When Theo and I get up to my bedroom, he closes the door behind us as I go lie down on my bed.

"Merlin, that was exhausting," I mutter.

Theo lays down beside me, staring up at my ceiling. "I think it went well," He says. "Do you think your mum likes me?"

I tilt my head to look over at Theo. "Oh, she loves you," I tell him. "She's never going to shut up about you now."

Theo turns his head and looks at me. "You think so?" He asks.

"I know so."

I look back up at the ceiling but Theo is still looking at me. There's a comfortable silence between us and we both just lay there for a few minutes before I sit up.

"Okay, I need to get ready for bed before I fall asleep," I sigh, getting up from my bed.

Theo sits up as well. "Yeah, me too."

I go over to my dresser and grab my pajamas before I go into my attached bathroom to change and get ready for bed. I take my makeup off and wash my face, and I brush my teeth, but when it comes time for me to change into my pajamas I can't quite reach the zipper of my dress.

My mum had to help me zip it all the way up earlier.

I struggled for a couple minutes to reach the zipper on the back of my dress before coming to the conclusion that I need help.

"Theo," I say, peeking my head out from the bathroom.

He's already in plaid pajama pants and a black t-shirt. Theo looks up from rummaging around his bag. "What's wrong?" He asks.

"Can you unzip my dress?" I ask. "I can't get it."

"Yeah, come here," Theo says.

I step into my bedroom and Theo meets me halfway. I turn my back to him and pull my hair out of the way.

Theo rests one hand on my back, towards the top of my dress. His other hand is reaching for the zipper and I can feel him hesitate before slowly unzipping my dress.

He's standing so close that I can smell his cologne and the faint scent of his eucalyptus shampoo.

Theo finishes unzipping my dress and his hands linger for a second before he pulls them away. I turn back around to face him and my eyes automatically drift to his lips before I meet his gaze.

"Thank you," I say quietly.

"You're welcome," Theo replies, his voice low.

Neither of us are breaking eye contact and I feel like we're subconsciously getting closer until our noses are inches apart.

I clear my throat and look away. "I'm going to change," I say.

Theo steps back and clears his throat as well. "Yeah, okay," He replies.

I go back into the bathroom and attempt to get my heart rate back to normal while I slip out of my dress and into my pajamas.

When I get back into my room, Theo grabs some things from his bag and slips past me into the bathroom.

I turn off the lights and get into bed, pulling the duvet up around me.

I can hear the sink running in the bathroom momentarily, and a few minutes later Theo is crawling into bed beside me. My bed is much bigger than the ones at Hogwarts, so there's a lot of space between us.

Theo turns on his side and faces me in the dark.

"I'm glad your mum likes me," He whispers.

"Me too," I say. I turn on my side and look at Theo in the dark. I can make out the shape of his noses, the curve of his jaw, and the singular freckle on his cheek.

Neither of us say anything else before we're both drifting to sleep with a lot of space between us.

- - - - -

December 25th, 1997

Theo and I wake up the next morning significantly closer than we were when we went to bed. We get up and open presents with my mum and Matthew. Daphne, Blaise, Pansy, and Draco all sent Theo's presents to my house as well so we open all of the gifts from our friends.

My mother cooks all of us breakfast and then Theo and I go back upstairs to get ready.

I pack an overnight bag for Theo's house, and carefully tuck in my dress for the ball tonight. Theo hasn't seen it yet and I intend to keep it that way.

We say goodbye to Matthew and my mum, who gives both of us a kiss on the cheek.

As soon as Theo and I apparate to Nott Manor, the entire atmosphere feels colder despite it being in the same town as my house. It's the middle of the afternoon, but the sky seems darker here. Theo carries both of our bags on one arm and holds my hand with the other. He gives me a reassuring look before pushing open the front door.

There's a crack and the Nott's house elf appears in the foyer.

"Mister Nott, Jisley wishes you a Happy Christmas, sir," Jisely, the house elf, says.

"Happy Christmas to you as well, Jisley," Theo replies with a small smile. "You remember Alex?"

Jisley turns to me. "Jisley is very happy to see Miss Rosier," She exclaims. "Happy Christmas!"

"Happy Christmas, Jisley" I say.

She folds her small hands in front of her. "Jisley will bring Mister Nott and Miss Rosier's belongings up to Mister Nott's room. Master Nott is waiting in the dining room."

Theo lets her take our bags and she disappears with another crack, taking our luggage with her.

"Now it's your turn to pretend to be madly in love with me, darling," Theo says with a grin. He tugs on my hand and starts leading me towards the dining room.

"I think I'll manage," I tease.

The dining room is a bit depressing. The interior is all decorated with dark wallpaper and dark decor. There's a table big enough to fit twelve people, but it usually is just Theo and his dad.

Theo's dad, Tiberius Nott, is seated at the head of the table. He's reading the Daily Prophet, with today's headline, Potter Spotted in Godric's Hollow. There's a picture of Harry underneath that was taken last year at a quidditch match.

"Ah, Theodore," Mister Nott says. He sets down the newspaper and looks at Theo and I. "And Alexandria Rosier. I've been waiting to meet you, Theodore speaks very highly of you in his letters."

"Father, you've met Alex before," Theo points out.

Mister Nott dismisses Theo with his hand. "Not since you started a relationship with her. It's different now," He claims. "Well, sit, Jisley should be bringing some tea."

Theo sits down to the right of his father, and I sit down to Theo's right.

The door to the dining room cracks open and Jisley comes in with three cups of tea and a cup of sugar.

"Thank you," I tell her quietly.

She gives me a small smile and gives Theo his tea. "Thanks, Jisley," Theo says. When she brings Mister Nott his tea, he doesn't so much as look in her direction.

Theo puts some sugar in his tea, then proceeds to put some in mine as well.

Mister Nott takes a sip of his tea before setting the mug back on the table and looking at me. "I went to school with your father, Alexandria," He says.

"Really? I had no idea," I lie. My dad shit talked Tiberius Nott on more than one occasion in his journals.

He nods. "He was a bit outspoken back in the day, but the Rosier's are a good family nonetheless."

Theo shifts in his seat beside me and I feel his hand rest on my knee reassuringly. I glance down at his hand before taking a sip of my tea and waiting for Mister Nott to continue.

"I think you would be good for my boy, Theodore," He says. "You come from a good, Pureblooded family, and family is very important. Wouldn't you agree, Miss Rosier?"

"Yes, sir, of course. Family comes before anything else," I answer.

Mister Nott looks content with my answer. He looks and Theo and claps him on the shoulder. "You did good, Theodore," He says.

"I think so too," Theo smiles.

"Now, have we given any thought as to when you two would like to get married-"

Theo interrupts, "Father."

"I know, I'm getting ahead of myself," Mister Nott says. "Just think about it." He looks down at his very expensive watch. "I'll let you two leave to get ready for the ball, I have to go to a meeting but I should be back in an hour or so." He gets up from the table and leaves the room before either of us can say anything.

Theo sighs and leans back into his chair. His hand is still on my knee, and he gently rubs his thumb back and forth absentmindedly.

"Testa di cazzo," Theo mutters, pinching the bridge of his nose. "He is such an asshole."

I give Theo a small smile. "It wasn't bad," I say.

"He's just such a dick," Theo says. "I'm sorry you had to deal with that."

"Hey, it's fine. It was all a part of the deal," I tell Theo. He shakes his head so I reach out and cup the side of his face, turning his head to look at me. "It's okay."

Theo leans his head into my hand slightly. "You still don't deserve that though."