A/N Warning this chapter contains child abuse as well as the implication of child abduction and torture.

Hello every one. My Vacation was amazing. Thank you for coming back and continuing to read.

Chapter 15: Happiest Place on Earth?

Summer before 5th Year

The voices were loud. Almost too loud. They sounded angry. So angry. The room was dark. Very dark. Nine boys sat outside the room, scattered around the dark hall. None of them talked to each other. They didn't dare look at each other.

The ministry insisted what was going on, on the other side of the large, grey double doors was not happening. Since none of them were invited into the room, it was easy enough to pretend the ministry was right.

For now.

Except those voices just kept getting louder. Especially, one. This voice, none of them recognized. This voice, was terrifying.

There was that laughing again. That terrible laughing.

Theodore sat on the bench, eyes shut tight, as his tried to pretend he was anywhere else. He hadn't wanted to come in the first place. When his father approached him earlier in the day, and informed him he was to attend the meeting with him, because 'someone' wanted to meet the sons of the Dark Lord's faithful followers, he had tried to come up with a good reason why he couldn't go. He told his father, 'Just because you are a faithful follower, doesn't mean I have to be!', It earned him the broken nose and shiner, he sported now.

When they had arrived and were told the boys were to wait outside, Theodore had gladly found a seat as far from the others as he could. He looked around the hall, he knew all these boys. Four of the boys would be seventh years, when they returned to Hogwarts. One of them, would be a sixth year. After what seemed like forever, the door opened and the five older boys were summoned in.

Now Draco, Greg, Vincent, and Theodore were the only ones left in the hallway. Each of them sat on a different bench. Each of them avoided eye contact with the others.

Each of them with a completely different look about them.

Vincent looked bored, almost as if he didn't really understand what was going on.

Greg looked nervous. He had already sweat through his grey dress shirt.

Draco looked proud. Proud, the meeting was to happen in his house. Proud, his father wanted him to meet whoever was behind those doors. Proud, his family was part of some grand task that needed to be done this year. The details, none of the boys knew.

Theodore was scared. Scared those doors would open, and his father would stand there and call him in. Scared he would be asked to join. Scared he wouldn't have the nerve to tell them no and face the consequences. God he wished Daphne was here. No, not here, just with him, anywhere, but here. He didn't want her anywhere near what was going on here.

When the doors did open, a man Theodore didn't know, came out. He was tall, not as tall as his father, but tall. He had a menacing look about him, and a grin that scared Theodore to his core. He looked slowly around the hall, at the four boys, and gave them each a toothy grin.

"Which one of yous will make your father the most proud today, eh?" The man's greasy hair bounced, as he laughed. "Don't go anywhere, I will be right back. You boys don't want to miss this."

Theodore looked over at Draco, "Do you know who that guy was?" Theodore whispered as quietly as possible. Draco just shook his head, then gave Theodore a confident smile. Theodore always admired that about his friend. No matter what was going on, Draco always looked calm, put together, and 'in the know'. Theodore figured somewhere underneath that snarky exterior, and brassy shroud of self-confidence, Draco had to be as scared as he was. He would give anything for an ounce of Draco's courage. 'He must get that from his mum', was the only explanation Theodore could think of. He also knew something big was going on, if not, Draco would have already made fun of his black eye, and blood soaked rag he held up to his nose. But instead of Draco's normal snarky remarks, when Theodore and his father arrived Draco had only nodded to him, and sat on a bench. It had been Greg, who offered to reset Theodore's nose for him.

Theodore closed his eyes again, and tried to imagine Daphne was there running her fingers through his hair, that always calmed him down. No matter how upset or scared he was, her fingers in his hair always had a calming affect. She had a way of transporting him anywhere, just by her touch and calling him 'Sweetheart'. Nicknames where not something you would hear used very often by Slytherins. Most pure-blood families just didn't get that affectionate. Theodore had only Clair and his father to go by. His father had obviously, only called him by is name. Clair had always called him 'Love'. He heard many of the boys use that term, 'Love' when talking to their girlfriends, but for him, it didn't sound right. Daphne was his 'Baby'. Had been since they decided they were a couple. Daphne called him 'Sweetheart' one night, as they laid on a couch in the common room. She had stiffened in embarrassment for using the nickname, but Theodore had liked it. She only used it when they were alone, and even then not very often. So this afternoon, he sat there picturing her sitting on a blanket beside him, outside by the Black Lake, running her fingers through his hair calling him 'Sweetheart', while he kissed her neck. Anything really, to keep his mind off where he was, and the pain that throbbed behind his right eye.

