A/N Warning this chapter contains child abuse.

Chapter 3: Hello and Goodbye

Theo drove his V-Rod, a little souvenir he brought back from the states, past the same muggle coffee shop, four times this week. Blaise said according to Astoria, it was the one in which Daphne often liked to have lunch. Yesterday, he had noticed a record shop down the block, so today he pulled over and parked. Theo figured he might as well go in to see if they carried any American Heavy Metal. He had been searching for a certain Iron Maiden album, without luck so far. The idea of just showing up at Daphne's place made his stomachache, he didn't know why, but the idea of running into her in public didn't. Perhaps, it was because, the likelihood of running into Flint at her flat was greater than in public. Theo really wanted the first time they saw each other after five years, to be Marcus Flint free.

Daphne took her normal table, next to the little silver fence that separated the café from the sidewalk. She set all her papers on the table, then fell into the chair, her cheeks hurting from the smiling she couldn't stop. Her meeting had run longer than expected, but the store had picked up her latest designs, provided she could pull together ten items for the fashion show at the end of the month. She decided to treat herself and ordered a slice of pie along with her tea. This was a turning into a good day.

Theo came out of the music store with Metallica still running through his head, while he looked at the CD, in his hand. They didn't have the Iron Maiden album, he was looking for, but said they could order it. The collection of vinyl the store had was small, but promising. As he got closer to the café, he looked up from the CD, stopped in his tracks and couldn't breathe. There she was. Had to be Daphne. His chest hurt, as his heart pounded. She was just as beautiful now, as he remembered from their fifth year. Her hair was golden blond, a little darker than when they were younger. Theo couldn't see her blue eyes from where he was, but he knew from her smile, they were sparkling. He couldn't move, as he watched her looking through her papers. Another customer pumped into her table, knocking her things to the ground. Theo finally found the ability to move, as he shoved the CD in his pocket and ran to help her pick the papers up.

"Damn it." Daphne got up quickly, kneeling to pick up her drawings from the ground. A pair of black boots stopped in front of her, belonging to someone, who bent over to help.

She accepted the man's help, saying "Thank you." He offered her, his hand to help her up. She took it, shuffling the papers into one arm and then looked up into the dark brown eyes, that could only belong to Theodore Nott. As she slowly stood up, she thought, 'it can't be'. She looked at the man's appearance, black boots, like the ones guys wore when they rode on those muggle motorized bikes. Jeans, a black t-shirt, with a band name on it, she didn't recognize. 'Slipknot', she thought it said. Must be muggle. Probably American. A warn leather jacket, only added to how broad he was.

Theo couldn't help but stand there, looking at her, while holding her hand. She was every bit as stunning today, as he had dreamt, she would be after all these years. The blue sweater she had on, brought out her eyes and was form-fitting, making it even harder for Theo to breath. He could see the all too familiar silver chain, around her neck, tucked under the sweater's neckline. He didn't have to see it, to know what hung from the end of it. Her dark blue skirt showed off her figure, but had a slight flare at the hem, which hung just above her knees. Theo knew it had to be one of her designs.

He took a deep breath, and finally said hello, "Hello Daphne. Merlin, I have missed you." Daphne just stood there, staring at him.

"Daphne, it's me, Theo." He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Theodore Nott." Theo then smiled at her, that smile, that was clearly Theo.

Daphne pulled her hand away, realizing she was still holding his. "Sorry, Theo! My god, what has it been four years? No, five." She put the papers back on the table.

Theo's smile, turned to his signature smirk, "Good! You do still talk. The way you were staring at me, I thought you were trying to set my clothes on fire." He set his helmet on the table and raised his eyebrows at her.

Daphne crossed her arms over her chest. "Why, in the world, would I want to burn your clothes off you, in the middle of muggle London?"

"Cheeky minx, only reacquainted two minutes and you already want to get me naked." Theo plopped himself onto one of the empty chairs at her table. "I really should take you on a proper date first. Yes!"

"I never said I wanted to get naked with you!"

