Chapter 3
Theo and Draco spent most of their summer flying outside the manor. Draco is sure to make the team when he tries out. Theo watched Draco release a silver snitch; he looped and sped toward it, catching it flawlessly. Theo, meanwhile, has been practicing his agility to dodge bludgers, as that will be a necessary skill for a chaser. Both boys finally landed, tired but ready for supper. After freshening up, Theo and Draco were greeted by Narcissa, who was already seated at the dining table.
"Boys," she said warmly as the two young wizards took their seats.
"Mother," Draco nodded acknowledging her presence.
"So tell me what plans do you both have for the up coming term?" She asked as she cuts down her food.
"I'm obviously trying out for the team this year. I guarantee I'll make the team." He said, a hint of a smirk forming on his lips.
"I believe you will, and what are your plans, Theo?" Narcissa turned her attention to him.
"I-",
"I believe Theo will likely spend most of his time in the library with that filthy mudblood."He sneered at the word 'mudblood'.
"Draco," Narcissa scolded, furrowing her brows as she set down a table napkin.
"How many times have I told you not to say that word?"
"But Theo has been hanging around with her all the time! If any Slytherins actually do spot him and Granger he'll be a blood traitor." Draco attempts to explain himself to his displeased mother.
"What if it reaches Theo's father?" Draco pointed out.
"I see..." A pause followed before Narcissa continued. "And what will your father's reaction be if he discovers this?" She gazed at him expectantly, waiting his reply.
"I-he can't-he w-won't hurt her, right?" His voice trembles as he struggles to speak. Horror filled his voice and of course he should be afraid, given that his father has killed his mother when he was only about five years old.
"I would advise you to not make any further contact with her then. That is if you don't want your father coming after her." she said firmly.
"Salazar knows what your classmates might write to their fathers if they had seen you with a Muggle-born." She sighed, leaning back slightly in her chair, and pressed her thumb and forefinger to the bridge of her nose.
"I understand." He said with his head tilted down, he avoided looking at Narcissa, but glanced sideways to see his friend's smug expression. His face has 'I just save your sorry arse.' written all over his face.
⋆˙⟡
August 20, 1992 Malfoy Manor [Narcissa]
Narcissa settled into her husband's study quietly observing him review his accounts. "Lucius," she said softly, as her husband gently laid down his quill, turning his full attention to her.
"Yes, my dear?" He smiled warmly at her.
"I believe that our goddaughter has likely become very acquainted with her twin brother already." His eyebrows rose, and his eyes widened.
"Cassie's girl?" Lucius asked , Narcissa nodded in confirmation.
"Draco has told me that she has been sorted in Gryffindor," she stated calmly as she settled into a more comfortable position.
"Shame." That was all her husband said.
"Lucius! That is your goddaughter for Merlin's sake." Her voice hitched as she give him a disapproving look.
"Tomorrow... " He paused, relaxing. "I'll be out along with Draco and Theo to collect their supplies for the term, I shall then have a word with Draco." He said as if there might be some subtle, hidden meaning.
⋆˙⟡
Diagon Alley
[Theo]
Draco and him were browsing Flourish and Blotts when, quite unexpectedly, a family with striking red hair entered the shop, accompanied by no other than Potter. Potter, undoubtedly, made another public appearance with an unusual blonde wizard, and together they garnered the attention and made headlines for the Daily Prophet.
"Bet you love that didn't you Potter. " He said as went down the stairs.
"Draco don't." He warned Draco, but he disregarded his warning.
"Famous Harry Potter," said Draco. "Can't even go into a bookshop without making the front page."
"Leave him alone," A red-haired girl, who looked a bit younger than them, came forward.
"Oh look Potter, you've got yourself a girlfriend!" He drawled.
"Now, now boys play nicely." Lucius said with a grin as he set both Draco and him aside.
"Red hair, a secondhand book," Luciua remarked, taking the red-haired girl's book from her cauldron to examine it before returning it to its place. "You must be the Weasleys," he added.
"And you young miss." Lucius paused at the young curly haired witch as he observes her. "Miss Granger is it?"
His eyebrows quirked up as he continues to look at her.
"Children it's mad in here, why don't you all head out." said an older wizard with similar hair color.
"Well, well if it isn't Weasley senior."
"If this is regarding Ministry work, Lucius, I would prefer to discuss this back at the office." Weasley senior commented.
His godfather offered no comment, instead they were guided towards outside. Theo offered a subtle smile to Hermione as he passed, he was relieved to see that she returned it.
"Draco." His godfather stopped walking.
"Yes Father?" He looked up at him awaiting for his reply.
"Do keep an eye on Miss Granger will you?" It wasn't a question it was more of an order. Upon overhearing this Theo couldn't comprehened why Lucius is asking Draco to somehow spy on Granger.
