third person pov

' close my eyes, fantasize
three clicks and I'm home '

The next morning choas rained down on everyone in the dorm.

Rose woke to yelling and based off an instinct from her childhood tried to get up but found the mission impossible from all of Theo's body weight on her chest, still clutching onto her in a death grip. She settled on raising a hand from his back to open the curtains with magic, being met with an alarming sight. Mattheo arguing with Blaise who sat on his trunk with wide eyes, Whitman appearing reading to commit murder, and Draco standing tense.

Rose's voice came out laced in sleepiness, "What's going on?"

Everyone's heads turned to her as she tried to shake Theo gently.

Before Mattheo could even realize she was laying with Theo he spoke harshly, "Did you enjoy your courtyard time with Draco?" He only became more angered at Theo on her chest, "Of course you're in bed with him!"

Rose sat up the best she could manage as Theo slowly stirred awake, "We went to the courtyard? Big deal?"

Mattheo started to walk towards her but Whitman quickly stepped infront of him with a gruff tone full of warning, "I'd watch yourself, Riddle."

Theo yawned, and Rose smiled down at him. She was convinced no one had a more precious form of waking up.

With a long sigh, Theo mumbled against Rose's chest, "Why is everyone yelling?"

Draco hastily picked up Lyra and put her on his bed. Shutting the curtains so she wouldn't have to witness what was happening. He hated yelling and always would. "Mattheo thinks Rose cheated on him" Draco replied annoyedly.

Rose didn't hear what Draco said, too busy watching Theo fall back asleep almost instantly.

Blaise yelled anxiously, "Rose! Did you hear him?!"

She peered over at Blaise, "Hm?"

Mattheo looked to Rose with hatred, something he hadn't done before. "Someone told me Draco was standing over you with your face in his hands, and get this...it's the best part" He laughed incredulously, "He had you pressed against a wall, sounds pretty fucking familiar!"

Draco sneered at him, "Watch how you speak to her."

Theo shifted on her chest, still clueless from what was happening around him, "Why is everyone being so loud?! I want to sleep!"

Rose snorted, pushing some of curls hair off his forehead, "Apparently I cheated on Mattheo."

Theo didn't bother opening his eyes, only groaning loudly,  "Bullshit. Everyone go back to bed. It's too early for psychoville from a jealous cunt"

Mattheo stepped towards Draco, "Defending her already?"

Draco raised his eyebrows, completely unphased, "I'll always defend her you imbecile."

Rose looked over at Blaise, shocked by Draco's casual admittance, "They are going to kill each other in about five seconds"

Blaise reluctantly stood up. Walking to stand between the boys and facing Mattheo, "Either stop with your temper tantrum or break up. It's pathetic you trust that slag over the girl you're dating"

Rose closed her eyes, jealous of Theo's ability to fall back asleep in seconds. "Who?"

Draco glared at Mattheo, looking him up and down, "Hannah Abbott."

She sighed, pulling the covers over her and Theo's heads. "Tell that bitch to get hit with the killing curse before I do it to her myself"

Mattheo tried to step around Blaise but failed, "Move the fuck out of the way"

Blaise rolled his eyes, "You aren't going to hit me, Riddle."

"Actually, let him have a go Blaise," Draco scoffed, "I'm sure he's been waiting for his chance"

"Look," Blaise began, pushing a hand on Mattheo's chest, "I don't want to fight you but I'll have to if you lay a hand on Draco."

Rose groaned while yanking the covers down, forcing Theo awake as she quickly pulled her body away from his and stood up.

She placed a tired hand on her hip, "This show of masculinity is sucking the air out of the room and it's way too fucking early...if you think I cheated, what are you still doing here?"

Theo sat up and rubbed his eyes before getting out of bed. For some reason the room fell deafly silent as he pulled the hood of the sweatshirt over his head and walked to the side table, filling up a glass of water.

Blaise took a seat back on the trunk, "Why would you believe her over Rose? I know this sounds biased but Rose is too loyal of a person to do that"

Mattheo grunted, refusing to make eye contact with Rose. "Seems likely considering her and Draco were gone for so long that everyone was asleep when they got back"

Rose sighed heavily, "I'm not proving myself to you, I've done that enough."

Theo walked over to Rose and handed her his water, "I agree."

"You'd agree with anything she says," Mattheo looked Theo over with disgust, "You're obsessed with my girlfriend"

Nott pushed a dark lock behind her ear, voice still hoarse form last night, "And? Would you like me to lie and say I'm not?"

"You can't try separating them again!" Blaise shouted of the blue, "I am a child of many divorces and I need my friends back together!"

Whitman and Draco shared a look of disbelief aimed toward Blaise before the latter crossed over, patting Blaise on the shoulder in understanding.

Something in the air shifted as Mattheo started heading for Rose and she could see it written all over Theo's face as his tired eyes snapped open. Right before Mattheo can reach her Theo turns around, hand coming onto the Riddle's chest and forcefully pushing him backward. He rarely got mad but when he did, it was scary.

"I'm not scared of you, Nott!" Mattheo let out a manic laugh, "You really want to do this with me?"

Oh no, Rose thought.

Theo stepped forward, having to look down from their height difference. "Gladly, little guy." He mocked before rubbing the back of his neck, "Can we hurry though? It's hurting me to look down so far"

Mattheo became completely ready to kill Theo and Rose sucked in a sharp breath, instantaneously tugging Theo to herself.

"Stop! This is insanity!" Rose rushed out, her eyes darting between the two boys. "You are not fighting him, Mattheo."