Theodore was brought out of his daydream by a scream. Startled he opened his eyes, as did the other three boys, who sat outside on the benches in the hallway. The greasy looking man none of them knew, had just returned. He had a Muggle child with him. At least, Theodore assumed she was a Muggle, by the way the man treated her, and the chain around her neck. The man dragged the little girl, who struggled and tried desperately to get away. She had light brown curls and eyelashes any woman would pay for. Her yellow dress was torn and dirty. She looked as though she had been kept locked up for awhile. Theodore felt a lump in his throat and his heart beat sped up.

He jumped to his feet without a thought of his actions, "What are you doing?" Theodore asked the man.

The man turned and smiled at him, and showed his rotted teeth; he was missing at least two, on top. "Are you volunteering to go first, than little Nott?"

How did this man know who he was? Theodore tried to shake the thought. "I am not volunteering to do anything. I want to know what you are doing with that little girl?"

"She is not a little girl." The man spat, "She is a Muggle. Filthy creature."

Theodore looked at his friends for help. Vincent looked at his hands, and picked at a callous, bored. Greg looked away when Theodore's eyes met his; he held his hands in his lap, they shook violently while he tried to hold it together. Theodore almost felt sorry for him. Almost. Draco mouthed the words, 'What are you doing?' Theodore shrugged.

He looked back at the man, "She is just a little girl, younger than the four of us. Let her go."

The man laughed. It sent chills down Theodore's back. "Oh, we can't let her go. We brought her in for you boys. Need to see what you're made of." His Scottish accent made Theodore's skin crawl.

Theodore once again, looked over at the other four. Vincent finally looked up, interested in what the man meant. Greg looked like he had was trying to fade into the wall behind him. Theodore watched Draco stand very slowly, onto slightly unsteady legs. "What do you mean, what we are made of?" Draco sounded unsure for the first time, in front of his friends.

The man's only response was to laugh. He opened the door to the room, a breeze that made all four of them shiver, blew through the hallway. The man yelled into the room. "Hey, Nott. I think your boy wants to go first."

Theodore didn't notice he backed up, until the back of his knees hit the bench which he had sat. He almost lost his footing and fell back onto his butt, but steadied himself and stayed up right.

You could feel the laughter energize the room. That voice, none of them knew, spoke, "Go bring him in, Nott. I am interested in meeting him. Go get them all, I want to meet all the boys. Macnair, bring her over here."

The four of them heard movement and chairs scrapped the floor. Greg's father was the first to come out of the room. He looked at the little girl as she was dragged past him. She still screamed for her mother and held on to the chain, while she tried to get it off her neck. His eyes went around the room until they landed on his son, whose entire body now shook. He walked over to him, and helped Greg to his feet and steadied him with his hand on the small of his back. Theodore watched, as Greg continued to look at his feet. If anyone back at school could see Greg Goyle now, they would never believe he was one of Draco's body guards, as the rest of the students called him and Vincent. Greg looked like he couldn't protect a butterfly at the moment. Easy to put up the front you were a badass, when the people you tried to fool had no idea you were not. The first three years of school Greg, had been thick and not the sharpest student. He blindly followed Draco anywhere and did whatever the blond asked of him. Greg honestly saw Draco as one of his best friends. Theodore knew it would break his heart to find out Draco saw only one person in this room as a friend. Greg and Vincent were not it.

Lucius Malfoy followed Goyle, but stood by the doorway. All he had to do was look at Draco and tap his walking stick sharply on the ground in front of him. Draco walked smartly over to his father's side. It reminded Theodore of a little toy soldier, doing whatever the commanding officer said, without question. No affection was offered from father to son. In fact, Lucius gave no indication, other than to pick up his walking stick, that he noticed Draco's presence near him. Lucius turned to go inside, but then a blood chilling scream came from inside the room and caused Draco to stop in his tracks. Lucius looked behind him and sneered at his son. He reached out, grabbed Draco by the back of his neck, and went to push him through the doorway but it was now filled by the six-foot five-inch Nott Sr.

Theodore's eyes widened at the look on his father's face. He had seen him upset before, but this look caused Theodore to inhale sharply, and gave him a strong desire to run. He bellowed from the doorway, "Get your ass in this room now, boy!"

Theodore didn't move. Out of fear or stupidity, he didn't know, but his feet wouldn't move. Nott Sr. took a couple steps towards him. Lucius pushed Draco behind him, enough to shield him, but not so much as to block his view of his disobedient friend. Any punishment Theodore was to receive, would also serve as a reminder to Draco not to act out or screw up.

Nott Sr. pulled his wand out of his robes. "Are you suddenly hard of hearing, Theodore?"

Theodore felt himself tremble, "N...No...No Sir."

Nott Sr. walked closer to him, "Than I suggest you get your ass in gear, and move."

