A/N To my guest reviewer on April 1st, Thank you so much. I have really been working hard on this, and love hearing that it is turning out well. To I love music, Thank you for your continued support and advise. I always love reading your work, so advise from you is gold.

Warning, you may want a tissue.

This entire chapter takes place in-between Theo's 5th and 6th years at Hogwarts.

Chapter 19: When a Door Closes

Last day of fifth year (June 30)

The Hogwarts Express pulled into the station at platform nine and three quarters. Clair stood on the platform waiting patiently for Theodore to arrive. When Tim received Theodore's letter the day before, asking if he could stay with them because of his father's incarceration, Tim had written back without hesitation, to say yes. Clair hadn't seen Theodore since he was eleven. She was certain he was much taller now, but had not expected the six foot, two inch sixteen year old wizard, who bounded up to her, picked her up off the ground, and twirled her around.

"Theodore, put me down, now." Clair said breathlessly. She was happy to see him too, but didn't want to throw up all over him.

Theodore did as he was asked, "It is so good to see you Clair. Thank you so much for coming."

Clair smiled at Theodore, and rubbed her pregnant belly. "Of course, we came, Love. Tim is very excited to have you staying with us this summer." Clair noticed the beautiful blond who stood beside Theodore and took his hand in hers. "Daphne?"

Daphne blushed, "Yes, ma'am. It is good to see you again."

Clair reached out and gave Daphne a hug. When she let go, she took Daphne's hands in hers. "You are stunning, Daphne. I always knew you and Theodore would end up together."

Daphne pushed some of her hair behind her ear and blushed. "I see you and Tim are expecting."

Clair rubbed her tummy again. "Oh yes, I am in my seventh month. Baby Madison is due in September, right after you head back to school."

"Where is Tim?" Theodore looked around the platform for the healer, he had exchanged letters with for the last three years.

"He went to find your trunk." Clair pointed in the direction where the porters off loaded the students trunks. "I am afraid he wants to get home quickly. After reading your letter, he is a little paranoid."

"Teddy, I see Mum and Daddy. I am going, bye." A little brunette, who Clair hadn't noticed at first, started to run off.

Theodore spun around. "Hey you, come back here. You know I am in charge, until your mum and dad get to you. You don't just go running off."

The brunette stuck her tongue out, "I am fourteen now, Teddy."

"Well maybe, I want a hug goodbye." Theodore pulled the smaller girl into his arms and gave her a hug. "Stay out of trouble this summer, Tori."

Astoria's head barely made it past Theodore's stomach. She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him back. "I will, but we will see you in like, two weeks." Astoria pulled out of his embrace, and ran off in the direction of her parents.

"Teddy?" Clair giggled quietly, at the nickname.

Theodore looked down at Clair, "Don't get any ideas. Astoria is the only person on the planet, I allow to call me that." He continued to watch her, until she was safely with her parents. "I love that kid."

"Isn't he a good big brother?" Daphne took Theodore's hand back in hers.

Clair shook her head at Theodore, "That was little Astoria. Wow, has she grown up."

"Yes, she has. Oh, Mum and Dad are coming this way. I have to go, Theo." Daphne wrapped her arms around Theodore's neck, and lifted up on her toes, to kiss him goodbye.

Theodore pulled her close to him and kissed her, a little more passionately than he should have in front of her father. When he heard Lord Greengrass clear his throat, he pulled away and rubbed Daphne's nose with his.

Dalton Greengrass stepped close to Theodore, and offered his hand to the young wizard. "Theodore, I hope you found a safe place to spend the summer."

Theodore shook Lord Greengrass's hand, "Yes, Sir. This is Clair Thompson, sorry... Clair Hamilton. She was my governess growing up. She and her husband have offered to let me stay with them."

Dalton turned his attention to the pregnant woman, who stood beside Theodore. "Mrs. Hamilton." He took Clair's hand and kissing the back of it. "Please, take good care of this young man. He is very important to my daughter."

"I intend to, Lord Greengrass. He is pretty important to me, as well." Clair smiled warmly. Although she was very curious why a man, who seemed to care about Theodore, would have refused to take him in the first place.

