A/N Warning this chapter contains child abuse.

Chapter 8: Confessions

9 Years Ago

Theodore and Daphne were seated at the Slytherin table in the great hall to have breakfast. Today was the third trip into Hogsmead for the students, however Theodore and Daphne had decided to stay at the castle. Theodore had been embarrassed and had not yet told Daphne he had run out of money on their last trip. Father had only given him a small amount. Theodore hadn't wanted to deny her anything she wanted, but not saying no, left him with nothing for today. He wasn't about to ask her to pay for lunch. So, he convinced her the time alone, at the castle would be nice. Theodore had thought about writing to Father to ask for more money, but knew Father would most likely deny him, not to mention the punishment he would get for having spent his money on Daphne.

They only had the trip today and one more, before the Christmas holidays. Hopefully, Father would give him more for the second half of the term. One way or the other, he needed to pluck up the courage to explain the situation to Daphne. She would understand; he was just being ridiculous. He had already asked Draco to loan him the money to get Daphne a Christmas present. Draco, gave it to him, only wanted Theodore to do his History of Magic homework until Christmas, as repayment. Theodore hated he would be doing double the homework, but if it meant he would get the locket for Daphne and not have to hope his dad would give him more money, it was worth it. As it was, Theodore learned a valuable lesson over the last two months, about how to manage his money.

Ernie Macmillan walked over to them, sat down across from Theodore. "A few of us are going to the shrieking shack before lunch Nott, want to come?"

Theodore quickly looked around, the cost was clear, Draco had not come in yet, "Not today, Macmillan. Daphne and I are going to hang out by the black lake."

"Oh, Ok. See you later then." Ernie got up to leave, but stopped, "Hey Nott, you are still available tomorrow to help me with that potions essay after lunch?"

"Yeah, I will come by your common room at one." Theodore nervously looked around again, afraid Draco would come in any moment.

"Thanks." Ernie ran off to catch up with Hannah.

Daphne had her elbow on the table, chin rested in her hand. She looked over at Theodore, "Why does Ernie constantly invite you hang out with him?"

Theodore took a sip of his juice, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Theo, it's me. You don't have to act like that." Daphne put her hand on his cheek turning his head, so he faced her.

"He doesn't always ask. I suppose he is just being nice. He is a Hufflepuff after all." Theodore went back to his food.

Daphne put her hands in her lap to adjust her napkin, before it slipped to the ground. "Nope, that's not it. He has a boy crush."

Theodore choked on his juice, "A what?"

"A boy crush. He likes you." Daphne giggled.

"That's so not true. Besides, I like girls. Specifically, you." Theodore sat his glass down a little harder than he meant to and spilled the juice.

Daphne laughed, "Not that kind of crush. He wants to be your friend, he likes you. I want to know Why?"

Theodore, blushed. "Oh, that kind of crush. I guess I was nice to him once."

"When?" Daphne, wasn't upset, but it did seem unusual for anyone outside their house to be overly friendly, to anyone who was friends with Malfoy.

"At the presentation ball this summer. You remember, I am sure. I had that very manly black eye." Theodore nudged her with his shoulder, "He was the outsider. So I guess it only felt right, to say hi and be nice to him."

Daphne's smile widened. "Well, it looks like you made a friend, whether you wanted to or not."

Draco and Pansy finally arrived, arguing about where they wanted to go, once they got to the little village. "Fine, you go off to the clothing store and look for a new dress, I am not going." Draco rolled his eyes, as Pansy started to pout like she was about to cry, but sat down and tried to ignore her. "Theo, are you going to join Crabbe, Goyle and I, or hang out again all day with Greengrass?" Draco did his best to pretend, Pansy wasn't almost in tears beside him.

"We are staying here today Draco. I have extra homework, remember." Theodore told him, as he finished his breakfast.

"I should say you do. Make sure you get a good grade on that History of Magic paper." Draco stood up, grabbed some fruit off the table. "Guess I will go see if Zabini wants to go." Draco turned to leave, hesitated then turned around. "If you're quite done pouting Pansy, I will meet you for lunch."

Pansy jumped up, "Oh Draco, I am so sorry. I didn't mean to be unreasonable." She kissed him on the cheek, "Lunch would be great!" Pansy ran off in the other direction. Daphne assumed to go find Tracey.

Draco turned, raised his eyebrows at Theodore, then walked off to find Blaise. Theodore exchanged a look with Daphne, he stood up, and held out his hand for her. "Honestly, Daph. I will never understand their relationship."

