Wants of the Heart

Chapter 17

Finding Theodore is easier than expected. It's only down the corridor and around the corner that I run into my twin, literally. The two of us stumble apart before gathering our wits.

"Cassie!" The excited smile on my brother's face makes my heart ache. How have the last weeks been on him? To have only gotten his twin back less than a year before and then have her gone once again.

"Hi, Theo." I pull the Slytherin into a tight hug as I had last night, letting go of the last of the fears that have plagued since that horrible night, concerned for his safety. "Can we talk?"

"Of course! I was just heading to the kitchen to see if I could bribe the elves for a snack before supper." We hook arms as I pull away from the embrace. I allow my twin to tug me through the house, following him to the kitchen.

There are three house elves moving about the facility when we enter, younger than Button, Draco's personal elf who was his father's elf before him, but older than my elf, Mipsy. The tallest of the three notice us first, seemingly the elf in charge.

"What can Puck bes getting for the Mistress and her Mr. Nott?" The elf, Puck, brushes his hands on his apron as he looks to me expectantly. Theodore turns his attention to me as well, nudging me with a teasing smirk.

"A pot of tea, please, Puck. And some biscuits if you don't mind."

Puck's ears flap as he nods before gesturing to a small table off the side, large enough to seat two. "Of course, Mistress. Puck be having Bounder and Quimley fix yous tea right away. The Mistress sit wait shes and her Mr. Nott waits?"

"Thank you, Puck." I send the house elf a soft smile, noticing his cheeks flush green as I do so. I lead my brother to the table, each of us taking a seat. It's seconds before our requested tea and biscuits are set before us, sugar and cream appearing alongside the decorated pot.

"These elves make the best biscuits, Cassie. You're really lucky." I scrunch my nose as Theo shoves one of the biscuits in his mouth. "I've been trying to convince Wren to steal the recipe, but she said that 'thievery is unbecoming to the Heir of the Noble and Ancient House of Nott.'"

I snort into my teacup at my brother's impression of his elf. Even the upward tilt of his nose is spot on. "I'm sure Wren has already acquired the recipe and will surprise you with the treat when you least expect it. She's spoiled you rotten since we were children, far worse than Mipsy ever was with me."

"Hm. I hope you're right about that." His dark blue eyes twinkle in amusement as he eats another biscuit. "Now, what did you want to talk about?"

I sigh, setting my cup back onto its saucer. My eyes turn down to the lace cloth that covers the table, fingernails picking as the woven designs. "I'm sorry, Theo."

"Sorry? What do you have to be sorry for, Cassie?" His hand enters my line of sight, covering my own as I fidget. I force myself to look up and meet his worried gaze. "You haven't done anything wrong?"

"Of course I have! I let Draco take you. I wasn't able to get you back." I blink away the burning in my eyes, tired of all the tears I have shed. His hand grips mine tighter.

"Cassandra, none of that is your fault. Do I wish I could have stayed with you or you with me? Yes, of course. But that's not how it happened and that's not at all on you. I would much rather you save yourself than be in danger for my sake." Theodore takes a deep breath. "I've yelled at Draco enough since we left that he knows my feelings on the subject. He may think that he was keeping you safe, but I can't forgive him for putting you in that danger."

"He killed someone, Theo. He put us all in danger over his schoolboy tantrum of not wanting to share. I didn't like Dumbledore, but I didn't want him dead." My lashes become wet against my will. "That is on me. I should have realized Draco was planning something. People got hurt because I thought I could trust him."

"Absolutely not!" The words are almost a growl, fire flashing in my brother's eyes. "Draco's actions are his own, nobody else's. He decided to let Death Eaters into Hogwarts. He decided to kill Dumbledore. He decided to try to kidnap you and take me in the process. None of that is your fault, Cassie. All you did was trust a person who loves you. We've all done that. It's his fault for breaking that trust."

"He's taking everybody from me, Theo. He only wants me and seems to think I should only want him in return. What if he takes you from me, too?" I grip his hand tightly in both of mine, he squeezes back in return.

"He wouldn't dare." His expression is thunderous. "I'm not losing my sister again. Never again."

A sob of relief escapes me as I reach up and wipe my wet eyes. A second later, my twin's warm arms wrap around me. Unbidden, I think of a time that I was once taller than him, comforting Theo as he cried in the gardens of Nott manor after scraping his knee. Mumma coming soon after to sooth his tears and heal his hurt. Merlin, what I wouldn't give to have our mother here now.

-

After I eventually calm down, Theo gives me a tour of what is supposed to one day be my home. Draco never had the chance to fully show me around when we were here last summer. Eventually, our exploration of the villa ends in what my brother tells me is my room. It's not the master suite that Mipsy helped me prepare for my first date with Draco in, I assume my betrothed is staying there. It is a large suite, though.

The walls and decor are colored with creams and pastels, a sharp difference to the colors that fill Ginny's room at the Burrow. I find myself collapsing on the soft duvet that covers the huge bed as Theo leaves me to rest before dinner. My rest only lasts a few moments before I get back to my feet.

"Mipsy!" Before I can blink, thin arms have a monstrous grip on my legs. I can feel tears soaking through the navy dress robes that I still wear.

"Oh, Mistress Cassie, Mipsy has missed you so m-much!" My nanny elf sobs into my knees, hugging me all the tighter. "Mipsy has been so, so w-worried for her young Mistress! Please don't bes leaving Mipsy again!"

I pry Mipsy off of me, kneeling down before her. I place my hands upon her thin, shaking shoulders. "Mipsy, I'm sorry. I never meant to worry you." The elf lunges forward, arms twining around my neck this time. "I couldn't call you Mipsy or I could have risked Draco following you to me. I never would have parted from you for so long otherwise, I promise."

It's a few moments before the house is able to gather her bearings and pull away, straightening the apron she wears. "Mipsy bes coming with the young Mistress next time she's bes leaving." The determined look in her eyes brokers no room for arguments. "Mistress Cassandra needs her Mipsy. Yous being too thin and too pale. Nails are chewed." I'm almost cowed by the glare she sends at that. "Yours hair not even being fixed!"

I stifle a laugh at the outraged expression on Mipsy's face as she scans my appearance. "I apparently can't survive without you, Mipsy."

"Obviously not!" I lose the battle against my giggles at the elf's annoyed drawl. We both straighten as Mipsy takes my hand. "Young Mistress bes needing a bath and new robes. And supper!" She narrows her eyes up at me. "Mistress Cassandra is eating all Mipsy gives her at dinner?"

I smile down at her, thinking of how much of a mother hen Mipsy has always been. "Yes, Mipsy. Whatever you want."

I allow myself to be guided into the attached bath, letting my worries drift away for the moment.