A/N I got such a great response about chapter 22, Letters He'll Never Send, that I wanted to try writing letters again.

Thank you all so much for reading and for the lovely reviews.

Thank you to Ro54 and NovaCrete for adding this to your Favs.

Warning: This chapter contains the implications of child abuse and torture. It also includes teenage sex.

Chapter 29: Seventh Year Letters

This entire chapter takes place during Theo's seventh year, and ends just before his trial.

September 7th.

Hello My Love

It's midnight, on September seventh. My eighteenth birthday. I didn't expect today to be a great day. Years ago I would have been excited to be turning eighteen. But tonight it seems unimportant.

We have only been back at school for a week and already things are terrible. My every move is watched by Snape. He sneers at me, and scrutinizes everything I do. Thankfully I only have to deal with him on a limited bases this year since he is our new Headmaster and Slughorn is the new head of Slytherin House.

Most of the Muggle-Born students didn't return this year. The few who did, were arrested on the platform and sent to Azkaban. We heard later on the train they were charged with stealing their magic from unsuspecting Witches or Wizards. Have you ever heard anything so dumb? Pansy and Vincent seemed to think it was the funniest thing they ever heard. She is still looking for a boyfriend, perhaps she should date, Vincent.

The entire school seems on edge, and everyone is quiet and closed off. Every now and then there are huddled groups talking about this or that, but those groups get quiet as soon as someone new approaches. The Gryffindor's walk, no strut, around. I think they are trying to make themselves look braver than most of them really are.

We only had three people sorted into Slytherin this year. All three Pure-Bloods. You remember how the Sorting Hat would always even thing out putting the same number of students in each house if possible? Well this year when ever the hat tried to sort a Half-Blood into Slytherin, Snape would direct that student to Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw instead. I thought it rather weird since he is a Half-Blood himself. But no one, not ever Professor McGonagall questioned him. The Sorting Hat questioned him, and it was rather funny to hear the hat scolding Snape, but no one dared laugh.

There are basically no House Points this year. The professors try and give house points for our achievements, but Snape or the Carrows, (our new Dark Arts and Muggle Studies professors), just remove them at meal times, unless they were awarded to Slytherin. Sure most of us would love to finally win the house cup, but not this way.

I miss you Baby. I can't tell you how much I wish we were together. I want so badly to feel you in my arms and kiss your lips, (well not just your lips). I love you Daphne.

I suppose I should try and get some sleep. Perhaps you will join me in my dreams.

Forever Yours, Theo.

xXXx

October 1st.

Hey Baby

How are your classes in France going?

This past month has been difficult. By now the entire school knows I was forced to take the mark. It has earned me unneeded attention from the more rebellious students, and unwanted attention from Alecto and Amycus Carrow. If I run into one of them in hall, they will taunt me and try to talk to me about our 'Lord' and how I can best serve them.' Most of the time I can outrun them, or duck into a classroom, but not all the time. Plus, I have class with each of them this year.

The Muggle Studies Teacher as been replaced with Alecto. We are all required to take the class now, whether we want too or not. She doesn't really teach us anything about Muggles though. Remember how we used to learn about their technologies, like computers and phones, and the ways they have learned to live with out magic? Well now we learn about all the things that are by Professor Carrow's standards, disgusting and revolting about them, like they way they travel or how they deal with injuries or illness. She says they should all be eliminated, to restore the natural balance of things. She thinks Muggles using things like electricity is against nature. I made the mistake of pointing out the fact that electricity exists in nature and it's rather ingenious if you think about it, for Muggles to have learned how to harness it. I learned quite quickly not question professor Carrow again.

If you don't agree with her that all Muggles are beneath us and should be eliminated, you are punished. She seems to enjoy using curses as punishment instead of the removal of house points. Only the first month of school and I have already been to the hospital wing twice for Pepper Up Potion because of the curses she has used on me as punishment for wrong answers. Most of us have learned not to argue with her, and to agree with whatever she says, whether we really do or not. It's better to lie, then to feel her rathe. But the Gryffindor's seem to think them selves above the rest of us, by constantly arguing with her. I suppose they think it is gallant to be tortured instead of lying.

