14 July, 1997 (9:15p.m, Saturday)

Astoria grabbed Scarlett's arm and practically dragged her away, "Tell me everything." She whispered once she was sure Draco was far enough away.

Scarlett looked over her shoulder, checking the distance between them and Draco, "Well, I walked out looking for him, when I found him, he just looked so good. His jacket was on the chair, his tie was draped over his shoulders. We argued for a minute over the dance and then he asked me was I over Adrian. I said yes and he kissed me." She left out a few parts but she felt that it wasn't her place to tell Astoria about his Dark Mark.

Astoria frowned, "That's all?"

She nodded, "Well he didn't fuck me in the hallway if that's what you're asking."

Astoria shrugged, "I was just wondering. So what was the kiss like?"

"Better than the first."

"I need the details. You're leaving out too many." Astoria pestered, swatting Scarlett's arm.

"I don't know what there is to say, he just backed me into the wall and we made out."

Astoria grabbed her hand, pulling her back towards the ballroom doors, "Are you going to see him tonight?"

Scarlett sighed, "I don't know. Probably not. My mom left me a letter and Cissy gave me it today so I might just stay here, read it and then go to sleep."

"Aw, well that was sweet of her."

The two girls made their way back to their seats, Narcissa turned to Scarlett once she sat down, "I take it you've broken up with Adrian." She gave Scarlett a knowing smile before turning back to her conversation with Lucius.

Astoria kicked Scarlett's foot from under the table, "How did she know before I did?" She asked.

Scarlett shrugged, "She knows everything. She knew when I kissed him at the party. She knew when he climbed through my window. She has like a magic power."

Astoria shook her head, she was about to say something else but Draco took a seat beside her. "Found Theo." He mumbled.

"Where was he?" Astoria asked, side eyeing Scarlett.

"He was in one of the halls with his jacket off and tie untied with half the buttons on his shirt unbuttoned. He said he was hot and needed fresh air but I call bullshit."

Astoria held back a laugh, "Have a little faith in him, Draco."

Theo took his seat across from Scarlett, not looking at her as he sat down. "What are you guys whispering about?" He asked.

Draco looked away, "Oh nothing."

Astoria laughed but didn't say anything.

Theo turned to Scarlett, "Well? What'd they say about me?" He asked.

Scarlett turned a deep shade of red, "Draco think you were hooking up with someone in the hallway."

Theo looked around the table to see who all was there. Narcissa, Lucius, and Theodore had all gotten up to go socialize leaving only the teenagers there. "I wasn't hooking up with anyone, for your information."

"Then why was your jacket on the chair and your shirt unbuttoned?" Draco asked.

"I was hot." He mumbled.

"Theo, is that lipstick on your neck?" Astoria asked, she had a mischievous glint in her eye. Scarlett kicked her from under the table.

Theo rolled his eyes, he reached his hand up to his neck and wiped, "There is no lipstick. You two are just being idiots." He showed his hand, it was free of any lipstick smudges.

Astoria shrugged.

Scarlett sighed, "Has anyone heard from Adrian?" She asked.

Theo rolled his eyes, "He leaves you alone at your ball and you're wondering if we've heard from him?"

She scoffed, "Not like that! I just want to know what was so important he had to miss it without writing me to let me know."

"I think he's just a dick. It was probably his plan to begin with." Draco theorized.

Astoria shook her head, "No, I can't see him planning that far in advance. He probably planned to come originally but then decided on Greece last minute because he's a dick."

"Who's a dick?" A person asked from behind them.

Astoria turned to the voice, "Oh.. It's you."

Scarlett slumped down in her chair, she had paled and was staring at Theo. She didn't even have to turn around to see who it was, she recognized his voice.

"Sorry I was running late," He paused, taking the seat beside Scarlett, "My mum and I decided on a quick trip to Greece." He slung his arm around Scarlett's shoulders. She was still holding eye contact with Theo, who was now staring at Adrian's arm over her shoulders.

Draco cleared his throat, "Adrian, could I have a word with you out in the hall?"

Scarlett turned to Draco, her eyes were wide, the look she gave him was a look of desperation. Astoria leaned over to Draco, "She wants to end things with him. Make sure to tell him that." She whispered for only him to hear.

Draco nodded and stood up, "We can go to my father's study." He offered.

Adrian stood up, "Be back soon, love." He kissed Scarlett on the cheek.

Her nose wrinkled in disgust, but he didn't notice because, as usual, he was too caught up in himself to notice anything else.

When Draco and Adrian walked away Astoria turned to Theo, "You need to go mediate."

"I think Malfoy's got it handled."

"No he doesn't and you know it. Adrian's going to leave with a black eye or something if you're not in there to keep it from happening." Astoria lectured.

Theo rolled his eyes, "He's going to leave with a black eye and a bloody nose if I'm in there.." He trailed off, standing up, "But if that's what you want."

He didn't give Astoria any time to object because he turned away from the girls and caught up to Draco and Adrian.