The Riddle recoils back a step, eyes moving between Rose and Theo, focusing on her hand gripping onto Theo's arm tightly. "Oh I get it now," He stated aggressively, "It probably wasn't even Draco you were with in that courtyard—it was him! Every fucking thing leads back to you and your precious little Theo!"

"What are you talking about?!" Rose snapped, tightening her grip on Theo's arm as her brain told her he was about to move forward. "You're being insane!"

"You were in bed with Theo for fuck sake!" Mattheo shouts but doesn't move from where he stands. Head shaking and eyes averting to the side before falling back on Rose with the million dollar question coming out breathlessly, "Him or me?!"

An eerie silence casts over the room as each person seems to stop breathing. Stop moving. Stop doing anything other than looking at Rose. All knowing the answer is so simple but terrified of what she will say based off recent events.

Her hand falls from Theo's arm, mouth parting and eyes turning round as she stares at Mattheo, a strike of horror spread over her features.

A flash of anger and pain fills Theo to the brim. He wants to grab onto Rose's shoulders and shake her while he screams for her to say him. To pick him. To look at him. There shouldn't even be a moment of silence.

And he almost does.

But Rose lifts her chin, speaking so sure of herself that there's no trace of doubt, "Him."

Mattheo doesn't appear shocked because he instantly yells at her, "Fuck you!" Before charging out of the dorm, slamming the door behind himself.

All at once, everyone let's out a long breath they had been holding since Mattheo begged the question.

"Oh...." Whitman mutters slowly as he looks around at the others, "Oh my...fuck"

Theo's hand sliding over her shoulder sends Rose into a calming state, carefully turning around to peer up at him.

"Theo, I—" She shakes her head, "I don't know why he thought I would ever choose him."

A soft, genuine looks ghosts over Theo's face. He wants to hug her, hold her. But as he goes to grab onto Rose, steps away and looks around.

"I have to go to the library" Rose proclaims lowly. She crosses over to her trunk, kicking on the front to make the lid pop open and reach inside. Pulling out some tights along with the usual docs, "I'll be back in a little"

"Right now?!" Blaise yelps as if scandalized, "We should be celebrating! You're free from that insane situation!"

She headed to the bathroom while replying, "Have you all forgotten I'm in a tournament?"

The door slams shut before anyone can respond.

When Rose exits the bathroom everyone is in the same position, each of them standing with the exception of Blaise, silently looking around from the shocking morning.

"Draco," Rose called as she stopped by her bed to scoop up the leather school bag, "Do you want to come with me?"

The blonde cleared his throat, gaining the attention of everyone in the room. "Yes. I have to go to the library too" He speaks so elegant it sounds forced, "I'll um—I'll help you."

Rose laughed under her breath as she adjusted the strap atop her shoulder and walked toward the dorm door, finding humor in his rare flustered state. "I could use that brain"

Draco cleared his throat once again, attempting to act normal upon grabbing his own bag off the bed and hastily following after her as she swung the door open.

"Did anyone...." Whitman furrowed his brows as he watched them leave, confused by how happily Rose yanked Draco out of the dorm. "Did you guys see how weird Draco was acting or am I just losing my mind here?"

Blaise gasped, "What if she really did cheat on Mattheo with him?! Draco has not stuttered in years and he just did the minute she said his name!"

"Oh no." Theo deadpanned distantly, bringing a hand up to clutch his forehead. "I have to kill my best friend....what a sad day."

Whitman turned to him with a fatherly-tone, "Theo! You are not murdering Draco!"

When Rose and Draco stepped out into the stairwell she took his hand into her own, intertwining their fingers so causally that Draco couldn't manage to hide his shock.

And she couldn't manage to do anything other than laugh at him, "Does holding my hand scare you that badly?"

A flush crept up his alabaster throat, lips pursing tightly, "I—What?" He lifts his chin up as her smiles grows and makes an uncomfortable amount of warmth spread through him to see her so happy, "I'm just not used to such odd behaviors."

"You poor touch-starved boy," Rose teases, reaching over to pat his chest. "I'll fix you right up"

He scowled at her, eyes narrowing, "I'm going to kick you down these stairs for mentioning me and the word poor in the same sentence."

Rose snorted at his grumpy attitude, covering her mouth as she squeezed his hand subconsciously.

"Merlin, Rosie," Draco muttered, lips visibly twitching up as he adjusted the collar of his sweater. "That was an awful sound..."

"I know" She giggled in surprise at herself. Suddenly yanking him down the steps, Draco scolding her quick movements the whole way down for safety reasons. 

There laid one issue, both of them equally avoiding and pretending they didn't profess their love last night. Hiding all of the nerves and worry, acting as if the topic couldn't be touched.

The pounding rain and gray sky outside casted the library in a glow of low light only coming from the candles hung above, even so early in the day seeming to be the epitome of eeriness between bookshelves. Only few lingered inside but equally gave weird looks when Rose passed by the shelves with her hand intertwined with the infamous Draco Malfoy who seemed to be to busy listening to her animatedly pointing around to notice any of the gawking.

Rose led him to the gated door of the restricted section, seamlessly undoing the new charm Madam Pince had placed after Whitman drunkenly attempted going in weeks ago and accidentally ruined two books. 

Draco watched Rose take a seat at the deepest part of the restricted section. Unknowingly halting to simply look at her in a beautiful, causal state. A rare one that made his throat close up, something he had missed getting a glimpse of. Ever since Mattheo and Rose started up she was always gone, the moments of her in the morning switching from seeing her tired face to where Draco only got to see Rose slip out of the dorm door.

