By the time December rolled around, Draco had 'mastered' his condition. That is to say, he took to it like a duck to water.

"It feels easy, mate," Draco tried to explain as his turn in early December approached, "I think Lupin never accepted he was a werewolf."

Theo sent Draco a roll of his eyes, "I think he knew what he was."

"No, well, of course, he did. But he never let the wolf in. It's like there's another…another me now. And I can't just cage him up. If I let the wolf out in my mind around the full moon, I feel complete. It doesn't feel like me fighting a monster, it just feels like a different consciousness." He paused, "I don't think it wants to kill, Theo," He said, adding his sliced roots into the potion pot, "And the wolfsbane just makes me feel like it's just an average night...well, after I break all my bones and grow skin."

"Doesn't want to kill?"

"But I could see if you pretend it wasn't there, were ashamed of it your whole life, how that guilt could manifest into a monster. Something ruthless. Something inhuman because you didn't allow it to be human, ever. At least," Draco shrugged, face red, "That's my thoughts on it."

"I hope you're right," Theo said, "It would be great if you could live a semi-normal life, instead of Lupin, who always looked like he was one full moon away from a break-down." Theo would never admit it, but Lupin had been one of his favorite teachers. At least he was certified to teach and cared about student learning. The other DAD teachers were…lacking. Even Snape, who hadn't made much of an impression thus so far.

"It just goes to show that we shouldn't ignore truths about ourselves, hmm?" Draco said, staring intently at Theo.

"I swear to Slytherin-," Theo growled, "Let. It. Go."

Draco had been insufferable lately. Not that he wasn't always, sort of, but since the Quidditch game he'd been terrible. Insisting that Theo had to come face to face with his crush on Granger.

And part of him did want to. But every time that he considered it, his stomach rolled and he felt like someone shooting at his brain. Draco had tried to insist that's what a crush felt like, but Theo had fancied Daphne Greengrass in the third year, so he didn't think it was true.

It was something else, some primal part of him telling Theo that this was a bad idea.

"You don't even have to do anything with it," Draco had pleaded, "In fact, please do not. I couldn't stand it. But stop denying what's so bloody obvious," he added with a laugh, "You're totally soft for her!"

It had all come about because while Blaise believed Theo's story about making sure the Shepard's Pie was perfect and that's what took so long, Draco did not. It was a pretty bad cover, honestly, so Theo was pleased even one of them believed it.

Theo had been tightlipped about it, until he wasn't and slipped up and just made a comment about Hermione mooning over Weasley when the idiot ginger clearly preferred girls with zero original thoughts.

If he'd waited just a day, perhaps Draco could have ignored it. Ron and Lavender's 'love' story was the biggest couple news in a decent while, and they were gross and very touchy-feely in the halls. You had to be blind to not realize they were an item. However, Theo had mentioned this when it was just whispers, which had led Draco to conclude Theo knew something and had seen something go down the night he'd taken so long to get bloody sandwiches.

So Theo had explained it all.

"-And you should have seen her avis! It was non-verbal and so powerful! I don't know anyone who casts like hat and…what?" Theo had trailed off.

"Nothing, nothing. It's just…what I heard from that is 'Oh, Hermione doesn't know what she's missing in me, a big strong Slytherin to agree with her that Weasley is a meanie and he'll giggle with her and stumble into unused classrooms'. Mate, you're so pathetic."

"I do not sound like that."

Draco laughed, "You do. It's sickening. Just admit it so you can get over her and find someone else to obsess over. Tracy looks better this year, don't you think?" Draco said.

"I do not like her. Granger that is." He screwed up his face, "Tracy is fine, I suppose."

"So you say."

And, for two months almost, it had been variations of that argument. They were nearing the end of December now, near the time when students would be going home for their hols. Theo always hated it. He tried to stay home this year, but Draco was going home, and he didn't want to be separated, in case something went wrong.

He would ignore his father, like most years.

The only thing left was the Slug Club Ball, which Draco would not shut up about.

"How dare I not get an invasion! I am a Malfoy!"

That was a broken record and all anyone in the common room heard. The Carrow sisters below them a year and Marcus Belby, a year above, were the only Slytherins to be invited.

"It's not that grand, Draco," Flora tried to console him, "it's really boring, actually."

"Oh, ho, ho!" Marcus laughed, "Speak for yourself. It's bloody amazing all the people that Slughorn knows! Yeah, I'd be upset if I weren't invited either."

Theo had heard that he and Draco were both meant to be invited until Slughorn learned of their parent's chosen associations. A bit hypocritical if you asked Theo; Slytherins got a bad rap, but you couldn't base all off of one, so why do that with him and Draco? Not that Theo wanted to go, but he wanted Draco to be quiet about it. He'd gone and asked the Carrow sisters if they'd take pity and invite Draco as their date, but they both apologized saying they'd already asked someone.

"Thanks anyway. Enjoy it." Theo said, steeling himself for a night of a whiny, bitchy Draco.

After dinner on the night of the 20th, watching students that were invited twitter about the festivities, Theo was in just as foul of a mood as Draco. He'd overheard- not that they were being quiet about it- that apparently Hermione was dating Cormac McLaggen now. They were going to the party together.