Goyle gave Greg a push toward the door. If Nott Jr. was about to be punished, he wanted his son in the room before it happened. (Goyle, believed strongly in blood purity, but not so much in the torture they had used to achieve it.) Like his son, he was a good follower and henchman so to speak, but not a leader, and never, someone who killed. He would steal, manipulate, betray, lie and use a jinx, or hex when needed, but that was it. Goyle wanted Greg to go first, and get this over with, so they could just go home. He knew his wife, Cindy would have ice cream waiting at home for them. Then his son could go to his room to call Millie, and he could get in their warm bed with Cindy, bury himself inside her, and try to pretend tonight hadn't happened.

Theodore still didn't move. He cleared his throat, "Why? Father what is going on in there?"

Nott Sr. put his wand to Theodore's temple, "You are not asking questions, you are obeying or you will pay the price."

Vincent's father finally came out of the room and looked annoyed at how long it took to get the boys in the room. He motioned for Vincent to join him. Vincent walked lazily across the floor, walked past his father, and into the room like he had been invited in all along. Crabbe followed his son, but not before he gave the other three men a look of disgust, that meant hurry up.

"Ah, Crabbe. Your boy will have the honor of going next then. Come show your son what he needs to do." The chilling voice, none of the boys knew, could be heard into the hallway.

There was a pause, then they heard Mr. Crabbe clearly, "Crucio!"

A terrible scream followed. Theodore knew it had to be the screams from the little Muggle girl. The look on Draco and Greg's faces matched Theodore's, as the understanding of what was expected of them once they entered that room, sank in.

Nott Sr. pushed Theodore from behind, "Move now, you're next."

Theodore spun around to face his father, "No! I won't go."

"What did you just say to me?" His father grabbed him by the throat, always one of his favorite moves, but it no longer had the same effect. Theodore was only two months shy of sixteen, and six foot, one inch. Nott Sr. couldn't really lift him off the floor, any longer.

Theodore grabbed his father's hand, pulled his fingers free from around his neck, "I said no. You cannot make me do this."

Stinging pain hit his face, as his father's Slytherin house ring tore flesh from Theodore's face from the back hand he just received. All his friends has guessed by now, Theodore's father hit him, but this was the first time any of them had witnessed it. Draco winced behind his father, and held his own cheek like he was the one who just got hit. His eyes found the ring on his own father's right hand. Draco looked at the matching ring on his right hand, the one he is so proud to wear, and finally knew why Theodore always took his off, while at school and left it on his dresser. Theodore only wore his ring when he was around his father, or dressing up for some pure-blood ball or event. Draco always thought it was because Theodore didn't like rings, or was afraid he would lose it, but now it made sense.

Goyle pushed Greg a little closer to the door, but now Greg shook so badly he had difficulty walking.

Nott Sr. stood and sneered at his son, while he watched the blood trickle down Theodore's face, and the droplets stained his cream colored dress shirt. Theodore had barely flinched at the strike from his father and stood his ground. Nott Sr. walked past him, and Theodore let out the breath he had held, surprised his father was going to just walk away. Nott Sr. turned back and pointed his wand at his son, and said with a commanding voice "CRUCIO!"

Theodore fell to the floor, and screamed from a pain he had never felt before in his life. Nott Sr. had used hexs on him before as punishment, and beat the shit out of him on more than one occasion. But this... this pain covered his entire body. He shook from the pain and had landed on his chest. The convulsions made him hit his head over and over again. Theodore felt as though he would never again form a coherent thought. Images flashed through his mind, and he tried for everything he was worth to hold Daphne's smile in his thoughts, but couldn't. He tried to plead with his father to stop, but screams were all that come out.

Greg's father all but picked him up, and carried him into the room, so he wouldn't have to see his classmate on the floor any longer.

Nott Sr. lowered his wand, "Stand up, boy."

Theodore slowly got to his feet, after the pain subsided. He fixed his shirt the best he could before he turned to face his father.

"Now, you will go in the room as instructed." Nott Sr. turned around, he expected his son would follow.

"No. I wont." Theodore knew what was to come because of his choice, but it was one he stood by. He had promised Daphne he would not become a Death Eater. He would rather die then let her down.

Nott Sr. spun back around and raised his wand again. This time the curse was even stronger and Theodore thought his eyes were on fire. He fell to the ground and convulsed so badly this time he was unable to scream.

How long had Theodore been on the ground forty five seconds, a minute, two? Draco didn't know. The look on Nott Sr.'s face was scarier then anything Draco had ever witnessed from his own father. He took a cautious step over to his father and grabbed his arm to get his attention.

Lucius pulled back more startled then anything and looked down at his son, "What?"

Draco looked over at his friend then back up at his father, "Father, please. Do something." It was a whisper, almost no sound came out of Draco's mouth.

