Misunderstandings
For the second morning in a row, Theo woke up alone. “What the fuck?” slamming his fist against the bed. “MOPSY”
The little elf popped next to the bed, “Yes Master Theo?”
“Where the hell is Hermione and Draco?” he growled.
She smiled, “Both Master and Miss are in Master’s study.” She waited to see if he had any more questions. “Miss has to leave for Hogwarts soon.”
He jumped out of bed, “The fuck she does.” After taking care of his personal needs, and quickly freshening up he headed to Draco’s study. The door was slightly ajar, but there was no silencing charm in place so they were probably not being intimate. Not actually meaning to eavesdrop on their conversation, he heard Hermione, “Is there anything you can suggest? Now that you and Harry both hold seats, it will help the situation. You were saying reform was happening, I just don’t think it will happen fast enough.”
Draco’s voice was angry. “I’m sorry Sweetheart. I know this means a lot to you, and you have worked hard for it. I just don’t think there is much we can do. Let me talk to Potter and Weasley. Bill has claimed his families seat… Maybe.” There was a bit of silence and Theo was just about to walk in and make his presence known, when Draco continued. “I could ask Theo to…”
“NO.” Hermione’s voice broke in. “No. Draco please don’t ask him. I don’t want him to get involved. I don’t want him to do something that will only cause him upset.”
“You don’t know, Sweetheart, you don’t know that it will cause him anything. I know he would do anything for you. We both would. If he knew what was happening he would want to help.” Draco’s voice was low, deep. He must be close to her.
After a long pause, “I know. I know he would. You both would. But I can’t ask him to do this. I can’t. It’s too hard for him and it will break my heart knowing he had forced himself to endure any type of pain because of me.” There was movement in the room. Her voice reflective, “He told me, he told me about his scars.” Her voice broke, “Physical scars, you see those, you carry those for others to see, But…Emotional scars are rooted deeper, into our souls.”
Theo thought about their conversation a few weeks back. They had been in the shower and she was washing his back. Hermione had never asked about the scars on his back. She had seen them, had touched and caressed them during their lovemaking. But she had never asked about them. He knew that both Narcissa and Draco had told her about his father’s abuse. That day, in the shower, he had turned to grab a scented soap, and her hands, so tiny and soft, had touched his scarred back. She had run her fingers from his shoulders down the length of his back, to just above his waist. Most of the marks were smooth; some were deep groves and others were raised. He had stilled as her tiny fingers moved over them. Of course she had touched them during sex, when they played in the pond (lake) and when they bathed, but this touch, this touch was one of inquiry, one of love, one of gentleness. He waited, not daring to move. Then he felt her lips kiss his back. Kiss his scars. Her cheek brushed gently against his back. Her voice so soft, “Theo, would you tell me what that monster did to you?” Her arms wrapped around him and he held her hands to his chest.
Taking a deep breath, and knowing she deserved to know about his past. He still carried the shame of his father’s abuse. “My childhood, with Theon Nott as my father, was less than idyllic. He was a very mean, controlling man who liked to physically abuse his possessions. I was one of those possessions. I am quite certain, had Narcissa not threatened to report him to the MLE, with abuse of a pureblood heir, he would most likely have killed me.”
She had turned him so he was facing her. Her head tipped up to look into his eyes. “I’m sorry. If it is too painful to remember. You don’t have to tell me.”
He had looked into her eyes, worried he would see pity, but all he saw was love. That love gave him the courage he needed, so he took a deep breath, kissed the tip of her nose, and said, “No kitten, you have every right to know my history. I just wish it was one I could be proud of. My father liked to beat me with a dragon scale belt. Making sure the scales cut into and ripped my skin. He would use the immobulus charm to hold me in place, while he whipped me. I was five, when he told me that screaming was a sign of weakness, and if I screamed, he would draw out my beatings.”
Hermione couldn’t help it, she held him tighter, “Why? Why would he hurt his son? I don’t understand you were just a little boy.”
Theo let out a humorless laugh, “He said looking at me was like looking at the weak, useless whore that had given birth to me.” He had expected Hermione to look away or close her eyes. But his brave witch did neither, she stared into his eyes, letting him know that she would endure hearing about his pain. So, he went on. “Theon would never let the elves help me. If they tried, he would make an example of them. One little elf, she had taken care of me as a baby, she dared to try to apply healing salve for the pain and to prevent my skin from scarring. He cut off one of her hands and one of her ears. As she lay next to me bleeding he had said, ‘The boy needs to remember me always. He needs to know his place. Those marks will always ensure he remembers who his master is.’ Narcissa had tried all the healing medicines, potions and charms she knew, but once the wounds had healed, nothing worked to rid me of the scars. I would always wear Theon Notts marks.”
Hermione’s voice had been so soft, so sad. “What about other adults, was there no one that could help?”
He had shook his head at the memory, “There were witnesses to his cruelty, but they did nothing. Some of those wizards are still around. Some of them are still in power, they hold position in the ministry and some even hold seats on the Wizengamot.” Shaking his head, “Narcissa Black Malfoy was the only one who stood up to him. She was the only one that fought for a little boy locked in a house of horrors.” Kissing her softly on the lips, “So you see why I stick with my potions and my quiet life. I don’t want to see the monsters that watched as a little boy was whipped and left to bleed on the floor while they drank firewhiskey and talked of pureblood domination.”