I am sure you don't want to just hear me complain. Sorry Baby. I love you, and miss you so much.

It has not been decided whether or not races and the other sports will be allowed this year. The team has to get permission from Slughorn to practice, and he has to be with us since we are going outside. So far we have had only one practice. I will let you know what happens this year. I am really hoping Snape lets us have the races. I think everyone, including the professors could use the distraction from time to time.

Forever Yours, Theo.

xXXx

November 11th.

Hey Baby,

Sorry for the messy penmanship, my hand won't stop shaking, and it is making writing to you really hard. It started shaking after my father locked me up this summer when I tried to stay with Tim so I wouldn't have to take the mark. Now add all the punishments from the Carrows, my hand seems to shake all the time. Madam Pomfrey is looking into possible reasons, but so far nerve damage is all she can come up with. She has not been able to find a remedy and says surgery may be my only option.

Acymus Carrow is our Dark Arts professor this year. We no longer learn how to recognize dark arts and defend against them, instead we are learning how to master them. He is trying to turn Hogwarts into a training school for future Death Eaters.

Professor Carrow seems to get off on making the other seventh year Pure-Bloods who haven't joined the cause the test subject for Vincent, Greg and myself. He says it's only fitting we practice on them since they have yet to take the mark along with us. I refuse as often as I can, no way I'm cursing someone.

Greg has yet to really perform any of them correctly. He try's though, because each time he is unsuccessful, Professor Carrow hits him with the curse he was supposed to hit the others with, and it takes Greg a really long time to recover. After a while, most of them started pretending he was hurting them, to try and save Greg from getting punished. It works most of the time. Greg is unaware they are pretending though. So, every chance he gets Greg apologizes over and over again for what he was forced to do. Should I tell him? What do you think?

Draco so far as been able to use his relationship with Snape to get out of practicing on other students. Sooner or later though, I think his luck will run out and he will be forced to show what he can do. Some how Blaise just sit in the back of the class rooms and goes unnoticed.

It's almost sad Daph, all he ever wanted is exactly what he has now. For the whole school to respect him. Every one stays out of his way, and moves when they see him coming. He gets called Mr. Malfoy by all the lower classman and no one will look him in the eye. Although, I guess it's more from fear then respect. The rumors now are, Draco had help in killing Dumbledore, but whether he did it or not, him being the one who cast the curse that killed Dumbledore it is still the most commonly accepted explanation of what happen.

He sits in the common room staring at the fire and not talking to any one. He always as a glass in his hand, and I am pretty sure it is not water in that glass, but he wont talk to me. Not even to tell me off. He just stares at the fire like he can't hear you. The only time he will get up is when Pansy gets into one of her moods and try's wooing him back. Then he will get up and walk over to where I or Blaise is, telling Pansy he needs our help with an essay or some other bit of class work. Of course he never asks for any help and only sits with us, until she stops staring, then he gets up and leaves the room.

Vincent is getting pretty good at the Dark Arts though. It's pretty scary really, what he can do.

I love you, my hand hurts so I need to go.

Forever Yours, Theo.

xXXx

December 3rd.

Good Morning Baby,

The Headmaster has decided to let us have our first race, although we have only had the one practice. It is difficult to get Slughorn to go out there with us. He has only taken the Quidditch team out twice, so I am not really sure how well their first game against Gryffindor is going to go. From what I am told Draco just sat on his broom, high above where the group practiced, but never once made a move to catch the snitch. I wonder what he will do at the game? Normally the season should have started last month, but we are all just glad we are going to get to play Quidditch and have the races.

I miss you Daphne. Slytherin is just is not the same place this year. The common room used to be a place one could hang out with friends, but this year it seems gloomy and a bit sad. No one talks to each other. It has become more a place to just study. No one will sit in the large leather chair by the fire. Every one knows that is where Draco sits and broods, so every one stays out of it.

