Solving the Nott

Chapter 7|

Bellatrix strutted into the room, her wicked smile showing her ugly teeth. Hermione heard Draco's breath hitch, but she couldn't see them. Hermione tugged Theo's hand, letting him know that they should leave. Hermione felt Theo shake Draco's hand.

     Draco walked out of the room, they followed. Luckily, Hermione had had time to cast a muffling charm on all of them. "Come out, come out wherever you are, nephew dearest. You can run, but you can't hide!" She sang.

     "Actually we can hide." Theo retorted quietly.

     "Shut up, Nott!" Hermione whispered angrily.

Surprisingly, he did. Draco swiftly walked down the narrow corridor, careful not to bump into anything. Bellatrix was still cackling and going through the many rooms of Malfoy Manor.

Theo jerked Draco's arm, he hissed. Hermione then turned and saw Rodolphus Lestrange. That's what he was trying to tell Draco. Hermione almost gasped and Draco quickly led them out to the garden. Theo groaned, "I forgot your garden was a bloody maze. How are we going to get out of here?"

     "I live here, idiot. I know the way out." Draco snapped.

     Hermione shushed them, fumbling for Theo's hand, since they still couldn't see each other. "Come on, let's go. We have to get out as soon as possible."

Draco pulled them along, going through the seemingly unending bushes. They saw the border of the forest not far away. As soon as they entered the forest, they would be able to apparate out, since the wards ended there.

     Draco started running toward the forest, catching Theodore and Hermione off guard. Theo jerked and Hermione ran straight into him. They continued running nonetheless and arrived at the forest. Once they were a bit further into the forest, Hermione countered their spells and she could finally see the others.

     "Next time, before running, you've got to warn us, Drake." Theodore said, rolling his eyes.

     "Sorry. I just wanted to get out." Draco admitted.

     Hermione intervened, "We should get back before Harry freaks out and sends an army."
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"What in Merlin's beard were you thinking! Hermione! You always need backup! You know that!" Harry shouted at them.

"Look, Potter. It's my fault. I rushed her into the mission when I  flooed over to Malfoy Manor straight away. Hermione just followed me to back me up. If anyone should be getting in trouble it should be me." Theodore said.

Draco smirked when Theo blamed himself, he knew exactly what was happening. His best friend was falling for the Gryffindor.

     Harry's eyes softened, "It's not that you're in trouble. It's that I not want to lose you Hermione. Thank you, Nott, both of you are free to go. Malfoy, you need to be in protective custody. Head down to the training room and the other Aurors will take you from there. And, Hermione, stay back, if you will?"

     Theo left the room and waited patiently outside Harry's office and Hermione stayed, standing up, "Harry—I'm sorry. I—"

     Harry hugged her, "Don't ever do that again. You had me worried sick. You could have been killed."

     "Thank you for looking out for me, but you know I can handle myself perfectly well. And now, we're not as close as we were before, ever since Ron, you know." Hermione said.

     "Yes, I know. This is what made me realize that we need to get together more often. Not quite like the old times, but, you, me and Ginny. Maybe even Nott if you want to invite him." Harry winked at her, motioning to Theo waiting for her outside his office.

     Hermione turned crimson, "What? No! It's—it's not like that! But, I would love to."

     "If you say so, I'll see you soon, Hermione. Tell Nott that you guys can take the rest of the week off." Harry said.

     Hermione gasped, "What? No! We ought to keep working, Harry! She's still out there!"

     Harry rolled his eyes, "Hermione, I'm sure she won't be making any moves any time soon. She knows that the Ministry is aware of her now. Please take the rest of the week off. You need to, for your own sake."

     Hermione opened her mouth and tried to contradict him, but she ended up nodding and hugging him goodbye.

Theodore was waiting outside, tapping his foot and getting impatient, at last Hermione had come out. She smiled at seeing him, he turned to her and smiled back.

     "Are you okay?" Theo asked, his eyes holding hers.

     Hermione halfheartedly smiled and nodded, "I just can't stand the thought of the person who tortured me on the loose."

     Theodore walked over to her and took her hand in his, his hazel-green eyes soft, "We will bring her to justice, she will not hurt you again, Hermione. I won't let her, I'll do whatever it takes."

     She nodded, tilting her head down, "Let's go."

     Theo nodded and he apparated them to the front of her flat, "I keep my promises Hermione, I really do. I will not let her hurt you, no matter what."

     Hermione looked down, trying to hide her tears, she had been so much and couldn't help but let a few tears slip once and a while, after all the strongest people are really the most broken.

     Theo lifted her chin up, she tried to smile, but ended up sobbing instead. Hermione slowly collapsed against his chest, their arms around each other. He put his chin on top of her head. After a while Hermione pulled back and said, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for dragging you into my life."

     "Why would you be sorry, in my time with you, I've been the happiest I've ever been in a long time." Theodore said, every once in a while looking down at her lips. Hermione's breath hitched when he lowered his lips onto hers. She hesitated at first, but melted into his kiss. Their lips moved in perfect sync, sparks going through their bodies like fireworks.

     Theodore pulled back, "I'm sorry. I—I couldn't help myself."

     "No need to be sorry." Hermione smiled and pushed her flat door open, "Come on." She pulled his tie, dragging him into her flat.

     Theo smirked menacingly, "You have no idea what you're getting into, Granger."

     "I think I do, Nott." She retorted, smiling and crashing his lips into hers once again.
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Sorry again! I haven't updated in a while. This chapter is a bit shorter than the others, but I hope you like it anyway. (Excuse any grammatical mistakes)