A/N Warning this chapter contains intense child abuse.
The party that Theodore and his father attend in this chapter is a mash up of different ways European aristocracy has introduced their sons as men to society over many centuries. I figured the pure bloods seem to be over the top with tradition, so make the party over the top with tradition. As your reading you will see that I left 2 pure blood boys out of the party. It is my opinion that Longbottom would not want to attend, as well as have no one to bring him. I believe Weasley might have attended something like this with Bill and possibly Charlie, but by the time Ron's turn came around he would be distancing himself from most of the people involved. Also Crabbe and Goyle are not technically pure blood, but for the sake of the story I am going to consider them part of the club. So just a reminder, I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters.
Chapter 5: First Things First
Arthur Prince waited in the woods, just off the side of the road. He had been informed by his man on the inside, Jasper Brown, of the time and place he could expect the shipment to come through. Jasper Brown ran the medical supply factory owned by the Nott family in London. The man was in his early 40's. He was utterly displeased he now had to answer to a child of twenty-two. Jasper thought it was just like the uppity Pure-Blood, Theodore Nott Jr. to not keep Mr. Prince on, once his father died. When Prince had approached him with a plan to take the 'good for nothing son of a Death Eater' down, he was all to happy to help out.
Jasper convinced Earl, the man leading the shipments, to assist in their plan by promising a large pay out. Earl was a round man, who liked ale more than he should, and was easily swayed by the extra money which would be going into his vault. He could care less where the supplies went, as long as he got paid. The other two members of his team, Travis and William, would take more convincing. Both Travis and William, were only twenty and twenty-two themselves, having known Theodore Jr. at school. Prince decided a simple memory charm on the two of them, would keep them in line. They just needed a good cover story to get them to go along with taking the supplies to a location other than St. Mungo's. When the convoy of what looked like muggle semi trucks arrived, Prince only had to step out of the shadows in order to slow them down. This was all too easy.
Earl, who was driving in the first truck, jumped out. "You Prince?"
"Yes. You have your instructions?" Prince asked the driver.
The man looked him over, "Sure do. You have to do the memory charms on the other two drivers. I'm not so good with charms. Wouldn't want any problems."
Travis, sitting in the driver's seat of the second truck, yelled out the window. "Earl, what's going on mate?"
Earl waved for Travis and William to join him at the front. Once the two younger men were within earshot, Earl spoke again. "You blokes remember Mr. Prince?" He indicated to Prince, standing beside him.
"Yeah, why?" William asked.
Prince addressed them both, "We have a new location for these supplies, I will give you the address. I need you to take them there."
"Hey Earl, I don't know. We are supposed to go straight on to St. Mungo's, no stopping. You better check it with Nott." William complained.
"Nott has sent me to tell you. I assure you; everything is fine." Prince explained. Arthur noted the unsure looks on the young drivers faces and added, "He decided to retain me to help him with the transition for a few months. You know, to help get him settled in."
"So, why the change in delivery point?" Travis asked still looking skeptical.
"St. Mungo's is under quarantine, until morning. Nothing serious, it's only a precaution. They have a patient who had been traveling to Asia, and came in with a muggle illness. The healer's don't want it to get out of hand, you see. We will take them on in the morning, when they lift the quarantine. You blokes will get paid extra."
"Well, I guess it's alright. You putting us up for night, also?" Travis asked, an unsure tone to his voice.
"Sure, sure. We will make a man's night of it." Prince smiled, his best charming smile. Looked more like he was trying scare small children, Travis thought.
"What do you think Bill, sound alright?" Travis turned to the other driver.
Earl jumped in at that moment. "Hey, I am the one in charge, and I say it's alright. That's all either of you need."
Travis and William conceded to their boss, turning to get back in their trucks. Once they got to the location Prince had found to hide the supplies, Mr. Prince performed memory charms on them, then sent them home. Earl was given the money he was promised. "I may want your help, again." Prince told him, as Earl left. Arthur Prince felt all too proud of himself. "Let's see how well that smug child handles this." He was thinking. "He will stumble all over himself, trying to explain how a shipment of supplies headed to the Muggle medical department of St. Mungo's, went missing."
xXXx
9 Years Ago:
Theodore used to hate going to the parties, which his father would drag him. At the age of eight however, his attitude had changed. Now going, meant he got to spend time with Daphne. During the first two years at school, they had become even closer friends. They spent almost all their free time together. Theodore enjoyed reading with Daphne. It was something they did together, in the common room or out by the black lake. She would lean against the wall or a tree. He would lay with his head on her lap reading to her, while she played with his hair. This had become their normal activity for studying, after the first potions exam. They started, arranged in a circle with about four others, all of them quizzed each other. By bedtime, it was only Daphne and Theodore left. Somehow, they had ended up with him laying his head on her lap, her hands in his hair, while he read from the potions text book. They both aced the exam.