"Well, Daphne, say goodbye. We must be off." Lord Greengrass turned to leave, then paused a moment. "Theodore." He nodded to Theodore, then walked over to his wife and younger daughter.

"Sir." Theodore beamed at the interaction between Lord Greengrass and himself. He thought it was a great step forward, as he turned back to Daphne and pulled her into a tight embrace. While he held her tightly, Theodore whispered, "I will write as soon as I get to Clair's house, so you have the address. I love you, Daphne Rene Greengrass. I always will."

Daphne couldn't help how her heart leaped, when she heard Theodore tell her he loved her, or control the huge smile on her face. "I love you, Theodore William Nott. I always have."

Even though he knew he should let go, Theodore kissed Daphne again, anyway. Lord Greengrass broke them up after a few seconds, "Daphne, let's go."

Reluctantly the young couple pulled apart, and Daphne moved toward her parents. "Two weeks my love, two weeks." Then she blew Theodore a kiss.

xXXx

After a stop for lunch in Diagon Alley, Clair took Theodore upstairs to a small bedroom, on the second floor of her and Tim's house. He looked around the room and smiled at the way Clair had it decorated. It had all the things Theodore loved. The walls were blue. The sheets white. There were posters of his favorite bands on the wall along with his favorite Quidditch team. Tim had put his trunk at the foot of the bed, and his broom leaned up against the wall by the closet. On the dresser, were pictures of his mother and Daphne.

"When did you have time to do this?" Theodore asked Clair, while he looked at the picture of Daphne, from today on the platform. She was blowing him a kiss.

"I stayed up late last night doing most of it. Tim finished up, while we were having lunch. The room was already blue." Clair stood in the doorway and happily rubbed her tummy.

Theodore put his bookbag on the bed, walked over to Clair and gave her a hug. "Thank you Clair, this is brilliant."

Clair kissed Theodore on the cheek. "Anytime Love, anytime. I will let you get settled. Dinner should be ready around six."

Clair went downstairs, as Theodore started to unpack his clothes. He had no desire to go by Nott Manor, so he would have to make due with what he had. He had the key to his personal vault, so anything that needed to be replaced he could buy new. As long as he had someone over the age of seventeen with him, Gringotts would allow him access to his money. Theodore just wasn't sure how much was in his personal vault. Father had never let him get in it before. He hoped that didn't mean it was empty. As long as there was enough to buy his books for next year and new school robes, he could figure out the rest later.

Once Theodore had his clothes put away, he was left with a small pile of clothes, he knew he had already out grown. He sat down at the small desk in the room, to write to Daphne.

Hello My Love,

Clair had a room all set up for me. I think this summer is going to go well. I will ask her at dinner to take me to Gringotts in the morning. I am going to need some new clothes to get through the summer. Most of my pants are too short, already. I wonder how much taller I am going to get? Father is six foot five.

Did you get that new canopy for your bed, you were hoping for?

Two weeks didn't sound very long, while saying goodbye this afternoon, but now it seems like a really long time. I will let you know when Clair and I go clothes shopping. Maybe we can meet for lunch.

I love you Daphne.

Forever yours, Theo.

Theodore went downstairs after he wrote his quick letter to Daphne, to see if he could borrow Clair's owl. After he sent his letter off, he sat down to dinner with Tim and Clair.

"Theodore tell me, have the books I have been sending, done you any good?" Tim asked, in between bites of parmesan chicken.

Theodore swallowed, it took a moment to resist the urge to stand up, before he answered. It had been drilled into him his entire life, he was to stand before addressing his father. "Yes, Sir. They have really helped a lot."

Tim waved his hand in front of him, "Theodore, you don't have to call me sir. Tim is fine."

Theodore sat in silence for a moment. He wasn't really sure how to react. For almost seventeen years in a formal situation, like at the dinner table, or in front of other people, he was to address his father, or any man, as sir or their title if they had one. Theodore took a deep breath. "Yes Sir,... I mean, Tim. You will have to give me time to get use to that."