The idea of Weasley made Theo confused, but the thought of Hermione with someone who- by all accounts- was a regular and okay bloke? Well, he was a bit arrogant, but what Gryffindor wasn't? This thought festered and fueled his anger in ways he couldn't quite comprehend. All he knew was that his delicious dinner tasted like ash the movement his brain figured out the words he was hearing flung across the great hall.

When he overheard Cormac asking Seamus what flavor Hermione liked so that when he kissed her his breath smelled fine, Theo was entirely not hungry anymore.

He got up abruptly, citing to Millie that he had a lot of packing to do, trying to shake the thought of Hermione and Cormac together.

"Theo, m'boy!" A jovial voice caught him as he exited the Great Hall.

"What?" Theo snarled, turning before he realized that it was Slughorn. He groaned, shaking his head, "So sorry, sir. I'm just in a shi-," He held his tongue, "A bad mood."

"Sorry to hear that, Nott. I was actually just curious…" He frowned at Theo, examining him with great interest, "What are your feelings toward your father?"

Theo, any other time would have probably told Slughorn that was hardly his business or given a polite and rehearsed answer… such as that he loved him, they just didn't see eye to eye, he was a great wizard…blech.

But because Theo was pissed and in no mood to be polite about anything, he gave a dry, harsh laugh.

Later, he'd wonder that if he hadn't heard the news about Hermione if this interaction would have gone differently. If the tragedy of his entire life would have been changed. If, in some way, Hermione was unknowingly responsible for what would happen to him tonight. He didn't blame her, never, but…he still had to wonder.

In the present, Theo looked at Slughorn back with the same stare, "You had my father years ago, didn't you? And I mean years." He asked.

"I did. Bright young boy with a bright future. Until that is…" Slughorn patted his forehead to wipe away sweat, dancing around it.

"Until he became friends with a young Voldemort," Theo finished for him. He huffed, looking away as he licked the inside of his teeth, "To be frank sir, I hold very little emotion for my father other than hatred. There is no lost love between us and I learned long ago that he wasn't interested in being a father, so I have little interest in being a son."

Apparently, this was the right answer, because Slughorn gleamed.

"So you would say that you…disagree with certain choices he's made in terms of loyalty?"

"You could get me killed asking these sorts of questions, Professor," Theo said with a forced smile.

"Forgive me, of course. It's just…well, you're a bright student, Theo. Don't think I haven't noticed. And I considered you, but erm, you and Mr. Malfoy's associations…well, it would be…it wouldn't set the right message, you know."

Theo narrowed his eyes, "Right." He said emotionlessly.

"But I've been convinced by Professor Snape and some other professors that you seem different than your father. That perhaps I was too hasty in my assessment. I would hate to pass up such a smart mind and deprive it of the opportunities of my party tonight." Slughorn said. Theo blinked, frowning.

"The holiday party? Are you…inviting me?" He asked quietly.

"I am, son! I do hope you'll be there." Slughorn said, "We have quite the cast of interesting people coming tonight, people that can help you in whatever you choose to do past Hogwarts!"

"Yes, sir, thank you. Uhm, Draco?" Amidst his shock and curiosity about which other teachers went to bat for him, Theo had the wherewithal to ask on Draco's behalf. Slughorn's face fell.

"I know you two are chums, but I'm sorry. What with his father's public involvement and his…tendency to get caught up in school issues here with Potter, I don't feel as though I can ask him. I hope you peel yourself away for just a night. Don't let Draco stop you from your future changing!" Slughorn said.

Theo winced, "Right. I'll…think about it. Thanks again." He said, wondering how in the world he was going to tell Draco the news. In his mind, it had already been made up. He could pretend it was to see where his future could go, but in reality…he knew Hermione was going to be there. The rest of it was simple history.

As expected, Draco was furious.

"Now I need to go!" Draco paced, "I can't believe you! You're two-faced!" He spat, shoving Theo. His strength was tenfold to what it was before, and if it wasn't for Theo casting a spell to catch himself, he might have broken through the wall.

"Watch it! What was I supposed to say?" Theo demanded, "If someone is seeing me for someone other than my father…I don't…I don't want to spit in the face of this." He said. He didn't want to be a Death Eater. He didn't like Voledomort, especially not after what happened to Draco. He was worried about what would happen at the end of next year. If he could find someone to help him…

"Fine, fine," Draco waved him away, "Go without me. I'll just be here…thinking of all the fun I won't be having."

"You're terrible." Theo sighed, "Look, by midnight, everyone'll be drunk anyway. I'll let you in a side door."

Draco brightened, "Promise?" He asked.

"We can cause some chaos together. It'll be boring without you anyway." Theo shrugged.

"I doubt it," Draco pouted, "I heard a vampire is in attendance."

Theo scoffed, "Okay, one cool thing. Otherwise, I'm sure I'll be making stupid small talk the rest of the party."

Draco turned, "Go. Shoo. Get dressed…before I change my mind." He said, "Midnight?"

"I'll be there. Of course."

Theo grabbed his dress robes and checked his watch; the party was starting in twenty minutes. He'd better get on it.

His future was at that party tonight.