Chapter Text
The fireplace crackled merrily in the dark of the common room, the only other light coming from a single wall sconce next to the couch. Hermione Granger watched the dancing flames, mind drifting to a head of sandy brown curls, a set of eyes so blue they rivaled her favorite summer skies, a roguish grin with a set of dimples that softened the mischief, turning the face more boyish.
Her roommate. The Hogwarts Head Boy. An unexpectedly kind Slytherin.
The object of all of Hermione’s recent desires.
Theodore Nott was proving to be a thorn in Hermione’s side.
When she’d come back to Hogwarts to finish her schooling and take her N.E.W.T.s after the war, she’d never imagined the way he would weasel himself into her life and, unfortunately, her heart.
Their correspondence began in July, when she’d received the letter from Headmistress McGonagal inviting her to come back as Head Girl if she desired. Hermione had been living at The Burrow, bunking with Ginny and dodging a hopeful Ron’s advances. She’d felt stuck, unwilling to go to work for the Ministry of Magic but unsure of what else she wanted to do. Her depression at her inability to locate her parents and attempt to reverse her memory modification spell was heavy, and she feared she would never fight her way out of it.
The letter had given her a purpose. It had made her feel competent, appreciated, and dependable. It had, most importantly, given her the gift of time. Time to spend on herself and her studies, time to try new things before diving into a career, time to enjoy the last year of her teens.
She’d immediately written back with her acceptance, and the band around her chest had loosened.
George Weasley had offered her a job as a cashier in his store, knowing she would need money to purchase her school supplies and save for Hogsmeade trips. Getting out of the house and into a routine in the following weeks had done wonders for her mental health. When the letter arrived at the end of the month, she’d been hesitantly curious.
‘Granger,
I’m writing to inform you that Headmistress McGonagal has offered me the chance to be Head Boy this upcoming term.
I haven’t accepted yet.
I wanted to, first and foremost, apologize for any tumultuous interactions we’ve had in the past. I can think of several instances where I, while indirectly, was responsible for bullying both you and your friends. I cannot express how much I regret it. I can make excuses for my upbringing and the pressure I felt to fit in, lest my differences become known to my father, but they’re merely excuses nonetheless.
I wanted to apologize for my father’s actions against you and your friends, as well. I feel shame every time I think about it.
Next, I wanted to assure you I am not, nor have I ever been, a believer in blood purity. I could spend hours delving into my childhood as a member of the Sacred 28, but you’re not my mind healer, and I won’t burden you with the specifics. I just want you to know that I see you only as what you are- a brilliant student and witch, a fiercely loyal friend, a compassionate person, and a beacon of hope to the Wizarding World after the year we’ve just had.
I would love to join you as co-Head Students this year. I think we have the potential to be a great team.
I understand, though, that my presence may not be welcome in your life at this time. I understand that you’re coming back looking forward to a year of peace, too. And if my being Head Boy will in any way jeopardize that for you, I don’t want the position.
You don’t have to respond to this if my letter is unwanted or unwelcome. A letter to McGonagall will do.
Sincerely,
Theo Nott’
Hermione had vaguely remembered Nott- he’d always been the most quiet of the Slytherin bunch from her year.
He was tall and skinny, all lanky limbs and a mop of curls. He’d never said a word to her. She’d only noticed him when Malfoy or Parkinson were hurling insults at her and her friends. He’d not taken part in anything but had been a silent bystander, and she knew he was a friend to Malfoy.
He hadn’t been a death eater, and he hadn’t fought against her in the War. His father, though…
She had a brief flashback to a pair of cold blue eyes peering at her through a silver mask as a set of strong arms held Harry back from fleeing the Department of Mysteries. She’d stunned him and grabbed Harry’s hand, sprinting, spells flying all around her…
She closed her eyes and breathed deeply in through her nose, out through her mouth. She focused on identifying five things she could see, four things she could touch, three things she could hear, two things she could smell, and one thing she could taste. The grounding exercise had done wonders for her anxious flashbacks, keeping her in the present and reminding her she was safe now.
She read the letter again, looking at her past interactions with the Slytherin in a new light.