"Must I really?" Lucius remained silent, but gave Draco a stern look in response to his whining.
"Fine! But I shall receive the new Nimbus Two Thousand and One." He negotiated.
"Certainly." Lucius nodded as Draco happily drag him elsewhere.
Draco had managed persuaded-more likely drag him into Sugarplum's sweet shop, explaining that he needed to replenish his emergency supply of sweets. Draco took a generous handful, while Theo was more discerning, selecting only a couple of sugar quills and chocolate bonbons, a treat his friend particularly enjoys. Both paid for their sweets and then met Lucius, who was holding what Theo believes to be a new Nimbus Two Thousand and One broom.
⋆˙⟡
Theo, along with the Malfoys arrived at the platform they both said their goodbyes and they handed over their owls to the train personnel. Draco proceeded to locate Crabbe and Goyle, which Theo doesn't find their company pleasant. He instead strolled down the train corridor seeking an empty compartment, or at least someone tolerable to spend the entire train ride with.
Glancing into each compartment, he caught sight of familiar brown, bushy curls. Instinctively, he slid open the door, a faint smile playing on his lips. The girl with the abundant curls turns her head toward him.
"Theo?" Her surprised tone suggested she hadn't anticipated his arrival, especially considering she had been with Potter and Weasley on their return train journey to London after their first year.
"Hey, Granger." He greeted.
"Do you think I could-" He seems hesitant, and avoids making eye contact with her.
"Go on," She subtly adjusts herself and gestures. Her full attention is on him as he sits across from her, fumbling in his pockets for something.
"I recall you enjoying these." Theo shyly gave her some sugar quills.
"T-thank you, Theo," She smiled at him, opening one of the sugar quills he'd given her.
"Why aren't Potter and Weasley sitting with you? Aren't you three friends?"
He asked, subtly concealing his envy with a cough..
"Dunno really," she started. "And, of course, Harry and Ron are my friends."
A broad smile spread across her face as she looked at him. "And you, Theo, are my best friend." She unwrapped another sugar quill and gobbled it down..
"Your important to me as well Hermione." He offered a sincere smile, which quickly faded.
Fortunately, Granger didn't notice, as her attention was now focused on reading some of Gilderoy Lockhart's books. She expressed a degree of interest in him, causing Theo to react with terror and disgust. Upon the trolley's arrival, he kindly showered her with numerous sweets and treats. He purchased some exploding bonbons, the classic chocolate frogs, and a couple of sugar quills so that they may both enjoy a sweet treat during the winter holidays. Theo got more pumpkin pasties, and lastly, the good ol' Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans, which were not quite to his witch friend's liking.
This is likely their final amicable interaction, as Narcissa's advice to maintain distance has been heeded. He understands his father's potential for harm and he chooses to prioritizes her safety.
⋆˙⟡
Upon arriving in the Great Hall, Hermione surveyed the Gryffindor table, but her two friends were absent. She sat with the second-years, feeling a little anxious about the term, but she had adjusted quite well last year, especially with Theo's company. She has quite a few friends in her house.
Professor Dumbledore introduced their new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Many, particularly the female students, including Hermione, had found him quite appealing. The feast concluded some time ago, but Harry and Ron have yet to appear.
She had already considered several negative possibilities before overhearing Lavender and Parvati's conversation. It seems Harry and Ron arrived at school in an enchanted automobile. It was a good thing that the headmaster hasn't consider expelling them.
Honestly, are those two daft? She thought.
"Seriously, they could've just sent an owl to McGonagall; he's got Hedwig with him." She mumbled to herself before drifting off to sleep.
⋆˙⟡
Their first Defense Against the Dark Arts class commenced. Hermione's enthusiasm was palpable. Students having arrived later than her, she manage to secure a front-row seat.
"Nice to meet you all." He grinned, showing off his pearly whites-almost blinding! Lockhart descended the stairs, still smiling. The girls' eyes gleamed with admiration as he commanded the classroom's attention, while the boys visibly expressed their displeasure; she even sensed Theo's eye rolls from behind her.
"I trust you are all familiar with who I am." He chuckles softly as he sits at the edge of his table.
"I have an interesting test for you all." He cheerfully passed out the papers as he walked down the aisle. "Everything is about me, of course. I'll give you thirty minutes to finish it." He clapped and resumed his seated position at his desk.
What is my favourite color?
It was the first question, and she wanted to correctly answer everything. Hermione thought carefully; she knew it was somewhere within the purple range, but what was it?
Perhaps it's lilac?
She wasn't confident at all with her answer, but when she spotted a particular question, her eyes widened, and grinned at it as she quickly wrote down her answer, looking much more confident.
Thirty minutes passed quickly, and Hermione was pleased with herself for answering that one question correctly.
"How in Merlin's name do you know that Granger?" Theo leaned in close to her whispering. Hermione ignored him, her attention is fully on their professor.