Lucius looked back at Nott Jr. on the ground, blood oozing from the wounds on his forehead from repeatedly being hit on the ground, "Theo, perhaps the boy has had enough, for now." He turned and grabbed Draco roughly by the arm and started to enter the room. Draco pulled his arm free, if he was going to enter that room, then he would do so under his own power.

Nott Sr. lowered his wand. Theodore stopped screaming but didn't get up. Nott Sr. walked over and grabbed Theodore by the arm and pulled him to his feet. Theodore was unable to stand on his own so his father simply dragged him in to the room. He walked to the middle of the room and threw Theodore on the ground.

Laughter echoed in the room. It seemed to get louder and louder. Theodore tried to stand up, but his legs didn't seem to be want to work. It took him several attempts to finally stand. He turned and found his father a few feet away and walked over to stand behind him. The laughter calmed. The terrible voice started to talk again instructing Vincent's father to have the boy take his turn. Theodore looked around the room but couldn't find the source of the voice. It was like it was coming from no where and every where at the same time.

He looked at Vincent as he held his wand up. Vincent looked so calm and confident. When he opened his mouth however no sound came out. Theodore felt relief pass through him every time Vincent opened his mouth and no sound came out. After his third failed attempt his father grabbed him roughly. Vincent looked at his father in disbelief. Theodore got the impression by Vincent's behavior he was not use to his father mistreating him.

He was so focused on Vincent he hadn't noticed now Greg stood in front of the group and shook as he tried to lift his arm. Greg's father yelled at him to just hurry up and get it over with. Suddenly Greg looked at his feet, a terrified look on his face. Mr. Goyle looked at his son, "I have never been so ashamed." He grabbed his son by the arm and lead him from the room. Theodore hoped people didn't notice the wet foot prints Greg left behind him or the puddle where he had stood. He looked at the door as it closed behind Greg and hoped he wouldn't be back.

Lucius pushed Draco forward and hissed at him to not let him down. Draco lifted his wand hand sure and steady. He looked at his father and then turned to the little girl with the chain around her neck, leaned forward and threw up. Draco heaved for several seconds before he stood up and put his hand over his mouth. He looked over at his father who shook his head back and fourth disgusted by his son. Draco suddenly grabbed his stomach like he was going to be sick again and ran from the room. Lucius faded into the back ground behind the other Death Eaters.

So far none of the boys including the soon to be seventh years had been able to accomplish the task. Each one had taken their turn and for one reason or the other had been unable to curse the little Muggle child. Theodore knew her fate was sealed however. No way was this group of Death Eaters going to let her go. He however would not add to her pain. After Draco had left the room he knew he was expected to go next. His father turned to look at him. "Move, I will not tell you again."

Theodore's feet were unsteady and his was limping. How did he get a limp? He would have to worry about that later. He moved to the middle of the room and pulled his wand out. He held it up and gave it a quick flick, but, instead of cursing the Muggle he cleaned up the puddle Greg had left on the floor. His father bellowed, "What are you doing Theodore?"

Theodore turned to look at his father and lowered his wand. "I will not curse her."

Nott Sr. grabbed his son by the hair and pulled him so their faces were merely inches apart. "You will not embarrass me. I know you have the ability to best the wizard in your grade, now prove it." He thrust Theodore back toward the middle of the room, then dropped the hair he just pulled out of Theodore's head on the floor.

Theodore looked at his father and put his wand away. "No. You can torture me all you want, I won't do it."

The curse that hit Theodore this time, was the worst yet. Theodore fell to his knees first and then onto his back and convulsed in pain. The little girl started to scream again, but Theodore's screams drowned hers out. Laughter was louder now then it had ever been, but Theodore couldn't hear it. His world was turning black. He couldn't hear, or see. Theodore couldn't think, and when he could grasp a fleeting thought it was that this was finally it. His father was finally going to kill him. As consciousness faded away slowly the last coherent thought Theodore had was, 'I didn't let you down, Daph. I kept my promise.'

Theodore woke up hours later still on the floor in the drawing room of Malfoy Manor where the meeting had taken place. A house elf was there who attended to him. The elf didn't speak, just continued to wipe his forehead with a damp cloth. Theodore tired to sit up, but his ribs were killing him and he couldn't move.

"You will be sore for a while, but you will recover. It will just take some time."

Theodore tried to look around the room to find the source of the female voice, he thought it sounded like Draco's mum, but wasn't sure.

"Just be still, and stay in bed for a few days. Poppy, please take him home now and give this list of instructions to his maid."

Theodore heard footsteps going away, and a door open. "What you did was brave Theodore, foolish, but brave. Be careful not act on bravery with out thinking through what it could cost you. Sometimes, it is wise to be more cunning in your approach to avoid a task."