Even our dorm room is a place I would rather not be. The five of us don't talk to each other. Vincent seems to be enjoying taking the lead though. He talks like he is in charge and always says things like, 'Professor Carrow was right to punish that Weasley today, don't you think so Draco?' Draco doesn't answer him, he just crawls in bed and doesn't sleep. Blaise is only in the room to change his clothes. I don't have any idea where he goes to sleep. And Greg, well he is normally in the common room with Millie and comes in after all of us.

I have taken to spending most of my free time, in that same empty room down here in dungeons where I did Draco's homework last year. I think it use to be a storage room, too small to have been a classroom and too big for a broom closet. I have a small table with a lamp I found in there and a chair I nicked from one of the classrooms. No one seems to go in there, but just in case I never leave anything behind. It is where I am now, writing to you. I think I may start sleeping in here.

Vincent stole the last letter I tried writing in the dorm room and wouldn't give it back. He decided it would be fun to read it to the entire common room. Thankfully, it was just a letter telling you how much I miss you, so if he gives it to one of the Carrows, they wont be getting any thing from the letter they can use against me, at least nothing you-know-who didn't already know.

I need to get some home work done. I love you Daphne

Forever Yours. Theo.

xXXx

December 25th.

Happy Christmas My Love.

I certainly hope your morning has been better than mine. My father agreed to let me stay here at the school over the holidays. At first, I was surprised. But then it became pretty apparent why. Every day so far, I have private 'lessons' with Professor Carrow. Apparently, I need to be ready to serve when called upon.

Daphne, please don't be disappointed with me, but I finally gave in and started doing the curses he was wanting me to do. I couldn't take it any more. The punishments were getting bad. I couldn't sleep, my hand wouldn't stop shaking, the 'Pepper Up Potion' from Madam Pomfrey no longer works, my nose bleeds all the time and I couldn't keep anything down. No matter what I tried to eat, I just threw it up. Honestly, I just needed the punishments to stop, even if just for a little while. I thought I was stronger then this, ready to die for what I believe in, but once faced with the possibility of death, at least one so slow, I wasn't ready. I am so sorry Baby. I wish there was a way to know I haven't let you down. I love you.

I did some research the past few days, since after our 'lessons' he leaves me alone. I found some books in the library with counter spells for the spells and curses they are wanting us to do. From what I can tell, you say the incantation after you cast the spell and it should minimize the damage done to the person you are casting it on.

You can also say the incantation right before you are hit with the curse and it should minimize the damage done to you. I am going to give them a try the rest of the holiday break and if it works, then I can try to get a message to Ernie about them and hopefully get the word spread to the student body. If nothing else it will be information I can pass on to our house.

Right before the holiday break the Carrows were put in charge of detentions. Which is good for me and few others, like Ernie, Weasley and Longbottom, since the focus is no longer on us. (except for right now) Now when you get detention, you don't do manual labor or write lines, instead you report to Dark Arts class or the dungeons after dinner and other students, mostly us seventh years have to perform the spells we have been learning on you.

I feel terrible about what I have done. I almost wish that school wouldn't resume after New Years. Maybe some of the parents will be more like your father and refuse to send their kids back.

I miss you so much. I really wish you were here right now, but then again, I wouldn't want you having to experience any of this. Also if your upset with me for giving in, I don't think I could stand seeing it in your eyes. I love you Daphne, I hope you can still love me after reading this.

I wasn't able to get down to Hogsmead before Christmas to get you something, but Snape is letting those of us who stayed go there in a couple days. We will be escorted by a couple professors of course. But hopefully I can get into one of the shops and find you something.

Forever Yours, (If you will still have me) Theo.

xXXx

January 18th.

