Chapter 1
Chapter One
Theodosia Crouch was six years old when her mother passed away. She didn't really know what was going on but she knew she was meant to be upset. Her father was inconsolable, their house elf Winky was distraught, her mothers best friend Mrs Weasley was a mess so why wasn't she. Granted she was six and the fact that she’d always had a feeling deep down that her mother resented her. It was Theodosias fault she died after all. Her mother had always been a frail woman but having Theodosia was the point of no return. That and the fact she was too old to have another baby and she knew that but it was still Theodosias fault. The feeling of guilt was more so what Theodosia remembered than the grief itself.
After her mother passed she spent her summers at the Weasleys, she joined the ranks of the seven kids that were already running the Weasley household. She vividly remembers running through the orchards and zooming around on toy brooms. Strapping Ginny into a baby dolls pram much too small for her while Fred and George did the same with Ron and raced them around the burrow. Then in September she’d go back to the house she was born in, she’d study history and latin, basic beginner spells and pureblood etiquette. She hated her lessons especially when she was forced to take them with other pureblood children. They were all so self involved and Theodosia couldn’t tell any of them apart; it was like they were all cut from the same cloth.
She hated her fathers house, it was never her home, she’d never felt welcomed there. There wasn’t a single picture of her on the walls, there were just spaces where pictures used to hang. Her mother never wanted any photos of her so none were ever taken. Barty Jr on the other hand had been in every photograph so the solution was to rip them all down. She didn't like to think about her brother and the things he’d done. One summer she had overheard Ms and Mr Weasley talking about it when they thought all the kids were asleep. It gave her nightmares for months. How could she be related to a man who did such horrible things?
The summer Theodosia was to turn nine her father didn't return for her on the first of September like he had done before. Instead an owl came through the window as Ms Weasley was packing some food away into Theodosias suitcase for her to take home. Ms Weasley took the letter and opened it. Theodosia looked up at her, watching her expressions change. At first she looked sad but then she looked down at the young Theodosia who was staring up at her with so much love and admiration and her expression quickly changed to one of joy. Ms Weasley folded up the letter a and bent down, putting her hand on Theodosias' shoulder. “How would you like to live here with us Theo” she said and finally Theo felt like she had a family to call her own.
“Come on, come on we’re going to be late” barked Molly from the bottom of the stairs. Theo was fighting for mirror space with the twins as they all brushed their teeth. Theo spat and turned to Fred “Is Ron even awake yet” both twins spat at the same time and spoke “How the hell should we know” Theo rinsed off her toothbrush and rushed to pack it into her bag. “You two are useless” she called back as she ran into her and Ginny's shared room. “It's not fair” Ginny sighed on her bed looking at Theo. “I know Gin but think of it this way, I’ll scope out all the cool places we can hang out together next year okay” This did not appease Ginny. “Yeah but what am I supposed to do for an entire year alone?” Theo shoved her toothbrush into her trunk and sat on it to make sure it closed. “I’ll write to you every chance I get and tell you everything, you’ll feel like you’re there I promise” Ginny looked like she was about to say something when Mollys shrill voice came from downstairs again. “Come on, before you’re mother has a heart attack.” Ron was indeed up and stuffing his face at the breakfast table. “Honestly Ron, you’ll eat me out of house and home some day” The twins laughed but Molly shot them a withering look. “Okay is everyone ready to go, look at you all my children, my loves” then she went into a fit of rambling that nobody actually ever understood until she started crying. “Right come on Mum we can’t be late” Percy said, lightly tapping her shoulder. “Yes, yes you’re right come on children to the fireplace quickly”
They got on the train and the twins quickly split off “Dickheads” Theo cursed and she received some weird looks from a group of kids who looked like 3rd years. “How are we supposed to find a seat alone, we’re first years? '' Ron shook his head “We’ll be fine” he said nonchalantly. Theo was annoyed at the twins for ditching her, usually it was her and the twins that would ditch Ron. Maybe this is just one of the changes of going to Hogwarts. Her and Ron finally found a compartment that had one boy in it. “Hi, do you mind, everywhere else is full” Ron said, Theo not waiting for a response made her way into the compartment and sat down. What was this boy going to do, he looked like a nerd and she also noted how severely under fed he looked. “I’m Theo” she introduced herself “and this is Ron” Theo nodded in Ron’s direction and he smiled “Hi I’m Harry, Harry Potter” There was silence for a second as Theo and Ron’s jaws dropped to the floor. “No way” Theo whispered while Ron followed that with a “Bloody hell” they sat in silence for a second. “Fred and George are gonna be so jealous, serve them right” Theo laughed as Ron joined her on the seat. “I’ve got to go find them, I’ll be back” she said getting up and as she was leaving she turned and looked at Harry “Harry fucking Potter, merlins beard” and then she proceeded her objective to find the twins.