She’d spent ages reliving her childhood with Draco Malfoy in the weeks leading up to his trial after the Battle of Hogwarts. She and Harry had decided to write to the Wizengamot on his behalf, having seen his living conditions at Malfoy Manor and the fear in his eyes as he’d tried to take a small stand by not identifying Harry when they’d been captured. They’d all been children, they’d agreed, and while he had a history of being a bigot and a spoiled brat, he was not really a Death Eater.
They’d spoken at length of what his childhood must have been like with Lucius Malfoy as a father. And Hermione had heard rumors that Theodore Nott Sr. was much worse than the Malfoy patriarch.
She could feel the somber guilt, the melancholic angst through his writing. She’d decided then and there to start fresh with him- he’d just lived through a war, too, after all.
‘Nott,
Thank you for your letter. I appreciate the sentiment. I would like to have a fresh start of sorts this year.
Please, call me Hermione.
I look forward to working with you as co-Head Students.’
Her letter had started a back and forth between them, Theo as eager as she was to start planning for their Eighth Year.
By the time they’d shaken hands on the Hogwarts Express, she considered him a friend.
Now, six months later, after spending the Christmas hols away from him, she realized she considered him much more than that.
He was second only to her in grades, and he made an excellent study partner. He was sarcastic and mischievous, and his witty sense of humor kept her constantly on her toes. He was an avid reader and also brought a book to quidditch matches, though lately their books had gone unread while they sat together in the stands, chatting and laughing and drinking hot chocolate. He was a considerate roommate, keeping their common spaces tidy and never complaining about how long she stayed in the bath in the evenings. He’d inherited all of his father’s money after Nott Sr. went to Azkaban, and he refused to use it on himself beyond school. He did, however, use it to keep her favorite snacks and teas stocked in their pantry.
She’d recently started noticing how handsome he was, too. It was really unfair how someone could have the brains, humor, and looks that he did.
She was bloody gone for him.
And she couldn’t do a thing about it, because he was her best friend and roommate.
To disrupt what they had now could mean ruining everything.
***
The cool bright light of early morning woke her before her alarm did.
She cast a tempus. It was too early for a Sunday, but she knew her brain- once it was awake, it was awake.
She rolled out of bed and quickly stuffed her feet into her house shoes- the stone floors were freezing.
She tiptoed to the shower, taking pains to close the door and start the water quietly. She started to plan for the day while she waited for the water to reach the right temperature.
She would have an early breakfast and hit the library before her Prefects meeting at ten. That would end in time for an early lunch and some Ancient Runes revisions for the afternoon, getting her a bit ahead of schedule for that N.E.W.T., at least.
Hermione was sitting for seven N.E.W.T.s this year, and, if successful in getting all Os, she would match a record held only by a handful of witches and wizards, and none of them since Albus Dumbledore.
As she carefully charmed her curls dry using a spell she’d come across in a Witch Weekly curl maintenance article, her mind was on the upcoming exams. The new term would start on Monday, and she would only have five months to prepare. She’d had a relaxing time at The Burrow despite having to have an incredibly awkward discussion with Ron, and all of the stress she’d been able to avoid was back.
When she finished styling her hair, she reached for her stack of clothes…only to realize her clothes were still on the foot of her bed.
She cursed under her breath as she tied her thin robe. She would have to hope Theo was sleeping and move quickly.
She opened the door and yelped.
“Theo!” she exclaimed, holding the thin material closed at her chest. “You scared me.”
He gave her his infamous roguish grin.
“Good morning to you, too, Hermione, love.”
His eyes moved up and down her body before he quickly fixed his gaze above her head.
“Erm, I’ll just-”
“Sorry, I-”
They shuffled around each other in the doorway, trying not to touch. Hermione’s face was hot, her heart pounding so hard she could hear her pulse.
“Kill me,” she murmured under her breath as she started scurrying down the hall like a frightened mouse.
“Erm, Hermione, wait-”
“What?”
“You, ah, dropped something…”
She turned, somehow blushing even more, and her heart sank when she spotted the knickers on the floor by the bathroom door.
They were bright red with festive Christmas trees on them.
She’d gotten them as a gag gift from Ginny over the break and loved them. Now, she wanted to burn them where they sat, mocking her, in front of Theo’s feet.
She summoned them and stormed into her room, slamming the door behind her and letting out a stream of curses.
She was going to die.