Theo had watched the tears fall, then he had kissed and licked them away. Holding his gaze, she wanted him to know, “I’m not crying for you out of pity. I am crying for the scared little boy that was all alone.”
Movement in Draco’s study brought his thoughts back to the present. Hermione was saying, “I’m not going to worry about it. If it’s meant to be, it will be. If not, well-. I need to go. I have to stop at the children’s home. I told Jaxson I would pick him up. I was going to show him Hogwarts and introduce him to Hagrid. Then we are coming back here for lunch. Narcissa is taking him to Dromeda’s to play with Teddy.”
Draco laughed, “Tell the little wolf I said Hi.” There was the distinct sound of kissing. “I’m sure I’ll see him one night this week. Mum said he is staying here the nights he needs to take the potion, so we can make sure he doesn’t miss a dose.”
Hermione laughed, her voice getting closer to the door. “Tipsy has already baked a bunch of treats and Jack said he is saving the horses treats for Jaxson.”
Theo moved to push open the door just as Hermione pulled it open. “OH” she startled, a smile crossing her beautiful features. “Good morning Love. I was just leaving. I have a morning date.”
Theo acted incensed. “It most certainly is not a ‘good’ morning. I woke up a lone AGAIN. This is unacceptable. I rolled over and had neither a witch nor a wizard to sink my very hard cock into. And what do you mean you have a date? A date with who?”
Hermione shook her head and giggled. She stood in front of him and tipped her head back, silently asking for a kiss, Which he was only too happy to oblige her with. “I have a date with the cutest little wizard wolf in all of Britain. Jaxson and I are spending the morning at Hogwarts. Then we’ll be back here.” Wrapping her arms around him. “Are you busy later, maybe we can all go for swim.”
Nodding his head, “I would love to hang out with you later. Jaxson is overdue to practice on his broom.” Kissing her one more time she rushed out to the hall floo. As soon as she was gone, he went into Draco’s study and dropped into the chair. “That witch is like a whirlwind.” But when the other man didn’t’ respond he looked up to find grey eyes watching him.
“How much did you hear?”
Theo knew there was no use or reason to deny he had overheard their conversation. Draco already knew. “I heard enough to know that she is asking you for help but doesn’t want to ask me. She is asking for your help with a problem but not me.” Hurt and anger began to edge his tone, “Maybe you can enlighten me as to why our witch feels only you can help her.”
Shaking his head and sitting across from him, “It’s not my place. You heard, she doesn’t want you to know. I don’t know what the protocol is in this situation. I have never kept secrets from you. But it has always been just us, now that she is part of us, what am I supposed to do? She asked me not to say anything to you.”
Theo nodded. “Don’t then. Don’t tell me. I don’t want her to think we won’t keep her confidences.” Then running his fingers through his hair. “Just tell me, is it something that she doesn’t trust me with?”
Draco stood and came to stand in front of him, dropping down to his haunches and laying his hands on Theo’s thighs. “Look at me.” he waited until their eyes locked. “No. She trusts you just as much as I do. She loves you. Believe me when I say, she doesn’t want you to know because she knows you will do anything…everything to help her. Even at the expense of your own comfort or happiness.”
“Is it something that I can help with?” he knew worry laced his voice.
“Theo, Love. Please know that she will tell you, but I don’t know what to do in this situation. I don’t know what to tell you.” Seeing the hurt in those blue eyes. “Fuck. I don’t want you to think she doesn’t… FUCK.” He stood and pulled the other man up and into his arms. “She may lose her job at Hogwarts.”
Theo froze. “What?”
The Board of Governors, found out that she is in the repopulation program…”
Theo’s head shot up, “They don’t want her to work their because she’s with us?”
Draco cupped his face, “No. They don’t want her to work there if she is pregnant. The employment guidelines for witches hasn’t changed since it’s founding. If a teacher is pregnant, they are not allowed to teach. The same goes for any female on staff. The Board of Governors said that she can be the school librarian as long as she is not pregnant.”
Theo was quiet for a while, “Well can’t we petition the Board and get the guidelines changed?”
“That’s what we were talking about. The Board of Governors is made up of Wizengamot council members. They have been on the Board for over thirty years. There has not been any new members to challenge their appointment. So you see there is very little chance that there will be changes made to help our girl.”
“What does she need?” Determination in his voice and question.
“She needs new members on the board that are going to vote for witches rights.”
“Are you going in to the ministry today?”
Draco nodded his head, “Yes.”
Theo laughed. “I’m going with you. What do I need to do to take my fucking family seat?”
“The witch is going to fucking hex my bullocks off for telling you.” Draco’s hand dropped and cupped his crotch.
Theo laughed, “I’m pretty sure she’s going to hex mine too. Let’s hope she waits until after we get her pregnant, or this will have been for nothing.”