When Theo found the twins they were in a compartment with Lee and two girls she didn’t recognise. “Guys, you’ll never guess who me and Ron stumbled upon” she said beaming as she entered the compartment. “Hello to you too” Lee said and Theo rolled her eyes. Her and Lee had this fake feud that was silently in the air every time they spoke. “Who was talking to you?” she asked, looking down at him with a quizzing look. “Okay feisty, who’d you meet? '' Fred laughed. “Harry fucking Potter” the whole compartment went silent. “No way,” George said. “That’s what I said swear to Merlin it’s him” Fred didn’t look impressed. “Did you see the scar” and that’s when Theo realized she hadn’t actually waited around to see the scar. “Well no…I came to find you guys since you ditched us” she countered. “We didn’t ditch you, we just parted ways” George reassured her. “That’s just a nice way of saying you don’t want to be seen with first years” Theo said. “Facts” Lee piped up. “Again who was talking to you?” Theo asked. “If you didn’t see the scar how can you be so sure?” Fred questioned, leaning back against the wall and crossing his arms. “Why would a random ass kid lie about being the Harry Potter, he’d be ratted out as soon as we got to Hogwarts” Theo said. “That’s true Fred” George said, siding with Theo as he usually did. “Wonder what house he’ll be in” one of the girls pondered. “Gryffindor obviously” Fred said proudly. “Yeah no way he’d be any other house, he’s literally the boy who lived” said George. “Yeah he’s not gonna end up in Slytherin” laughed Lee. “Can you imagine” laughed the other girl. “Are you nervous Theo” asked George. “About what” she asked. “The sorting” Theo hadn’t really thought about it, she wanted Gryffindor so she could be with her friends but something about it didn’t sit right with her. “No, the sorting hat decides that” she said confidently. “If you say so” said Lee under his breath. “What’s that supposed to mean” Theo turned to him, crossing her arms. “I’m just saying, you give me massive Slytherin vibes” he said followed by a kick from Fred. “No she doesn’t Lee shut up” he said. “Yeah she does, she’s a massive bitch” he said sticking his tongue at her. “If people were sorted on being cunts Lee you’d be the best Slytherin there is” she said followed by the middle finger. They all laughed “Our girl Theo is a Gryffindor through and through” said Fred “Yeah she’d never be a slimy git like a Slytherin'' laughed George, pulling her down and the twins both proceeded to ruffle her hair. “Guys would you quit” she squealed but in her head for the first time she became nervous. What if she did get Slytherin.
“Theodosia Crouch” called Professor McGonagall. She was shaking, Ron grabbed the sleeve of her robe “Good luck” he whispered before letting go. Theo walked up the steps nervously and sat on the stool. She felt the sorting hat get placed on her head. “Hmmm a smart mind, fit enough for Ravenclaw I’d say” “I’d like to think I’m more street smart than book smart” Theo thought, she quickly realized that the hat was speaking only to her in her head. “Yes I see that too, maybe Hufflepuff then, they can be quite resourceful.” Theo didn’t think she was a Hufflepuff at all, she didn’t dislike the idea but it just didn’t sit right with her. “Okay it’s a no for Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. I see Gryffindor is a prominent thought in your mind…but not for the right reasons” Theo could feel her palms go sweaty. “What do you mean” she thought in a casual voice, she wondered if the hat could pick up the tone of her thoughts. “I don’t need to tell you that you don’t believe you belong there, do I?” Theo didn’t need the sorting hat to tell her that, deep down she had been feeling like Gryffindor would be the wrong fit for her. “You’d do great there you know, it’s all in your head” Theo played nervously with her robes “My families in Gryffindor” “Ahhhh the Weasleys” “My family” Theo thought firmly, she took this moment to look down at the Gryffindor table. There was Fred and George looking up expectantly at her. Percy was beside them smiling up at her. Ron’s face in the crowd was a little pale but she supposed that was his nerves. “Okay your family, you shouldn’t choose your house based on your family…okay i’ve made my decision” and there was silence for a moment. “Slytherin” Theodosia’s heart dropped, she looked at Ron who’s face had paled even more. She looked down the Gryffindor table to see Fred and George looking back at her in shock. She looked over at the Slytherin table who were cheering her on, these people were to be her new family, but what if she already liked her old one.