"Not to worry, I won't get mad if you call me Sir. I might look around for my boss, though." Tim gave Theodore a smile, then winked at Clair.

Theodore laughed for the first time he could remember, while not at Hogwarts, Theodore laughed at the dinner table! He went off to bed that night sure he had made the right choice in writing to Tim. He wished he knew the reason Lord Greengrass had told him no. He had said, 'it would become clear in the days to come.' Theodore took his time in the shower, while he thought about what might happen in the 'days to come.' The bathroom was down the hall from Theodore's room. It would be the bathroom Tim and Clair would turn into Madison's, once she was born. He was thankful he had his robe and shower supplies from school. The bathroom was already decorated for a little girl with pink flowers all over it. Theodore didn't mind. He only needed this room to shower, shave, brush his teeth and use the toilet. Everything else, he could do in his room. While he was in the shower, Clair had set tea and cookies on his night stand. Theodore smiled, while he looked at the little Danish sugar cookies, the same ones she used to sneak to him when he was little.

He crawled into bed after a cup of tea and a couple chapters of a novel he had been reading, a Muggle book called Sherlock Holmes. Theodore snuggled up to the pillow he still had; the one Daphne had given him back in third year. Since then, he had figured out how to charm it, so it still smelled like her. He fell asleep that night for the first time in two and half years, while not at school without soaking the pillow in tears, caused by hexes or his father's fists.

xXXx

July 1st

The following morning, Clair took Theodore to Gringotts. It took awhile to get things straightened out, but eventually Theodore wound his way down to vault 2332 with a goblin, to open his personal vault for the first time. Theodore held his breath as the goblin put in his key and opened the door. Unsure of what he would find inside, he slowly walked in while the goblin waited behind the door to give him privacy. Theodore was surprised to find the vault was not empty, as he half expected it would be. He estimated there was at least sixty thousand galleons in the vault, maybe more. All his. This would be his allowance from over the years, money from his grandmother, or from friends of his father when they didn't know what else to give as a gift. He also noticed most of his mothers jewelry and personal valuables. It made him angry, to think his father didn't want any of it. But, perhaps his father figured he would have need of it one day, when he finally wed.

Theodore opened the small, black, velvet bag Clair had given him, and filled it up. He wasn't sure how much he would need. This would honestly be the first time Theodore had to purchase things for himself, other than sweets, and whatnot in Hogsmead. He normally spent thirty to forty galleons on a Hogsmead weekend. So for books, robes, new clothes, and personal items, as well as having money for the first part of the term, Theodore figured two thousand should be enough. He probably estimated a little high, but he had no idea how much shoes or school robes cost.

Once they arrived home, after they made a stop so Theodore could buy just a few personal items he needed and get lunch, Theodore was excited to see a letter waited for him on his bed. It had Daphne's beautiful handwriting on the outside. He ripped it open before he put his purchases away.

Hi, Handsome.

No, I didn't get the new canopy I had asked for.

I miss you more than you know.

Two weeks does sound like a very long time. Daddy wants us all downstairs, I will continue after I find out what he wants...

I hate my father! He just told us, we are moving to France. Theo, we leave in two days! I can't believe this! He is the most terrible man, ever! Astoria, and I just spent the last three hours crying and arguing with him. His mind is made up, there is no changing it.

Oh, Merlin, the thought of not being with you, next year at school, is killing me! Did I mention, I hate my father. He let us plan a picnic in two weeks. Allowed us to make plans, and get excited about you coming over, and spending the entire day at the estates, and the whole time he planned on us not being here. Oh God, I just realized I won't see you in two weeks! Great, now I am crying again!

Please, continue to write me. I can't bear the thought of you forgetting me. I promise to write you every day.

I love you Theodore. Always have. Always will.

Your Baby, Daphne.

Theodore was stunned. He reread the letter five times. He thought he must have missed something. Daphne couldn't be leaving England, could she? He sat on the bed, too numb, to move, to think, to even write her back. He didn't even know how he felt: he was angry, sad, scared. All of them, and none of them. Theodore didn't know how long he sat there, until Tim knocked on the door frame.

"May I come in?" Tim stood just outside the door.