But if there was one thing Draco should've learned by now, it would be that if someone stared at Rose, she wasn't going to smile or take such as a compliment. She was going to stare back at you with a glare that promised you had five seconds before she smacked you in the face.

That's exactly what she was doing right now.

"Well? Sit?" Rose stated like a confused question, gesturing the chair next to herself.

Draco huffed out a laugh and threw his bag atop the table, "What have you learned about the egg so far?" He asked, taking a seat.

She pulled her bag off the floor, letting it fall onto the table with a loud bang that made him sit up straight before she pulled out the golden egg. "Do you see the inscriptions?"

He took the egg away while lazily draping an arm over the back of her chair, "They look like ancient runes"

She nodded and started digging through her bag, pulling out multiple books at once.

He raised his eyebrows in amusement, "Got enough books, Rosie?"

"They are not books you fool—I transcribed them into notebooks after researching several books" She rolled her eyes, trying to hide a smile while grabbing the leather bound journal filled with information about merpeople. "Consider these my precious children, notebooks filled with the very best facts you'll find about a specific topic all combined into one"

"You're a bloody genius, you know that, right?" Draco stated as she opened the book to reveal it was the one filled with information about merpeople, "In a maniacal, eat your soul type of genius but still—a genius"

"Funny, Theo said the exact same thing. Word for word." Rose smiles down at the pages of parchment she flips through, "Having a thirst for learning will only make you smart, one must be driven to madness with the knowledge they hold to become a genius—" She paused to leaned toward him teasingly, "Number one on Walburga Black's greatest quotes!"

Draco laughs in a way that reminds Rose of how much happiness the simple sound coming from him brings her, it's so genuine and real. None of his defenses in place.

"She really knew how to word things, did she not?"

"A poetic mastermind" Rose boasts to the air before focusing back on the pages.

"Odd girl" Draco announces with a click of his tongue. Leaning closer to inspect the page her fingers were running down, his breathe hitting her neck as he spoke cheekily, "Be glad it's one of your best traits"

Rose shot him a look, trying to not be phased by their proximity. Something felt different, like they actually had the ability to be normal with honesty floating between them. "I might be odd but I am much smarter than you—let's focus on that fact again"

He smirked, using his free hand to grab her own that laid across on the book, pushing it down to the last line. "If you were, wouldn't you have noticed that you skipped over the information you needed twice?"

She instantly shoved his hand away, "It's hard to focus when you're breathing down my neck!"

His smirk turned into a grin, "Do I distract you, Rosie?"

She hated herself for missing his arrogance, wondering how it was so flustering. Somehow masking the feeling, Rose scowled, "Not in the slightest bit."

Draco gave her a look that said bullshit as he leaned back into his chair but left his arm around her own. Speaking cocky as ever, "Tell me, all knowing woman, what you were going to say about this putrid egg."

Rose let out a slight laugh at the nickname before grabbing the egg off the table, holding it between them. "Do you remember when I opened the egg and it started screeching?"

He spoke sarcastically, "The horrid sound definitely isn't burned into my brain"

She didn't bother paying attention to his comment while twisting the egg around. "Well at first I thought of a Banshee but then I remembered I saw these inscriptions in a book at Borgin's about merpeople so I got him to send it to me" Rose spoke clearly, dropping the egg onto the table and pushing the book over to Draco. "These inscriptions match and it's also said that above water, merpeople voices sound like a screech."

Draco nodded thoughtfully, scanning the page with an arm laid by the book. "So you need to put it underwater?"

She smirked at him proudly, "There's my smart boy"

He shifted, her nicknames drove him mad. Draco covered it up with his usual tone of voice, "We can use the prefects bathroom"

"That's what I thought, but I don't know how to get the password without asking someone and you all haven't exactly made me seem very approachable"

A prideful crossed Draco's face, lightly letting his fingers trace her back. "I will easily get it"

Rose subconsciously releaxed into the touch, pulling a smirk from him at the action while she grabbed another book. "I just need to find out how I'm going to stay underwater"

Draco leaned a little closer to look at the page she began scanning, "Bubble head charm"

Rose shook her head, "It's too generic and it could bust"

He propped his head up with a hand on the table, seemingly letting himself relax around her. "You could always use dark magic except those pathetic ministry officials would have a lot to say about it"

Her eyes lit up as she looked at him with a sudden wide smile, "It's not illegal though....not a simple dark spell like that!"

He smiled at her without thinking, eyes following her every movement as she stood up. "So use the oxygen spell, it will be like a invisible breathing tube is attached to you"

"Ah..." Rose sighed heavily as she stopped behind him, hands coming onto his shoulders, "I truly did miss that mind of yours—and that smile."

Draco tilted his head back to look up at her, voice coming out serious, "Are we going to address what happened or are you returning to your usual form of avoidance when it comes to talking about yourself?"

"Which would you like to address?" She questioned plainly, "The fact you admitted to being in love with me or how my now ex-boyfriend gave me an ultimatum between him and Th—"

"Rosie." Draco interrupted firmly, "I'm talking about the fact you just ended a relationship less than an hour ago."

"He was crazy"

"But you like crazy."

"He was possessive in the bad way" says Rose, her eyes searching his own, "I like protective men, but not how he was. I'm too much of an independent woman to want a little-brained man who thinks controls what I do. The difference treads a thin line but there is a line, I want to be treated as an equal, not a trophy."