Today, Theodore was attending another Pure-Blood party with his father at Goyle Estates. It was one of those old tradition parties, where the boys who were thirteen, were to be introduced to the men of the Pure-Blood world, as men themselves. This time however, Theodore didn't want to go. He didn't want to see Daphne. More honestly, he didn't want Daphne to see him. He stood in his bathroom and looked at the bruises on his chest from the four broken ribs, he had received yesterday. He barely remembered his father kicking him repeatedly after he had been unable to stand. Ever since he had returned home for the Christmas Holidays his first year, his father would not let Healer Hamilton anywhere near him. Instead, the last two times, it had been different healers. They would heal the broken bones, make sure nothing was permanently damaged, but not heal cuts or bruises. All Theodore could think was his father wanted to see his handywork.
He winced at the pain, when he pulled his undershirt down over his chest. While he looked at the mirror, Theodore fought with himself, not to get angry at the sight of the nine stitches that closed the gash in his check. He tugged the chain out from under his shirt and looked at the ring, while he wished beyond reason, his mother was somehow with him today. Why in the hell had he chosen yesterday to try to be a man, and tell off his father like that? Theodore knew at thirteen he was hardly a man, regardless of what Pure-Blood society said. Just because their fathers would dress them up to look like little carbon copies of them at age thirteen, didn't make them men. He knew that. So why? Why had he done it?
He had been in the library to read and listen to music. His father had been looking for him, to give him the suit he would wear the following day. He had started to yell at him about reading too much, instead of being outside practicing, so he could make the Quidditch team like Vincent, Greg and Draco. They were going to make their fathers proud. All his son wanted to do was read, study, and send letters to that stupid girl. Theodore had finally had enough. He stood, told his father he didn't care about Quidditch, and he could just sod off about it.
Theodore remembered the first hit to the left side of his face after he told his father off. It had knocked him to the floor.
He closed his eyes and tried not to think about it. He turned instead, to pick up the emerald green shirt, the housekeeper had laid out for him, unable to keep the thoughts of his father yelling at him to get up, out of his head.
"Come on, you think you're a man. So tough. Get up and show me, boy!" Nott Sr. had bellowed at him.
Theodore tried to concentrate on the buttons of the shirt, but the memories kept haunting him, like a waking nightmare.
He remembered, he stood, faced his father, balled up his fist, got ready to swing, when the second hit split his lip. The blood had tasted metallic. He had been knocked backwards, but somehow managed to stay on his feet.
Once again, father had yelled at him "Come on, tough guy! Take a swing! What are you waiting for?"
His father almost sounded as if he were laughing. Theodore had barely taken a step toward his father, when the third hit had such force, his knees buckled, and he fell on all fours. His father, then kicked him in the gut, sending him to his side, and his face hit the carpet of the library. Although, his face hurt from the hits he had taken, he was overcome by a new pain in his chest, which he was pretty sure meant a broken rib.
"You disgust me. You're a sorry excuse for a Pure-Blood. How am I suppose to show you off tomorrow as the pride of the Nott family? I guess it's a good thing that pathetic Greengrass likes you. No other self respecting Pure-Blood female will. She is most likely a coward like her father. Unwilling, to pick a side, and take a stand." Theodore was unsure what his father had been talking about. Pick what side? Take a stand on what? "Get up Theodore, or I will make it so you can't!"
Theodore finally, finished with the buttons on his shirt, tucked it in, then sat on his bed. He put his face in his hands. He tried his best to hold back the tears, which threatened to fall from the memories of yesterday.
He had made it back to his knees, when he felt his face was wet. He had put his hand to his face, then felt sick to his stomach when he pulled it away, and saw it covered in blood. At that moment, his father had grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him to his feet. Theodore finally found some strength right then, and pushed his father's hands off him.
"Don't touch me, you son of a bitch! I hate you!" He had never regretted any words he ever spoke more than at that moment. He didn't regret the words themselves. No, he meant them. He regretted he had said them aloud. His father had responded in-kind.
"Oh, you hate me, do you? I have been trying like hell to make you a strong Pure-Blood wizard of whom I can be proud, and you hate me." His father had taken a step closer to him, and pointed to his own chin. "Come on than. If you hate me so much, hit me. Come on Theodore, show me how much you hate me!"