Two hours later, Theo was sitting between Potter and Draco listening to some old wizard drone on about floo access for muggle families whose children need access to magical establishments. Leaning over to Potter “What the hell. He seriously want’s to limit muggle parent’s access?”
Potter just shook his head, “Don’t worry, we won’t actually vote on anything. They talk and argue and talk then table it to a future date.”
Theo just shook his head. Then as if taking in Harry’s appearance for the first time, “What’s with you? You look like dragon shit. Are you sick?” Harry, whose clothes were wrinkled, his eyes were half open and were rimmed with dark circles. His hair looked frightening, to be fair it usually looked like that. Theo added, “Seriously, what the fuck happened to you? You look like you just fought a horde of pissed off goblins.”
The savior of the wizarding world just shook his head, “Those witches are fucking killing me.” Then as if he had been hexed, he looked down quickly. “Oh my good Gryffindor, I thought I forgot to put pants on. The second I walk into the house they vanish them and want me to practice getting them pregnant.”
Draco who was listen to their conversation, barked out a laugh loud enough to draw attention to them. Theo smacked him on the back, as if he were coughing. Bill, who was sitting in front of them just dropped his head to hands and growled, “That’s my baby sister.”
Theo and Draco both started snickering.
Harry looked properly shamed, “Sorry Mate.”
When the council meeting ended, it was only eleven. Draco and Theo walked with Harry and Bill to the ministry floo network. Potter was begging the red head, “Could you just please get your sister and Luna to come over and visit with Fleur this afternoon. I really really need to get some sleep.”
To his credit the wizard was patient. “Harry, I really feel sorry for you. Your not sleeping because your have sex all night long. I’m not sleeping because my wife and I have three children under the age of four. Go home, put your big wizard robes on and deal wirh my sister and your other girlfriend.”
Theo couldn’t help it he smacked the shorter man on the back, “Stop at the manor, I can brew you a special pepper up potion that will ‘pepper up’ more than your energy level.”
Draco laughed when Bill’s head snapped to the raven haired wizard, “Seriously? I have to go. Everyone seems to forget that one of those witches is my little sister.” He threw a handful of powder and was gone.
Harry just shook his head. “His ‘little sister’ is a sex crazed wild witch. My dick feels like it’s going to fall off.” He pushed Theo to the floo, “Come on Nott, let’s go get that potion. If it works I’ll give you my Order of Merlin medal.”
By the time Draco stepped into the manor, Theo was leading Harry down to the dungeons, he heard Potter ask, “So how many bedrooms do you guys have? Any spare guest rooms that a bloke can nap in?”
Theo laughed, “I’ll have Mopsy show you to a room. You can take a nap before heading home.”
Draco laughed when he heard Harry, “You’re a good man Nott. I fully support my best friend having your kids.”
Hermione wouldn’t be back until lunchtime. So Draco went into his study to floo call McGonagall. He wanted to talk to the Headmistress about what the Board of Governors had said.
____________
Hermione and Jaxson walked down to Hagrid’s Hut. “Hermione, how old do I have to be to come to Hogwarts? Do I have to have a mom and dad to come to Hogwarts? Will I get to live here if I am a student? Will you be here if I am a student? What house were you in when…”
She couldn’t help but laugh, “Jaxson, sweetie. I will answer your questions, but you have to take a breath and pause between them so I can.”
She watched as he looked at her worried, “I’m sorry. Are you mad at me?”
“No.”
“Are you frustrated?”
“No.”
“Can I still meet Hagrid and go back to the manor?”
She stopped walking and knelt down so she could look into his gold eyes. The little boy had had brown eyes, but when he was bitten and developed lycanthropy they had turned more of a dark gold. “Jaxson. Yes you are still going to meet Hagrid and we are still going to the manor. You are allowed to ask all the questions you want. I will try very hard to answer them and if I don’t know the answer we will look it up or find someone who knows.”
The little boy smiled and threw his arms around her neck. “Thank you. I have sooooooooo many questions.” Then he proceeded to ask them as they went on their way.”
Hagrid was outside his hut when they got there. He was tending to a bird like creature. It was bigger than a chicken but smaller than a hawk. “Good morning Hermione.” Hagrid shouted. “You’re just in time. I was just about to feed the ‘ducken’.”
“Good morning Hagrid. This here is Jaxson. He’s a friend of mine.” Looking at the rather large bird, which did actually look like a cross between a chicken and a duck, but it was so much bigger. “What exactly is that bird Hagrid?”
The giant smiled down at Jaxson, and extended his hand. The little boy took it without hesitation. Actually only shaking the giant’s index finger, since his hand was so tiny. “Well hello there Jaxson, Any friend of Hermione’s is a friend of mine.” The little boy smiled up at him. “Mr. Hagrid you are a giant.” Hagrid nodded his head. Jaxson smiled, “I am a werewolf. Is that okay? Do you still want to be my friend?”
The smile on Hagrid’s face matched the glint in his eyes. “Of course I do. Why some of my closest friends and favorite students are werewolves.” Then upon thinking of what he said, “Oh I probably shouldn’t have said I have favorite students. Could you just forget that part?”