Theodore shook his head yes, but didn't look up.

Tim walked partway in the room. "Do you like to be called, Theodore, Ted, Teddy, something else? I just don't want to call you something that bothers you."

Theodore looked over at Tim, finally. "I hate Ted and Teddy makes me feel like I am five. Theo or Theodore is fine."

Tim nodded, "Okay, Theo. May I sit?" Tim stood by the bed and waited for Theodore to answer him.

Theodore nodded yes, and took a deep, shaky breath. He told himself to calm down. As angry as he was, Tim was not to blame.

"What's wrong Theo. Can you tell me?" Tim could tell by Theodore's white knuckles while he clinched his fists; something was most defiantly wrong.

Theodore looked at Tim, and handed him the letter.

Tim read it over. Once he was finished, he folded it in half, leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "This is difficult news to get." Tim paused a moment. He was barely ready to father a baby, and suddenly found himself in a position where he needed to father a heart-broken teenage boy. "I truly wish I had something comforting to offer you. But I am afraid there is little I can say which will take away the emotions you are feeling right now."

Theodore let out the deep breath he had held willing himself to not blow up. "Why didn't he just tell me the truth when I wrote to him?"

"Perhaps, he hadn't fully made up his mind." Tim notice the look Theodore shot him, a look that said, 'Bull shit.' "You know Theo, maybe he was still working out the details, and didn't want you telling Daphne."

Theodore shrugged, but accepted that it made sense. "But why, why are they leaving? That part I don't understand."

Tim looked at the letter again, like it would have the answers. "Theo, why did you ask to stay with us?"

Theodore looked worried, "Do you not want me here, Sir?"

"No, no, that's not it. I am happy you're here, but what was the reason you asked?" Tim turned on the bed, so he faced Theodore.

"So the Death Eaters couldn't find me as easily. I didn't want them trying to replace my father with me." Theodore ran his fingers through his hair.

Tim raised his eyebrows at Theodore, "Do you think that might be a part of the reason? Lord Greengrass has three women he has to protect. All he can do as a father and husband is what he thinks is best for his family. What is best, does not always make everyone happy."

Theodore looked at the picture of Daphne on his nightstand. "Why would the Death Eaters be after Daphne?"

Tim took a deep breath, "Think about it Theodore. If they might want you to replace your father, is it Daphne who they would be after?"

"Lord Greengrass!" Theodore looked at Tim like a light bulb just turned on. "They want Lord Greengrass. Don't they?"

"That would be my guess. He is a prominent, wealthy Pure-Blood. He most likely doesn't want to join any more than you do. But with a wife and two daughters to protect, he probably thought a move was the best way to do that." Tim put his hand on Theodore's shoulder. "There is a war coming Theo. I know you feel it. The question is when, and what side will each person end up on?"

Theodore nodded to Tim that he understood. "What about your wife and daughter? How will you protect them if you're protecting me?"

Tim smiled at Theodore, "Right now Theo, they don't want me. I am nobody to the Death Eaters. Just a Half-Blood from America, not even on their radar yet. But once you're back on the train headed to school, and the baby is born, I am taking Clair and Madison to Tennessee. I still have a brother there. I will be coming back. St. Mungo's is going to need healers."

"You will just leave them there?" Theodore made a face to show he didn't like that idea.

Tim laughed nervously, "No, I will go back and forth; a month here, a month there, as long as it is safe to do so. When it's not, I will have to make a choice; stay in Britain and fight or stay in the US."

Theodore rubbed his hands on his thighs, "I suppose, I need to write back. I just don't know what to say."

Tim rubbed his face with his hands, "Might I suggest, you start with 'I love you'. Make sure she understands you're not mad at her. Other than that, just, tell her what's on your mind. While doing that, keep in mind this is not the end of your story, just an 'intermission' if you will." Tim clapped Theodore on the back. "I promise you, yours and Daphne's story does not end here, unless you want it to."

Theodore looked at Tim and smiled, "I don't want it to end. Thank you, Tim."