Daphne took Theodore's hand, "I don't think they understand it." Both of them started to laugh, as they began to walk outside hand in hand toward the black lake. As they got closer to the tree they liked to sit under, Theodore noticed, a small group was already down there. "Is that Hagrid standing in the water?"

Daphne looked closer, "I think so."

Theodore stopped walking, "Oh great, freaking Potter and his lackeys are there also."

"Not you too." Daphne crossed her arms in front of her.

"Not me, what?" Theodore looked at her. Rarely did the two of them fight, but he felt this would be one of those times.

Daphne sat down right where they were, "It's bad enough we have to listen to Draco and Pansy, go on and on every night about how much they hate Potter, are you going to join them now?"

"I didn't say I hated them. I just don't like them." Theodore sat down beside her, and started to put his arm around her waist.

Daphne pushed his arm away, "That's the same thing, Theo."

"No, it's not." Theodore, laid back to look at the clouds. If she didn't want him to touch her, he wasn't about to try. Theodore really didn't feel like having a fight with her right now.

"Yes it is." Daphne pulled her legs up, then wrapped her arms around them.

"Can we talk about something else, please?" Theodore put his hands behind his head.

Daphne turned to look at him. "Sure, once you explain how they aren't the same thing."

Theodore sighed, "You're not going to let this go, are you?"

"NO."

"Fine, I have nothing against Potter, he just seems to get away with a bit more then he should. It's unfair, but I guess I don't honestly hate him for it. I don't like the favoritism he gets. See the difference?" He sat up.

"I think almost anyone can agree with that. The other two though?" Daphne started to play with Theodore's hair.

Theodore closed his eyes and leaned forward. He loved it when she did that, always made him feel calm, peaceful. He also knew that she knew, she could get whatever she wanted from him just by running her hands through his hair. "Granger just pisses me off, always getting a better grade. No matter how hard I try, she gets one mark higher, every time." Theodore looked up at Daphne, causing her hands to fall from his hair into his lap. "Do you think she would purposely get a bad grade, if I asked her to? You know like, 'Hey Granger, I really don't want a beating for not getting the highest grade in charms this year, would you mind coming in third for once?'" Theodore laughed, knowing that would never happen.

"Yeah, I don't think she would blow a test for you, more likely she would try to save you." Daphne leaned over, and kissed Theodore's cheek: a kiss which lingered just a little longer than a friendly kiss should.

Theodore closed his eyes again, while she kissed him. Once Daphne pulled away, he laid down and put his head on her lap. "I wonder if Weasley's father has ever thrown him down the stairs, or gave him black eye. Hell, I bet his father has never even yelled at him. I guess, now that I think about, I do hate Weasley."

Daphne ran her hands through Theodore's hair again. "I don't think you hate him, I think you're jealous."

"Sure feels like hate." Theodore pulled one of her hands from his head, into his hands on his chest, so he could play with her fingers.

"I think that's the point. So try to get over it."

"Perhaps. Can we change the subject now?" Theodore started to place little kisses all over Daphne's fingers.

Daphne smiled at the kisses. Theodore always found little ways to show her how he felt. Ways, which were intimate, but helped him to keep his promise to her father to always respect her. Theodore's birthday was in early September, which made him almost a year older than most of his classmates. At fourteen, he was slowly becoming a man, but no matter how strong a desire he got from contact with her, he never crossed that line. Their kisses had always been respectful, Theo had never tried to open his mouth. He always made sure wherever he touched her, was not inappropriate. When they would be in the common room and saw the older students kissing, and touching each other in ways which made him ache to be with her, he heard her fathers words in the back of his mind, 'My Daphne will be respected'.

"Of course." She thought a moment, "If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?"

"Anywhere?" Theo continued the kisses.

"Yes anywhere." Daphne leaned forward to kiss his forehead.

"The past. I would go to the past." Theodore laced their fingers together, while he thought about the past.

"Why the past?" Daphne continued to run her fingers through his hair.

"To see my mother." Theodore closed his eyes. "What about you, where would you go?"

Daphne giggled, "Promise you wont' laugh."

"No, if it's funny, I'm going to laugh." Theodore teased.

Daphne playfully hit his shoulder, "Than I am not telling you,"

Theodore sat up, "Come on, you have to. I told you."

"No." Daphne, laid down in the grass this time.

"I will tickle you until you tell me." Theodore threatened.

"You better not." Daphne opened her eyes.

Theodore moved too quickly though, and straddled her waist, to tickle her sides. Daphne tried to tickle him in return, but Theodore being stronger than her, grabbed her arms, held them over her head, while he continued to tickle with one hand.