Hi Baby,

Gryffindor beat us in the Quidditch match yesterday. Draco flew around like he was looking for snitch, but I don't think he was trying all that hard. He really seemed more disappointed the game was over and we all had to go back to the castle, then he was upset about us losing.

We also had our race against Ravenclaw today. I won. Why I am not more excited to tell you that? I don't know. It was nice to win, but I really didn't feel like celebrating when we got back to the common room. I just changed, gathered my things, and came down here to the room I found and started writing to you.

About a third of the students didn't return after Christmas. I honestly wish I could have been one of them. Still I am not sure which one would be worse, the Carrows or my father, since with him is where I would be. All traveling out side of England as been suspended as they continue their hunt for Potter. If I was with my father, I am sure he would most likely be trying to force me into joining the Death Eaters in some horrible act. While here at least I can still pretend that part of my life won't ever happen.

There was a lot of talk after the holidays about Potter sightings. I don't think any of them were true, since they have yet to find him. I wish I knew more about what it was he was supposedly doing out there, but the rumor mill says it has something to do with finding a way to defeat you-know-who. I shouldn't write this, just in case, but I hope he finds a way. My father says when you-know-who has victory things will be great for his supporters, but I don't see great, I only see more of the same.

Wish I knew how things were going for you. I can only hope the war as not yet reached you in France and you are safe. I sleep a little better knowing you most likely are.

I love you, Baby. I hope you still love me.

Forever Yours, Theo.

xXXx

February 15th.

Happy Valentine's Day Baby!

I know it's a day late. But yesterday was not a day filled with hearts and happy couples holding hands in the hallway. Some of the students have decided to start showing their dislike of the way things are going here, and to that end someone wrote 'Save Harry Potter' on the walls in the Great Hall. Most of the students had to spend the day trying to clean the magical paint off the walls. After an entire day of scrubbing and spells, you can still see it though.

Toward the end of January many of the students believed to be supporters of Potter, started to disappear as they started getting targeted more and more by the Carrows. The punishments they were getting were unspeakable Daph. I don't even want to write the things the Carrows did to them and things they wanted the seventh years to do to them. Curses and spells are no longer enough, now they want blood to be spilled, although thankfully they have not yet tried to force the students to commit acts such as that, they do it themselves.

Ah, yes, I haven't told you the latest. Us seventh year students are required to assist with detentions. They split us up, one Pure-Blood with one Half-Blood. Their thoughts are the Pure-Blood will influence the Half-Bloods to be better Wizards. 'Better Wizards', what a laugh right. I was suppose to have detention duty last night with Steven Cornfoot, but he was in the hospital so Ernie took his place. The student in detention was Longbottom. His crime, refusing to curse a first year in Dark Arts class. Ernie and I were suppose to take turns cursing him with the same curse he refused to use on the first year. We used the counter curse I found and it worked, but you could tell Longbottom was still in pain. Ernie was a wreck, once Professor Carrow, cursed Ernie for a few seconds, because Ernie wasn't putting enough 'feeling' into the curse.

I feel bad for Ernie. I don't have you to comfort me at night, because you are not here, but Sally is, and she is not allowed near him. Inter house mingling is not permitted this year. So the best Sally can do is pass notes and smile at him from across the room.

I guess if I am being completely honest Baby, I would take a smile from across the room if it was from you, if that's all I could get. But I can imagine how Ernie feels, because just a smile, wouldn't be enough.

I hope your not mad at me, but I wasn't able to get you anything this year. I will make up for it when I can.

Daphne, I am starting to get a little discouraged. I have a place I hide this box here at the castle. I am going to tell Blaise where it is, I think if any of us survive this war it will be him. I hope he remembers and makes sure to give it to you one day. I would ask Draco again, but we still don't talk. I have tried a couple of times, but like I said before, he just stairs at the fire like he doesn't hear you. He still as nightmares every night. Once in awhile, when he wakes up, he will look over quickly at me, I think it's to see if I am staying up with him. I always try to give him a reassuring smile. He never says anything, but you can sort of see the relief in his face that I am there with him. I wish he would talk to me, I really miss him.