Hagrid begins to sprinkle some sort of bird seed on the ground and the ‘ducken’ jumps from its nest, which looks like a large dirt and feather bowl. As it starts to eat the seeds, a very interesting noise comes from the nest. Hagrid puts a wooden crate next to it and Jaxson steps up to a nest full of baby ‘duckens’. “Oh my goodness!!! Mr. Hagrid, they are so cute. How many are there?”
Smiling like a proud papa, the giant replied, “Thirty. Duckens lay about fifteen to sixty eggs. Since Herbert here is only three years old, he only laid thirty eggs. The older he gets the larger the clutch.”
Hermione was confused. “Hagrid did you say ‘Herbert’ and ‘he’? Do you mean to tell me that the ducken is a boy?”
“Yes. The boys lay the eggs and tend to them.” Hagrid tips his head to the side, “Hhmm. I suppose that is a little different.”
Jaxson is trying to reach into the nest and pet the babies, but Hermione stops him. “Jaxson we shouldn’t touch animals until we know if it is okay. Sometimes they can be dangerous, or their parent’s may not like it.”
Hagrid laughs and pats the little boy on the back. “You go ahead and pet them babies. Their daddy is going to eat all the seed and then fly off to the lake for a bath. He is not worried about them when its feeding time.”
Jaxson reaches in and pets the soft fuzzy babies. Who are whistling and trying to get his attention. “What do they eat?”
Hagrid lifts a bag off the ground and begins to pour little peppers into the nest. “They will eat pretty much any fruit or vegetable, but their favorites are sweet peppers. Any type of sweet peppers.”
After watching the baby duckens eat and then promptly fall asleep Hagrid gave Jaxson a tour of the grounds. Stopping at he stables and showing him the horses. “Draco and Theo have horses too. They let me pet them and Theo promised I could go on a ride with him, on one the winged horses.”
Hagrid laughed, “It sounds like Draco and Theo are good friends. You and Hermione sure are lucky to have them.”
Hermione couldn’t help but smile at her friend. He never questioned her pairing with the two wizards, just congratulated her when she told him. Draco’s father had caused a lot of trouble for the groundskeeper when they were students. But when she had told him that she was in the repopulation program and that Draco and Theo were her wizards, Hagrid had told her they were good men and they would be good fathers. Confused by his praise of the wizards, she had inquired how he could possible know that. The giant just shrugged and said. “Those two had horrible example for fathers. Power hungry, magic and blood purists and both of them abusive. Yet when they were students the one girl they always watched - The one girl they had always secretly protected from their classmates, was her.”
She had been flummoxed. “Hagrid, what are you say? How could you possible know that.”
He just smiled and said, “Hermione Granger, I have eyes and I know the look of boys that are taken with a witch.” The memory of their conversation makes her smile. After helping Hagrid and seeing the new beetle colony by the forest and frog collection by the lake Hermione told the little boy they were going to go into Hogsmeade and then back to the manor. “Since you have been such a good boy, we are going to stop at Honeydukes and get a special treat for you, Draco and Theo.” Her heart was so full, thinking about spending the rest of the afternoon with her boys.
_____________
Theo and Narcissa are waiting on the terrace with lunch. Tipsy prepared some delicious meat and veggie hand pies along with three different types of cookies. Narcissa told the little wolf to run up to ‘his room’ to freshen up. Smiling, Hermione took a seat waiting for his return.
Hermione ask, “Where is Draco?”
Waiting, Theo didn’t answer so Narcissa did, “He said he had an unexpected meeting. He’ll be back later.” Narcissa looked at Theo with concern but then smiled at Hermione. “Well Dear what did our little boy think of Hogwarts?”
Her smile grew, “He loved it, he met some ghosts and the house elves showed him around the kitchen and the great hall. Madam Pompfrey let him play in the hospital ward, he bandaged one of the house elves for fun. Then he helped Hagrid. We stopped at the new shrieking shack, he was very excited to see where the other werewolf students would spend the full moon.” As she told them about her day, she watched Theo. He was being quiet. Smiling and nodding at all the right places in her story but she could tell he wasn’t really listening.
The little wizard wolf reemerged and then hugged Narcissa. He threw himself at Theo then. “Theo, Hermione said we may be able to go swimming, but that you wanted me to practice my broom.”
Seeming to finally join them, Theo genuinely smiled at the little boy, “Yes. you need to practice so we can move you up to the next level broom.” Winking and whispering rather loudly, “Draco already has the next one on order. So we better master this one soon.”
Narcissa spoke up, “Dromeda, Dam and I have plans with the boys today, so I don’t think he will have time to swim but defiantly flying. Then maybe he can bring his broom, Teddy has a practice broom too, Dam could help the boys later.”
Theo just nodded. “Sure mum, I’ll work with him for just a little before you leave.” Hermione noticed he wasn’t looking at her. He was focused on the little boy, his mum and his lunch, which he wasn’t actually eating. Worry niggled in the back of her mind. Had she done something to upset him?
As soon as lunch was done, he and Jaxson excused themselves and went to the broom shed. Narcissa turned to Hermione, “Is everything okay with Theo Dear? He was very quiet during lunch.”