"Good to know" Draco replied as he yanked on her left arm, quickly pulling the girl into his lap. Laughing at her breathlessly having to grab onto him, "Figured I'd make it quick"

"By yanking on me?!"

His shoulders roll back comfortably, lips curling upward as he adjusts her. "Do you have an issue with my efficiency, darling?"

She goes to protest but the sound of heavy footsteps close by fills her ears. Something Rose had learned to do was memorize people by their footsteps and everything in her said it was Theo. If that wasn't enough to prove Theo's nearing presence, Rose knew from the way her breathing picked up he would be there in any—

There he is.

Stepping from the isle behind Draco, stopping as his tired eyes land on them both. Rose instantly goes to stand up at the random sense of guilt consuming her but was instantly kept down by Draco's heavy arms around her waist.

"Where are you going?" Draco asked. "We can't act like last night didn't happen, we—we can't do what we just did. Spending an hour pretending nothing changed..."

Theo leaned his shoulder against the bookshelf, crossing his arms as he raised a brow at her.

"Theo" She blurts out before clearing her throat, "Hi Theo."

Draco's burrows furrow together until he casts a look over his shoulder, "Oh—hey"

Instead of responding, Theo stares at the arms around her waist, tongue rolling against the inside of his cheek. Rose wonders how quickly she could turn into a ghost to prevent her neck from warming any further when suddenly Theo latches his eyes onto her own, grinning like the devil.

"I'm stealing you away for a little"

Rose gulped, "I should probably finish this research first..."

Theo's face falls, pressing up off the shoulder with a gruff voice holding zero warmth, "Get up, Rose."

She nods quickly, "Okay."

Draco watches in amusement as he helps her off his lap. Quickly pushing her hands away as she goes to pick up the books, "Leave all of this here, I'll research the rest of it and you guys can meet me at the prefects bathroom later?"

Taking a vow of silence, Rose upturns her nose and quickly darts off toward the exit with Theo following behind. She doesn't stop walking as they enter the normal part of the library, not slowing down until Theo calls after her.

"Ro!"

She whips around, hand pressing into his chest, bringing him to a sudden halt as well. Eyes looking both ways down the two rows of bookshelves with lingering students before craning her neck up to him, "You are so annoying!"

Theo smiles and she curses him for the way it tugs at her heart, "And you are so beautiful, we both have our own qualities, yes?"

Her eyes grow wide, Theo having to hold back a laugh at how angry she appears. "Why do you keep saying that every time?!" Rose demands.

"Oh...my bad" Theo fakes sincerity, placing his hand over the one she's pressing against him. "Forgive me, your honor, for complimenting my girl."

"I am not your girl!" Rose shoots back instantly.

"Yes you are." Theo snapped before bringing a finger to her chin, "And I'm done letting you act like you are not."

Her jaw drops, completely and utterly baffled by him.

Soft giggles in the distance steal Rose's attention moments later, looking over to see a group of girls gathered by a shelf and staring at Theo.

Rose drops her hand from his chest to yell,  "What?!"

All of girls turn away silently. Rose rolls her eyes with a loud groan, grabbing onto Theo's arm and forcefully tugging him down the isle.

"I know. They all want me, it's exhausting," Theo teased cockily as he let Rose continue yanking him forward, "But don't worry baby, I've always only had eyes for one lady—that's never changing. Give me the worlds best supermodel and watch me yawn in boredom"

Rose looks up to him, getting a wink in return that makes her realize she has to put a stop to this before she's smiling from ear to ear. "Just shut up and take me where you planned, okay?"

"Yes ma'am" Theo whistles lowly, pulling his arm free from her grip, tossing it over her shoulders and bringing Rose into his side. "To the kitchens we go"

Of course, Theo made her wait outside of the kitchens.

So what did she do?

Impatiently tap her foot because it was the only option.

Very, very thin patience.

Five minutes later the portrait of fruit swung open with Theo stepping out, carrying a bucket full of raw meat.

"No way!" Rose instantly gasped, covering her mouth, "We haven't been in so long!"

"I bet the babies are getting bigger and I know they miss us" Theo retorted, holding his hand out to her. Rose slowly looked down, hesitating to give into the simple touch that would bring her so much peace.

Peace only he could provide.

And internally Theo begged Rose to give in, to give him the peace only she could bring.

She gives in.

Intertwining her fingers with his own, equally sucking in a sharp breath's as soon as their skin brushes together.

They passed throughout the long corridor, stepping out into a courtyard that held a pathway to the Forbidden Forest.

It's insanity how easily the two could forget everything and be astronomically happy in each others presence. No more pain. No more sadness. No more bad memories.....

No letter condemning her for loving him.

Upon reaching the top of the grassy hill mixed with spots of snow, Rose pulled her hand free from him with a taunting voice, "Should I race you?"

Before Rose could even manage a blink Theo was bending down, wrapping an arm around her waist and carelessly slinging her over his shoulder.

"Stop picking me up all the damn time!"

Theo ignored her, "I might just feed you to the thestrals if you run away from me right now"

Rose gasped and smacked his butt, "You wouldn't dare Theodore Nott!"

He kept walking them towards the forest, down the big slope leading there with a smirk forming, "I'd hit your own right back but you would enjoy it too much, wouldn't you, Ro?"

She feigned innocence, "Me? Never!"

"You forget what I know"

She ran her fingers over his back with a deep sigh and uncomfortable gut twist, "Are you trying to sex me up Theo?" Rose questioned cheekily despite the sudden flashbacks, watching the snow crunch under his feet.

He stopped at the edge of the forest. Putting her down into the ground with much more carefulness than when picking her up.

