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Hermione couldn’t really pinpoint the first time she thought of Hogwarts as home. She was nearly twelve when she left her home to discover the castle for the first time. She was seventeen when she closed the doors to her parents house for the last time. In eighth year, the castle became her sanctuary as she clung onto the last piece of her childhood. So when the Headmistress had suggested for her to pursue a mastery in Charms to replace Professor Flitwick when he was set to retire a few years later, Hermione jumped at the opportunity. Hogwarts had welcomed her all those years ago, shaped her into the person that she was, and it was fitting for her to come back to the castle and help shape the next generations of witches and wizards.
For Theodore Nott, Hogwarts was the embodiment of safety; a sharp contrast compared to spending his childhood in a dark, cold Manor under the mistreatment of his father. Hogwarts had felt like the perfect escape: walking through the corridors of the old castle, Theo felt safe to be himself, nothing could ever happen to him.
Until his seventh year, when all hell broke loose. Under the reign of Snape and Carrows, his safe place became a haunted castle, but Theo was not a child anymore, and along with Longbottom and Girl-Weasley, he joined the underground clinic of the castle, taking advantage of his animagus form, a sparrow, to fly around the castle grounds undetected. Taking up a Mastery in Transfiguration after Hogwarts was really just another excuse to flee his ancestral home.
What Hermione and Theo didn’t expect was that Hogwarts would become the stage of their love story.
The two professors beganas casual co-workers, enjoying from time to time chatting on their latest read or their struggling students. Quite quickly, they had grown closer, engaging in late night drinks and wagers on the outcomes of Quidditch games or debating hotly on which Goblin revolt had had the most impact on the Wizarding world.
For an entire year, the two had danced around one another, until one fateful summer evening at the Longbottom-Parkison Estate, where they had fallen into bed together and had been inseparable ever since.
It had been two years since then, and the two professors officially shared their quarters in the Castle, sure that nothing could ever disturb their solid bond, until Draco Malfoy.
On the crisp morning of the Yule Ball, she was enjoying her early morning walk around the ground before the chaotic festivities the day would surely bring. Hogwarts had an aura about it that fascinated many witches and wizards through history. Maybe that was why so many editions of Hogwarts: A Mystery existed. Nevertheless, Hermione loved the old castle in the Highlands.
The last time she had attended the Yule Ball, she was a girl of fifteen, on the verge of falling head
first into war against one of the biggest threats of the Wizarding world. Making her debut in the headlines of the papers, exposing her life for anyone to comment on it. Ten years later, she was now a professor about to probably end up in the papers again. This time, not for being the date of a Quidditch prodigy, but for being escorted by the heirs of two of the most ancient wizarding families in Britain. Two families that had tried their hardest to eliminate her. Maybe it was karma. In any case, she was happier now than she had been ten years ago and that had a lot to do with her brooding blond and goofy brunette.
Falling in love with Theo had been like falling asleep — one day, she was warming up to him, chatting about some article in a scientific journal that they both loathed and suddenly, she was kissing him to shut him up.
It had been a natural escalation from getting to know the (formerly) shy wizard, and with time, their connection had grown deep and strong. Sharing their experiences, soothing each other’s nightmares and reassuring each other. They also shared their hopes and dreams, their aspirations, their doubts. Theo and Hermione were a solid couple. They had a plan for the future, goals and most importantly, they trusted their love.
So when Draco Malfoy had arrived in the castle the previous year, Hermione and Theo were confronted with something they never imagined, something that wasn’t part of their carefully crafted plan: the attraction that both felt for the new Potions Master.
Hermione had been skittish for a few weeks, which quite frankly, annoyed Theo, a lot. He had never seen her act like this. She was snapping at everyone out of the blue, spending hours in the library, glaring at whoever tried to approach her, which reminded their colleagues of her years as a student when exam period was near. Rumour had it that she made a first year cry after the student tried to ask a question.
That was enough and Theo was determined to find out what was causing his girlfriend to react like this.
“Min, love, are you there?” he asked entering their sitting room.
“Oh, hi.” She was seated on the floor, books spread around her on the coffee table. “I thought you were going to fly after class.” Her hair was sectioned in six rows of cornrows, a hairstyle she favoured when she wanted to focus deep into something without having her locks falling on her face.
“Yes, initially, but I heard something and I think we need to talk, love,” he took a seat on the couch, casting an eye over the texts spread out.
His brow furrowed at the titles. The witch blushed furiously and in a wand movement, the books closed themselves and flew to her shelves.
“What is it?” she asked to divert his focus from the books.
“I’ve heard that you made a student cry,” he stated.
She rolled her eyes and clicked her tongue in annoyance. “That is a gross exaggeration, besides, I simply reminded him that I had office hours when I was available for questions and that I was busy at the moment, nothing traumatic.”
“Min, this isn’t your normal behaviour. Some of our colleagues have noticed it and are worried. What is going on ?” he asked gently, taking her hand in his.
The witch tried to protest at first but the piercing blue eyes of her boyfriend were free of all the malice and mischief that usually characterized him.