Theo put his feet up in the other empty chair, crossing them at the ankle, "Now, you want to be naked together. I like where you are going, but why don't we start with tea. Not that I wouldn't love to see you naked. Look at you, you've become a goddess!"

Daphne put her hands on her hips, "What are you doing?"

"Joining you. We have five years to catch up on."

Daphne laughed softy. "I never could say no to that smile." She sat down, moving her things to the other side and out of their way.

"Oh, and I plan to take advantage!"

She placed her elbows on the table and put her chin on the back of her hands. "You're still just as awful."

Theo reached across the small table and took her left hand in his. "You love it."

The waitress came by with Daphne's pie and tea, giving her an excuse to pull her hand away. The waitress looked at Theo, who winked at her, as he leaned back in his chair. She blushed and asked if there was anything he would like.

"Yes, beautiful. I don't drink tea, but I would love a cup of black coffee." Theo turned his attention back to Daphne and couldn't help smiling at her, while she glared at the waitress. After the waitress left, he took her hand back in his. "Are you trying to set the waitress on fire now?"

"What? No! Why would I want to set her on fire?"

"Because she took my attention away."

Daphne shook her head. "Theo, I need my hand back."

Theo leaned forward, brought her hand to his lips and placed a soft kiss on the back. "Then, take it back." He told her softly.

She got a shiver. They sat like that, just staring at each other, until the waitress brought the coffee. Theo gave her hand another soft kiss, then released it, smiling at her. This time, he thanked the waitress, but didn't take his eyes off Daphne.

Daphne slowly added cream and sugar to her tea. As she picked up the cup Daphne, looked back at Theo, but was careful not to make eye contact again. She had forgotten, after all this time, how she could get lost looking into those amazing brown eyes. "You should know, I am seeing someone."

Theo palmed his coffee cup and took a drink. "Yes, Marcus Flint, I heard." She brought her cup down quickly in surprise and looked up at him, making the direct eye contact she had been trying to avoid. Theo just gave her a coy smile over his coffee cup. "You really could have given me a better challenge with, say his younger brother, Andrew. Pucey, or even George Weasley."

Daphne coughed after taking a sip, "Weasley, really? Where have you been?"

Theo shrugged, "After they threw my father in Azkaban for life, I went to France. To look for you."

"You did?"

"Of course, why wouldn't I. We were both of age. Your father wouldn't be able to stop us any longer. Problem was, once I got there, I had no idea where to look."

Daphne looked a little sad and pushed her pie around on her plate. After finally taking a small bite, "I gave you the address in one of my letters."

"You mean, one of the letters your father confiscated." He sat his cup down and looked at his hands. The joking was out of his voice, "I only got three, before the one from him, telling me to leave you alone."

Daphne set her fork down, "He was doing what he thought was best for me and Tori." She felt a pain in her chest. The same one she felt five years ago, when her father said they were leaving England.

"How was taking you away, what was best for you?" Theo couldn't hide the pain with snarky comments right now, like he normally would.

This time she reached for his hand, "He didn't want us around Death Eaters, Theo."

Theo pulled his hand away, before she could reach it. He pulled the sleeves of his leather jacket down then offered her his hand again, "I would have to say, he didn't do that great a job, all that precaution and your sister is shacked up with one anyway."

"That's not fair." She couldn't help her eyes darting to look at his now covered forearm, wishing she had taken notice whether or not the dark mark had been there. "Your father was a known Death Eater, no matter what I said, I couldn't convince my father you wouldn't join him." She swallowed the lump in her throat. "Besides, I thought Draco was your friend?"

"He was." Theo paused a moment and took a sip of coffee. "That was out of line. Sorry." They were silent again for a moment. Theo cleared his throat and took another drink, "Anyway, once I got to France, the Ministry wouldn't give me any help. They said your father had registered your affairs as 'Private'. So, they couldn't tell me anything. After a while, I had no choice, but to give up. I went to the first place I could think of."

"Where was that?" She tried eating her pie. Something told her, she shouldn't be holding his hand, but she didn't care right now.

Theo's smirk was back, "You will never guess."

"So, tell me, so I don't have to." Daphne smiled back.

"Disneyland!"