Hermione chewed on her lip, “I don’t know. I was wondering the same thing.”
An hour later the little boy came running up to Hermione, “Did you see me. I flew. I flew.”
She had seen him, his little training broom, hovered three feet off the ground and he had flown all around the back garden. He flew to the broom shed and the barn, He had steered himself around the gazabo. Theo had guided him away from Narcissa’s albino peacocks. “You were brilliant. I’m so proud of you.” She looked up expecting Theo to be joining them. “Jaxson, where is Theo?”
The little boy was still smiling when Narcissa joined them, “Come along Jaxson, we have to go. Dromeda, Dam and Teddy are waiting for us. Bring your broom.” She turned and kissed Hermione’s cheek. “We will see you later dear.”
Smiling at the two, but not feeling it in her heart, “Yes. Could you please tell Dam I will be able to help with distribution of the potion all three nights this week.”
“Of course.” The older witch smiled and turned holding the little boy’s hand and headed in to floo to Dromeda’s.
Hermione sat on the terrace and waited to see if Theo joined her. Something was wrong, after a very very long ten minutes, she couldn’t wait anymore, so she went in search of the wizard. She found him sitting by the pond (it was really a small lake).
Theo didn’t know how long he had been sitting, staring at the water. Helping Jaxson practice on his broom had given him something to think about. But now that the little boy was back at the house and leaving with Narcissa he was alone with Hermione. Draco had told him what he and Hermione had talked about this morning. Hell, he had even gone to the ministry and filed all the paperwork to claim his seat on the fucking Wizengamot council. Didn’t she realize he would do anything for her. At the time he wasn’t really that upset. But the more he thought about it the more hurt and angrier he became. She hadn’t come to him. She didn’t tell him that her dream job at Hogwarts was in trouble. She didn’t even want him to know about it. The only conclusion he could come to was, she didn’t think he was strong enough to help her. Those fucking scars on his back showed her just how weak he was.
Hermione approached the wizard, he was just staring off as if in deep thought. She knew he sensed her when his back and shoulders visibly stiffened. Biting her lip, “I’m sorry. I don’t want to disturb you. If you want, I can…Would you like me to leave?” Silently she prayed he would say no.
He never looked at her. “Stay if you want or go, it’s up to you.”
She didn’t know what to do so she slowly walked to his side and sat down. “Are you okay?”
“Sure.”
“Are you mad at me? Have I done something to upset you?”
“Why would you wonder that?” He still looked straight ahead.
“Because I feel like you’re avoiding me. I feel like you really don’t want me here right now.”
“Do you want to be here?” He runs his hand through his hair and looks down at the ground. “Draco will be home soon, you can be with him.”
“What? I want to be with you.” Her voice quiet even to her. “Did I do something…Please talk to me.” When he didn’t respond. “Do you want me to leave you alone?”
Theo stood abruptly and rubbed his hands down his face. “If you don’t mind, I need a little time. When Draco gets home, I’m sure you two will have a lot to talk about.” With that he turned and walked toward the shed. It took all his will to keep walking and to not look back. Her voice was so sad. But, he was too busy drowning in his own feelings of inadequacies and self-pity. He never saw the tears sliding down her face, or the hurt in her eyes.
She just watched as Theo went to the barn and flew off on one of the winged horses. As he flew over the manor, she wiped her tears and quieted her sobs. Not sure what she had done, but knowing in her heart that somehow she had hurt him.
Theo was too lost in his own head believing that he was not good enough to help her. She hadn’t come to him. She had made Dra promise not to tell him, but he had pull it out of him. Once he had found out about the threat on her position at Hogwarts he didn’t hesitate to claim his seat. He would do anything to help her. The fact that she didn’t come to him, combined with the fact that she thought him so fragile, that she didn’t want to ask for his help, ripped his heart out of his chest. He flew high and fast. Needing to get the thoughts out of his head that she turned to Draco. He wasn’t jealous, not really, he was hurt. He realized she thought he was weak. He was, wasn’t he? The evidence on his back. The evidence that he couldn’t save her that day at Hogwarts. Draco had saved her. He flew for hours, it was dark when he finally landed and brought the horse back to the barn. Jack cleaned and cooled him down. Hippy made sure he was given the best feed.
Planning to spend the night in his lab, he walked back to the house. Draco’s voice broke through the darkness. He was sitting on the terrace with a firewhiskey in hand. “I don’t know what the fuck happened today, but I came home to a message from mum that she and Jaxson are staying at Dromeda’s The boys are ‘camping with Dam’. Our witch has locked herself in her old room and Mospy said she has refused to eat and is crying. My wizard is on a horse, flying who the fuck knows where. So would you like to enlighten me as to what in the name of Salizar Slytherin’s saggy balls is going on?”
Theo wasn’t sure he had heard all the words that Draco had said, “she refused to eat and is crying.” Looking lost, “What do you mean she’s crying? Why is she crying?”
The blonde just finished his drink and poured himself another one, “Shit if I know. She has locked her doors and warded me out. She won’t answer. I made Mopsy pop in and check on her, she came out with the message, “Tell ‘them’ I’m sleeping in my room tonight.”