Theodore shook his head and tried to rid his mind of the thoughts. He walked over to the mirror, pulled down the silver tie. While his hand shook, he tried to tie a Windsor knot. He watched what he was doing in the mirror, but his left eye swollen almost shut, only made him think more about the confrontation with his father.
He had tried again, to hit his father, but the man was faster than him. Before his fist could land, he got another blow to the left side of his face. This time, Theodore wasn't getting up. Theodore barely remembered the seven kicks to his gut and chest that followed. He remembered, his father made a crude remark about Daphne. He remembered, how his body shuddered each time he got kicked, but by then he was numb. The last memory he had was his father grabbing his shirt to pull his head off the floor, but he didn't remember the last hit, because at that moment, he fell into a blissful unconsciousness.
Theodore finally gave up on the tie. He placed his hands on either side of the sink, and let the tears fall. He knew his father would enjoy humiliating him in front of all the other boys and their fathers. There was a small knock on his bedroom door. Theodore had quickly wiped his face, and told Sarah the head house keeper to enter. He liked the old woman, but to be truthful, he missed Clair. Being the head house keeper, Theodore had become her responsibility whenever he was home. She was kind, but distant. Theodore always felt so alone while home for the summer and holidays.
Sarah looked at Theodore, and gave him a warm smile. "Lord Nott, do you need help with your tie?"
"Yes, please." He walked from the bathroom, and stood in front of her. She made short work of the tie, then went to get his suit coat off the hanger in the closet. Theodore hated that he had to dress like his father today. Same emerald green shirt, same stupid silver tie. Everything would match, from the Slytherin tie tack, to the Italian leather shoes. He shivered, when Sarah helped him into the coat.
She smoothed the coat across his back, "If you would allow me to be so bold, I know you, and I are not that close. However, I sense you're worried about seeing your friends today."
Theodore looked back at her, over his left shoulder, "Go on."
"Don't be scared about seeing Daphne. Be honest, and fourth right, and I promise, it will only strengthen your relationship." She walked around him to check the rest of his appearance. While putting the tie tack on his tie, she continued, "As for the boys, let your father tell his story. But own it. Make it your story, not his." Theodore heard her words and nodded, but it took him awhile to understand what she meant.
He met his father downstairs in his study. "Come here Theodore, let me look at you." His father walked around him, tugged at his coat, and pants here and there. He pushed Theodore's hair back, out of his eye's then roughly grabbed his chin, and turned his face to the right to look at the wounds that had barely started to heal. "Well, if you play this off right, the others might actually think you're the tough guy you tried to be. Perhaps your little girl friend will even let you become a man by the end of the school year. Tsk, doubtful though." His father turned his face back, and released it just as sharply as he had grabbed it. Nott Sr. picked up a small box off the desk, and handed it to Theodore. "Your house ring. Put it on."
Now he understood what Sarah meant. He knew his father planned to tell all the men at the party Theodore had picked a fight with a group of muggle boys. So Sr. had decided to let him heal like a muggle. Same story he told the healer at St. Mungo's. Well, if that was the story to be told, Theodore wasn't going to hide from it. He decided right then, he would wear the wounds like a badge of honor. If his father wanted to see if he could be a Pure-Blood male, who lived up to the Nott blood line, Theodore would not disappoint. He opened the box to see a ring like his father's, the only differences, were the Jr., and the date. Theodore made a secret promise to himself as he slide the ring on his finger, he would never be his father. He would be a better man.
xXXx
Theo sat in his study, looking at the letter which had come informing him, the shipment due to arrive at St. Mungo's yesterday had not shown up. He folded the letter in half, pushing his chair out from behind the desk. Theo stood, walked over to the arm chair, next to the one which Blaise occupied. Blaise was still looking around the room at all the interesting things with which Theo had decorated it. There were footballs. Smaller white balls, Blaise knew to be baseballs. He had never had the chance to see a game, but was looking forward to it, as Theo was his only friend who owned a Muggle TV. On the mantle of the fireplace, were small black disks, Theo said where used to play a Muggle game called ice hockey. Theo also had plenty of memorabilia from Quidditch teams.
"You know Theo, this room looks more like a pub, than a study." Blaise told him, as Theo handed him the letter. Blaise set down his beer, opening the letter to give it a read.
"Yes well, I wanted a room I could relax in. One that didn't remind me of my father." Theo sat down in the chair opposite his friend, elbows resting on his knees.