"Ok, Ok. I will tell." Daphne gasped.

Theodore stopped his tickle assault on her and looked down at her. They were both breathing hard. He leaned forward and pressed his lips firmly to hers. There is was, that damn ache. Theodore quickly pulled away, got off her, and sat cross legged in the grass. He hoped she wouldn't notice.

"What's wrong." Daphne sat up.

"Nothing." Theodore smile at her. "Just waiting for you to tell me where you would go."

Daphne smile, "Disneyland."

"Disney what?" Theodore made a face.

Daphne laughed. "It's a Muggle theme park in California. I saw it in a Muggle travel book once, when my mother took us into a Muggle book store."

"California, in the states?" Theodore was suddenly interested, and forgot about his discomfort.

"Yep. The travel guide had a whole list of the top fifty best places to travel. It was like, twelfth or something like that." Daphne moved over in front of him, pulled one of his legs out and leaned back on his chest.

He wrapped his arms around her. "Well, we will have to go. Right after graduation. I will take you there." The two sat in silence for awhile. Theodore started to think about the fact he was jealous of Weasley, again. He really didn't like the idea of being jealous of anyone, but it made sense. "Daphne, do you think I can end the cycle?"

"What cycle, Theo?" Daphne's eyes were closed.

"Me and my father." Theodore rested his chin on her shoulder.

"I don't understand what you mean." She turned to look at him.

"Well, I figure, he had to learn how to be an ass from someone." Theodore leaned back slightly, and ran his fingers through her hair. "I don't want to be my father Daphne. I don't want you or our kids to fear me."

Daphne got up, turned around, and kneeled on her knees so she could look at him. "I think you can most certainly end that cycle Theo, and I could never fear you."

"You have never seen him when he's angry, Daph. He scares the bloody hell out me." Theodore, took her hands in his.

"Theo look at me." Daphne pulled her hands from his, and put them on each side of his face. "I will never fear you. I promise. I love you."

Theodore kissed Daphne, firmly, held their lips together for longer than he knew he should. "I love you too Daphne."

Daphne smiled, and laid her head on Theodore's chest. "Theo, is this forever?"

"That's my plan." Theodore kissed the top of her head, "It's defiantly for as long as you will have me."

Daphne smiled, "Than I guess, it's forever."

xXXx

Blaise waited at the front counter of Madam Malkin's, for the clerk to bring him his new suit. He had it commissioned for Daphne's fashion show, it was one of Daphne's designs. His mother did so much business at Madam Malkin's that the Madam was always willing to do any favors, Blaise asked, including creating clothes designed by other people, but only for Blaise and his mother. He was looking around the shop, completely uninterested in the boring people walking around, including the extremely plain looking girls about his age, who kept making eyes at him.

"Oh Tracey, this dress looks amazing on you."

Blaise turned his head in the direction of the fitting rooms at the sound of the name Tracey. Could it be? If so, what a nice surprise. He happened to have nothing, or no one, to do tonight. His eyes finally landed on Sally Ann Perks standing in front of Tracey Davis, who was having a dress fitted. Blaise let a smile spread across his face, walking over to where the two women were standing.

"That dress is beautiful, but nothing compares to the witch wearing it." Blaise said, as he approached them.

Tracey put her hands on her hips, "Well, Blaise Zabini. What a surprise. Are you to get fitted, as well?"

"No love, I am just picking up a suit for Daphne Greengrass's fashion show in a few days." Blaise walked over to Tracey took her hand, kissing the back. He turned to Sally, "Sally you're looking radiant. As always."

"Oh Zabini, if I wasn't engaged and didn't know better, I would melt, just melt." Sally shook her head, looking at Tracey, "Why do all the Slytherin men, think they are so suave?"

"Probably, because they are, Sal." Tracey laughed.

"They are more arrogant than suave. Most of them exuding self-importance to make up for a lack of true self-confidence." She gave Blaise a curt nod and walked over to a rack of gowns.

"Always lovely to see you, Sally. Macmillan has no idea how lucky he is." Blaise rolled his eyes looking back at Tracey. "So, are you getting fitted for Sally's wedding?"

"Yes, I am her maid of Honor. I am sure you were invited." Tracey held out her hand, so Blaise could help her down off the little pedestal she had been standing on.

"Of course." Blaise led Tracey over to the dressing rooms.

Tracey opened the door to the room, "I am so excited for her. She is really doing it. Marcus must be so proud."

Blaise scoffed, "Oh yes, so proud."

"You think not?" Tracey turned her back to him, "Do you mind getting the zipper?"