Theo again asked, “Why?” Then as if just realizing something. “What do you mean she warded her rooms. This is your manor. The house literally responds to you. You could break that shit down.”
“Yes, I know I can, but I don’t want her to think she has no place that is just hers.” Draco looked exhausted.
Draining his glass again, then slamming it down, “As for your other question, I don’t know WHY.” His temper rising. “I wasn’t here all day. I don’t know what happened.”
Theo shouted, “MOPSY”
The little elf popped in front of him. Her arms crossed and foot tapping. Not looking at him. “What Master Theo.” Yep add in a whole lot of attitude.
“Mopsy, do you know what is wrong with Hermione?:
The little elf doesn’t even look at him. “Miss want’s to sleep in her room. She does not want to see wizards tonight. She does not want to eat tonight.”
Snapping at the elf, “I asked, Do. You. Know. WHY?”
She let’s out a long sigh. “Yes. Miss has been crying since Mistress left. After you went away on the horse, she cried by the lake for a bit then closed herself into her rooms.”
Biting his tongue, “BUT WHY?”
Finally, the little elf looks at him and her next words rip his chest open. “Miss said Master Theo was mad at her and didn’t seem to want to be with her.” Her big eyes narrow on him. “Miss said “Master flew away from her, rather than talk.”
Theo grabs Draco’s glass and pours a lot of firewhiskey into it then drinks it right down. “Fuck. I fucked up.”
The elf just looked at him as if to say, ‘Yes. Yes you did.’ Draco actually did say “Yes you did.”
He starts walking into the house heading for the stairs. “Mopsy can you please go to Hermione and ask her to please open the door.”
The little elf’s look is skeptical, but she nods. By the time he and Draco get to the door Mopsy is standing in the hall. “Miss is sleeping. She cried herself to sleep.”
Draco watches as Theo punches the wall and splits his knuckles open. He doesn’t stop him when he does it again. But when he goes to do it a third time he grabs the wizards arm. “Stop. You’re hurting yourself.”
“I fucking deserve it. I hurt her. I let my bruised ego, my fucking insecurities take over and I hurt her.” The blood dripping from his hand splashes onto the floor.
Draco cradles Theo’s hand in his. “Come, let me fix this.”
The wizard pulls his hand away, smearing blood all over the front of his shirt. “No. I fucking deserve it. I deserve the pain. I don’t deserve her or you. But this,” He holds up his hand, all of his knuckles split and bleeding. “This, I deserve.”
“You don’t Theo. You don’t deserve that.” Putting his hand around the other man’s neck and touching their foreheads together, “You had a fight. It was bound to happen.”
“No Dra. We didn’t have a fight. I didn’t say anything. I froze her out. I ignored her because of my feelings of inadequacies. I let all my fucked up insecurities out and I pushed her away.” Draco saw the anguish in the other man’s eyes. “I hurt her. I fucking made her cry.”
Draco turned to Mopsy, “Stay with her tonight. If she needs anything please come and get us. He puts and arm around Theo, “Come let me clean and heal your hand.”
Theo resists. “No. I don’t deserve it. I don’t want it. I just want to sit out here and wait for her.”
The blond begs, “Please let me at least clean your hand and heal it. Then you can come and sit out here all night if you want.” He put his arm around Theo and guided him. He went without further fight.
Thirty minutes later, Theo’s hand was cleaned, partially healed and Draco had convince him to take a pain potion. They were both in the hall outside of Hermione’s and Jaxson’s rooms. She had given her rooms over to the little boy without a thought. Her place had always been with them. There had never been a question, if they were home they slept together. That is until tonight.
Both wizards were sitting on the floor outside Hermione’s rooms. Draco on one side of the door and Theo on the other. “Draco, I’m sorry. I’m sorry you have to sleep without her because of me.”
He was tired and worried about both his witch and wizard. Theo seemed to be okay today. Sure he was upset that Hermione didn’t tell him about her job. Unfortunately, he had not calculated just how insecure that had made him feel. He seemed fine when he had completed the paperwork to claim the Nott seat on the council. He was properly bored at the council meeting, but they all were. He was laughing and joking with Potter when they reached the manor. So where did it all go wrong? “Stop Theo. I’m sure this is just a misunderstanding. We will clear it up in the morning.” He looked over to his love, fuck he was a mess, still in the blood stained shirt, his hair messed and his expression vacant. Fuck, he was lost in his own head. There will be no reaching him until he can talk to Hermione.
They sat in silence for hours. Neither one able to sleep. But not knowing what more could be said without first talking to Hermione. At three in the morning, they both jumped up, fear and anxiety tightening their chests. Both wizards said “Hermione.” At the same time. They tried to open the door, it was locked and warded. Again both wizards yelled “Mopsy.” But the little elf didn’t appear. Theo looked to Draco, “What do we do? Dra she’s in trouble.”
Since Draco was the head of house, all wards responded to him. Putting both his hands on the doorknob he recalled the charm to drop the wards and unlock the doors.