"Did you just say 'sex me up'?"

"Obviously? Are you deaf or daft?"

Theo huffed out a laugh, tucking her hair behind her ear and letting his finger run down the small dagger buried inside. "Why not just say fuck?"

"Is that what I was to you?!" Rose snapped angrily, "A simple fuck?"

"I—what?!" Theo stuttered, appearing as if she had just slapped him. "No," He shook his head, "Not at all"

Rose choked on laugh, tipping her head back as she held up a hand. "Oh my," She laughed out and went to the yank the bucket of meat from his hands, "Don't be so gullible, Teddy."

Theo couldn't move.

Or do anything other than stare in shock.

"Theodore! Come on!" Rose shouted a few feet away, five thestrals and two babies already gathered in front of her from how long he stayed frozen.

He shook his head to snap himself back to reality and walked over. Slipping his arms around her waist before speaking, "You are one evil woman"

"I thought you liked that about me?"

"Correction, Princess..." says Theo, waiting until she fully relaxes against his chest, "I love that about you."

Rose purses her twitching lips, pink tinting her skin as she ignored his comment and outstretches a hand until the biggest threstal walked over. Nudging under her palm gently and gaining an excited yelp from Rose, "Look how big you've gotten!"

Theo thought it was humorous to think about how he could almost guarantee if some metaphorical God came down and praised Rose from head to toe she still would remain forever stoic. Since he was six all it took was one compliment rolling off his lips to make her skin brighten with shades of pink. It didn't matter how many years went by, how many times he spoke praises to her, how big or little the compliment was—it affected Rose as if she was hearing Theo give affections for the first time all over again.

He bent down to put his chin on Rose's shoulder, watching her face light up. He admired that after everything she had went through she never let anything change her soul. The way she could be coldest person in the room and also the one with the biggest heart. She shined so brightly regardless of the way life tried to render her down. To him, Rose was the most unique and complex person on the earth. Theo always thought about how lucky he had to be that him, out of all people, got to know every inch of her that no one else ever would.

Because Theo was the only one she'd ever admit to about being too soft for the world.

Rose caught Theo's eyes watching her and turned her head toward him, pressing a chaste kiss to his temple without thinking. Everything just felt too normal, too safe—reality far too gone with his arms wrapped around her.

Going back to the task at hand, Rose dipped her hand into the meat bucket with a grimace. Pulling out a chunky piece, "Who goes first?"

The biggest one waisted no time snatching the meat up, garnering a laugh from Rose and Theo.

He spoke with a stern tone as the creature tried to get the second piece Rose pulled out, "Let the others have some."

Rose nodded, attempting to keep a serious face but ended up giggling as the creature blew air out at them in frustration. The other four threstals quickly approached, all looking hungry.

Theo tightened his arms around her as she started handing out piece after piece to each, "We should name the new babies"

Rose let the bucket fall to the ground with a rumbling clatter as she leaned back into his chest. Reaching out to pet the biggest creature, who had always been the most affectionate. They both assumed it was because the pair met him during their first year when he was a baby.

"Well...we know they are both girls"

Theo titled his chin, focusing on her. "What about Willow?"

One of the babies running through their mother's legs brought a soft smile to Rose's face, "I love it"

He kissed her jaw softly, mumbling against the skin there, "And Leila"

"It means—" Her eyes fell close, shuddering despite the futile attempts to ignore how it felt, "Dark beauty, like them."

"Like I could ever forget" Theo replied, rolling his eyes. "You spent five years trying to get Nyx to make that her name instead"

Rose's head snapped toward him, "Do you remember everything?"

"When it comes to you? I don't forget a single a detail" Theo smiled, sliding his hands under her sweater for warmth. "Now, the same can't be said for the rest of the human species—I can't even remember one thing I, myself, ate yesterday"

She sighed happily, content with life in at the moment and the burning sensation his hands gave her. Focusing her attention back on the creatures, "I don't deserve you"

"What will make you realize you deserve more than me? Should I go pluck each individual star out of the sky for you?" His face contorted and he brought a hand out from under the sweater, turning her head back to him, "I'll do it."

Her stomach twisted into such painful knots she had to look away at the trees, "I'm sorry." Rose said, tone drained of warmth.

"For what?"

"The ball." She mumbled tensely, "I—I shouldn't have lied to you."

Theo leaned up off her shoulder, "Ro—"

"I don't love him." Rose interrupted, still refusing to do anything other than stare ahead. "I just, well, I think it's important you know that."

His breath catches before inevitably using the hold he held on her waist to spin Rose around. He needs her to understand how utterly painful it was to believe she truly did love Mattheo. There's so many things he wants to say but doesn't know how to formulate them into words, doesn't know if he should simply let her live. In Theo's eyes, she still chose being with Mattheo over even being his friend. He didn't just watch the love of his life slip through his fingers, but his best friend as well. Rose wouldn't do that, she wouldn't leave him for anyone or anything. So why did she?

Theo didn't think it would be unfair to demand an explanation. Either way, he didn't care if was unfair.

But as he brought a thumb to her cheek, his own face tense from so much agony caused over the last few months, Theo couldn't bring himself to speak. Too busy watching how Rose looked up at him with such rare gentleness it appeared as if he created the stars in her eyes.

"Did you hear that?" Rose jumped back from Theo at the sound of a whimper, eyes darting every which way. "Something's crying"

At first Theo thought this was just another way of her avoiding truly speaking but as he looked in the opposite direction, a few trees over, Theo spotted a massive black animal. Head peaking around a tree trunk, dusky eyes watching them.