Blaise was all too happy too unzip Tracey's dress, letting his fingers run down her back as they followed the zipper. "I think Flint, is only capable of being proud of Flint. Theo is damn proud of her, however." Blaise ran his fingers back up her back.

"Theo," Tracy turned back around to face Blaise, "Nott? Well, this is juicy gossip. Are they back together?"

"Not yet. I give it two months. By Sally and Ernie's wedding for sure." Blaise sat down in one the armchairs outside the dressing rooms.

Tracey turned back to the room, "I really need send Daphne an owl, to congratulate her on the show. I wanted to attend but Sally is busy that night."

"Daphne would love to hear from you, I am sure. But I have a better idea." Blaise laced his fingers together, putting them behind his head.

Tracey picked up the gown, "What would that be?" She looked at him over her shoulder.

"Go with me to show." Blaise gave her his best smile.

"Well Blaise Zabini, aren't you the clever one. I think not." Tracey went into the fitting room, closing the door.

"No, what do you mean no?" Blaise was astounded, she had never told him no before. Women did not tell Blaise Zabini no.

"I meant, no. You only ever want to go out with me Zabini, when there is no one else available." She came out of the dressing room in her slacks and blouse, holding the dress in her hands. "I am tired of giving you the best I have, only to be pushed aside the next day." Tracey handed the dress to the clerk.

Sally had come back with several pairs of shoes. Tracey sat down to start trying them on. Blaise stood up quickly, took the first shoe from the clerk, he got down on one knee, putting the shoe on Tracey's foot. "Tell me than, what would it take to get you to go with me?" Blaise ran his fingers up the back of Tracey's calf.

"Oh, this should be good." Sally fell back in a chair, rolling her eyes.

Tracey smiled at her friend, "It will be Sally." She then looked at Blaise, "I want you."

"Perfect, that's what you will get." Blaise stood up thinking, this was far too easy.

Tracey laughed, removing the shoe, trying on another. "No, you don't understand. I want you to be with me and no one else."

"I never take more than one girl to anything." Blaise shrugged.

"I mean, for six months. You date me and only me." Tracey handed the shoe to the clerk. "This pair for the dress, I think. Sally, do you agree?"

Sally sat up with a devilish grin. "Oh, I agree on the shoes and the six months. That means Tracey would be your date to Ernie's and my wedding. I can't wait to see the suave, self-important Zabini crumble."

Blaise scrunched his nose at Sally, "You think I can't do it, six months, one woman. Do you?"

Sally shook her head no, "Not a chance. You dated every girl in our class, but Granger. If I recall, you even dated all the girls in the class above ours and the one below us. No way you can go six months, being faithful to one woman."

"You're on." Blaise looked at Sally. "And let's be clear, I didn't date Granger, Buldstrode, Greengrass or you." Turning back to Tracey, "So six months starting the day of the Fashion show, but that means you're my girl. I expect dinners, dancing and you spending the night."

Tracey stood up, "Oh Blaise, don't threaten me with a good time."

Sally clapped her hands together. "Oh, you guys, must have terms, it's no fun without terms!"

"Such as?" Blaise looked bored.

"You don't make it the six months; I give that photo of Pansy and you to Malfoy." Sally folded her hands in her lap.

"You still have that? You little bitch!" Blaise was furious.

"Just because I don't like Slytherin men, doesn't mean I am not Slytherin to my core." Sally had an evil smile.

Blaise tried to act like he didn't care, "So give it to him, he's dating Daphne's little sister now, anyway."

"You really think that will matter. Pansy and you, all over each other, the middle of our fifth year, when Draco and she were the couple, everyone wanted to be." Sally crossed her arms in front of her, "I don't think his ego or pride would allow him to not kill you."

"Fine Perks, but I will go six months with only Tracey. You will see, Tracey is gorgeous and everything I love in a woman. Once I do this, you burn that damn picture. Deal?"

"So, what do I get out of this?" Tracey asked, slightly blushing at Blaise's confession about her.

"Well, if he doesn't go the whole six months, you get to watch as Draco murders him." Sally handed Tracey a glass of wine.

Blaise moved out of the way, as the clerk came out with a rack of wedding gowns. "If I do go the entire six months, you can send Parkinson a picture of you and I at the wedding and let her declare us a couple on the society page."

Sally jumped up at this, and the sight of the dresses, "I love it. Oh say, yes, Tracey!"

Tracey flipped her hair, "I don't know Sal." She looked back at Blaise, who was almost pouting, "Still, this could be fun. I will have one of the most eligible bachelors in society, as my date to your wedding. Ok, let's do it."