"Anytime. Listen, Clair was pretty tired after your shopping trip and wants to go to bed early. I was thinking we could get takeout and watch a movie. What do you think?" Tim stood, to leave Theodore alone for a while.

Theodore scrunched up his nose, "A movie?"

Tim chuckled, "I keep forgetting. My mother was a Muggle, so I grew up with television, and movies. Clair and I have a Muggle television, and I have a whole collection of movies. Come downstairs when you're ready and I will show what they are."

"Sounds good. Can we have pizza? My father never let us. It's not something proper Pure-Bloods would eat." Theodore stood up and walked over to his desk.

Tim clapped his hands. "Anything you want. I will go order it now." Tim left the room and headed downstairs.

Theodore went to his desk and pulled out a parchment. It took him several attempts to start the letter, but finally he finished one he was happy with.

Hello My Love,

I love you Daphne, with all that I am and all that I will be. Please, always know that.

You don't hate your father. Neither do I. I want to, badly. I want nothing more than to hate him for moving you away from me. But as much I want to, and as easy as it would be, I don't. He just wants to take care of you and Tori.

Daphne, do you remember the conversation we had, when I told you I asked Clair to take me in? Do you remember the reason I asked? The Death Eaters, of course you remember. Baby, a change is happening, 'You can feel it in the air'. Your words my love, and you were right. I don't know what the next year holds or the year after that, but this I do know, I want you to be safe. I need you to be safe. If your being safe, means you have to be far away from me, then so be it.

I promise I will write every day. I promise I will never forget you. How could I, you're my whole life. This is not the end Baby, far from it.

Perhaps, your father would allow us to see each other tomorrow, to say goodbye. Would you ask,

I love you.

Forever Yours, Theo.

Theodore went downstairs and sent his letter. Tim showed him all about television and DVD's. Theodore picked out an action movie about an adventurer looking for The Lost Ark, he hoped it would take his mind off Daphne's letter. He had his first pepperoni pizza, and discovered he liked pepperoni and movies.

xXXx

July 2nd

The following morning, Theodore received Daphne's response before he was out of bed.

Hi Handsome,

I asked Daddy if we could meet and say goodbye today, before we leave. He said no. He says we had a good enough goodbye on the platform. I am so sorry, Theo. I know you said I don't really hate him, and I probably don't, but I am just so mad, that I told him I hate him. Anyway, we leave in a few hours. I will write again once we are in France. I have no idea how long it will take for letters to get to you, but I will send one as soon as I can.

I miss you so much already!

I Love you!

Your Baby, Daphne

Theodore couldn't help the lump he got in his throat and the anger he felt. It wouldn't have been that hard for Lord Greengrass to apparate himself and Daphne to Clair's house, just for five minutes. Sure, they had a nice goodbye at the platform, but had Theodore known it was goodbye for a longer than two weeks, he wouldn't have let go so quickly. He looked over the letter and realized he didn't have much time to write back before they would be gone, and the owl might not be able to find her. So, he jumped out of bed and wrote quickly. He told her, he loved her, and that it would be ok. He mentioned he wished they had a longer goodbye, but that would make the hello one day, that much better. He wrote, 'oh, yes! There will be a hello, I am not letting this be the end.' Quickly Theodore ran downstairs and sent his letter off. He stood and watched through the kitchen window as the owl disappeared, as Clair came in.

"Writing to Daphne, again?" Clair asked, as she poured herself a glass of milk.

Theodore turned around, and ran his hand through his hair, as he sat at the table. "Yeah. Her father didn't agree to let us see each other again before they leave for France. I wanted to write, before they left."

Clair set a glass of milk in front of Theodore, then poured another one. "I am sorry Love. I am sure he is just very busy trying to get things in order."

"I suppose." Theodore put his face in his hands, his elbows rested on the table, and sighed heavily.

Clair put her arms around Theodore's shoulders and hugged him tightly. "Oh Love. Is there anything I can do?"

Theodore rubbed his face with his hands, "Can you can tell me how to kill 'you know who', so I can pass the information on to Potter?"