I love you. I know it's been almost two years, and I am almost certain you moved on. Which is fine. At this point Baby, I just want you to be happy.

Yours, Theo.

xXXx

March 5th.

Daphne,

First, please know I love you, so much.

I have something I need to tell you, and I don't really know how to start.

I know I let you down, I am so sorry. I hope you will understand, and at least not hate me.

The other night, okay three nights ago, (I have tried writing this so many times), I had detention coverage with Fay Dunbar. Do you remember her? She is a Half-Blood in Gryffindor. Anyway, there were three kids in detention that night. A third year, a fifth year and a sixth year. All Gryffindors. Professor Carrow wanted us to practice the torture curse on them as their punishment. Someone had put exploding quills on his desk during the day, and he blamed the three of them.

Fay couldn't do it, she tried a couple of times, but just couldn't do it. Professor Carrow cursed her instead. Oh Daph, it was terrible. She screamed and screamed. The other students begged her to try, so he would stop. But Professor Carrow just laughed and continued to curse her. I didn't know what else to do, so I cursed the three students. I tried to make sure to keep the curses light and not hurt them much, but Carrow wouldn't stop cursing Fay, until the others screamed enough for him.

Once he was satisfied, he just left and told me to make sure every one got to their dorms. The other three were able to get up after a while and walk, but not Fay. It took all I had to get the others to just go to their dorm and let me take care of her. I picked her up and started to take her to the hospital wing, but only made it half way before I had to stop.

I ducted into a bathroom so we weren't in the hallway and out of sight of any Prefects or Professors. We just sat there on the floor and I held her for what seemed like an hour, before she recovered.

Daphne, after a while, she kissed me. I am so sorry Baby, (I suppose I am no longer allowed to call you that), but it felt so good to have someone touching me. The affection and warmth was so nice, I kissed her back.

I know it sounds stupid and typical, but what we did next just happen. I knew what I was doing, so I can't say I didn't, but the more we kissed the better it felt and the more I wanted. She seemed to want me too because, I know you don't want the details, but as I unbuttoned her blouse she was undoing my trousers. Oh, god please don't hate me. I know that if we were still together, we most likely are not now. I can only hope you understand and one day forgive me, but I had sex with her.

She must have known I was thinking about you, because she told me to close my eyes and pretend she was you. That's what I did. I know it doesn't make it better, but I thought about you. I wanted it to be you so badly.

I have no real excuse for what I did, other then how much I needed to feel alive and loved. I know it was only physical and not real love, but I would be lying to you if I said it didn't feel good, and I have never lied to you.

Your the only one I ever wanted, I wish it had been you.

I love you Daphne. I always will. Please forgive me, if you can.

Forever Yours, (when that ends is up to you) Theo.

xXXx

April 10th.

Hi Daphne,

I hope you still talking to me.

I am going to continue writing assuming you some how have forgiven me.

The past few weeks have been very lonely. I have wanted to write, but I didn't know if after my last letter if you would continue reading. Since I write these letters more for me, knowing you will most likely never see them, I decided to write again. I stayed here for Easter. My father didn't want me at home. He said I was needed here and to be ready. I just have to make it a few more weeks than my N.E.W.T's will be complete, and I will be free to go wherever I want.

I was able to avoid the Carrows for most of the Easter break. There was some sort of commotion regarding Potter, so the Carrows had other things to occupy their time, besides tormenting students. We heard they almost captured Potter and his friends, but with the help of a free house elf, he was able to escape.