Blasie finished the letter, handed it back to Theo, and picked up his drink. "So, what's your plan?"
"Obviously, I will need to address the issue. The prophet already wants a statement, since the supplies which have gone missing, were intended for the Muggle health department of the hospital." Theo ran his fingers through his hair. "What I don't understand Blaise, is how they went missing. I looked in my father's records, we have not had a theft like this in over a hundred years."
Blasie made a face, "Wow, that's something. Doesn't look good either, since you just took over."
"Thank you, mister obvious." Theo fell back in his chair. "The prophet will be sending someone over in about two hours to get my statement. The lady said in her letter, she will be addressing my fathers and my connections to the Death Eaters. All seems fishy, her words, not mine."
"What will you tell them?"
Theo let his hands fall to his lap, "I have no idea. I have never talked to the press."
Blaise looked serious suddenly, "You know, the connection between you, your father and you-know-who will be the main goal. They most likely don't even care about the missing supplies. Always pissed the ministry off, they couldn't make charges against you, Draco and I stick. They wanted all four of us, but only got Greg."
"There was nothing they could pin on me then, and there is nothing they can pin on me now."
"I understand that Theo, but people in our world, have still not let it go. Those of us, especially people in your position, son of a very powerful Death Eater, will never fully be off the hook. They couldn't find anything then, couldn't prove you became a Death Eater also, but that doesn't mean they won't go looking for a way to tear you down, now." Blaise gave Theo a 'think about it' nod.
"Then, what I tell the prophet will be very important. Any ideas?" Theo raised his eyebrow at Blaise.
"Yeah, owl Draco."
"Whatever for?" Theo sat up.
"Simple, he has had to deal with the press concerning business his whole life. My dealings with the press have always been more personal in nature. Who better, to give you pointers on what to say than him?" Blaise shrugged, like his suggestion should have been evident.
Theo thought for a moment, "Blaise, I have not spoken to Draco since his trial."
"You have written him since you got back, right?" Blaise took a drink of his beer.
Theo sighed, "Yeah, a couple of times. I wouldn't call us friends again just yet."
"Have to start somewhere mate, might as well be with something he is good at." Blaise raised his eyebrows then leaned back in his chair. "Besides, I am getting tired of only being able to see one of you at a time. I know Draco has the biggest amends to make but be the bigger man and make the first move Nott!"
Theo ran his hands through his hair, then went back to the desk. After a few minutes, he folded up the piece of parchment he had been writing on. Sealed it and attached it to the leg of the owl, which sat on the perch outside the study window. Theo, petted the bird affectionately, "Take this to Draco Malfoy." Theo sat back down in the desk chair, rubbing his face with his hands. The two men sat in the room quietly for a while, both lost in their own thoughts.
Finally, Theo looked back up, "Honestly Blaise, I thought I would go a few weeks at least, before there were problems like this. Do you think Muggles stole the supplies, or a wizard trying to 'tear me down', as you put it?"
Blaise looked up from the beer he was holding, "I would hate to think Muggles somehow found their way onto wizarding land. But it's possible. No, more likely, wizards did this. Whether or not it was to tear you down, is the question."
"My thoughts exactly. The Auror Department says, as of right now, there is little they can do. My best option is to hope it's an isolated incident." Theo crossed the room, and went back to the armchair.
Blaise scoffed, "Not very helpful. Are they even going to try, to find the stolen goods?"
"Oh, Weasley assured, me they would put someone on it. But I am not going to hold my breath."
"I'd prefer it, if Weasley held his own breath." Blaise and Theo looked up at the blond man standing in the doorway of the study. Theo's first thought was, "Damn, Draco looks old." Finally, a smile spread across his face.
Theo stood up, he crossed the room in two strides, in order to shake his once friend's hand. "Good to see you, Draco. Sorry, I haven't been by yet."
Draco waved him off, "No, no. It's fine. I have just been happy for the correspondence the past couple weeks." Draco raised his eye brows at Theo, "Daphne came by, I think she is looking forward to seeing you Friday."
"Then I will be sure to give her something to tell her sister all about." Theo gave a sly smile, then offered Draco a seat. "Tony, please bring Draco something to drink."
As Theo went to sit down, Draco addressed his butler, "Tony was it?" The Butler nodded. "Well Tony, please take the ale away, and bring us all some tea." Draco looked sharply at Theo, "First things first, you must be sober, when you talk to the press."
Theo nodded to Tony, letting him know, he agreed with what Draco had just told him.