The door closed and the little elf had him home in his bed with a quick crack. Theodore laid there on his bed and wondered how long it would take before his father knew he was home. What his father would do to him. He thought about the woman's words, bravery verses cunning. Such a simple line in the sand. One the hat used to sort kids their first year, those who were brave went to Gryffindor, those who were cunning went to Slytherin. Theodore wondered if it was possible the hat made a mistake. No, if he hadn't been Slytherin he knew it would have been Ravenclaw, he was far wiser then brave, except tonight. He hadn't thought what he did was brave. He hadn't thought about what he had done at all, it was just something he had to do. As he thought back on it now, refusing his father in front of all those people was not a very Slytherin act. One could have called it Gryffindor for bravery, but the woman was right it had also been foolish, so not very Ravenclaw. Maybe, Hufflepuff for acting on his loyalty to Daphne. No, it had been Slytherin, Daphne was his life, and he would do what ever was needed to protect himself and what was his, just like any Slytherin. Keeping his promise not to join his father was protecting his relationship with Daphne, therefore was protecting what was his.

Still, perhaps, just perhaps he had all the qualities, in some way.

xXXx

It was half past six pm. Theo had tried calling Daphne, she hadn't answered. He had owled, she hadn't responded. He tried apparateing to her flat, but had been blocked. Now he stood out side the door, knocking on it.

"Daphne, I know your in there. Please open the door!"

Theo shifted his helmet to his left hand along with his back pack while he continued to knock on her door. When he had been blocked he had put on his boots and leather jacket. Thrown everything he needed for the night he had planned in his back pack he used when he rode. Grabbed his phone, wand and helmet and got on his V-rod. He broke who knows how many Muggle laws to get to her flat has quickly as he could. His mind was reeling, 'What had her father said to her? Was she mad about his childish temper tantrum that morning regarding sex? Was she angry because Tori had told her she was engaged, and Daphne felt she should be also? What could possibly have happened to make her block him?'

"Daphne." Theo knocked loader. "Baby please talk to me. I can't fix what's wrong, if you wont tell me what I've done."

Daphne's next door neighbor opened her door and scowled at Theo. "Young man, perhaps she wishes to be left alone."

Theo looked at the old lady, "Sorry Mrs. Miller. I really need to talk to her."

"I thought you were the other boy, why don't you just apparate in?" Mrs. Miller smiled now at Theo.

"I would, but she blocked me." He turned back to the door and this time knocked load enough one might say he banged on the door. "Daph, you know how I feel about using my wand for this sort of thing, but I will if I have to. Please let me in."

There was still no answer. Theo hit his forehead on the door and took a deep breath. He didn't know what to do. Magic was honestly something Theo only used in a limited capacity and when he had to. He enjoyed using it for things like turning off the lights, lighting the fireplace, or traveling long distances. He had tired flying in a Muggle plane once and hated the small seats and enclosed cabin, it gave him a panic attack. He honestly felt Muggles were his superior in that department. How they could ride in cars, trains and planes all closed in and enjoy it, he would never understand. Had Millie not given him a sleeping potion on their final train ride to Hogwarts for their seventh year, he wouldn't have made it through it. His bike was different. It was open with the wind in his face.

He liked to do things with his hands, he felt more in control that way. Theo was always afraid his father was hiding just under the surface waiting for him to lose control. He would never give his father the chance. He knew many people didn't understand his attitude toward magic since he was a wizard, but he had his reasons. Theo had seen what magic could do in the hands of the wrong people and felt at times, witchs and wizards became far to dependent on it and forgot how to do things for themselves. He pulled his wand out of his pocket. He was a very accomplished wizard and lowering her wards or just blowing the door off its hinges would be relatively easy, but he didn't want to have to do either thing.

"Come on baby, don't make me use magic." Theo knocked again, then raised his wand ready to send the door into thousands of pieces.

The door suddenly unlocked from inside. Noticing, Theo quickly pushed it open before Daphne could change her mind. Once he was inside her flat he looked around trying to find her. She had a small flat. In the living room there was a light brown couch and pine second hand coffee table. Daphne had painted the walls in her living room a light purple color. Pushed up against two of the walls she had three different drawing tables and a large book case she used to store all her art supplies. The walls were covered with pictures and clippings of her work. She really didn't entertain much so there was no need for more seats or decorations in the room. When Marcus came over they were either in the bedroom or the kitchen sitting at the small table where they ate. Once the relationship with Theo picked back up they spent most of their time together at Nott Manor, went to parks or just walked around Muggle London together. When Theo had offered to have the drawing room of Nott Manor turned into a studio for her, telling him no, was one of the most difficult things she had done. She had been hoping one day she would be able to take him up on that offer.