"Excellet job Miss Granger, she has answered correctly that my greatest ambition of all time is to rid the world of evil." He flashes a smile, "oh, and of course sell my own line of hair products."
⋆˙⟡
Following the class, everyone gathered in the Great Hall for dinner, but Harry was nowhere to be found.
"Ron, do you know where Harry is?" She glanced around their table, but she did not see him.
"Let's go find him." He proposed, and Hermione concurred; they both rose and departed from the hall.
⋆˙⟡
[Theo]
Theo was conversing with Draco when he noticed his Gryffindor friend departing the hall with Weasley. He stood up quickly, but Draco prevented him from leaving.
"Where'd you think your going, Nott?"
Theo was attempting to devise a hasty excuse to leave from the hall. "I- erm, stomache ache." He retrieved a couple of green apples, stuffing them in his book bag.
He urgently searched the castle corridors for Hermione, noticing muffled arguing from a nearby hallway.
"We should leave—" A faint voice from Potter, no doubt.
Students were already behind him, and upon rounding to the corner, he observed the Gryffindor trio examining a wall; the floor was inundated with water.
"The Chamber of Secrets has been opened?" A voice from behind called out.
"Is that blood on the wall?" Another voice echoed.
"You'll be next mudblood," Draco drawled, that made Theo nudge him.
"Everyone, return to your dormitories immeadietly... Except for you three." Dumblore stepped out, pointing at the Gryffindor trio.
The Slytherin prefect requested that he hurry along, as everyone needed to return to their common rooms immediately. Theo settled onto a couch with Draco and his goons.
"The Chamber of Secrets has been opened?" Theo wondered as Pansy sat beside Draco, fawning over him.
"I heard Father mentioning this before." Draco says, "Last time it was opened, a mudblood died."
Everyone was silent. "If it's indeed real and someone has truly opened it before don't you think we're in danger at all?" Pansy asked as he strokes Draco's arm, Theo's already cringing at the sight of this.
"Don't be ridiculous Pansy," he hissed. "We're purebloods, I heard it only attacks muggle-borns."
Theo's heart sank as he thought of his muggle-born friend, does this mean she'll be in danger then?
Mrs. Norris, Filtch's cat, appears to be petrified, though still alive. Theo is concerned about the possibility of this affecting humans.
Several weeks have passed, and Theo has been researching the creature that petrifies living beings. He has also noticed his witch friend spending more time in the library, although this is not unusual, as she frequently spends considerable time there. He spent some time in the magical creatures section, walking back and forth until a particular book caught his eye. He browsed through 'Most Macabre Monstrosities' before checking it out from the library.
Theo settled onto a bench situated on the Quidditch field, below the stands and near the players' entrance. He opened his borrowed book to begin reading. Theo enjoys studying and reading, but he also loves Quidditch. He didn't make the team this year, but he came to support his best friend at his first practice. Across the field, he glimpsed those bushy curls and wondered why she was reading at the Quidditch field as well.
The Gryffindor team and the Slytherin team emerge from their respective locker rooms almost simultaneously. He observed Weasley and Granger approaching Potter, while he himself approached Draco.
"I book the pitch for today Flint." Wood said.
"Easy Wood, I've got a note." Marcus handed over a parchment to Wood.
Wood then examines the letter; afterward, he looks up and observes the Slytherin team. "You got a new seeker? Who?" Wood asked, Draco came forward with a massive grin on his face.
"Malfoy?" Potter scoffed.
"Those are the new nimbus two thousand and one!" Weasley was shocked to see that every member of the Slytherin team possessed one.
"You see Weasley—" he paused for a moment. "Unlike some, my Father can afford the best." He spat.
"At least the Gryffindor team earned their spot, right? It's all skill, no bribery." Granger interjected.
Draco glared at her, furious, his pale face has turned bright red. "Nobody asked for your opinion, you filthy little mudblood."
The Slytherins snickered while the Gryffindors gasped, all fired up with anger. Theo instinctively felt protective of Granger and hastily pulled Draco away from Weasley, who had attempted to curse him unsuccessfully; the curse backfired, and Weasley was on his knees, vomiting slugs.
"Why the bloody hell did you say that to her, Draco?" Theo let go of Draco's wrist, hissing at him angrily.
"Don't be such a wuss Theo, " He groaned and rolled his eyes.
"Did you see the look on Weasley's face when he barf that slug out of his gut?" He laughed.
"It's fortunate that it wasn't you, isn't it?" He hauled Draco back to the team by the shoulders.
"You're no fun anymore Nott,"
"And Your behavior is becoming increasingly problematic, Malfoy."
Draco dismissively scoffed at Theo's comments, choosing to ignore him and continue his self-congratulatory speech about making Weasley vomit slugs to Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy, who continued to admire him.