Draco got comfortable in the seat, "Secondly, you need to change your clothes."
"What's wrong with my clothes?" Theo looked put off.
"You look like a bloody muggle." Draco sneered.
"This is how I dress, Draco. Not all of us, still feel the need for shinny dress shoes, and suits every moment."
Draco sat forward, "You asked for my advice. My advice is, you need to look the part of a business man. One whom can be trusted. You don't want to give the wizarding world the impression, you made a mistake by releasing that pompous Prince bloke. Wear a suit, Theo."
"Fine, a suit." Theo looked at the time, "Any other advice before I go change."
Tony brought the tea in, poured Blaise and Draco a cup. He picked up a mug off the tray, and passed it to Theo, "Your coffee, sir." Tony then left the room. After sipping his tea, Draco took a deep breath, "Look the reporter in eye, at all times. Constantly looking away, makes you look shifty. Speak clearly, but not loudly. Only tell them the facts they already have. Offer nothing new."
Theo leaned forward, holding his mug in his hands between his knees. "So what do I say when they ask about something they don't know? Like, if I have any idea who did it?"
"You stick to the facts. They have already published it was the work of unknown persons. You answer a question of that nature, with something along the lines of, 'At this time, I would not like to speculate as to whom may be behind the theft.'" Draco certainly sounded like he had done this before.
"Speculate, as to whom, yeah, cause I talk like that." Theo shook his head.
"Use your own words than. You're not daft, Theo. The point is, not to give them anything more. If you answer that question with your normal snarky attitude, they will have you strung up by morning." Draco simply crossed his legs, and held his tea cup on his knee. Theo was mesmerized for a moment, Draco looked far too grown up. He had obviously left Theo and Blaise behind.
Finally cutting the tension Blaise offered, "I think you should just hire Draco as your spokesperson. You're going to screw this up for sure." Chuckling, He sat in the chair next to Draco, bringing Theo back from the horror of wondering when Draco had become an adult.
Theo shot Blaise a nasty look, "I will not. But, it's not a horrible idea."
Draco laughed, "Yes, it is. Look, Theo, you have two problems you will be facing here. 1. Making sure all the other businesspeople in our world, don't see this as a reason to pull their business from you. 2. Making sure the reporters, like Parkinson, don't make this a 'Is he a Death Eater after all?' smear campaign. No, you want me as far away as possible. In fact, when the reporters get here. I will be up in the library, so I am not seen."
Theo nodded understanding, "Ok, talk clearly. Offer nothing new. Look them in eye. Wear a bloody suit. Anything else?"
xXXx
9 Years Ago
Theodore and his father were the last people to arrive at Goyle Estates. They were led to Mr. Goyle's study, where the others were waiting to go into the ballroom. When they entered the room, Theodore tried to keep his head held high, knowing the rest of the boys would have a thousand questions. Theodore heard Lord Malfoy, as he made a comment on how it was better Weasley hadn't come anyway. He saw the group of boys huddled to the left in a circle, poor Ernie, standing off to the side, fidgeting with his yellow tie.
Nott Sr. was handed a glass of brandy, by Mr. Goyle, "What the bloody hell happened to your boy, Nott?"
"The little arrogant idiot, thought he would go find himself a group of muggle boys to harass. They didn't take kindly to it." Nott Sr. smiled at the lie.
Theodore took his father's lead, "Yes, but you should have seen the group of boys. They are all still sitting in the muggle hospital. Aren't they, father?" Theodore sneered at his father.
Nott Sr. raised his eye brow, "Yes, I guess they are. Which is exactly why, I am letting you heal like they must."
Theodore shrugged his indifference, and turned to the group of boys. Draco looked at him with a worried expression, and moved in closer to him so he could whisper, "Your father's work?"
"Yes. Later Draco." Theodore turned to shake Blaise's hand, and greet the other boys. When he was sure Draco could not see, he had given Ernie a small nod hello. The out of place Hufflepuff, beamed at him.
All too soon it was time for them to proceed with the outdated ritual. Theodore thought it was absurd they had to line up in order of 'power', as his father put it. He and his father would follow Lucius and Draco, with Blasie and his mother's current husband, Ethan, behind them. Ernie MacMillan, and his extremely nervous father, were next. Goyle, then Crabbe at the end. The whole point was to go in, and introduce the boys as men to the other men of Pure-Blood society. Theodore couldn't help wonder, who in the world thought they were men at thirteen. He still felt like a child, most of time. His father and he made their way around the room. Everyone they met made some remark about Theodore's appearance. His father told his well-rehearsed story over and over. Theodore made a quick snarky retort right after. The men would say, stupid things like, "Good show, Theodore" or "Well done." He found the whole thing utterly ridiculous. But his father seemed to eat it up. He wondered, had father beaten him just for this reason?