Draco seems even more distant now then he did when he left for the holiday, if that is possible. I wouldn't tell anyone this but you, but he was saying Potter's name in his sleep the other night. He woke up from a pretty bad nightmare and screamed Granger's name. That was the first time he spoke to me. Vincent just rolled over, and Blaise wasn't there again. Greg sat up and watched until Draco calmed down. He was really shook up from what ever he was dreaming about. I eventually got out of bed, and went over to him, I didn't know what else to do, so I just started rubbing his back until he started breathing normal. Eventually he was able to take a drink of water, and the sleeping potion and lay back down. Finally he said, 'I am fine now'. Which meant 'go away', but hey, I'll take it. I don't know what happened while he was at home, but I wonder if the commotion we heard about during the holidays had something to do with him or at least his father. He laid there and we just looked at each other, until he finally fell back asleep. Behind those lonely eyes covered by dark circles, I could see my best friend hiding, to scared to show himself.

He did talk to me the next day. I asked him how he was, he looked at me and said, 'Alive'. I suppose I shouldn't complain and be happy I got that much.

Any way, I will let you go.

I love you Baby, may I still call you that? Perhaps it's to soon.

Yours, Theo.

xXXx

May 5th.

Hello Daphne,

I am sure the news has reached France by now. If you're wondering if it's true. Yes it is. Voldemort is dead. Potter killed him. The day of what they are calling the 'Battle of Hogwarts' was crazy.

We were all called to the Great Hall. Students were in every state of getting ready for bed. Some in their night clothes, some like myself still in uniform. Headmaster Snape addressed us, and suddenly Potter was there. He told us all the truth, that Snape Killed Dumbledore. Then Snape fled. I always knew it wasn't Draco. After he made the big announcement I looked around for Draco, but I couldn't find him. Greg and Vincent were also missing. We found out later the three of them were given another mission by Voldemort to intercept Potter, but it ended in Vincent causing his own death with a badly performed Fiend Fire charm.

Voldemort addressed the school telling us if we just turned Potter over he would leave the school alone, and of course Pansy had to be the one to try and rally us all to turn Potter over. McGonagall had the entire Slytherin House escorted out of the Great Hall while they started preparing to go to Battle with the Death Eaters. Leave it to Pansy, huh?

Professor Slughorn lead all the students who were under age, and those who didn't want to fight to safety in Hogsmead. Against our wishes the entirety of Slytherin house was forced to go with him. There is a secret passage way that leads directly from the school to the Village. Once we were there Slughorn announced he would be returning in thirty minutes to join the fight and any of us who wanted to go back with him, regardless of their house as long as they were of age were welcome to do so. I was one of the first to stand up and volunteer to go back. Blaise joined with me almost immediately. He said, it was what his mother would want. Sally, Tracey and Millie also volunteered. Pansy stayed behind claiming the younger students would need someone to tend to them. Most of the upper classmen who could apparate left. I figured they were running to safety, but to my surprise most of them returned with their parents, older siblings and friends to join in the fight. When we returned it was almost all Slytherin's and their families, the ones who hadn't joined the Death Eaters. You would have been really proud to see it Daph. My mark kept calling me to Voldemort, but I ignored it. It was as painful as getting it was. But as long as fighting was going on, I had something to distract me.

At one point we thought Potter had been killed, but it turned out he was only biding his time, to strike at the right moment.

I was surprised to see so many of the seventh years and far too many lower classmen were also fighting against Voldemort. We lost too many, I think they said the number was around fifty, but I am not sure of the exact count.

Tim and his brother had returned to fight. I wish the moment I saw them had been a happier one, but we were in the middle of a battle. By that time my mark was burning into my arm, and it was very difficult to ignore and fight. I'm sure my father had figured out by this time, that I was disobeying orders and fighting for Potter. Tim got by with just a few scrapes and cuts. But Tom, will most likely lose his left leg. Thanks to my father. I think the spell was meant for me, but Tom jumped in the way.

Oh Daph, when my father saw me fighting for Potter, I thought he was going to lose his mind. I have seen the man full of rage before, but that was something different all together. He told me, when they arrested him, that I was no longer his son. Fine with me, Tim has been more of a father then he ever was. During the entire year I got letter after letter from Tim, he always wanted to know how I was, and tell me he was proud of me. They only letters I got from my dad were the ones telling me not to come home at Christmas and easter, so I was there if needed.