Sally clapped her hands together, "Yes. Now, I get to find a dress that will have Ernie unable to take his eyes off me."

xXXx

9 Years Ago

Tom, Nott Sr.'s butler, knocked on the door of Lord Nott's study.

"Enter." Nott called, from the other side.

Tom opened the door, stepped just inside the room, "Lord Nott, you have a visitor." He stepped out of the way, "Lord Malfoy, is here to see you."

Lucius Malfoy swept into the room past Tom, he did not wait for Nott to stand up, to greet him. "We have something urgent to discuss Nott."

Nott gave Tom a dismissive wave. The butler left and closed the door behind him. "What is so important, that you couldn't owl first, Lucius?"

"Healer Timothy Hamilton." Lucius said sharply, as he took a seat on the couch in Nott's study.

Nott moved from behind his desk, to the small cabinet he kept liquor in. As he poured Lucius a finger of fire whiskey, he asked, "What has that meddlesome American done, now?"

"He has gone to the Ministry with information and claimed you and I mistreat our sons."

Nott raised his eyebrows as he handed Malfoy the drink. "Well, he can't show medical records without consent, can he?" Nott sat in the chair that faced Malfoy.

Lucius took a sip of the drink, "Not without the Ministry interfering. The head of the Child Protective Department can request said records against our will. Luckily, he owes his position at the ministry, to my pocketbook."

Nott crossed his legs, "Than no worries."

"Ah, but he claims to have a witness." Lucius set the glass down on the table.

"A witness? To what?" Nott sipped his drink.

Malfoy laid his walking stick on the table with a loud clang, "To your mistreatment of Theodore. Seems this person can tell very detailed accounts of, shall we say, 'accidents', that weren't accidents."

Nott crossed his arms in front of him, "Clair, has to be that damn governess. I will have to have her taken care of."

"I wouldn't suggest that, not at this point." Malfoy picked up his drink, to take another sip.

"Oh, and why is that, Lucius?"

"Because my sources tell me your ex-governess and Hamilton are something of a couple, now. If something unfortunate, suddenly happened to Miss Thompson, mere weeks after Hamilton went to the ministry, it would look suspicious. No, best to handle this with your pocketbook, I'm afraid Theo." Malfoy took another sip.

Nott leaned forward and rubbed his chin, "So how much do you think it would take to get that prick at the ministry, to drop this whole thing?"

"Not much. The idiot doesn't have much in his vault. I would imagine you could offer him a few thousand galleons, and he'll think he just came into a fortune and let it all go." Malfoy took another sip.

Nott sat back and thought for a moment, "I suppose you're right. six thousand should do the trick. I wouldn't even need to make a trip to Gringotts for that amount."

Malfoy leaned back crossing his legs. "Good. I will consider it taken care of. One more thing, Theo."

"What is that." Nott held his glass up to look at the amber liquid, before he took a sip.

"You must be more careful, from this point on." Malfoy held his glass on his knee.

Nott set his glass on the table with a clink, "Lucius, we have been friends since school, but please, do not tell me how to discipline my child."

"I will offer advice and you will listen. Since the boys started school, I have changed the way I teach Draco lessons. It has resulted in less trips to St. Mungos, and I think they stick with the boy much better." Malfoy gave Nott a nod.

"How do you mean, changed?" Nott was intrigued.

"You're a wizard Theo, figure it out."

Theodore Nott Jr. got home for the Christmas holidays that year in a better mood than he had in a while. He had a locket for Daphne in his pocket, could still feel her lips on his, and a small pillow with her perfume on it safely packed away in his bag. As he unpacked, his father summoned him to his study. When Theodore entered, he was greeted by his father's wand, and devilish look on his father face. Theodore no more than heard the door slam shut behind him, before he felt a pain in his chest which burned so badly it sent him to his knees.

His father would hold the hex for a few seconds, stop then write notes in a notebook. Each time he hexed Theodore, it was for a little longer than the time before it. Before he was finally dismissed, he was informed his punishment had been because his grades were two points below that damned, Mud-Blood Granger. For the next week, leading up to the Christmas Ball at Malfoy manor, Theodore would be summoned to his father's study, told what he had supposedly done wrong each day then have a new hex tried out on him. He would stumble to his room every night, barely able to walk. He couldn't write to Daphne, as his hands refused to stop their never-ending shaking. Each night, he would fall asleep with his face buried in the pillow Daphne had given him, as tears soaked the delicate fabric which covered it.