Rushing threw the dark sitting room into he bedroom. There was only the light of the moon shining in the room. No candles were burning and the fire place was dark. Theo wandlessly lit some candles. And the sight before them froze them both to the spot. Mopsy was holding the little witch and whispering to her. But Hermione was holding her middle, crying and shaking. She was saying something, but they couldn’t make it out from their positions in the room.
Draco reached them first. He was aware that the elf was soothing Hermione. She was trying to softly talk her into relaxing her muscles. Then and only then could they begin to address the tremors that were wracking her body. Both wizards laid their hands on the trembling figure adding their triad magic to the mix. Almost immediately her muscles began to relax.
This close they could now hear what she was saying. “I’m sorry. I so sorry. I’m sorry. Please still love me. Please love. Don’t leave me. Please love me. I’m sorry.”
Draco looked at Theo and knew that he blamed himself for the little witch’s episode. “No Theo. Do Not get lost in that head of yours. Do not give Thoen Nott one more second of yourself. She’s fine. We helped her relax her muscles. Now she needs us to wake her.” Looking at Mopsy, “Give her to Theo.”
“NO.” Theo shouts and begins to back away. “NO. I can’t. I did this to her.” Draco grabs his hands before he could run out of the room.
“Take her from Mopsy Theo.” He pulls the wizard back to the bed. “Take her. She needs your strong arms embracing her. She needs to feel your chest rising and falling as you breath her in. She needs to feel your heartbeat against her body and she needs to hear your voice calling her back.”
Theo bent and took Hermione out of the little elf’s embrace and sat on the bed, holding her. She was so small against him. He could still feel the tremors. Her face was buried in his neck she was unconsciously breathing him in. Deep breaths in and soft words out. “Theo. I’m sorry. Theo, my Theo. Please love me. Please come back. Don’t leave me.” His heart broke with each word. She had needed him and he had walked away. Draco was talking to Mopsy and at some point Tipsy had joined them. Both elves were nodding their heads to whatever instructions he was giving them.
“Theo. Love” Draco’s voice was behind him. He crawled on the bed and was embracing them both. “Theo. Talk to her. She needs to hear your voice. She’s like mum, our witch is trapped. I can’t give her a potion until she wakes.”
Theo kissed her head, then breathed her scent into his lungs. “Hermione. Kitten. You need to wake up. Draco and I are here and we need you to wake up and come back to us.” Draco’s embrace tightened. Theo could feel the magic of the triad bond humming around them. “Come on Kitten. Come back to us. We need you. I need you. I will never walk away from you again. I promise.”
Draco felt the magic flow through him, Theo and Hermione. He felt a protective healing shield fall into place around them. He wasn’t using any charm or spell. The magic was doing it. It was protecting them while they were vulnerable. Magic was pulling from him and he was sure it was pulling from Theo to go into Hermione to help heal her. “Good job Theo keep talking to her.” He tightened his grip around the wizard and kissed and licked his pulse point.
When the little witch finally stirred she felt arms around her, strong arms, Clover, toffee and cedar wood. “Theo.” She whispered. Tears began to fall, Theo was holding her. It wasn’t a dream. Just then his voice deep and soft.
“There you are Kitten. That’s my girl.”
Draco stilled when he heard her voice. He looked over Theo’s shoulder and watched as Hermione breathed him in, burrowing her face into the other man’s neck. He listened as Theo soothed her with his voice. “That’s our Good Girl. You’re okay. We have you.” Turning his head, he saw Draco watching them. “Draco’s here Kitten. Could you open your beautiful brown eyes for us?”
She slowly opened her eyes and they were met with cobalt blue. The tears instantly came. “Theo. I’m so sorry for whatever I did. I don’t know what I did but if you tell me I promise to never do it again. I love you. Please don’t stop loving me. Please don’t leave me.” Her voice cracked and broke into a sob.
Theo’s mind stopped working for a minute and his heart felt like it was being ripped out. Realizing that two of the people she loved, her parents, were lost to her. Their love gone from her life. He had opened that wound without even realizing it. Him not talking to her and just leaving the way he did made her heart and brain connect to the loss of her parents and maybe even the loss of her first love. He had fucked up. He needed to fix this. “My beautiful witch. I am the one that needs to apologize to you. I was the one to blame. My stupidity and insecurity and general fucked-up-ness hurt you. I’m so sorry. Will you forgive me?” She shook her head, and his world began to crumble.
Then she spoke. “There is nothing to forgive. I hurt you somehow. Please tell me so I can make sure I never do that again.”
He kissed the top of her head, “Truly Kitten you didn’t do anything. I was the one that hurt you. I was the one that walked and then flew away from you.”
Draco cleared his throat. “We have time to sort this whole thing out. Right now I need to make sure Hermione takes her potion and Tipsy has brought her a tray. Mopsy has drawn her a bath.” At the worried look in her eyes, he corrected. “Us. Mopsy has drawn US a bath. With those words he extricated himself from his position behind Theo and came around to slowly pour Hermione’s potion into her mouth. Then he placed a soft kiss on her forehead. When he reached for the little witch, Theo’s embrace tightened.