She quickly dressed in the denims and Gryffindor sweatshirt she’d left on the bed. She stuffed her feet into her favorite boots and summoned her book bag as she hurried for the door.
Her face was still burning as she climbed down to the second level of the West Tower, then followed the corridor to the first of several staircases that would bring Hermione to the ground level.
While she valued the quiet and privacy of the Head Dorms, she had a long walk to get to the Great Hall.
The walk gave her enough time to stop blushing like an idiot, and by the time she took a seat at Gryffindor Table, she felt confident that her appearance was normal.
There were only a few students in the Hall this early, and none of them from Gryffindor. Headmistress McGonagall and Professor Flitwick were the only staff at eating breakfast this early. Hermione wished Ginny were here- she could use the distraction from the mortifying events of this morning.
She looked up at the enchanted ceiling to gauge the morning’s weather. The sky appeared pale and overcast, and Hermione wondered if they would get snow.
She’d always loved the quiet stillness of the earth after a good snow. Now that she could cast a strong warming charm, she loved the snow even more. She considered changing her plans to study outside after the Prefects meeting as she ate her breakfast.
She lingered over a second cup of tea, needing the comfort from the warm milky drink.
On her way up the grand staircase to the third floor, Hermione’s luck had her nearly running into Theo.
He grabbed her arms to steady her and let out a little laugh. “What’s the rush, Hermione, love?”
Hermione, love. He’d been calling her that stupid name since Halloween, and it made her heart flutter every time.
She felt her cheeks flush as she recalled how naked she’d felt in front of him this morning. She’d been covered in the thinnest of material, the vee exposing a hint of cleavage that seemed a lot more immodest than it actually was paired with her lack of underclothes.
“I’m on my way to the library. I want to read ahead for coursework so I can start revising for Ancient Runes this afternoon,” she explained.
He smiled, still holding onto her arms. “This is why you’re still ahead of me in all our classes.”
She smiled back, awkwardness from this morning dissolving into nothing as she stood with him. He smelled so good up close, like spearmint and earl grey tea. He’d likely had a cup already. He was prone to drink it all day.
“Alright, I’ll leave you to it. Let’s meet at a quarter till to go over notes before the meeting, yeah?”
“I’ll be there.”
They went their separate ways, and Hermione felt the ghost of his hands on her upper arms all the way to the library.
***
Hermione’s wand buzzed beside her, startling her from a deep dive into this term’s Transfiguration course. She’d, predictably, read well beyond where she planned and was now running late to her pre-meeting meeting with Theo.
She shoved her books in her bag, wincing at her rough treatment of them, and started jogging through the stacks. She slowed down to a brisk walk as she passed Madame Pince’s desk, not willing to risk the librarian’s scolding, but picked up the pace again once she was in the hall.
Luckily, the stairs behaved as she hurried upstairs to the fourth floor. She arrived at the empty study room right on time, breathing heavily as she skidded to a stop in the doorway.
Theo was already inside, seat a desk with a book in hand. She waved her wand to arrange the rest of the desks in a circle formation and took the seat next to him.
“Did you run here?” he asked knowingly.
“I was very into the chapter on animagus transformation,” she explained. “My ten minute timer interrupted me.”
He shook his head. “Damn that timer.”
She laughed. “I’m glad you appreciate my strife. Now, let’s see your notes for this term’s goals.”
They traded parchment, and she read the outline he’d prepared in his neat cursive. Her own half print, half cursive scrawl was dreadful in comparison.
“I like the idea of a unity event. What were your thoughts?” she asked.
“I’m actually leaning more toward several small events. We could start with a Valentine’s Day social and do something for the start of Spring, then Easter, then a pre-exams breakfast.”
“That’s brilliant. Let’s put that on the agenda for today.”
“Thanks, Hermione, love. Have you put together the patrol schedule for this term?”
“Yes, here.”
He scanned it. “Looks good to me. I’m glad you split up Wiggins and Clarke- they were snogging on duty last term.”
She laughed. “Sixth years. They’re always so…”
“Randy?”
“Exactly.”
She’d been a hormone-fueled wreck in sixth year, and Ron’s relationship with Lavender had driven her nearly insane. By the time the pair had split, she had no feelings leftover for her friend. Unfortunately, he’d realized some for her. She’d thought she could force herself to return to that romantic haze, but when he’d abandoned her and Harry during their Horcrux hunt, any feelings she’d been able to scrounge up were long gone.