Clair let out a small chuckle, "I wish I knew. I really wish I knew."

xXXx

July 6th

Three days past, before Theodore received the next letter from Daphne. During that time, Clair had taken him to get new clothes for the summer. They had started in Diagon Alley but were surprised by how many shops had already closed up. Theodore wondered, how in the world all the students would buy all the things they needed for school.

He thought at one point, he had seen Draco with some older wizards. But when he hollered his name, the blond he shouted at ignored him, and went down the stairs that led to Knock Turn Alley. Theodore decided to put it out of his mind; must not have been his friend. Draco wouldn't have ignored him. Would he?

After a half-hour, Clair decided they would have better luck in Muggle shops. She had Theodore exchange some of his money for Muggle currency, and they left Diagon Alley. She told him to wait until closer to the start of the next school term before he got new shoes and school robes.

"Who knows how much taller you will be by then." Clair told him, while he paid for his very first pair of jeans. "Besides," She continued, "I remember, having a heck of a time keeping shoes on your feet in the summer. You would always kick them off and run around barefoot."

Theodore laughed, while he paid the cute Muggle clerk, who couldn't take her eyes off him. "I still like to kick them off, Clair. I suppose I haven't changed that much."

Once they were back at Clair's house, Theodore took his purchases upstairs. He noticed the owl in the window, as soon as he opened the door. Theodore threw the clothes on the bed and grabbed the letter. He was so excited he almost forgot to give the owl a treat. Theodore pushed the bag of clothes out of the way and laid on his stomach on the bed to read Daphne's letter.

Hello Handsome,

Well, we are finally settled in, somewhat. Daddy says this place is only temporary, because the cottage he bought is not yet ready. So, we will only be here for a couple of weeks. He says not to unpack much, since we will only have to repack it.

Tori hates it here. She has been pouting since we left. Honestly, so have I. It's pretty enough I suppose. But I can't stop crying or thinking about how much I miss you.

Daddy keeps yelling at both of us to snap out of it. He says, 'all that pouting and tears will not change my mind, so best to make do.' How can he be so blasé about this? Oh, Theo I am sorry, but I really do think I hate him.

Mum is no better. She keeps telling us how everything will work out, and then gives us tea. Like tea and cookies will somehow magically transport me back to you.

I know you're right, and this is not the end. I am sure my mother is right, and I will make new friends. I know Daddy is only doing what he thinks is best to keep Tori and me safe. I know you love me, and always will. Somehow though, those thoughts don't help me sleep, or stop the tears.

Write soon, I love you, Theodore. So much.

Your Baby, Daphne.

Theodore reread the letter several times, his smile got bigger each time he read it. He couldn't believe how much he needed the letter from her, and how good reading it made him feel. He quickly wrote her back and sent it off.

That night at dinner, Tim presented Theodore with an early birthday present, since they would be in the states in September, when Theodore turned seventeen. A tawney barn owl, Theodore named Mars. Theodore petted the owl happily, excited he finally had his own owl and no longer would have to borrow Clair's and send it off on long journeys to France.

xXXx

July 20th

By the twentieth of July, Theodore had written to Daphne every day. He had to hold the letters until his owl returned, and then give him a day off, before he sent him back out with the new stack. He told her everything he could think of. In-between writing to her, Theodore kept himself busy. He watched Muggle tv and started to make his way through Tim's movie collection. He took walks and spent time drawing. He read and practiced making potions. Theodore took his broom out every day and practiced for hours. He had gotten really fast and thought he might join his house racing team to keep himself busy next year, since Daphne would be gone. He even thought it might be time to upgrade his Nimbus 2000 to a Firebolt. But speed was not the only part of racing, agility and timing were just as important. Theodore decided to ask Tim to take him to a course to see how he did, on his next day off from the hospital, before he dropped three hundred galleons on a new broom.

As he walked back up the hill to the little house he had fallen in love with, Theodore chanted to himself over, and over, 'There will be a letter today. There will be a letter today.' He had not heard from Daphne since July sixth and had started to get depressed. The closer he got to the house, the more excited he got at the prospect there would be a letter. He ran the last few feet to the front door, up the stairs, and into his room. But there was no owl in the window, except Mars. Theodore looked around the room, no letter on the floor or on the bed. He dropped his broom on the floor and fell to his knees. His heart pounded so hard; he thought it might explode. Theodore had already gone through every emotion a young wizard in this situation could. He had been mad, hurt, scared, unsure, and depressed. What was left? Theodore looked at the picture on his nightstand and watched Daphne blow him a kiss several times, before he stood and walked over to it.