Theo finally saw Daphne in the corner with her legs pulled up, leaning against the wall. Her eyes were puffy like she had been crying. Her wand was laying on the floor beside her. She looked up at him and started crying again. Theo tossed his helmet and backpack on the coffee table and went over to her. He leaned down and picked her up taking her over to the couch. Theo sat Daphne down and then sat on the coffee table so he was right in front of her holding her hands.

"Baby, what happened? Please tell me." Theo tried to talk softly, even though he wanted to yell. He wanted to make what ever caused his Daphne to cry, pay for it.

Daphne shook her head back and fourth, pulled her hands away and covered her face.

Theo made fists and held them on his lap. "I can't help or fix it, if you wont tell me Daphne."

She tired to tell him, but started hiccupping while she talked. "My...my...father." She took a deep breath and looked at the ceiling.

"Your father, what?" Theo tried to help her along.

Daphne looked at him and continued to cry, "He...said I have a month."

Theo shook his head now confused, "A month for what, baby?"

"To end things with you, and fix my relationship with...Mar...Marcus." Daphne put her elbows on her knees and buried her face in her hands.

Theo didn't understand her father's resistance to them being together. It was unfair, but understandable during the war. Had Potter not been successful, keeping her away from him, might have been smart. Theo would have fought, but most likely would have fallen, or been forced to serve the Dark Lord, he knew that. But Potter was successful, so now it made no sense.

Theo took her hands in his and put them on his lap, "Why?"

Daphne took a deep breath and tried to calm a little so she could talk. "Andrew as a son already."

"What?" Theo was lost.

"An heir, Theo. My father has no heir." Daphne threw her hands in the air.

Theo tired to wipe away her tears with his thumbs. "He has two heirs Daphne, you and Tori."

"But not a male heir Theo. He needs a male heir. Andrew Flint has a son already." It all made perfect sense to Daphne, but Theo was still lost.

"I don't see what Andrew having a son has to do with Marcus, or me for that matter." Theo ran his fingers through his hair trying to catch up.

Daphne got mad and stood up, she started pacing around the room. "He needs an male heir to leave Greengrass estate and the real-estate business to Theo. Tori can't have babies, so that means my son becomes my father's heir as long as the family I marry into already has an heir. Andrew has a son."

Theo looked at the ground, letting it all sink in. "So, your father's claims that I am not good enough, because my father and I were Death Eaters was a lie? He thinks Marcus will let a son you and he have be the Greengrass heir, because the Flint clan is already secure."

"Give the man a prize." Daphne crossed her arms over her chest, than was disgusted with herself for getting snarky with Theo. She wasn't mad at him.

Theo stood up, "Excuse me for not being in the loop, on Dalton Greengrass's crazy need for a male heir. That's an outdated tradition, Daphne. It should have died, along with all the other insane pure-blood traditions, once the war ended." He bent over and picked up his helmet.

Daphne grabbed his arm. "I'm sorry, please don't go."

"What is it you want Daphne?" He stood still, keeping his temper in check.

"What do you mean?" She moved her hand down to his, and intertwined their fingers.

Theo set his helmet back down, and brushed tears off her face, again. "I mean, what do you want? Do you want me, or do you want to help Daddy maintain old traditions, and marry Marcus?"

Daphne's bottom lip started to quiver, "I want you, Theodore!"

Theo pulled his hand from hers, and wrapped that arm around her waist, pulling her to him. "You have me, Baby. I'm yours, always have been." Theo placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "I am in love with you, Daphne. I told you before, I would fight for us, and I meant it. I will fight the entire Flint clan if I have to. Your mine."

Daphne threw her arms around Theo's neck and whispered, "I love you, Theo." Then she kissed him.

He picked her up, moved over to the coach, and sat down, with Daphne on his lap. After a few minutes of passionate kissing, Theo moved Daphne off his lap, so she was sitting next to him. He picked his backpack up off the table, and unzipped it. "I have some things for you."

Daphne smiled at him, "What things?'

Theo handed her a heavy package, wrapped in silver paper, it looked tattered and old. "This would have been your seventeenth birthday present, had your father allowed me to stay in contact with you, once you left for France."

"You kept it, all this time? Oh Theo, I don't know what to say!" She held it in her lap.

"Say thank you and open it. It's just the start." He brushed her hair off her shoulder.

Daphne opened the gift, a Muggle travel book. Her eyes lit up. "I can't believe you remembered."

"Clair took me to a Mugglebook store before seventh year started. I marked all the places we talked about going and added some. Look at what I marked as number one." He gestured to a tab with a number one on it.

Daphne opened to the page, and squealed, "Disneyland! Oh Theo, you even remembered that. I love you." She kissed him again.

Theo smiled at her, thinking how cute she was while she thumbed through the book. He reached in the backpack and pulled out something wrapped in tissue paper. "This was for your eighteenth birthday." He handed it to her.