"I think....it's a wolf?" Theo replied unsure.

Rose followed his gaze, instantly taking a step forward which made the animal take three steps backward, revealing itself. There was nothing fluffy about this animal, covered in a slick coat of black with brown around it's face. Standing so tall it would appear ominous if not for the dirt coating the animalistic features.

A dog.

But then Rose saw the bones sticking out from it's ribcage, the tall skinny legs.

A quiet gasp slipped past her lips before Rose slowly bent down to grab the meat bucket, switching her eyes between the animal and the small piece of meat leftover.

"Ro," Theo warned, grasping her arm as she moved forward.

"You're going to let me handle this." She stated firmly, shoving the bucket into his chest and stepping forward with the piece of meat.

With the slowest possible movements on earth, Rose continued on closing the distance, patiently waiting each time the dog moved back a few inches until finally she halted with a foot between them.

Kneeling down to the ground and holding the meat out, "I won't hurt you" Rose promised in a shaky voice, heart aching at how sickly the dog appeared.

A sudden growl erupted from the dog, a scary one in fact.

"Ro! I will kill that dog if I have to!"

"It's just scared," She muttered distantly, too focused on nodding at the dog. "I think it's a....something that starts with a D"

"Doberman." Theo informed as he tried to get a closer look without moving, "It had an owner though, it's ears and tail are clipped."

"Yeah—" Her words fell off as the dog carefully inched closer, yanking the meat from her fingers all at once. Once the animal took a hesitant seat in front of her, Rose used the opportunity to look down, confirming the gender.

"It's a girl" Rose whispered sadly and Theo knew for a fact from that tone of voice there were tears in her eyes. She slowly reached a hand out as the dog finished chewing, laughing breathily when the animal didn't move away, only stared at her.

"What's your name, huh?" She smiles with a wipe of a stray tear, rubbing the dirty head of the dog. "You look like a Jade"

"Ro," Theo breathed out in relief at the calmness, "Don't even think about it."

"You wanna come live with me?" Rose asked excitedly, smiling like a lovesick fool when the dog kept leaning into her palm. "Yeah? I'll get you lots of food and get a fence at the Wiltshire manor—"

"Ro!" Theo scolded, "Where are you going to put a dog while we're at school? It's huge, no, not huge. Massive!"

Of course, she kept ignoring him.

"I'll take you to Poppy and let her heal you. Then I'll tell little ole' Dumbles if he wants me to keep training he'll make an exception..." She began to scratch behind the dog's ear, still masking sadness from the ill condition this animal was in, "How's that sound?"

The dog gave no hint of retaliation, simply inching even closer in a weak state.

"She loves me" Rose suddenly cried, keeping one hand on the dog as she looked back at Theo.

"Baby," Theo tried to make her see reason with the name that felt rare recently, "You just met—"

"Look at her! She loves me and needs us! Us, Teddy!"

He blew out a loud breath, bringing a hand up to his face momentarily. When he looked back at Rose she was staring at him with watery eyes, the pout on her lips not making this any easier.

"You want to name her Jade?" Theo asked, giving in completely.

"Yes!" Rose cheered, turning back to the dog to rub it's cheeks. "See that? He's almost too easy!"

Theo attempted to move forward but stopped from the insanely loud bark directed at him.

Rose flinched, "Must not like men..." She said before standing up, "That's okay baby, Nyx was just like you for a while" Her hand patted the dog's head, surprised by how truly tall it became when following her movements to stand.

"She reaches your hip." Theo stated blandly, lazy eyes scanning the animal. "Do you realize that dog is bigger than you? It could kill you?"

"Oh shut up and go grab me a leaf," Rose grinned out proudly as the dog circled her, "We'll give Jade some water then take her to the hospital wing. You're becoming a dad, be happy!"

*

Draco leaned against the banister railing with the golden egg in his hands, still somehow configuring all the alchemy symbols mentally. Rose and Theo popped up so suddenly he jumped. Turning to glare at the pair until noticing Rose's bloodshot eyes, "What happened? Did someone do something to you?"

"Nothing!" Rose giggled, slipping out from underneath Theo's arm. Refusing to tell Draco about the dog until tonight, "How did you get the password?"

Draco gave Rose a scrutinizing look to assure she was fine before ignoring her and muttering the password. The intricately carved door creaked open, Rose smacking at Draco's head as she passed by.

"Speak up next time blondie!"

Theo draped an arm around Draco's shoulders, "That bad attitude is permanent on him, Ro"

Upon waking deeper through the hall, a bath came into view, if one could even call it that. Shaped as a massive hexagon, connecting to the towering archways that held intricate glass windows. A colorful fountain in the back for different soaps, white marble coating every corner. The only source of light being a soft glow illuminating from a candle filled chandelier.

Draco shrugged off Theo, lifting his wand to turn on the fountain. Water began filling up the tub surprisingly fast for the large size.

Rose started up the steps with a deep sigh at the aromatic bubbles, "Why haven't I been here before?"

"What a modest little bath" Theo mocked sarcastically.

"Drop the sarcasm, Theo. I know what you're thinking and you're wrong, a pool is much bigger." Draco rolled his eyes, setting the egg in the top step.

Rose pulled her shirt off, mussing her in the process. "You'll both get in with me, right?"

Theo raised a brow as she faced them, subconsciously rubbing his lips together when Rose started to pull her pants down. "I don't particularly think we are prepared for that"

"Who cares?" Rose groans, stepping out of the pants. "Live a little, will you?"