He held the picture in his hands and watched his teardrops hit the glass. "Why haven't you written Baby?" But the blond bombshell in the picture just smiled and blew him another kiss.

xXXx

August 4th

Tim came downstairs and walked back in the kitchen. "He is not in his room. Clair, I can't find him."

"He was here a little while ago." Clair looked out the window at the rain. "Where would he have gone in this weather?"

Tim shook his head back and forth, "I have no idea." He grabbed his wand and headed for the front door. "Would you please keep dinner warm Babe; I am going to go look for him."

Tim walked around the neighborhood while he used his wand as an umbrella. When he got to the park at the end of the street, three blocks over he saw Theodore on the merry-go-round, soaked from the rain. The young wizard didn't look up when Tim sat down beside him. They sat in silence for a few minutes. Tim just let Theodore cry and pretended not to notice.

After a few minutes, when Theodore finally looked at him, Tim asked, "You still haven't heard from her, have you?"

Theodore shook his head, no. "I don't even know what it is I did. I keep apologizing, though. I just don't know what for."

"I am sure you didn't do anything, Theo. Who knows why you're not getting any letters. They could be getting lost or stopped. Perhaps she is busy or not settled, yet." Tim tried to give Theodore a reassuring smile.

Theodore just wiped at his tears, but since rain dripped down his face from his hair, it did little good. "It hurts Tim, so bad. She was...she was the only person, who...who ever loved me." Theodore looked at his feet. "Now, I have lost her."

Tim's heart broke, "I am sure your mother loved you very much, Theo."

"She died when I was four Tim, I barely remember her." Theodore didn't mean to snap at Tim, but it was true. He had almost no memories of his mother, and most of the ones he did have, were from pictures or stories from Clair. Theodore took a deep breath. "I think my father doesn't even like me." He looked back at his feet. "I feel so alone." Theodore wrapped his arms around his chest. "I am so tired of feeling this way. I am angry one minute, sad the next. I just...I just want it to go away."

Tim put his arm around Theodore. "Clair loves you very much, and so do I, son." Tim held Theodore a little tighter, as he noticed the teenager relaxed and leaned into him. "I know it's not the same kind of love you got from Daphne, but you're not alone, Theo. You will never be alone."

xXXx

August 11th

A week later, Theodore returned to the house, after he practiced on his new racing-broom. Tim had taken him to the practice course, and he decided a new broom was in order if he was to make the team. Tim had to order the new broom, since the shop was closed temporarily in Diagon Alley. It had finally arrived, three days ago. Theodore still needed to get use to the speed of the new Firebolt but loved the way it felt. He went up to his room to grab his shower stuff and get cleaned up. He almost didn't notice the letter on his windowsill, since he no longer looked every time, he walked in.

Once he did however, he dropped everything from his hands onto the floor, and ran over to the window. It wasn't Daphne's handwriting, but her father's. Theodore noticed the return address was for the French Ministry, not a residence. He hoped for the best, broke the seal, and opened it up.

Mr. Nott,

By now, I am sure you have figured out that I have been confiscating yours and Daphne's letters. I am sorry, but it is important for now, that we cut off all relations with certain people in England. That list includes anyone with Death Eater ties.

I understand you do not wish to follow in your father's footsteps. But I think you know as well as I do, the possibilities of you accomplishing that goal, are getting smaller by the day.

Quite frankly, you are not good enough for Daphne. Please stop writing to her. From this point forward, all letters which make it to me from the Ministry, will simply be disposed of.

Lord Greengrass.

Theodore felt numb, lost. How was he not good enough? He had the third highest grades in their year and a promising future. He was wealthy, and a Pure-Blood. Not that it mattered to Theodore, but he was also from the sacred twenty-eight. He could have joined his father's side long ago but hadn't.