“How did it go with Weasley over the break?” Theo asked, as if he’d been reading her mind.
She let out a sigh. “He tried to get me under the mistletoe on Christmas.”
Theo frowned. “He did, eh?”
She nodded. “I brushed it off, but on Boxing Day he woke up early and we had some time away from the rest of the siblings and Harry, so I had to set him straight.”
Theo’s frown lifted into a little smirk. “How’d he take it?”
“Why are you smirking right now?” she demanded. “I had to hurt his feelings!”
He scoffed. “Hermione, he’s hardly heartbroken. You said he’s been dating around the Ministry like crazy. He’s been keeping you as his backup for when he’s done chasing skirts.”
She sighed. “He’s allowed to date, Theo. He’s made it through a war. He’s been doing what he can to feel alive.”
“I’m not saying that. I’m saying he doesn’t get to make you feel bad for turning him down when he’s the one who’s been seeing other witches.”
She nodded. “I know. I don’t feel bad for turning him down. I feel bad that I had to hurt his feelings to do so.”
He shook his head. “You are too nice.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’ve never been accused of being too nice. Need I remind you about the jar incident from Fourth Year?”
He laughed. “No, trust me, I haven’t forgotten. You’re delightful when you’re displaying vengeful tendencies.”
“You should have seen her hit Ron with the avis charm in Sixth Year.”
Hermione spun around to see Ginny leaning in the doorway.
“Ginny!” she exclaimed.
The redhead hugged her and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Hello, Hermione. I missed you.”
“You two saw each other all break,” Theo complained. “Let me have her, Ginny.”
Ginny rolled her eyes. “You two live together, for Merlin’s sake.”
“Not that I’m not enjoying being fought over,” Hermione hedged, “But let’s put a pin in it. We’re starting in five.”
The classroom filled up, and Hermione and Theo led the meeting. The Prefects were excited for the unity events, and no one voiced complaints about the patrolling schedule, though she saw Clarke and Wiggins eyeing each other sadly.
“Any volunteers to start on the Valentine’s Day social?” Hermione asked.
Ginny’s hand shot in the air. Hermione grinned and wrote her name on the chalkboard, along with Sarah Wiggins and Amelie Vaughn.
“I trust you three to come up with a theme, location, date, and time by the end of the week?”
“Yes ma’am,” Ginny responded. “We’ll get right on it. Us single ladies are looking for some romance.”
The group laughed, and Hermione rolled her eyes. “Whatever you say, Gin. Does anyone have any questions about this week’s schedule?”
There were none. Hermione dismissed the Prefects with a wave.
“Good meeting,” Theo declared as the last of the group left.
“I agree.”
“Headed to lunch?” Theo asked.
Hermione nodded. “I had such an early breakfast, I’m starving.”
He grinned. “Yes, you were rather in a hurry this morning. I didn’t get to ask about the Christmas-”
She slapped a hand over his mouth, cheeks flaming. “Don’t you dare bring it up,” she hissed.
His blue eyes were bright and positively gleeful. She removed her hand, feeling the ghost of his lips against her palm.
“I was only going to ask about the holidays,” he protested.
She shook her head. “Nice save, but I know you, Theodore.”
“Full named? Ouch.”
He followed her into the hallway, casting a featherlight charm on her bookbag for her. She’d been struggling under its weight and could never seem to remember to cast the charm herself.
They walked downstairs, skipping a vanishing step in unison. They stopped when they came to the entrance to the Great Hall.
“Come get me before you disappear into the library again? I want to revise with you for Ancient Runes.”
“Alright,” she agreed. “If there’s snow on the ground, I want to revise outside.”
“Only if you cast a warming charm for me. I’m not too proud to admit yours is more powerful.”
She grinned. “Alright, Theo. I’ll keep you warm.”
His mouth pulled up into a sly grin. “I wish.”
The playful flirtatious banter between them was nothing new, but the butterflies in her stomach were. She watched him go with what she knew were dopey, lovestruck eyes.
“Get it together,” she muttered under her breath, striding determinedly to her usual seat.
But her eyes found him again as she loaded up her plate, damn them.