The words fell on deaf ears because there she stood in all too memorized lace. Soft glow of the room putting each intricate detail of her in a certain eery spotlight. Both boys seemed too lost in recalling every inch of her their hands touched, their lips marked. Their own little version of dark paradise standing before them.

No one wanted to talk about it in fear of messing all of the progress up but ever since Rose started her medication again she had been gaining weight, eating more, despite being sad. She explained it to Whitman as the one thing she still had control over.

But, the weight gain had done a world of good for her figure, something that made the boys feel faint.

"Don't be so dazed," Rose teased, reaching forward to tug on their sweaters. "Strip"

As if in a drug-induced coma, Theo wasted no time listening to her and taking off his shirt.

Rose glanced at Draco who was only staring at her with a face she couldn't quite place. She tutted at him and began pulling his sweater off. He thought his heart was going to explode as she tossed it to the side and leaned into his ear.

"Don't go shy on me now"

She looked over her shoulder to see the bath almost full, bubbles coating the top. Turning back around her breathe hitched, the two boys she had known her whole life were both shirtless and they did not look like boys anymore, they looked like men. Her stomach flipped and she covered up the feeling with a grin, "Do I have to pull both your pants down too?"

Theo raised a eyebrow challengingly, "Not sure if I'll let you...you've been bad"

Draco was rendered completely mute.

Her grin flipped into a smirk as she faced Theo, looping her fingers in the top of his jeans. "I think we both know you don't have enough strength"

Theo's breathing became shallow as she kept her eyes on him, slowly undoing the button of his jeans before pulling the zipper down. When she went to pull his pants down she felt that burning desire, watching him look at her with such intent.

Rose leaned down while pushing the material to the floor, placing a kiss against his tanned stomach at the halfway mark.

Theo closed his eyes and weaved his fingers into her hair, letting the touch send pleasure through himself.

She stood back up to her full height, running her fingers down his chest with a hoarse voice, "Get in."

Theo tightened his hold on her hair as his eyes stayed half-lidded, yanking Rose close to whisper in her ear, "I'd be careful—I have no problem making him watch me fuck you."

Rose shuddered, every ounce of oxygen leaving her lungs as he slowly pulled away and walked into the tub.

The sound of Theo slipping underwater floated around as she looked over at a speechless Draco. Her mind hazy as she grabbed his hands and pulled him closer to the water. "Your turn"

Draco breathed just as heavily as Theo had, letting his stormy eyes clash against her own.

She pulled on the loops of his pants hard enough for their chests to press against one another, craning her neck up to whisper, "What do you want, Draco?"

He spoke breathless, "Rosie,"

Rose gave an innocent look as she went to push the snowy fringe out of his eyes, "Hm?"

His hand discreetly flew to her throat but didn't squeeze like she grew accustomed to with Mattheo. Instead hitting a pressure point that made her bite back a groan, "Careful how you go about this" Draco warned.

She let her hand slide down his cheek, "Does my touch do something to you?"

He leaned in closer, loving how her eyes fluttered open and close from the way he was barely holding her neck. Draco had already told himself he didn't care about Mattheo anymore, he was going to fight like hell and give her the love she deserved. "More than you can imagine"

Rose felt a chill run up her spine from his icy voice as he released her throat and let a hand go into the dark hair. Whispering in her ear, "Better hurry or the water will be cold"

He smirked at the goosebumps on her skin before stepping back. The look instantly dropping when she turned around because the scar that decorated her back combined with the way her hips moved made him shift uncomfortably.

When Rose stepped into the water Theo held out a hand, yanking her into his lap seamlessly.

Her laughter rung out as she wrapped an arm around his neck, "Draco! Get your arse in here!"

Draco rolled his eyes at her impatience before sitting beside Theo, letting her legs fall into his lap. "Most impatient fucking people to exist"

Theo tutted as he ran his fingers over her hips and stomach, "Keep up with that attitude me and Ro will have to teach you a lesson"

Draco grunted in annoyance as he moved his hands up her legs in a soothing motion. "I'm sure of it"

Rose closed her eyes from the way her body was being touched by them. Not feeling as a normal touch would, it felt as if her skin was being burned alive. The way Dracos touch always stayed warm and Theo's always set her limbs on fire, all of it too much for her to handle.

Draco watched her with a taunting laugh, "Gone silent, Rosie?"

Theo smirked as her eyes slowly fluttered open, "I think she has—poor thing"

She gave them a look that made their breath hitch, "I could easily silence you both"

Draco raised his eyebrows, carefully sliding his hands up on her legs. "Is that a challenge?"

Rose slipped off Theo's lap, coming to stand in between the two boys. Whispering in a voice that sounded like honey to them, "You'd both lose"

Theo shared a glance with Draco, "Does she really believe that?"

Before Draco could respond she put a hand on each of their thighs. Smirking when their eyes darted to her own, "What? Is it that easy?"

Draco clenched his jaw and lifted his head up, "Not even close"

She looked between them both, then slowly slid her hands up. Her smirk turning into smile when their lips parted in sync. "Are you sure?" Rose asked, barely inching her fingers further.

Theo practically panted out her name in warning, "Ro,"

"You know..." She began as her hands came to rest inches from where they wanted. Leaning against the bench to whisper in between their ears, "You could both have me for a night. Stop the years of senseless fighting one another..."

The door creaked open in the far off distance, Rose looking straight ahead to see Whitman slipping inside.

"Or...you could just keep fighting eachother until one of you ends up dead" She whispered one last time, enjoying every second of their heavy breathing. All at once Rose pulled back, raising her brows as they both exhaled loudly.