Theodore felt anger build up inside him, as he crumpled the letter up in his hands. Daphne hadn't stopped writing; her father had stolen the letters. Theodore's anger turned to rage, when he realized his letters had also, not gotten to Daphne. The thought of her feeling the same way he had the last few weeks, made him scream. Suddenly, the letter in his hands burst into flames. The raw magic caused by his emotions, startled him. He dropped the letter, and stomped on it quickly, to put it out. His father had told him about this kind of magic. Had always told Theodore he possessed the ability to do it, because his father and grandfather did. This was the first time though he had seen it.

Once the letter was extinguished, he ran to the window, and looked out at the small garden for Clair. He hoped he hadn't alarmed her. Theodore relaxed slightly when he noticed she still clipped at her flowers and hummed happily to herself.

Theodore looked back at the ashes on the floor and shivered. As cool as that kind of magic was, it frightened him. He looked back at his broom then back at the ashes. Theodore decided to clean up the mess, then sat at his desk and wrote to Lord Greengrass. He pled his case; he swore he would not follow his father and told Lord Greengrass how much he loved Daphne. Finally, at the end of the letter, he asked him to please at least tell Daphne the truth, if he hadn't already. The idea of Daphne thinking he had stopped writing her, was one he couldn't live with.

xXXx

September 1st

Tim helped Theodore get his trunk loaded on the train, while Clair held his book bag and watched. Over the last three weeks, Theodore had received one response from Lord Greengrass, which told him that although, he admired Theodore's tenacity, he wasn't going to change his mind. Lord Greengrass told Theodore 'If he truly loved Daphne, he would let her go.' He told Theodore, Daphne would be made aware of what happened to the letters, when he felt it was the right time. Until then, she was no longer Theodore's concern.

Theodore disagreed, wrote back and told Lord Greengrass so. No other responses came from the Greengrass patriarch. Theodore had tried to write Daphne anyway, but both letters he sent, came back to him. He attempted to write to Astoria; he hoped maybe a letter to her would get through. That letter was also returned, with a notice from the French Ministry, which said anything further from him would simply be destroyed, as requested by the recipients.

Theodore looked around the train station for Blaise or Draco but didn't see them.

He wrapped a very pregnant Clair in a hug, "Thank you, so much for taking me in this summer. I am sorry I was so moody."

Clair reached up, and placed her hand on Theodore's cheek, "You were just fine. We will be here to get you for Christmas, so look for us, and remember to write."

"I thought you were taking her to Tennessee?" Theodore looked at Tim, confused.

Tim smiled and placed his hand on Theodore's shoulder. "I was, but my brother is going to come over here, instead. I will make sure Clair and Madison are safe, but you need us also Theo. I can't run off to raise one child in America, when I am not done raising the one in England."

Theodore took a sharp breath in and held it a moment. Like hell would he cry here, in front of all his classmates. He finally pulled Tim, in for a hug goodbye, "Thank you, Tim. For everything. You have been more of a father the last two months, than the man whose name I have, ever has."

Tim couldn't help that his eyes got slightly misty, but waved Clair off when she tried to hand him a tissue. "Anytime son." Tim took a step back and held his hand out to Theodore. "Have a good semester, and good luck at tryouts. I am sure you will do fine."

Theodore shook Tim's hand, then gave Clair a kiss on the cheek, turned and boarded the train. Although Daphne was not by his side, and he missed her terribly, he still felt a smile tug at his lips at the fact, he finally had gotten a proper send off. The kind he had witnessed so many others get every year and yearned for so much. As he passed the car filled with Astoria's friends, he couldn't stop himself, as he poked his head in and asked if they needed help with their luggage, and made sure the three giggling, fourth years had everything they needed. He normally would have told them off, when they all said in unison, 'Thank you, Teddy!'. But today, he just smiled and found a seat at the back with the other sixth and seventh year Slytherins; across from Vincent, who was already asleep.

A/N Since the story is really about Theodore, I decided not to tell Daphne's side, besides, I am sure we can all guess how she is feeling. Thank you for reading. See you soon!