Daphne set the book down, and took the tissue covered item. When she opened it, she found a teacup. The teacup was pink, with light blue flowers all over it. The kids at Hogwarts would go to Madam Puddifoots in Hogsmead, for dates. Really, the only frilly place the boys could take the girls. Madam Puddifoot had special teacups for each couple who visited her tea shop more than once. The cups would magically have the names of the couple appear on the side, if it was true love. Theodore always thought the cups were not really predications of true love, just a well-done charm, but the girls liked them, and the boys liked seeing the girls smile. This cup still had Theodore and Daphne, elegantly etched on the side.

"How did you get this? Puddifoot never lets her China leave the shop." Daphne held the cup close to her chest, like she was trying to protect it.

"We only had a few trips to Hogsmead seventh year, for those of us who were allowed out of the school. I convinced her to let me buy it. But she wouldn't give me the whole set, just one cup. Do you like it?" Theo looked nervous.

Daphne smile and looked at the cup again. "I love it Theo. Thank you."

Theo reached in the backpack and pulled out a piece of paper, rolled up with a green ribbon around it. "This was for your nineteenth birthday. That year was more difficult, since I was on house arrest."

"I knew you had a trial, but house arrest?" Daphne took his hand.

"They arrested all of us, Daphne. Even Sally, who joined the DA with Ernie, just because she wore green and silver. Most were released within hours, but because of my father, I was placed on house arrest, along with Greg, Blaise and Draco, and a trial was set. It wasn't that bad. We all had to stay at Malfoy Manor, since Mr. Goyle, Lord Malfoy, and my father all got sent straight to Azkaban. They felt we needed to be supervised." Theo let out a soft chuckle, "Blaise decided to stay with the rest of us, instead of staying with his mother, he said, 'We can make it a party.'"

"That sounds like Blaise." Daphne took the paper and unrolled it. It was drawing of a carnation a little smudged from being rolled up over the years, but still beautiful. "Did you draw this?"

"Yeah. I knew carnations were your favorite flower. Since I couldn't leave Malfoy Manor while I waited for my trial, I went outside by the garden and worked on it every day, till I got it right." Theo reached over and took some of her hair in his hand, letting it run through his fingers.

Daphne set the picture down and crawled onto Theo's lap, "I love you, Theodore Nott."

She put her arms around his neck and kissed him. Theo set the backpack down, and pulled her so she was straddling him, as his pushed his tongue in her mouth, kissing her deeply. Daphne grabbed the lapels of Theo's jacket and started pulling it off of him. He helped her get the jacket off but didn't break the kiss. Theo reached down and pulled lightly on the hem of Daphne's shirt. He lifted the worn Pearl Jam t-shirt she had 'stolen' from him, and wore while relaxing at home, off her. Daphne was wearing a lacey white bra, Theo traced his fingers over it, while biting his bottom lip. He leaned forward, growled in his throat, and started kissing her neck.

Daphne moaned, as he sucked lightly behind her ear. After a moment, she pushed him back on the couch, and ripped his plain black T-shirt off of him. "I want you Theo. Take me."

"I love you, Baby." Theo stood up, took Daphne in his arms, and carried her into her bedroom.

He laid her on the bed and reached down to take off his boots. He lifted Daphne's legs one by one, taking the white sneakers off her feet. He loved the way jeans fit her. Tight and sexy, but as much as he liked looking at them, they needed to come off, now. After discarding both of their jeans, Theo laid on the bed beside her, taking Daphne in his arms and pulling her on top of him. He kissed her breathless, then moved the kisses down her jawline and neck. Theo brushed his fingers lightly along her skin, following behind with his lips and tongue. Sitting up, Theo reached behind her, and unhooked Daphne's bra. She put her hands in her hair, taking down the sloppy ponytail she had her hair in, giving it a toss.

Picking Daphne up by her bum, Theo changed positions, so he was laying on top. Daphne moaned loudly into Theo's mouth while he kissed her, as he caressed her breasts. She wrapped her legs around Theo's waist, and pulled him against her, so she could feel his erection pressing against her. Theo threw his head back slightly and moaned in pleasure. He rocked his hips against her over and over and took her breasts in his mouth one at time, sucking hard on the nipples making them rock hard, and causing Daphne to meet his hips with hers.

Theo knew he wasn't going to last long but needed to pleasure Daphne first. He kissed down her tummy, until he reached her panties, and slowly slid them off her. He sat on his knees, taking her in for a moment. They had slept in each other's arms every night for the last three weeks, but this was the first time Theo had really ever seen Daphne fully naked. It made him harder than before, seeing her laying like that, nipples hard, legs spread apart, waiting for him. Theo stroked her clit with his thumb, making small circles and loved watching Daphne grip the sheets and wiggle while she moaned. He slid one finger inside her and let out a deep breath from how wet she was. She reacted by pushing her hips up to meet his hand. He slid another finger inside, and moved them in and out, making sure to continue the circles with the thumb of his other hand.