Her eyes lit up, "You didn't? Without me!"

Theo laughed at her expression. "I didn't go in. Standing there, it just didn't seem right without you. So, I traveled around the states until, about two weeks ago."

"What finally brought you back? It couldn't have been me."

"Had I known you were back in London a year ago, I most certainly would have come back then. But no, my father passed away. It was time for me to come home and take control of everything." Theo started rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb.

"I know you didn't like him much, but I am sorry." She had to fight the impulse to hug him.

Almost, like he could read her mind, he laced their fingers together, "I'm not. He was not a good a person. Guess I can't really blame your father for keeping you away. But I am not my father, Daph."

"I know you're not, Theo." She looked down at their hands.

Theo reached across the table, put his fingers under her chin and lifted her face to look at him. "I am going to find a way to prove that to your, father. I promise." He leaned back in his chair, picked his coffee cup up and took a sip.

Daphne couldn't believe, how much she had missed him. It had been easy enough, after time to push down, but now it was flooding back, like a dam had broken. She tried to shake the thought and took a sip of her tea. "Are you back at Nott manor?"

"Yes, for now. I really do hate that place. But the lake will be a nice place to have the wedding and our son, will most likely want it one day. Best to keep it up and in the family." He winked at her.

"Our son? You really are quite sure of yourself." Daphne laughed softly.

Theo pulled his feet off the chair and tucked them under him, leaning forward with his unmistakable smirk. "Aren't I? Face it, you love that about me!"

"I loved a lot of things about you, Theo." She finally pulled her hand away. "I have missed you, but things are different now."

"Of course, they are, we aren't kids anymore." He paused a moment, "Meet me Friday for lunch." Theo stood, "I won't take no for an answer." He pulled a muggle fountain pen from his pocket and wrote an address on a napkin.

"I really shouldn't."

"Yes, you should. You owe it to yourself." Theo ran his hand through her hair, causing her to close her eyes.

Daphne couldn't think of a reason to tell him no, "Okay Theo, it's only lunch after all." Daphne put the napkin in her purse. As she did, she realized Marcus was the perfect reason to tell him no, but she had already, said yes. How to back out now?

"Brilliant." Theo leaned down quickly and firmly pressed his lips to hers. He breathed deeply, while he continued to run his fingers through her hair. As he pulled away, he brushed his hand across her cheek. "Don't bring Marcus."

Theo tossed some muggle money on the table, walked to his Harley, unlocked and mounted it. He looked back at Daphne, who was watching him, biting her lip. He gave her one final wink, put his helmet on and was gone. Once he was out of sight, Daphne let the breath out, she hadn't realized she was holding. What was she going to do now? She had convinced herself she was content with Marcus. He had a good future and money. He was decent to her, but she didn't love him. Not the way she had loved Theo. She had convinced herself years ago, what she had with Theo had just been a childish romance, a crush really. However, the flips her heart was doing right now, felt far more real, than something childish. She gathered her things, instead of going home, she went to see her most trusted companion, her sister.

xXXx

11 Years ago

Theodore waited for his father by the stairs. He had received his Hogwarts letter, weeks ago. His father had continued to tell him, he would take him to get his school things, as soon as he had the time. So far, father had been far too busy to take him. That morning, at breakfast, he had received an owl from his friend, Daphne. Her family and she had visited family in France, and they had returned the previous night. Her parents were to take her to Diagon Alley that afternoon and she had invited him to go with them. It was already August twenty-fifth; the term began on September first. He had been very excited about getting his wand and books. Theodore felt like he had waited forever, for the day he would go to off to school, to learn how to be a Wizard. He had already sent a reply to Daphne, stating he would love to go, but needed to ask his father first.

When Nott Sr. was a few feet from the stairs, Theodore addressed him, "Father, I need to speak with you, please."

His father stopped at the top of the stairs, "Make it fast, Theodore I have an appointment."

"Yes Sir. My friend, Daphne Greengrass, has invited me to go to school supply shopping with her and her family this afternoon. I would like to go, since I know you're a busy man. I just need some money." Theodore stood tall, with his feet shoulder width apart, his hands behind his back. The proper way, his father had taught him, to show respect.