-

Draco was standing in Lucius Malfoy's study with a crystal glass in his hand, he'd poured Adrian, Theo, and himself a glass of whiskey. Theo was sitting on Lucius' desk and was waiting for Draco to begin his speech.

"You know, you have a lot of nerve showing up here after you missed Scarlett's dance." Draco began.

Adrian laughed, "I'm my defense, I thought it was at the end of the ball."

Draco was about to speak but Theo cut him off, "Bullshit. You've been to how many balls? You know it's at the start, you just didn't care enough to be here."

Adrian rolled his eyes and turned to look at Theo, "Why are you even here? You know, I've come to realize, you always seem to be around when something's involving Scarlett. Your pathetic little crush is ridiculous. This is a conversation between Malfoy and I, not you and I."

Theo scoffed, "Well, for you to think Scarlett likes you so much you sure failed to think of what would happen when you missed her dance and left her standing in the middle of the ballroom alone."

Adrian frowned, "You know nothing of our relationship and it'd be best for you to stay out of it. I assure you she wasn't upset and it was all a misunderstanding, we're perfectly fine."

Draco moved closer to Theo, he figured Astoria had sent him to mediate but the look that Theo was giving Adrian made Draco think that maybe he should be the one mediating. "No, you're not perfectly fine. Theo danced with her because you couldn't be bothered to let her know. You could've sent an OWL so that way we would've known you weren't coming. Theo could've been waiting for her at the door from the start, instead of having to cross the entire ballroom from our table, while everyone around picked up on the fact that her dance partner wasn't there and Theo was thankfully coming to the rescue. In fact you should be thanking Theo for-"

Adrian scowled at Theo, "You danced with her?" He asked, cutting Draco off as he walked closer.

"Sure did, since you couldn't be bothered-" Theo was cut off by Adrian throwing a punch.

Draco walked over to the two boys, attempting to get in the middle before Theo had the opportunity to get back at him. Of course, he walked a bit slower in order to give Theo a chance to throw at least one punch. Which he did, Adrian's head swung back and he turned away momentarily, when he turned back around, he had blood dripping from his nose and bottom lip. This was good enough for Draco so before Adrian could make it back to Theo, he stepped in and grabbed Adrian's arm, pulling him away from Theo and pushing him into a chair.

"This is how this is going to go, Pucey, you're going to leave and never speak to Scarlett again. You two are over. You're an embarrassment to your family and an embarrassment to Scarlett. She doesn't want you around. In fact, when you asked her out, she didn't even want to say yes. You're pathetic, honestly, you should be glad Lucius isn't around because I'm sure he would be less kind about-" Draco was once again cut off by the door to the study opening.

Speak of the devil... Lucius Malfoy walked in glaring, Theodore Nott Sr. following behind him. Lucius walked up to his desk, taking a seat behind it. "Mr. Pucey." He greeted.

Adrian had a handkerchief up to his nose, "You and your wife should really watch who you let around your daughter. You're letting someone violent in your house near Draco and Scarlett." He cocked his head over to Theo.

Lucius gave him a cold smile, "I think the only person we'll be watching around our children is you. I see you've started another fight with Theo?"

Draco looked over to his father, "How did you know about the first one?"

"People talk, Draco. No need to be concerned, I'm not mad at you or Theo." He waved his hand at Draco, signaling for him to not respond and remain quiet while he talked.

Theodore, who had been standing by the bookshelf walked over to the other chair beside Adrian, "If you're going to throw a punch at my son, you should make sure that he's not going to get back up, Nott's don't back away from a fight. We win them. But I can't say the same for your family, the Pucey name has about as much worth as the Weasley's. Your father is pathetic, you're pathetic, you're grandfather was pathetic. You're all pathetic blood traitors. You should've considered yourself lucky, you could've moved up a bit in the world if you'd have shown up for your dance with Scarlett. Instead, you embarrassed both her and your family."

Lucius nodded, "You're not to come around here anymore. The Malfoy name will not be associated with yours. You won't be seeing Scarlett anymore. Whatever you think there is between you two, it's over. I'm sure she agrees, I doubt she enjoyed being stood up by you. You had a lot of nerve showing up here tonight. I don't take kindly to you embarrassing my daughter-"

Adrian, who seemed to not only have a death wish, but also seems to enjoy interrupting people, once again interrupted, "I thought she was your niece?"

Lucius frowned, "Stop interrupting. You've interrupted Draco, you've interrupted Theo, you've interrupted me, Merlin, did your father not teach you anything?"

Draco looked over to Theo, he had his hands covering his mouth, hiding his grin. Theo shook his head, 'This won't end well for Pucey' he mouthed after making sure no one was looking.

Draco nodded in agreement.

"Now, I want you out of my house. Don't even try and contact Scarlett. Don't speak to Draco, not here, not at school, not at quidditch, anywhere. I also think it'd be in your best interest to not speak to Theo either, he seems to handle himself well." Lucius nodded to the blood trickling down Adrian's neck.