"Whichever you prefer, of course." Rose stated loudly before amusedly watching Theo run a hand down his face.

"Oi!" Whitman yelled down the hall, "What the fuck am I getting dragged here for? I was busy with a Puff when that owl flew in the dorm!"

No one answered him.

Rose simply brought her knees onto the bench as he neared, propping her head up with a hand on the edge.

Whitman bent down in front of her with his ruffled Smith's shirt hanging loosely, looking between the two boys.

"What'd you do to them?"

Theo shook his head, shifting on the seat to look at Whitman. "I'm fine now."

"Yeah—perfectly fine" Draco stated while clearing his throat, "Where our missing part? Blaise?"

Whitman ignored Draco, tilting his chin down at Rose in question.

She smiled softly, "I didn't do anything, Whit."

"Why don't I believe you?"

"I'm here!" Blaise shouted pompously while walking down the hall, "Now, tell me why I've been summoned! I was napping with Fred!"

Draco yelled back, "We've gotta figure out this stupid egg! Everyone is helping!"

"Get in," Rose whispered to Whitman, "Please..."

"No." Whitman deadpanned.

"Oh.." She muttered sadly, "In that case—" Rose reached up quickly, yanking Whitman into the tub and splashing everyone as they sunk underneath the water.

Swimming as far as possible, Rose waiting until she felt the drainer against her feet at the center to rise out of the water. Being met with everyone laughing, Blaise now sitting on the edge with his feet dipped in.

All finding humor except Whitman whose tee now stuck to his chest, hand moving to push his hair back.

Rose giggled with a nervous look, "Did I ever tell you how much I love you?"

Whitman wiped the water droplets from his scarred face, "I'm coming for you. Right now."

She slowly started backing up, yelping when he moved forward and sent her turning around to rush away.

"Get her, Whit!" Draco shouted with a laugh.

Rose gasped, "No! Don't encourage him!"

Her attempted escape was purely futile.

Whitman's arms wrapped around Rose's waist and lifted her up within seconds. She thrashed against him with laughter, finding it all useless.

"You're in trouble young lady" Whitman warned by her ear.

Rose threw her head back onto his shoulder to get a good look, "Am I?"

Whitman nodded firmly, keeping his arms around her but loosening enough for Rose to turn and face him. He bent down slightly, signaling her legs over his waist without words. So much time with a person provided mental communication.

"What were you doing with a Hufflepuff?" Rose asked with a playful bite, tossing her arms over his shoulders.

Whitman casted a glanced behind himself to see the other three engaging in a loud conversation before focusing back on her, "Didn't know you had house prejudice?"

"I don't!" She attested, sighing as his fingers wrapped underneath her thighs. "What were you doing with a girl? Is that better?"

His face falls, "Ro..."

"I'm sorry" Rose replied lowly as laughter from the others fill the room, Whitman backing them further and further away. "I just, well, lines got blurry from what we did. Not like I didn't joke about it before but now I sound like some jealous freak when I express myself about your tendencies"

"I don't mind hearing your opinion on my so called 'tendencies'" Whitman promised, lips quirking up on one side. "Made me quite sick watching you run around with Riddle"

"Two jealous best friends" Rose giggled at the preposterous behavior from the both, "Perfectly normal"

Whitman didn't know what to say.

No idea at all.

Her face twisted in a soft smile as she scanned the scars peaking out on his collarbones, "You look pretty"

"Pretty?" Whitman laughed deeply.

"Mhm" She hummed, pressing her lips to his cheek before laying her head in the crook of his neck. "I miss you"

"I'm right here."

"I know."

Whitman brought a hand up into her back, rubbing on the skin soothingly. "One of those days?"

"Yeah."

"I'll sleep with you tonight then. You need to talk to Theo though, you won't be okay until you do."

"Okay..." Rose murmured, tightening her arms around his neck. "I got a dog."

"What?!" Whitman blurted out in shock.

"And Theo is the one who let me"

Whitman turned them around at once, "Theodore Nott!"

Theo slowly looked away from Blaise and over to Whitman with a lazy raise of his eyebrows, "Am I in trouble?"

"You let her get a dog!"

"A big one" Rose informed tiredly.

"You let her get a big dog?!" Whitman repeated.

"What?!" Draco and Blaise chorused together loudly.

"She used the eyes on me!" Theo shouted back, "You don't understand! I can't say no when she does that! She wants a dog?! She gets a damn dog from me! She wants to buy Britain? Fine!"

A mix of shouting began ringing out from all of the boys, Theo furiously defending his decision as the others scolded him.

Meanwhile Rose sighed happily, smiling against Whitman's neck at the chaos she evoked.

________________________________

A/N: i need ur opinions asap. so i wanted to give rose a big scary dog but I cannot decide if I should leave it as a Doberman or change it to a black German shepherd? My original plan was German Shepard sooo.....HELP..i cannot decide
^can we talk about how massive I made the dog though? iconic. also Theo giving in made me giggleeee

—i know this was a boring filler chapter but we ride on ladies n gents

—Theo and Rose are the reason I've listened to sad beautiful tragic 15 times today

—me when Draco and Rose act like they didn't profess their love after years and years the next day:  🫥🫥

—WE GET REGGIE AND AMAZING THEO MOMENT NEXT CHAPTER! PLEASE CHEER WITH ME!!

—also sorry for posting at 3 am my time?!! i have literally had the worst sleeping schedule since my sisters baby was born

xx bri