They arrested almost everyone from our house even though most of us fought for Potter. We were arrested just because we wore green. They told us everything will be sorted and brought us into the Great Hall and sat us all at the Slytherin table to wait. We have now been in here for three days. They set up cots at night, but no one is allowed to leave until they figure out our charges. All the wounded were in here to start but during the first day or so they all got moved to the dorms where they would be more comfortable, but they had to wait for the students to get their belongings out.

Some people have been taken away already, like my father, Lucius Malfoy, the Carrows, basically all the known Death Eaters. All expect, Draco, me and Greg. We are still sitting in here waiting to find out what our fate will be. My mark burned until Voldemort was dead. At that point into became an ugly scar that a nasty burn would leave. Draco's mother said it's because I refused orders. Most can't stand the pain; she figures I must be very strong to have done so.

While we wait, we are expected to help tend to the wounded and begin cleaning the place up. Professor Slughorn as turned in a list of all the students who came back and fought for Potter, so some of them got released on the first day. Sally, Millie and Tracey all got released already. Pansy was released a few hours after them, it was decided she didn't do any thing wrong by trying to get people to turn Potter over, just the actions of a scared kid. They started this morning really going through those arrested one by one and charging them or sending them home. I should be headed home with in a few hours.

I was allowed a little parchment to write this letter, and I have almost used it up, so I will write again, once I can. I have all my things packed up in my trunk and book bag, ready to go. I can't wait to get out of here. They announced we would get a chance to return to repeat our seventh year, or can make arrangements to take our N.E.W.T's at the ministry. I think I will just go to the ministry.

I love you Daphne. I don't know if your mad at me still about Fay, but thoughts of you are what kept me going the last few days, and during the battle. I wanted you to have a safe place to return to and to make you proud of me.

So, hoping that you love me too, Forever Yours, Theo.

xXXx

May 7th.

Hi Baby,

I wish I was writing with good news, like I was cleared and on my way to France to look for you. But, I was charged with seven things, and am on house arrest. They were going to send me to Azkaban since my mother is gone, and my father was already sent there leaving no one to be my guardian. The Minister wouldn't allow Tim to be, since he as moved back to America and is no longer a resident of England. Luckily, Lady Malfoy offered to let me do my house arrest at Malfoy Manor. I guess her older sister will be there acting as guardian for her and Draco. I suppose its better then being in Azkaban, but there are wards placed on the Manor preventing us from leaving and any one from coming to visit. We can't even get mail. So I guess it's a good thing I am not mailing this to you, because you wouldn't be able to write back.

What was I charged with, you might ask? Conspiring with Death Eaters, terrorism, the use of the unforgivable curses, being a Death Eater, attending known Death Eater activities, destruction of property and murder.

No baby, I never murdered anyone. My legal counsel says the murder charge and the one about me being a Death Eater should be removed from my record with in the next few days. He says the scar on my arm proves I was never truly a Death Eater, and they know that. He says they were just getting sloppy when they got to me while writing up the charges.

As for the other charges, that's a little more difficult I guess to explain. My father forced me when I was only sixteen and seventeen to attend meetings, so I suppose I did knowingly attend Death Eater activities. But how was I suppose to tell him no?

All the seventh year students were forced to use the torture curse last year, so I did do that as well. I don't see how I terrorized any one, or what property I supposedly destroyed. If I conspired with Death Eaters, I did it to stay alive or to keep someone else alive. The charges seem rather flimsy to me, and their way of charging me because they couldn't legally charge me with simply being Theodore William Nott Jr., son of a known Death Eater.

Draco is charged with the same things, as is Greg. Blaise was only charged with use of the unforgiveable curse, conspiring with Death Eaters and terrorism. They expect his trial to happen any day and suspect he will be released.

My trial is set for June thirtieth. Same day as my father's. Draco's is set for July second, he will stand trial with his mother and father. Greg and his father will not go to trial until July fourteenth.

