Chapter 27
The next day, Theo seemed to improve. Although his physique no longer found any injuries, except for the cuts that would remain etched on his face forever, Daisy knew how much the boy was suffering from what had happened. She allowed him to wear a mask of indifference, knowing it was something he needed because he wasn't yet totally ready to face the reality of the facts. Sure, he had let his emotions succumb the previous night and let it out, but Daisy knew how much that pain was now ingrained in him and that he needed time to accept what had been done to him.
Although Daisy tried to keep him in bed in a forced rest, Theo had to draw a line on the Hufflepuff's exaggerated concern. After promising her that he was feeling better, he managed to convince her to let him move freely around the house.
To Daisy's mortification, her godparents seemed to have become children again judging by the immature behavior they were displaying. She knew they wouldn't take kindly the fact that she was engaged, and it certainly didn't help the horrible way they had found out. But even for her, she knew they were making a mistake by not giving a chance to the precious boy who would risk his life to be with her.
It all began that morning, when they went down to breakfast they could not find a dish ready for the Slytherin. In time it became clear that the two men were pretending that Theo was not home with them.
Obviously Theo was hurt by the gesture but if his fiancé knew how to do anything right it was to be an asshole. Attempting to trigger a reaction from what Daisy considered her parents, Theo was happy to pretend they could not see him.
He grabbed her by the hips and sat her on top of him, whispering things in her ear that made her the shade of a tomato.
Trying to see how far they would hold out, Theo smiled smugly as he watched Sirius and Remus' jaws clench and, content, continued to flirt with her as shamelessly as possible. It had become a war to see who would break first, and knowing that things would quickly progress into something irreparable, Daisy decided to end it all.
After asking Theo to wait for her in the living room, she gave the two men a look so full of contempt and disappointment that they faltered. She scolded them so harshly that they promised to behave decently.
They looked like they had swallowed an entire lemon because of the sour face they had but apologized to Theo for the childish behavior. Although Daisy could see how much they seemed to want to continue pretending he did not exist, they made an effort in getting to know him. They questioned him about their relationship and his life, looking for something to justify them hating him, but after a few minutes Daisy knew they would love him. The stiffness and discomfort quickly disappeared, turning into a kind of understanding. Theo was too much like them in some ways that it would have been impossible not to love his cheekiness and curiosity. A bonus was definitely the way he seemed unable to take his eyes off her, always with his adoring face turned toward her, which the two men found as sweet as funny.
Soon they were all talking about music in an attempt to forget the heavier talk they had previously , and to Daisy's chagrin, they seemed to be getting along even too well. Their reunion pleasantly accompanied by the notes of the album 'the rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust and the spiders from mars,' was interrupted by the appearance of someone.
Dumbledore and Harry stood before them with the same expressions of disbelief on their faces. They certainly had not expected to witness such an unusual scene.
While Dumbledore watched with tears in his eyes, Harry launched himself at them, not even giving them time to get up from the couch in which they were sitting. He previously hugged his sister, giving her support, later passing to Theo. The gesture surprised the Slytherin but he seemed to relax at the other boy's touch rather than retreat. They considered each other friends but had never openly shown any affection, in fact they had never actively touched each other except for the punch Theo had thrown at the Gryffindor a few months earlier.
" The boys were worried, send them a patronus to reassure them as soon as you can. " whispered Harry, squeezing the back of the other boy's head reassuringly before walking away to greet his godparents.
" I'm aware that being at the school could be dangerous but I could assign you a room away from the dungeon so that you would be kept as safe as possible. " The principal proposed, apologizing for not stopping his father.
" I won't be back. " said Theo, having previously covered the subject with the residents of that house. It had initially been awkward interacting with his fiancée's parents, who always seemed undecided between showering him with affection for what he had suffered and choking him for daring to fall in love with their little girl. But they got over it, assuring him a place in their home without the slightest hesitation. " At least not for the moment. "
" So they will think they have won. " Harry said, confused.
" I don't know if you noticed, but they did. " blurted out the Slytherin, pointing bitterly at his bandage-covered face.
