Uncertain alliances

She was lying on a couch. Her body felt like it was made of lead and she had a splitting headache. She jolted up, Hermione blinked against the darkness, her breath coming in rapid, panicked gasps. Grimmauld Place? How had she gotten here? And—Harry! She whipped around, scanning the dimly lit room. It was a cluttered, familiar space, full of old books, dark drapery, and the distinct smell of dust and wood polish. Sirius Black was holding her arms gently, his face etched with concern.

"Harry," she croaked, ignoring the burning pain in her throat. "Where is he? Is he okay?"

"He's here, Hermione," Sirius murmured softly, guiding her back onto the couch. "He's in the next room, resting. You both are safe now."

But she couldn't relax. The adrenaline was still coursing through her veins, and every time she closed her eyes, she saw Bellatrix's twisted grin, the flash of deadly green light, and Harry crumpling to the ground. She shuddered violently, pressing her hands to her head as if she could block out the memories.

"I thought—" Her voice broke. "I thought she was going to kill him. She would have—"

"But she didn't," Sirius interrupted gently, his thumbs brushing against her arms in a soothing motion. "He's alive, Hermione. Thanks to you."

"And Theo," Hermione whispered, her mind flashing back to the last chaotic moments in the maze. Theo Nott—quiet, reserved Theo—standing up to Bellatrix, protecting them when he should have been siding with her. "He—he saved us. He—"

Sirius frowned, his expression shifting from relief to suspicion. "Theo Nott? As inNott, a Death Eater family?"

"Yes," Hermione said, biting her lip. "But he—he told her to leave us alone. He was…protecting us, Sirius. I don't know why."

Sirius leaned back, crossing his arms. The wariness in his eyes was unmistakable. "You're telling me that Theodore Nott, from one of the most prominent sacred 28 families, just risked his life to stand up to Bellatrix Lestrange—foryou?"

"It doesn't make sense, I know," Hermione murmured, staring down at her trembling hands. "But it's the truth. He—he disapparated us here, didn't he?"

Sirius's gaze softened slightly, but he didn't look convinced. "That's what we think. Remus and I found the two of you unconscious in the entrance hall. Whoever brought you here didn't stay long enough to explain. He left as soon as we arrived."

Hermione swallowed hard, her thoughts spinning wildly. Theo could have handed them over to Bellatrix, to Voldemort—he could have doneanything. But instead, he had chosen to help them. Why? What had made him turn against his own side?

"Can I see Harry?" she asked softly, the desperation in her voice unmistakable. "Please, Sirius. I need to see him."

Sirius hesitated, then nodded. "Of course. But he's still weak. Madam Pomfrey's looking after him, but whatever spell hit him took a lot out of him."

Hermione didn't wait for more details. She pushed herself off the couch, wincing at the aches and pains that flared up all over her body. Sirius kept a steadying hand on her shoulder as they crossed the hallway, stopping in front of a half-open door. The faint sound of murmured voices drifted out.

Taking a deep breath, Hermione stepped inside.

Harry lay on a bed, propped up by several pillows, his eyes closed. Madam Pomfrey hovered beside him, her wand glowing softly as she waved it over his chest. Remus Lupin stood on the other side, his expression pinched with worry. But as Hermione approached, Harry's eyes fluttered open.

"Hermione?" he rasped, his voice barely more than a whisper.

"Oh, Harry," she breathed, dropping to her knees beside the bed. She reached out, clutching his hand tightly. "You're okay."

Harry smiled weakly, squeezing her hand in return. "Not…really," he muttered, a pained look crossing his face. "But I'll live."

Hermione's eyes filled with tears of relief. She leaned forward, pressing her forehead against his hand. "I thought I lost you."

"Hey," Harry murmured, his thumb brushing lightly against her knuckles. "I'm still here, aren't I?"

"Yes, but—" She bit her lip, forcing herself to stay calm. "Harry, we need to talk. About what happened. About—"

"Voldemort," Harry finished softly, his green eyes darkening. "I saw him, Hermione. He's back. He—he killed Cedric. Right in front of me."

Hermione closed her eyes, the image of Cedric's broken, bloody body flashing through her mind. "I know," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I saw…what they did to him. And to his father." Her breath hitched. "Harry, it was horrible."

A tense silence fell over the room, thick with unspoken grief and fear. Madam Pomfrey placed a comforting hand on Hermione's shoulder, her eyes full of compassion. "Miss Granger," she said softly, "perhaps you should rest. You've been through a terrible ordeal."

But Hermione shook her head stubbornly. "No, I need to stay with Harry. I—"

"Hermione," Harry interrupted gently. "It's okay. I'll be fine. You should rest."

"But—"

"Hermione." This time, his voice was firmer, his gaze steady despite the pain etched on his face. "Please."

Hermione swallowed hard, her throat tight. She didn't want to leave him, didn't want to be alone with the horrors still fresh in her mind. But she could see the exhaustion in Harry's eyes, the way his body sagged against the pillows. He needed rest—real rest, without her fussing over him.

"Okay," she whispered reluctantly. She leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. "I'll be right outside if you need me."

Harry smiled faintly. "I know."

As she stood up, Remus moved forward, offering her a supportive smile. "Come on, Hermione," he murmured, gently guiding her back toward the door. "Let's get you something warm to drink."

She nodded numbly, letting herself be led out of the room. But as they stepped into the hallway, a thought struck her, sharp and sudden.

"Theo," she said abruptly, turning to Remus. "Do you know where he is?"

Remus frowned slightly. "No, we haven't seen him since you arrived. Why?"

"Because," Hermione said slowly, her mind racing, "we need to find him. He…he saved us. He stood up to Bellatrix, and then he—"

But before she could finish, a soft noise made them both turn.

Theo stood at the end of the hallway, his expression tense and wary. His robes were torn, and there was a faint trace of blood along his jawline. He looked utterly out of place in the dark, shabby interior of Grimmauld Place—like a cornered animal, unsure whether to fight or flee.

"Theo," Hermione breathed, taking a step forward. But before she could say anything more, he raised a hand.

"I'm not staying," he said quietly, his voice strained. "I just…wanted to make sure you two were all right, I had to for him, well I also wanted to know too I suppose"

Hermione's heart lurched. "Wait, Theo, what do you mean for him?—"

But he shook his head, his eyes darting nervously between her and Remus. "I can't stay here. They'll be looking for me, and god granger we both know you know who I'm talking about." giving her a small forced smile

"Theo, please—" Hermione reached out, but he backed away, his expression pained.

"I'm not one of you, Hermione," he whispered. "I did what I could. But I can't—"

"Where will you go?" she asked desperately.

Theo hesitated, then glanced toward the front door. "Anywhere they can't find me."

And before Hermione could stop him, he turned and vanished into the darkness.

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Hermione stared at the empty space where Theo had stood just moments before, her heart pounding in her chest. She took a step forward as if to chase after him, but Remus's hand on her arm stopped her.

"Let him go, Hermione," he murmured softly. "He's made his choice."

"But what if he's in danger?" Hermione protested, a note of desperation creeping into her voice. "He helped us, Remus! Bellatrix will kill him if she finds out what he did."

Remus sighed, his expression troubled. "I know. But we can't protect him if he doesn't want to be protected."

Hermione opened her mouth to argue, but the look on Remus's face silenced her. He was right. Theo had risked everything to help her and Harry escape—he'd defied his family, his allies, even the most feared witch in Voldemort's ranks. And now he was on his own, running from both sides, with nowhere to turn.

Why had Theo done it? Why had he chosen to protect her and Harry instead of siding with the Death Eaters?