Once they made their way to Lord Dalton Greengrass, his wife, and daughters, Theodore almost lost his composure. The way Daphne's bottom lip trembled, told him, she didn't like what she saw.
Theodore took her hand, placed a soft kiss on the back of it, "Don't worry Lady Greengrass, it looks much worse than it is. I promise."
She gave a slight nod. Theodore didn't know if it was by chance or if Daphne had somehow planned it, but her emerald green floor length ball gown, with silver trim, matched his shirt and tie perfectly. He couldn't help but smile.
Theodore held onto her hand, leaned in closely to her, brushed his right cheek against hers so he could whisper in her ear. "I will tell you everything later."
Theodore stood back up before her father and mother noticed. In a much louder voice than needed, to make sure both his father and Lord Greengrass heard him, he said to Daphne, "You will save both the first, and last dance for me, won't you Lady Greengrass?"
Daphne's eyes lit up; her smile widened brightly. "They were yours before you asked, Lord Nott." Theodore felt his cheeks get warm, like every time they flirted with each other.
He waited for her father to object. He only raised his eye brows at his daughter, then turned to Nott Sr. "Well, your son may have made a questionable choice the other day, but he is becoming quite the gentlemen. You are to be congratulated, Nott." To Theodore he added, "My Daphne, will be treated with respect."
"I would have it no other way, your grace." Theodore kissed Daphne's hand again.
His father, put his hand on Theodore's shoulder, and roughly pulled him close to him, while he lead him on to finish their way around the room. "That was well done son. However, I do not approve of her. Have your fun now, but she will not become a Nott. Do you understand?"
Theodore told his father, "Of course, Sir." However, he didn't care if his father approved, ever. As far as he was concerned his father had lost the right to pass judgment long ago.
The first dance came, and went. Theodore would seek out Daphne whenever he could. With about an hour left, he asked if she would like to take a walk, outside by the large fountain the Goyle's had in the back. Once alone, Theodore pulled Daphne to him, buried his face in her hair. As quietly as he could, while he held on to her tightly as if she were his lifeline, he explained to her what had happened. Daphne stood still, her hands rested on his chest, while she listened to him recount the events of the day before.
When she was sure his story was over, she pulled away, just enough to put one hand on the side of his face, "I am so sorry, Theo. I wish there was something I could do."
She took his hand, lead them over to a bench to sit down. She pushed his hair back out of his eyes so she could see them better. A small shiver ran down her back, when she got a really good look at the damage. Theodore knew for sure he had feelings he didn't understand for Daphne, because the look in her eyes was too much for him, and he started to cry. Daphne pulled him back into her arms, and just held him.
He hated to cry in front of her, but he couldn't help it. "I hate him, Daphne." Theodore sobbed into her hair, "I hate him so much." After a while, Theodore lifted his head, while he tried to wipe his face. "I am sorry to be acting like this. Not what you would expect from a man, huh."
Daphne didn't know what else to do, so she kissed him. Firmly, she pressed her lips against his. She hoped to take away his pain. When she pulled away, Theo looked a little shocked, but quickly put his hands on either side of her face, and pulled her in so they could kiss again. He liked how warm, and soft her lips felt, and the way it made his heart race. He chuckled lightly, when he pulled away, "You know we are not suppose to do that."
"What my father doesn't know, won't kill him. Besides, it was only a small kiss, Theo." She took his hands in hers, and held them in her lap. "We should probably go back in though." He agreed. On the way back to ballroom, Daphne stopped them, "Theo, may I ask you something?"
He turned to look at her, "Of course, what is it?"
Daphne was suddenly nervous, "Am I your girlfriend?"
Theodore smiled at her, "Do you want to be, my girlfriend?"
"Yes. If you want me to be." Daphne looked at him shyly.
Theodore put his right hand on her cheek, gave her another quick kiss on the lips, "Than yes, you're my girlfriend." He had never seen Daphne look so happy as she did right then.
While they shared the final dance of the night, Theodore didn't know if this is what it felt like to be in love. But he was going to call it that, and hold on to it, with everything he had.
A/N Thank you so much for reading so far. I hope you are enjoying it. I am truly having a great time writing it. Thank you in advance if you should choose to review, favorite or follow.