Facing his concern, she caved.
“I…I think I’m developing feelings for someone,” she whispered, casting her eyes down.
Theo was surprised. Of all the scenarios, this was one he hadn’t envisioned. Hermione started rambling. Now that her secret was out, she felt the need to explain the whole situation and voice her questions and doubts out loud.
“I’m sorry Theo, I swear I don’t understand where it’s coming from and I didn’t see it coming.” She rose to her feet, pacing in the room. Her emotions were unravelling.
“I didn’t pursue it either. I swear Theo, you have to believe me” she was panting.
“As soon as I realised I wanted more than friendship with that person I put my distance. I swear I never cheated on you,” her vice broke then, tears rushing down her cheeks. “I just feel so drawn to them but I love you Theo.” She kneeled in front of him.
“There is no choice to make. You are my partner, my love and my future, I would never leave you for anyone else. Do you hear me?” She was sobbing desperately at this point. The weight of all her emotions became too big for her.
Theo took her in his arms, rocking her until she calmed down. Hushing and whispering comforting words in her ears while she was crying and whispering a thousand apologies. When she finally calmed down, Theo let her go, keeping her hands in his.
“It’s alright, love. You don’t need to apologise for anything. It just seems like we need to discuss and find out where we go from there, but I promise you, you and I will survive this. I am never letting you go, Hermione Granger.”
“Are you sure about that, Theo? Even if…” she stopped herself, avoiding his gaze.
“Even if what?” he pressed.
She took a deep breath, steeled herself and met his eyes before slowly saying: “Even if the one I am interested in is Draco?”
Hermione had not expected for Theo to laugh. Sure, Theo laughed often and loudly, breaking into the silence of his youth. But she hadn’t expected him to laugh as she was declaring her attraction for his best friend.
“Of course, it’s bloody Draco,” he mumbled while calming down. Hermione looked at him curiously, so Theo explained: “You know I’m bi, and I’ve experimented with guys in my teenage years?”
She nodded. She knew that. Theo had been upfront with his former partners; she knew about his affair with a fellow Slytherin at the height of the war.
“No!” she gasped at her realisation.
“Yes,” smiled the brunet. “Looks like we have similar tastes, love,” he flashed her a toothy grin.
“But, what—what does it mean, are you still…?”
“In love with him?” he asked.
She nodded.
He sighed. “I don’t know, love. He ended things when he went under house arrest and never talked to me until he started here. I think, in some way I will always love him, but I haven’t let myself hope for anything more for years.”
Hermione squeezed his hands. “If—if you want to explore your feelings, then maybe…” she hesitated.
“Maybe we could explore together?”
Theo brought his hand to her face, caressing her cheek lovingly. “Ok, let’s try, baby.”
Draco Malfoy had spent 5 years in the confines of a gloomy, half destroyed Manor full of all the horrors the walls had sheltered.
In the dining room, he could see the former Muggle Studies professor be devoured by Nagini.
In the drawing room, he could see and hear Granger’s screams as his aunt tortured her.
In the halls, he could hear the faded sounds of prisoners in the cellars being tortured for information.
In the garden, he was haunted by the ghost of his mother wandering around the roses.
So as soon as his house arrest allowed it, he fled to Belgium to take a mastery in Potions, the only thing that linked him to his godfather, a man who condemned himself to save him from the darkness of being a murderer.
Why would he pursue a mastery knowing very well that no one would ever hire him to work as a potioneer? He wasn’t really sure. He just needed to do something. Why would he agree when the Headmistress contacted him for a staff position? He wasn’t sure either.
Hogwarts tasted like unfinished business. His seventh year was nothing like what he expected, being half of the time out of the castle, already expected to take upon his responsibilities as a Death Eater. He wasn’t allowed to return as an 8th year, being confined to house arrest on the morning of his 17th birthday.
Maybe that was why he said yes to McGonagall, to close this chapter of his life. He didn’t expect that his cold and solitary life would be taken over by two of the brightest stars in the wizarding world.
On the evening of the Welcome Feast, he already knew that this would be hard. Theo’s eyes had lightened when their eyes met, and Draco’s heart had melted. Over the years he had never forgotten this shade of blue. However, his hopes had been shattered a few hours later.
Of course Theo wouldn’t have waited for him. He had explicitly told him not to. Being tied to him would have been a life sentence. Draco knew that even after his sentence, he would never be truly free of the judgement and rejection of the wizarding society.
Honestly, he deserved it. He had done unspeakable things and he deserved to atone for them. But Theo was pure as falling snow. He had grown up in the shadows of Nott Manor but deserved a life in the light, and Hermione Granger was the best person to bring him into it. So Draco resigned himself, and if all he could be to the love of his life was a friend, then he’d try his damn hardest to be the best friend possible.
As it turned out, being best friends with Theodore Nott also involved being friendly to Hermione Granger.
On that first evening in the castle, Draco had mustered all his courage to apologise to the black witch but she had just given him a nod and embraced him in a hug. “I’ve forgiven you a long time ago, Draco.”
