The Hollow Beneath Hogwarts

118. Night Swimming

It was so late at night that it was technically early morning. The sort of hour where even the ghosts seemed quieter. The sort of hour where Hogwarts felt different.

Older. Lonelier.

Like the castle itself was asleep.

Theo Nott knew perfectly well that if he got caught wandering around outside at this time of night, Professor McGonagall would skin him alive.

Possibly before asking questions.

And honestly?

He probably deserved it. But desperate times called for desperate measures.

The truth was he needed fresh air.

Badly. Very badly.

His wife was trying to kill him. Not intentionally.

Probably.

But still.

The lavender had become unbearable.

Theo walked slowly along the edge of the lake, hands buried deep inside the pockets of his thick coat as the cool night air filled his lungs.

Much better.

Much. Much better.

For the last three weeks Daphne had become obsessed with lavender.

Lavender candles. Lavender oils. Lavender room sprays. Lavender pillow sprays. Lavender bath products. Lavender scented charms. Lavender tea.

At one point Theo was fairly certain she had attempted to purchase a lavender coloured owl because she claimed it would help her relax.

The room smelled less like a dormitory and more like someone had exploded an entire flower field.

Apparently it helped her sleep.

Unfortunately it made Theo feel violently ill.

Not that he would ever tell her that. Never. Not a chance.

Daphne had enough to deal with.

Since Christmas she had been given her own dormitory room. The decision had been made partly because she deserved privacy and partly because nobody wanted to listen to her complain about her sciatica at three o'clock every morning.

The arrangement suited everyone.

Especially Theo.

After all, they were married. Nobody really questioned why he spent most nights in her room now.

Even Professor McGonagall. Theo was almost positive she knew. The woman knew everything. She simply chose not to acknowledge it.

A silent agreement.

She wouldn't mention it.

And Theo wouldn't make her.

Everyone won.

More importantly, being with Daphne allowed him to help. Which was all he really wanted to do. He couldn't carry the baby. He couldn't deal with the nausea. Or the back pain. Or the headaches. Or the weird cravings.

But he could help.

And Theo tried.

Merlin knew he tried.

When Daphne wanted strawberries at midnight? Theo snuck to the kitchens.

When she wanted toast at two in the morning? Theo got toast.

When she wanted cucumber sandwiches dipped in hot chocolate? Theo politely ignored the crime against humanity and fetched them anyway.

When her feet hurt? Theo rubbed them.