She got up from the stool, her legs shaky and made her way over. A blonde girl whose face she recognised made room for her to sit. “Hi, I’m Daphne '' she said with a smile, she didn't look evil. Theo looked around the table, at every face. They were just kids, none of them looked evil, none of them looked as though they’d committed a crime, they were innocent kids. Her stomach churned before she realized she had not greeted Daphne back. “I’m Theodosia but my friends call me Theo” she said weakly. “Theo it is” Daphne beamed and they watched the rest of the sorting ceremony in silence. Ron was sorted into Gryffindor obviously and Harry Potter was sorted into Gryffindor as well. Draco Malfoy, one of the kids she was forced to take classes with when she was younger was sorted into Slytherin but Theo already knew he would be, she knew all about the Malfoys, they were purebloods too and not the nice kind. She was reminded of the long days in a room with no windows being taught by an old hag who looked like she should have been in a grave long ago. She remembered Draco not being so bad at the start but she also remembered watching him growing into a vicious, nasty boy. Along with Draco there was Blaise Zabini, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle and Theodore Nott. Along with Daphne there was Pansy Parkinson, Tracey Davis and Millicent Bulstrode.
The rest of the first years chatted away as Theo sat in silence, she didn't have an appetite. She kept stealing glances at the Gryfindor table but she got no recognition from them. Had they forgotten about her already. She was playing with her mash potato when Draco spoke directly to her. “You know your hair almost fooled me” he said smiling at her, she looked up at him perplexed. “Excuse me” she hadnt meant to sound so snarky but she just wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone. “Your hair, it's ginger” he said as though that explained everything. The rest of the first years had gone silent. “And your point is Malfoy?” she shot him a withering look. “I almost got you confused for a Weasley and that really would have been a shame” he said smirking boldly at her. Theo didn't want to rise to his torments but she couldn't help herself. “Whats wrong with being a Weasley, they’re decent hard working people unlike your father” she spat back. Draco’s face went cold as he leaned over the table and spoke in a whisper only she could hear. “Be careful Crouch, don't forget which table you sit at” Theo stared at the boy, did he remember her? Maybe not, she was grateful he didn’t, she didn’t want to be reminded of those days. Before she could say anything the Prefects were calling on first years to move out of the hall. Theo glared at Draco as he got up and walked away. “What was that about?” Daphne whispered as they walked towards the doors of the great hall. “Nothing, he’s just a prick”
The next day they were sat in a gloomy classroom that if Theo didn’t know better she would have thought it was a dungeon “Today is about bonding with your fellow first years” came Snapes monotone voice. It gave Theo the chills, she didn’t like Snape. “You will sit in this classroom and socialize for the next hour” and with a swish of his cloak he was gone. “Isn’t he supposed to give us icebreakers or something?” said Daphne once he’d left the room. “It’s Snape” scoffed the boy sitting next to Draco, Theo couldn’t remember his name. “Okay then” she said, standing up. “I’m Daphne Greengrass and my favorite color is coincidentally green and I’m most excited for Charms class” she said with a smile. Everyone shared a glance, Theo couldn’t stand the silence and Daphne had been nice to her. “Hi” she said, realizing she was standing up now. “My name's Theodosia Crouch, my favorite color is purple and I’m looking forward to taking Defence Against the Dark Arts” Daphne gave her a thankful look and she smiled back.
There was silence for a bit before the boy across the room stood up. His name was Theodore, she knew this because she noted how close it was to her name when he was sorted into slytherin and the fact he was quite attractive. “My names Theodore Nott, my favorite color is also purple” he said, winking at Theo “and I think potions will be interesting” he sat back down, never breaking eye contact with Theo. He had confidence she’d give him that. They went around the room, Theo was bad with names so it was nice to get a refresher. After a while they all sorted into groups within themselves. Theo ended up sitting with Blaise Zabini, Tracey Davis, Daphne and Theodore. “So you’re dads Barty Crouch isn’t he” Blaise asked innocently but Theo knew the question was loaded. “Yeah he’s my dad but we don’t really talk much” she replied shrugging. “How come” asked Tracey. Theo didn’t want to talk about this. “Guys let’s not push, maybe she doesn’t want to talk about it” Daphne said, giving her a sympathetic smile. She knew, they all knew about her brother. Theo never even met him but she was already being judged harshly on his actions. “I never met him you know” she said, realizing everyone was staring at her now. “my brother, I never knew him.” The whole class was silent. Until the door burst open and Snape waltzed back in. “Right hours up off you go to your next class” Theo jumped up and hurried out of the classroom thanking Merlin for the interruption.