Adrian sat there. For once, he was speechless, not quite sure of what he was supposed to say, he finally opened his mouth, about to speak, before being cut off by Lucius.

"You're dismissed, Pucey, Draco and Theo will escort you to the floo, where you will exit and never come back."

Adrian nodded and Theo and Draco walked to the door, stopping at it to wait for him. When all three boys had disappeared, Theodore picked up the decanter holding the whiskey and grabbed two glasses, "Well that's one problem handled." He mumbled, passing a cup to Lucius.

Lucius scoffed, "He'd better not come back. I figured he would've gotten the hint the first time Theo busted his nose but it seems not."

Theodore chuckled, "How did that happen by the way? Theo didn't mention anything about that to me."

Lucius shrugged, "Narcissa didn't say, she just told me that if I noticed that Adrian had a black eye it was because Theo punched him over something he'd said about Scarlett. She didn't tell me how she knew or anything. Merlin, she knows everything, somehow."

"You know, I think Theo has a soft spot for Scarlett." Theodore confessed, taking a seat across from Lucius.

Lucius looked up at him, "Really? I would've never guessed." He responded sarcastically.

Theodore grinned, he shook his head, "He won't admit to it, of course. I'm sure he's worried about how it would affect his friendship with Draco."

Lucius laughed, "I think he can handle Draco. However, I do think joining our families would be a great idea but I promised Narcissa that I wouldn't force Scarlett into an arranged marriage, it's not what Cassandra would've wanted for her. As much as I hate what all Cassie and her husband stood for, I do plan to respect their wishes regarding Scarlett. Now, with that being said, I do think Scarlett and Theo will end up married regardless, if seeing them dance tonight would've been my first time ever seeing them, I would've assumed they were already a couple, I just don't think they've realized that yet."

Theodore nodded, "He fancies her, I'm very sure of it. I just don't know when he plans to admit it."

"Well, Scarlett is very stubborn and is probably denying that she even likes him. Either out of concern for Draco and Theo's friendship or she's just in denial, she's never been too good at expressing her feelings."

"Neither has Theo, it'd be in his best interest to tell her soon, they start dating now and once they're finished with school they can start their engagement."

"There's a war to win first. I can't see the Lord being too happy if they start an engagement during the most important event of his life. I told Draco that he needed to wait until everything was over before he proposed to Astoria and that he needed to keep his plans a secret and mention her as little as possible because I'd hate to see Him use Astoria as a way to keep Draco in line. Same for Scarlett, I want no harm to come their way. They don't need to know of anything going on outside of their little bubble. As far as I'm aware, neither of them know that Draco took the Mark, I want it to stay that way because the less they know the better."

"They're smart girls, they'll figure it out soon. When Draco starts disappearing for hours on end to build that cabinet, they'll notice. Theo will be around too much and it'll raise suspicions, especially since the boys are normally always together."

Lucius shook his head, "I overheard Draco and Theo talking the other day, they're working on it together. They're keeping it a secret from Him right now, but Draco has plans of asking at the next meeting just to be sure that it's okay."

"Stupid boys. They can't just ask Him that."

Lucius smiled, "Now, now, Theodore, don't you remember how we were at their age? We were the same way, in fact, if I recall correctly, you asked Him if I could help you on your first mission as well."

"Well, I never said we weren't stupid. He was a bit nicer to his followers then but now I think he's worried, that Potter boy just keeps getting stronger. I think he's worried he might lose."

Lucius cleared his throat, "We shouldn't even think about that possibility. You never know who's listening. Let's get back to the ball. I think that Bellatrix is supposed to be coming. She's never met Scarlett so I'd like to be there to make sure that goes well."

Theodore nodded, "Do you think her meeting Scarlett is a good idea?" He asked, following Lucius to the door.

"Absolutely not. She's the daughter of a Pureblood woman who betrayed her family, Bellatrix is going to scare her half to death."

"Surely she won't be that awful, even if Cassandra betrayed your family, that doesn't have anything to do with Scarlett."

"Theodore, you know as well as I do that Bellatrix is insane. If the Dark Lord asked her right now to kill her own sister she'd do it. She's not going to care that Scarlett didn't betray anyone, her only mission is to see how useful Scarlett is. So that's why I need to get down there and make sure she doesn't say anything to give away what Draco and Theo have been doing and to make sure she doesn't harm Scarlett in any way."

Theodore walked out of the study, "I suppose I'll go with you then."

authors note:
did y'all discover theo nott from
dramione fanfics or something
else bc he only had like 3 canon
scenes in the books? my friend and
i were talking and she said she learned
more about who he was from edits and
that just never occurred to me as a way to discover him, idk why i thought it but i
thought everyone just learned more
about who he was from a sad dramione fanfic (isolation by bexchan ruined my life.
it has been 3 years and i still
haven't recovered from his UNNECESSARY death)

anyways hope you enjoyed this chapter:)
if you'd like to see content related to this book check out my tiktok @theonotts.wp