Unity & Perseverance

A Pleasant Surprise

A/N: Next Chapter: Hogsmeade weekends, Christmas shopping, and Patronus's start emerging. Plus, Amelia and Theo spend some time together...

Also, really sorry about the lined spacing in this chapter looking really close together in places - I really don't know why it does that.

IMPORTANT TRIGGER & CONTENT WARNING: The first half of this chapter is seen through the POV of Theo Nott's mum, who I've headcanoned to be called Ophelia. I know in some other fanfics that Theo Nott's mum was actually quite old and died after he was born, but this is my fic and this will be as I want.

This is also a warning: Ophelia's POV will mention and show scenes of domestic abuse, both physical and verbal (and a bit of financial abuse too I think?). If you do not wish to read it, that is totally fine by me as her perspective doesn't add anything directly to the plot. If you are a survivor of domestic abuse: you are so strong and worthy, and my inbox is always a safe space if you wish to get something off your chest. Help is always available. I will mark in bold where the Ophelia's POV ends, so that you do not have to scroll through and potentially see anything that isn't supportive to your journey.

Faceclaim for Ophelia Nott: Sienna Miller
Faceclaim for Rohan Nott: Andrew Lincoln

Ophelia Nott woke up from her slumber to the daylight pouring into her bedroom. She was relieved that Rohan wasn't beside her - indicating that he was up and about.

After dressing, she made her way downstairs cautiously, for she had no clue what mood her husband would be in today. Low and behold, he was already sitting in the kitchen, drinking a bottle of Firewhisky (with an empty one also there). "Morning," Rohan had said with no indication of having meant it.

"Good morning," she replied back, so that he wouldn't get angry.

It was quiet for a few minutes as she got toast prepared for herself, assuming he'd already eaten. She could feel his eyes on her though. Rohan spoke up. "I need you to go to Gringotts for me today," he announced.

She tried not to show how happy she was, for she was finally getting out of the house, even if it was just for an hour. "Okay," she turned to him, "what for?"

"If you shut up, I'll tell you." He snapped suddenly. Ophelia's eyes went to the floor, her head inclined. "Some distant great-aunt of mine has died, and I want to see what sort of fortune she left behind. She had no children."

"Okay," she cleared her throat, "I'll get them to give me a copy of her will, yes?"

"Yes," Rohan grunted, "and I'll send you back tomorrow with any correspondence. You are not to go anywhere else apart from the bank, is that understood?"

Little do you know, I was already planning to go to Gringotts, she thought to herself, smugly. "Yes, Rohan."

"And you will not meet up with anybody. Not even your sister. Am I clear?" He rattled on.

"Yes."

"Yes, sir." Her husband snapped back, in mock.

"Is there a scheduled appointment?" She asked him.

"No. You will wait there until you can get one. I do not care if you have to wait up to an hour to see one of those goblins, you will wait your turn." Rohan said, as if she was a child. Yet he'll still moan if I come back two hours later, and accuse me of seeing somebody.

As she was eating her toast through in the living room, she suddenly heard his footsteps marching briskly down the hall. Oh gods, what could this be about...