His father sneered at him, "Am I no longer good enough for you to be seen with in public, is that it?"

"No Sir. I mean, of course, you are, Sir. I just meant; I know your busy." Why were his words getting all jumbled? Theodore started to get scared. The look on his father's face, told him, his answer had not been satisfactory.

Theodore's father grabbed him by his neck and easily lifted the boy off the ground. At eleven years old, Theodore stood just over five feet tall, but was still more than a foot shorter than his father. "I do not believe you are wanting to do this for my benefit, Theodore. I think you just want to find a way to hang out with that little imp, whose mother, thinks they are going to attach themselves to our family, already. Do you really think that girl is your friend?"

Theodore held onto his father's arm and struggled to breath. Tears burned at the sides of his eyes. "Please...father. I... only...want...to...get...my...wand." He started trying to pull his father's hand from around his neck.

Theodore's father's face was stone. "I have been telling you for days, we will get your damn supplies when I have time. I am tired of hearing about it. If, I am not good enough to take you shopping, perhaps, you, are not good enough to be my son."

Theodore's father held him over the stairs and let go. His father made no attempt to reach out as he stood there, emotionless and watched his son fall down the stairs. Theodore Sr. descended slowly after him and paused by his son at the bottom.

Once, he saw Theodore was trying like hell to stand, knowing father would yell at him for cowering on the ground, he simply said, "Perhaps, you are stronger than I thought."

Theodore's father walked to the drawing room, where Clair was preparing Theodore's lesson for the day, "Clair, I believe Theodore has broken his arm. Please tend to him." He then went to his study and shut the door.

Clair sat in the waiting room of St. Mungos and waited for the healers to finish with Theodore. Many bumps and cuts, she could handle with simple healing charms, most mothers and people in her line of work knew. However, healing bones, was a different story. This was not the first broken bone Theodore had suffered. But today was taking longer than it ever had.

Finally, the large white door opened and a blond man in healer's robes, came out. "Miss Thompson?" The man said to the group of people waiting.

Clair stood, "Yes, that's me."

The healer gave her a stern look. "Please, come with me."

Clair followed the man into another room, where he shut the door and gestured to a chair. "Please, take a seat." He sat behind a desk and waited for her to sit down. "I am healer Hamilton. I was assigned to young Mr. Nott, when you brought him in."

"Yes, how is he?" Clair fidgeted in the chair. Normally, they took care of him and sent him home. This was new.

"He is on the mend. Will be sore for a few days. Miss Thompson, are you aware, this is the fifth time in the last three years Theodore has been brought in for injuries that could not be taken care of at home?" The healer looked pointedly at her.

Clair was nervous, "I had not been keeping track. He is a very active boy."

"Yes, all boys are. However, all of his injuries seem to have similar explanations. Today, he claims to have tripped and fallen down the stairs. Four months ago, he fell off his broom, the time before that, he fell off a balcony. Is it normal for you to allow him to play in areas that could result in so many falls, or is there another explanation?" Healer Hamilton was not playing around.

"Healer Hamilton, if Theodore says he tripped, then he tripped. He is not a liar and is a very grounded young man." Clair was unsure of what else to say. She hated having to lie. She knew this man only had Theodore's best interest at heart, unlike the man at home.

Hamilton looked at her for a few minutes. He knew something was off. "I don't believe you, Miss Thompson."

Clair was shocked at his boldness. "Well, it's a good thing you are not my employer than. May I please, take Theodore home?"

"In a moment. We are not done. I will be sending an owl to Mr. Nott, asking him the same questions. Are you sure, you have nothing else to add?" He leaned forward, as if to get a better read on her.

Clair considered her words carefully, knowing what she said here, could help or hurt young Theodore. She knew, no matter what this healer had planned, they would not be able to intervene at home before, Nott Sr. got his hands on Nott Jr. to make him pay for having told. Plus, there was plenty of money in the Nott vault, to make sure the people above this healer, stayed out of it.

