Chapter 8
That morning Daisy waited apprehensively for the mail to arrive. When the owl she chose that morning at the owlery landed in front of Theo, leaving him his gift, she could not help but look at the way he fled the great hall as soon as he realized that the handwriting on the envelope was his own.
She observed the confusion and concern on his friends' faces but they didn't move a muscle to follow him. They knew, as did she, that Theo needed to vent, dealing with those negative feelings.
Daisy had done what she needed to do; it was up to him to decide how to act.
As she was on her way to the spell room for her first class of the day, someone grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her into an empty classroom. She felt her heart in her throat as fear gripped her but when she recognized the face of her "captor" she relaxed.
" Whats this? " Theo asked while waving the gift angrily in front of her face.
" A bracelet with a passport incorporated. I thought I had explained it well in the letter. " she replied, trying to sound as bored and not as hurt as she felt.
" I told you I didn't want your help. " he reminded her coldly while turning away from her. Wanting to keep his distance, he leaned back against the wall at the back of the room.
" We don't all get what we want in life. " she replied, mirroring his tone and crossing her arms in front of her chest to give her a semblance of protection. " I worked on that bracelet for months, the least you could do is respect my hard work and wear it. Keeping it on your person doesn't mean choosing sides, it only means that you will have a way to escape if the situation requires it. "
" I am not forgiving you. " he stated as he put the gift on with a gentleness that contrasted with his rigid demeanor. For a moment-so brief that Daisy might have thought she had imagined it-his face softened as he distractedly caressed the object.
" I didn't apologize. I did nothing wrong. " she said, repeating the words her brother tried to instill in her over the past few days.
" Of course you did! " shouted Theo, looking at her with tears in his eyes. " You gave me the benefit of the doubt, you wanted to know me for who I am, you are interested in my life of and actively try to improve it even when I am an asshole. You have witnessed all my worst parts and continued to want to be there for me. You watch me fall apart and you don't judge me for it but you wait until I've vented enough to ... I hate you. How could you come into my life and make me feel like a person? How could you dare to give me something nice or even talk to me as if I was one of the good guys? I hate you because you are making me hope that I can have better than the life my father built for me! And this hope, which will collapse exactly one year from now, will only make the day when I have to take the dark mark more difficult. "
" You don't hate me. " announced Daisy, cautiously moving closer to the boy and brushing his hair away from his forehead so she could look into his eyes. They were so close that she could smell the cigarettes he had surely smoked in a vain attempt to calm his nerves. She wrinkled her nose, but said nothing so as not to break the moment. She wiped away the tears that had fallen during his outburst with her thumbs and smiled at him understandingly. " But if you want to pretend to do it as long as you accept it, that's fine. I'll wait. "
The boy's lost eyes filled with something Daisy could not decipher. And then his hands, strong and tough, gripped the girl's hips, pulling her against his chest. He bowed his head and slammed his lips against hers, pulling her into an intense, persistent kiss that made her hold on to him as if he were the only thing keeping her feet firmly on the ground.
It didn't matter that they had to work things out or talk about what was going on between them. All Daisy wanted was to submit to the euphoric feeling she was experiencing. The girl plunged back into his arms, reciprocating with equal fervor.
When Theo broke the kiss and smiled at her as he used to do, Daisy knew that everything was going to be all right.
" Thank you for listening to me without hitting me. " he said, winking at her.
" I would never have done that. " the girl was offended.
" I know. " He took her hands in his and kissed them as if they were something precious. " But if I say that I hate you one more time, you'll seriously punch me. " he added, amused.
" It wouldn't be nice to spoil that pretty face of yours. Especially not on your birthday. " she retorted, returning the gesture and watching in delight at the way the boy fidgeted. " Best wishes, by the way. "
" I wish you could celebrate with me. " said Theo, displeased. " Blaise is throwing me a party and I'm supposed to pretend I don't know anything about it because Astoria let it slip. "
" Have you practiced making a fairly believable surprise face? " Daisy asked, amused. " You'll get that poor girl into trouble. "
" Blaise won't notice. He has spent the last few weeks introducing me to different girls because he says he got tired of having to put up with my temper. " he said, smiling when he heard Daisy stiffen at his words. " It would be easier if he knew about us. "
" Us? " asked the Hufflepuff, raising an eyebrow in his direction.
" You won't get rid of me after today. You should consider yourself officially in a relationship. " smirked Theo.
" If we are going to be together, you must promise me that you will not ignore me again at the next problem. " she demanded, frightened.
" I promise you. " he swore, firmly. " Nothing more like that. And of course there is no need to worry about tonight because I won't be watching anyone. I will be too busy thinking about you. "
" Enchanter. " She rolled her eyes. " Pretty words will not be enough to make me forget about the possible punishment I will receive because of you. "
" I have an idea of what would be enough. " Said the boy, gently taking her face in his hands and kissing her repeatedly. It was as if, once he tasted the flavor of her lips, he couldn't get enough.
" My poor eyes. " Harry said, opening the door and looking at them disgusted. Daisy and Theo startled at the unexpected sound and turned away from each other.
" Harry James Potter, I can hear you smiling from here. I suggest you stop and tell me what you are doing here. " His twin threatened him before turning to reassure Theo, who looked terrified they had been discovered.
" My dearest sister, I remind you that you are skipping class to make out with the one I assume has become your boyfriend after the magnificent gift you gave him. " The Gryffindor teased her. " By the way, happy birthday. "
" Happy birthday, Theodore. " agreed Luna, popping up behind Harry's figure and almost giving Daisy a heart attack.
" Thanks. I guess. " said the Slytherin, shocked.
" You'd better. " nodded Harry. " I didn't risk being horribly mutilated to secure your gift without getting so much as a thank you."
" You risked your twin's life to make mine safe? Thank you, baby. " joked Theo, kissing her temple in gratitude.
" What are you doing here? " asked Daisy, confused.
" They sent me to find Theo. " explained Harry. " In fact, we should get back to class before they send Malfoy or, worse, Ron. Within seconds the whole school would know about you. "
" He yells a lot when he doesn't like something. " Luna commented, approaching and taking her friend by the hand. " We have to go back to class. Better not mess with luck, the nargles might ruin everything. "
" We'd better go before Umbridge finds us. " agreed Daisy, waving goodbye to the two boys and leaving the classroom behind. The last thing she saw, to her amusement, was Harry dragging Theo by the arm as the latter was complaining about the Potters' bossiness.