“No. I’ll carry her to our rooms.” He stood and carried her like a princess. Placing her on the bed, Theo stepped back and a look of horror came over her face. “What is it Kitten?”
“Your shirt is covered in blood. Did I do that while I was --- ‘gone’?”
Quickly Theo vanished the shirt. “No. Kitten. No. you didn’t do that. I did it.”
When that vague explanation didn’t wipe the look off her face Draco clarified. “That is all Theo’s blood. He got into a fight with the wall and well, let’s just say the wall won.” Draco put an arm out to her and guided her to the ensuite. The bath was full and the room smelled of lavender and eucalyptus, which would help her muscles.
All three settled into the bath. There was a lot of touching, but none of it was of a sexual nature. Both wizards tended to the witch. They gently washed her and massaged her aching muscles. She didn’t talk or ask questions, and any words they spoke were said in soft, gentle tones and meant to reassure her that she and they were fine, and the situation would be okay.
Theo got out first and dried off, then he helped Hermione out and dried her with a warm towel, used a charm on her hair. Wrapping her in a soft warm robe he carried her to the small table in the bedroom where Tipsy had set a tray. Both he and Draco joined her. Tending to her, Draco making her a small plate of pastries and fruit. Theo pouring and making her tea.
Hermione waited until the wizards were done and sitting still, She found her voice. Not looking at either of them. “Thank you. Thank you for taking care of me and thank you for all of this.” She tipped her head toward the table, but still didn’t lift her eyes to either of them.
“Sweetheart, you don’t ever have to thank us for taking care of you. It is our honor. Everyday with you is a gift.” Draco reached over and gently stroked her cheek. “You are so precious to us.”
They watched the little witch’s bite her lip, she worried it for a moment. Still not looking at them. “Theo I’m sorry for whatever I did to you. Please don’t be mad at me. I will fix whatever it is.”
Theo moved so quickly, kneeling in front of her, “No. You don’t apologize to me. I don’t deserve it. I am the one who needs to apologize. I hurt you. My insecurities caused this.”
Hermione finally looked up at him, blue eyes locked to brown, Tears were falling, “No. I did something to hurt you. Please tell me.”
Draco watched them, his heart breaking for the wizard. He watched as Theo took her hands and kissed each of them. “My beautiful, perfect little Kitten. You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s me. Me and my fucked-up paranoid, insecure ego. My belief that I don’t deserve you. I don’t deserve Draco. I don’t deserve the happiness that both of you bring to me. Because I can’t imagine what I bring to this dynamic. I heard you two talking, you asked him for his help. I thought you didn’t ask me because you realized I was weak. Because of my history.”
Hermione began shaking her head and tightened her grip on his hands. “No. No. No. I would never think you are weak. I didn’t ask you because I didn’t want you to have to remember and face those demons from your past. I didn’t want to be the reason you felt any type of pain.” Her voice breaking. “Draco is on the Wizengamot and he can address my needs. I didn’t want you to feel obligated to take your family seat and have to interact with the bastards who stood by and witnessed your abuse.
Leaning his forehead to her, “Don’t you know that I would do anything, endure anything to help you. To protect you. To love you. I have never felt more complete in my whole life as I do with both of you.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I claimed my seat today. I looked everyone of those old fuckers in the eyes and let them see that Theon Nott did not break me. He does not control me. I survived while he was tossed in the sea outside of Azkaban.” Draco watched as he released her hands and cupped her face. “I was able to face those demons because of yours and Draco’s love. But I couldn’t stand it if you thought I was weak. I need you both to need me. I need you both to believe that I am strong enough to be there for you.”
As tears streamed from her eyes, Hermione wrapped her arms around Theo and kissed him. “I could never think you were weak. You and Draco are two of the strongest men I have ever known. Those scars on your back, the mark on Draco’s arm, my scars, they are all proof that we fight for what we want. You both endured so much, and yet neither of you gave up on love and you both have hope for the future.” She put her arm out to show Draco she wanted him to join them. “I can’t remember what it was like to not be loved by you both.” She kissed each of them and watched as they kissed each other. “I don’t ever want to know that feeling.” Looking from one to the other. “You are both Mine.”
Draco nodded. “I love you both, and you are both Mine.”
Theo smiled, “Well fuck declarations all around, I love you both and you are both Mine.”
When they finally disentangled themselves from each other, and sent the tray back to the kitchen, the morning light was just starting to come through the window. Draco grumbled. “We need sleep. I don’t have any appointments. Theo, do you have anything that needs attention before noon today?”
“No.”
“Hermione?”
She shook her head. “No.”
The blonde smirked, “Good” and with a waive of his hand the curtains were closed and the fire was lit. “Let’s go to bed. I’m fucking exhausted.”
When then were all tucked in and holding each other. Kisses and good nights all around. Hermione broke the silence, “I don’t want to discuss this now, since we all need some sleep but I wanted you both to know, I think I’m ready.”
With those four little words spoken out loud the witch fell sound asleep. Blue eyes met grey and happiness, love and a little bit of fear reflected back. The two wizards snuggled a little closer to the little witch between them. Sleep finally finding them.