"Let it go Baby, cum for me." Theo thrust his fingers harder and faster, until he was sure she was getting close. "Say my name, Daphne. Let me know it's me making you feel good."

Daphne lifted her hips off the bed to meet the thrusts from Theo's fingers and moaned, "Theo, oh god, Theo." After another minute, she screamed his name, then reached for his hands, breathing hard. "I want you, Theo."

"I want you, Baby." Theo took his boxers off, as fast as he could.

He leaned over Daphne and captured her lips. Kissing her hard, as he drove his entire length inside her, and gasped at how good she felt around him.

He looked at her, thinking he was in heaven, "I am not going last long, Baby. I've wanted this for far too long."

Theo sped his thrusts up faster and harder, while he moaned her name in her ear. He came hard, when Daphne whispered 'Theodore'. He collapsed on top of her, breathing hard and kissing her neck. He laid with her, not pulling out, not getting off her. Just kissing her, feeling her body connected to his, not wanting it to end.

"I'm sorry, Baby. I will make it up to you, next time." Theo stroked Daphne's cheek with the back of his hand, while he looked into her eyes.

"You don't have to make up anything Sweetheart, this was already the best I've ever had. I love you." Daphne smiled at him, then buried her face in his neck, and held Theo as close to her as she could.

Once they finally let go of each other, Daphne got up to quickly clean herself. Theo grabbed his boxers, ran into the living room to get his backpack. When he returned to the room, Daphne was laying on the bed waiting for him. She had put her panties back on, along with pale pink t-shirt. He sat on the bed beside her and pulled a small box out of the backpack. "This was for your twentieth birthday. I was in a place called the Black Hills, in South Dakota."

"More presents! Theo, this is too much." She took the box and inside was a set of earrings. They were pink, green and yellow gold. They were shaped like little grape vines. Daphne looked at Theo. "So pretty, is this gold?"

"Yes, they call it Black Hills Gold. I guess you can only find it in the gold mines in that area. I didn't really understand, but I wanted to get you something from my travels. You were always on my mind, Daph. Even while I was off in the States, finding myself." Theo blushed slightly, then pulled out the next gift. This one wasn't wrapped. He handed her a picture frame with the article from the Issue of Witch Weekly, from two years ago, when they featured her. "Your twenty-first birthday present. I stumbled on this issue in New York."

"Most people missed this article, since it was the last one in the magazine." Daphne beamed at him. "How did you know it was in there?"

"I didn't. I just saw the magazine, since it was from home, I grabbed it. I must have written to Witch Weekly every day for a year after that, hoping they would finally get tired of my bugging them, and send my letter on to you. But they stood by their policy not to give information on the people they feature or send on fan mail. That's what they called my letters, 'fan mail'. The only thing I could get the reporter to tell me was, you were still living in France, and you know how helpful the French ministry was, at helping me find you." Theo felt a twinge of pain at the memory of not being able to find her. 'Silly', he thought to feel that way since she is right here.

"I wish I had known you couldn't find me." Daphne kissed his cheek.

Theo pulled an envelope out of the bag. "This is for your birthday tomorrow. Happy Birthday my love." He handed her the envelope.

"I didn't get you anything for the birthdays I missed. I feel terrible. Theo, I am so sorry."

"No, don't feel bad, Baby. That is not why I did this. Writing letters I knew I would never mail, and buying you gifts, helped me not miss you so much. I did it, as much for me, as I did for you. Open it, go on." Theo pushed the envelope closer to her and smiled brightly at her.

Daphne opened the envelope and found tickets inside. She looked at them and turned them over in her hands in disbelief a few times. "Is this what I think it is? Tickets for Disneyland?"

Theo's smile got even bigger, "Yep, we leave in the morning, for four days. I got us a room at their best hotel and reservations at the best restaurants. Our Portkey is for nine o'clock."

Daphne screamed in excitement and jumped in Theo's lap. "Thank you so much. I love you."

"I love you Daph, always will."

When Theo made love to her again that night, it was slow. He held her hand in his and kissed her like it was necessary for life. When they finished Theo made sure they finished together. He felt more content than he ever had. Theo knew he would fight to keep this. Fight whoever and however he had to.

A/N Thank you for the suggestion in the reviews about having Lucius and Dalton meet. I am working on that chapter. Oh, and hold on to your seat belts because in the next chapter Marcus finds out that Theo is back in Daphne's life! Let's just say, he is displeased.