Lady Malfoy put Greg and I in rooms beside each other. Blaise is a few doors down. I thought perhaps being here would give me the chance to really talk to Draco, but so far he hasn't left his room. Guess I still have plenty of time before my trial, hopefully he will.

I love you Daphne. Just as soon as my trial is over, and I have been cleared of the ridiculous charges, I plan to come to France and look for you. I hope there are people at the Ministry who will be willing to help, as I am relying on it being more difficult to tell me no to my face.

Do you remember the gardens here? They are really pretty this time of year, and in desperate need of some tending to, so that is how I plan to spend the next few days.

I have a meeting with my father's busness lawyers. They are trying to be proactive and get things set up in case neither my father or I will able to run the factories after the Trial. I will let you know how that goes.

Guess I better get some sleep.

I love you. I miss you.

Forever Yours, Theo.

xXXx

June 23rd

Happy Birthday Baby, (You will always be my Baby!)

I miss you so much. I am sorry we couldn't be together on your birthday. I hope eighteen is every thing you hoped for. I must apologize, I didn't get you anything for your birthday. Since I am still on house arrest I haven't been able to get out to go shopping. I am working on something though, I hope you will like. Did you know Malfoy gardens had an entire area with nothing but carnations? I don't remember ever seeing it before. I have been spending most of my time out here thinking about you.

I promise to do my best to never let you down again. I love you Daphne, and if you have forgiven me and taken me back, I will work every day on making sure you know that.

Draco still only comes out of his room for short periods of time, and when he does, he just wants to be alone to walk around the grounds. So far I have at least been able to get him acknowledge me when I talk to him. He no longer tells me off or scoffs when he looks at me. He just looks tired and lonely. This morning when I said good morning to him he actually said 'Morning Nott'. It's a start!

Blaise as been by three times to visit. He is the only one they allow to come and see us since he was released right after his trial. Can you believe they dropped all charges against him before any testimony or anything. He never should have been charged to begin with, but I was expecting the Wizengamont to try harder in convicting him of something. Having realized their error though they let him go. I suspect Lady Zabini had something to do with it.

When he comes by he seems so damn chipper it almost makes you want to shove something in his mouth so he will shut up. But his release does make me feel good about my chances. As my trial gets closer, I am sort of happy you will not be there. I don't want you to see me in chains. Hopefully it wont be much longer and by the evening of June thirtieth I will be in France and by the morning of July first you will be in my arms. Although I do have a favor to ask. I kind of want to be here for Draco's trial. So I may have to leave France the next morning since his trial is July second. Would you come with me, or would it be better if I wait and leave for France on the evening of July second after his trial? I just want to see you so bad, I don't know if I will be able to wait those two days. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter!

My defense attorney says he has two witnesses whom are going to testify on my behalf, but he wont tell me who. He says he wants my reaction when they take the stand to be genuine. They have dropped the murder charge and the charge about my being a Death Eater. I am now only facing the remaining five charges.

My dad's business lawyers have put a proxy named Arthur Prince in charge as acting C.E.O. while my father is in custody. Should he be remanded after his trial, and I released, this Mr. Prince will remain in charge until I turn twenty five, my fathers release or his death which ever occurs first. It was decided by the new wizarding board that at barely nineteen, I am not yet fit to run the factories. The Board of Elders is no longer just the oldest members of each family, but an elected group of twenty eight. They decided the numbers where to large sometimes having two hundred people attending meetings all claiming to be the oldest of their family. So far the group only as twenty six members as the Ministry grandfathered certain people onto the board claiming it was to promote unity and understanding, but two of them are not present at the moment. Your father is one, and Lucius Malfoy should he be released is the other. If he is remanded the Ministry will choose someone else to fill his position.

We are in for some interesting times ahead. I wonder how well everyone will settle into them. Hopefully we will be together soon and get to find out with each other.

I love you Daphne, always will.

Forever Yours, Theo.