"I have already told you, Sir. if Theodore says he tripped, then he tripped. You have seen how tall he is, it's like he is trying to catch up to his father overnight. His frame is just not use to his height yet and he trips." Clair's hands were sweating, she really wanted to tell him the truth.

She wanted to scream it to anyone who would listen. She looked at healer Hamilton and tried to tell him with just her eyes, she hoped he would get the message and just help Theodore out whenever he could.

Hamilton noted the look in Clair's eyes and stood. "Fine, I will take you to Theodore now. Miss Thompson, I will be owling you as well. This is not over."

Theodore's father received the owl about twenty minutes after Clair got Theodore home and they were seated at dinner. He read the note and set it down. "Clair, did you talk to this Healer Hamilton, before you brought Theodore home?"

Clair looked at her employer and put her hands in her lap. "Yes, sir."

"And you told him, Theodore is a truthful young man, who does not tell lies?"

"Yes, sir."

"Very well. I have a letter I need to answer. Please, make sure he eats his dinner and is in bed on time." He stood to leave the table, picked up the letter and looked at his son. "Theodore where is your Hogwarts letter?"

Theodore quickly stood, to address his father. "In my room, Sir."

"Please bring it down before bed. I will take you to get your things in the morning." After that, he turned, and left the room. Clair couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

Theodore's father was good as his word. He took Theodore to gets his books, his robes and supplies. They had lunch and Theodore was allowed to go into the candy store to kill time, before his appointment to get his wand. Nott Sr. was always the perfect father in public. Anyone who saw them together, would have thought this was a man, who loved his son endlessly. Theodore wished they could spend all their time in public. He really did want desperately, to look up to his father, not fear him.

That evening before bed, Clair knocked on Theodore's bedroom door. "May I come in?"

"Of course, Clair, I am just packing my trunk. I know I still have a couple of days, but I wanted to get it done early." Theodore was skipping around his room trying to decide what to take and what to leave.

"Come here, love. I have something for you." Clair patted the bed beside her. Theodore did as he was asked. "Your mummy didn't have many things of hers to leave you she thought you would like, but she asked me to give you this." She held up a breaded silver chain with a ring hanging from it.

Theodore took it in his hands and recognized the green stone and silver snake. "This looks like the ring father wears."

"Yes, that is your mother's house ring. She wanted you to have it." Clair made Theodore look at her. "Your mother and father were both in Slytherin house. I was in Ravenclaw. Now, I want you to understand, it does not matter to me which house you get in. Your mother also wanted to make sure, you knew she would be proud, no matter which house you are in."

"Even if it's Hufflepuff?" Theodore scrunched up his nose.

"Yes." Clair laughed. "Even if it's Hufflepuff." She pulled him into a hug.

Theodore put the chain over his head and looked at the ring closely, reading his mother's name. "I just want to be with Daphne and Draco."

"Then you can be. Daphne and Draco will go before you. Just tell that hat you want to be with your best friends, it will listen to you." Clair started tearing up. "Now listen, there is something else I need to tell you."

Theodore dropped the ring and let it hang from the chain. He looked up at Clair, who was crying. "What's wrong?"

"After I drop you off at the train station, I am leaving. That will be my last duty as your Governess."

"What? You can't leave." Theodore started shaking.

"Oh love, you don't need me anymore. You're off to school now. I have taught you everything I can. You're ready." Clair tried to sound sure.

Theodore looked at his feet and as quietly as he could, he said, "If you leave, he'll kill me."

"Oh no, don't say that love, you're his son."

"He hates me." Theodore looked at Clair and she realized he was serious. They sat on his bed, while Theodore cried and Clair tried to convince him his father didn't hate him, but just didn't know how to show emotions. She found it a difficult task, as she didn't believe a word she said.

On September first, Clair put Theodore on the train, made sure he had found Daphne, Draco and Blaise. Then watched as the train pulled out of the station. She hoped he would be alright and knew it was now, out of her hands.

Anyone else dislike Nott Sr.? Okay you're not supposed to like him. How do you like Clair and Healer Hamilton? Let's say I hope you like them, because I have plans for the two of them. They will be back! You don't have to review, but any thoughts are helpful. Thank you!