both me and Blaise sat down and waited for him to talk first.

I could feel my own frustration building as the minutes passed: but finally he moved his head to the table and let out a very large groan.

"Did you notice that she has my mother's eyes?"

Blaise, who was seated beside him, just laid a hand on his shoulder as we both waited for him to go on.

"It was like looking at a ghost…she was right there in front of me and all I could feel was relief that I got to see those eyes again." His breath got caught in his chest and he sat up: his hair was officially mimicking his sister's wild curls. But his eyes were bright red as he struggled to maintain control of his emotions.

"The potion worked. She is a Nott. But I can't bring her home into the family…not now.

She is his best friend…she has been your rival since year one Draco…and that monster is living in your home.

I can't reveal her identity…they will do so much worse to her than our mother…I don't know what to do.

Mother did everything to protect us…and now I don't know-"

I reach my hand out across the table and grab hold of his hand and give a tight squeeze.

"Breath Theo. Right now, just focus on the fact that you found a sister. Be happy about that: and tomorrow we can go down the rabbit hole on what is to come."

Blaise moved his hand over ours and smiled, "Yeah man-we have a while before we have to think about the heavy problems…right now the only problem you should worry about is the fact that your sister is kinda cute…you think she is single?"

And just like that-the moment was over and I was leaning back in the chair failing to hide my smirk as Theo swung for Blaise's shoulder.

"You keep your dirty thoughts and hands away from her-you too blonde- I don't trust either of you two near her!"

I almost fell backwards out of my chair: me and Granger? That seems impossible.

The past hatred between us can't be brushed over because of her new blood status. The words spoken between us are closer to venom. There was nothing minced or held back. I was the first one to call her a mudblood…at least to her face by the look of it; and she is definitely the first person to have broken my nose.

"Come on-let's head back to the common room before anyone hears you losing your mind."