“Hey Dosia” she heard someone call out and she spun around, it was Theodore. “What did you call me?” she asked. “Dosia, you know so we don’t get confused cause people call me Theo” she laughed as he caught up to her and they continued walking down the corridor together. “I really hope that doesn’t catch on” she laughed. “Why don’t you like it?” he asked. She just laughed. “Hey I’m sorry about Blaise he shouldn’t have asked, none of us have much room to talk when it comes to family” he said seriously and Theo appreciated it. “All of us have somebody we’d rather not talk about” he said. Theo was going to question it before he got his question in first. “So what do you have now?” he asked, taking her timetable from her hands. “Ah Defence Against The Dark Arts, I bet you’re excited” he said, handing it back. “I am actually, maybe I’ll learn some jinxes to use on Malfoy” Theodore laughed “He’s not so bad once you get to know him” she laughed “Let me guess, family friends” she raised her eyebrows and Theodore swallowed hard. “I did say there are some people we’d all rather not talk about, didn't I” They walked in silence for a bit before someone called from behind them. “Nott, hey Nott. You got DADA now?” it was Draco, he ran up beside Theo. “Come on, we don't want to be late to Theodosia’s favorite class” he jeered. “Don’t call me that” she sneered. “Okay so it seems we will have to separate you two” Theodore laughed making his way between them. She looked up at him “Not that bad?” she questioned. “Listen I’ve known him for years, it’s all an act” They walked into the DADA class and Theo walked in first with her back to the class. “So he chooses to act like that” she laughed spinning around just in time to see Ron staring at her from his seat in the middle of the class. Her face dropped as she registered his disgusted look. “Hey Ron” she said meekly. He didn’t answer, he just turned back around and continued talking to Harry and another boy.
She sits down and Theodore sits next to her. “What was that all about” he whispered. “I don’t know” she replied in a tone that insinuated not to ask anymore questions, but he didn’t seem to pick up on it. “Seems like a bit of a prat” he said staring at ron’s back. “He’s not a prat” Theo said opening her book. “okay okay, I’ll leave your boyfriend alone” he said. “He’s not my boyfriend, it’s complicated” “Complicated, Dosia we’re 11 how complicated can it be” “It’s not like that just leave it alone Theo” “Okay okay”. Theo couldn’t enjoy the DADA class because all she could do was look ar Ron. Was this what it’d be like now, would all the Weasleys hate her, what was she going to do, she couldn’t go home, that wasn’t an option. Her heart raced and she felt her breath get away from her. “Hey” Theodore nudged her “you okay” she gripped the edge of her text book, steadying herself. “Yeah i’m fine” she smiled at him weakly. After class she waited outside until Ron came out “Ron” she called after him as he rushed by her. He ignored her “Ron hey” she ran to catch up with him “Ron” she grabbed his shoulder and he whirled around. “What” he spat and Theo stepped back, she hadn’t expected that. “Can we talk” she asked, Harry was staring at her now not with any type of emotion on his face. “I don’t want to talk to you” he said matter of factly. “But Ron…I don’t understand” she started but Ron just walked away, leaving her standing there alone.
She turned on her heel and walked down the corridor with her head down. She didn’t want to go to Charms anymore, she wanted to be alone. She sat on the steps in the courtyard watching the owls swoop in and out of the owlery. “Theo” she heard a familiar pair of voices call. She turned and there was Fred and George and she couldn’t help but smile. “Hey” she said, turning quickly wiping the tears from her cheeks. “What’s up” Fred said sitting on one side of her. “You okay” George asked, sitting on the other. “Do you guys hate me” she asked “Hate you” Fred asked “No why would we hate you Theo” George asked, putting his arm around her. She leaned into him gratefully. “Ron does” she sniffs. Fred scoffed “Ron’s a prat, he’ll come around don’t mind him” George nodded in agreement. “But yous hate Slytherins too, yous always talked about it” Fred and George exchanged a glance and Fred sighed “We’re prat’s too” he said. “Yeah we shouldn’t of said those things we were just being ignorant” George added. “Besides, you’re a slytherin so they can’t be all bad” Fred tried to cheer her up. “Plus there’s a lot of assholes around her that aren’t in Slytherin so really it doesn’t make sense all the hate you get” “Yeah it’s not fair, we should protest” Theo laughed and wiped the tears from her face. “like Lee,” she laughed. Fred and George laughed too. “Yeah, exactly like Lee” George nudged her and she looked up at his smiling face and she realized she hadn’t lost her family.