" You're alive so you won. " retorted Daisy, in a tone that made it clear to everyone present that this was not the first time she had repeated that phrase.
" I will stay here for the moment. " resumed the speech Theo, saying he needed time to recover. " Maybe my answer will change after the Easter vacations. "
" As soon as you are ready, Hogwarts will be happy to welcome you back. " The principal reassured him, understanding his need to be alone. " However, Miss Potter will have to return to school. "
" There was no doubt about that. " nodded Remus, not giving his adopted daughter time to retort. He was aware that if he gave her time to respond, she would oppose the decision. " Albus, would you mind leaving them with us for the night? We will send them back tomorrow morning in time for the first lesson. "
" Sure, no problem. " smiled the principal, accepting the cup of tea Sirius offered him. He followed the two adults into the kitchen so they could talk freely about what had happened to Theo and certainly about how the upcoming meetings of the order would unfold now that they had a guest in the house.
Harry and Daisy looked at each other for a long time before nodding, leading Theo to ask for an explanation of whatever they had decided without consulting him.
" We'll tell Sirius and Remus what we did. " Harry explained, knowing that they would have no opportunity to get close to Nagini and thus find out what the last Horcrux was. " We need their help and very soon we should begin our plan, even if not quite ready. "
" What do the others think? " Theo asked, nervous at the prospect of his friends being hurt.
" They are ready, otherwise we would not have even dared to agree to tell our godfathers. " Harry reassured him before he turned an uneasy smile toward his sister. " Now, how did the meeting go? Did Sirius turn and chase after him while snarling at him? "
" Stop looking so amused, it was horrible. " snorted Daisy as she told her brother what their godfathers had been up to. " But now they really seem to be getting along so I'll try to forget what all three of them did. "
" What does this have to do with me? " Theo asked, outraged.
" Do you really want to talk about this in front of Harry? " the Hufflepuff raised an eyebrow, casting a meaningful glance toward his groin. When the Slytherin shut up, turning red, Daisy did not hold back and burst out laughing with amusement.
"You are completely insane. " Harry shook his head. " I don't understand why I keep being amazed. "
" Because you keep hoping for our improvement. " guessed Theo, amused by the Gryffindor's distress.
The principal stayed with them for most of the afternoon, even playing a game of pop shooter with Harry, Daisy and Sirius. The loud and constant bangs unnerved Remus and Theo, who had opted for a game of wizard chess instead. Both left the room as the four were amused by their offended mutterings.
They had a fun day all in all, and soon it was time to rest. Although Daisy didn't want to return to school the next day, leaving Theo behind. But she knew she had no other choice. At least she would be able to spend time perfecting their plan and in doing so, she hoped, end the pointless war that had been going on for too long.
That evening, before everyone fell asleep again, Remus passed by Daisy's room where Theo was also staying. They had tried to suggest separate rooms now that the boy was no longer in danger but quickly realized it would be useless. They would find a way to sleep with each other as soon as they fell asleep.
Sighing at the sight of Daisy applying to her former student's face that horrible ointment that had been smeared on him countless times, she took a seat on the edge of the bed. He assured Theo that he would not turn into a werewolf but that he would still have to be careful because he would experience some of the effects of lycanthropy especially during the days leading up to the full moon.
" Those are cursed wounds so it is impossible for them to heal completely. " Remus said, suffering from what the boy was facing. " It is likely that there will be some form of contagion but since your case is something that has never happened, we don't know what might happen during the full moon. "
" I suspected that but thanks for telling me. " nodded Theo, asking the man what he would do on that day.
" You will be locked up in a room and guarded by Dumbledore so that he can release you if everything seems to be normal. " explained Remus, worn out at the mere prospect.
" All right. " the boy readily agreed, not wanting to risk hurting anyone. " Good night and thanks again for allowing me to stay here. "
" No problem. " said the ex-professor, wishing them both a good night. " Oh, I almost forgot. " said Remus, turning around again and addressing him with a sinister smile. " If you break her heart, I will break every bone in your body, and not even at the san mungo will they be able to put you right. "
" Yes, sir! " said Theo, while Daisy complained loudly about the threat.