How could she when he hadn’t forgiven himself?
At first he walked on eggshells around her, but as the year progressed, he had grown more and more comfortable around the Charms professor.
A year later, he found himself joking with the pair, or debating hotly over the benefit of grounding rather than crushing certain elements before integrating them to potions. And if he was honest, he found himself longing for the light banter. His eyes often trailed, looking for the couple whenever he walked in the great hall or the professors lounge, and when they fell on them, he was met with two bright smiles. But when time came to retire to their respective rooms, Draco felt acute pain in his chest when they left together and he was left alone.
At first he thought it was longing for Theo, but as he spent time with Hermione, he realised how much he enjoyed her company.
Fuck.
He. Was. Fucked.
After that, he decided to stop spending time with them individually. It wasn’t wise. He was too tempted to kiss them as it was.
Thankfully, the Triwizard tournament was held at Hogwarts in commemoration of all those fallen in the war started ten years ago, meaning that the castle was bustling and they hardly had any alone time anymore.
That was, until the Headmistress decided to meddle and cornered Draco and Hermione into setting up the decorations in the Great Hall for the gala. He reluctantly agreed and tried to keep some distance between them.
They had been at it for half an hour but Hermione was distracted, which ultimately prompted his curiosity.
“What’s up with you, Granger?”
“I used to love Christmas,” sighed Hermione.
“What changed?” asked Draco.
“Everything…?” she offered. “I preferred Christmas when I didn’t know about magic, when everything felt so much more…magical,” she gave a small laugh, “My mum was, is, Ghanaian. Church was a very important place for us when I was little, and around Christmas time you could feel the buzzing excitement. In Christianity, Christmas is one of the most important times of the year, it’s the celebration of Jesus’ birth and he supposedly is our Lord and Saviour and the son of God himself.”
Draco laughed.
“It’s true, people believe it, and some people killed and died for it!”
“Taking the risk of surprising you Granger, I know about christianity and the Crusades,” he winked at her.
She looked surprised.
Technically, wizarding kind and muggles have lived together longer than they had lived separately, but for Malfoy to know and care about that part of history was surprising.
“Did you know that the Black family and the Malfoy originated in continental Europe?”
She shook her head in disbelief.
“Well, most of our pureblood ancestors came from continental Europe at some point, the Malfoys came with William the Conqueror, my ancestor, Armand Malfoy, was a counsellor of William. But on the Black side of the family, we are descendants of John Lackland.”
“Henry II’s son ?” she gasped.
“Well, I only know the one,” he smirked.
She slapped his shoulder.
“Don’t make fun of me, this is crazy, you’re telling me that both your family lines are descendants of historical royal figures,” her voice changed, curiosity seeping through every word.
“Well, yes. But I doubt the current royals have any idea we exist,” he shrugged.
Hermione looked at him with big eyes. Draco Malfoy was full of surprises, but now was not the time to dwell on it. She gave him a wink and continued with her task.
“I used to love Christmas as well,” he whispered after a moment.
“You did?” She questioned.
“Christmas morning was the one time my family was less obsessed with decorum,” he recalled. “I would sneak into my parents' chambers to wake them up, then they would shower me with gifts while enjoying food,” he gave a small laugh.
Hermione’s laugh was louder.
“I can almost imagine you clad in muggle pyjamas, jumping on your parents bed and asking for presents,” her laugh was filling the hall now; and it was contagious.
Their laugh was interrupted by the doors opening.
“Please, don’t stop on my behalf,” said Theo, stepping into the room. “My two favorite people’s laugh is always a pleasure to hear.”
He noticed the way Draco’s neck flushed.
“Don’t be such a flirt,” chastised Hermione playfully.
“Why, Draco likes it,” he winked in the blond’s direction.
“I - Don’t be like that Theo,” countered Draco, glancing at the witch next to him, red spreading to his cheeks.
“Don’t worry, Hermione knows about us, no need to hide anything,” he said with a broad smile.
“Theo!” admonished Hermione. “Don’t worry Draco, Theo told me but you don’t have to be embarrassed or anything, I’m not judging, at all.”
“Hum, thanks. I - I’m gonna go… grade essays,” mumbled Draco before fleeing the room.
Hermione slapped Theo on his shoulder. “That was not the way to do it!” Her boyfriend just shrugged.
“Fine, then at least help me finish decorating before Minerva sees.”
After the Great Hall incident, Draco avoided the pair. There were no longer evenings in the lounge chatting about their latest read, the latest gossip going on between the students, nor bets on who would make a cauldron explode in class. The cold winds of winter were blowing inside Draco’s heart.
Theo was not a patient man. Even less when both Hermione and Draco were distant with him.
Hermione had given him an earful about cornering Draco into blatant flirting without the blond being ready for it. And Draco had simply disappeared. The wizard didn’t even show up for dinner in the Great Hall anymore, simply excusing himself to the Headmistress, saying that he had too much work to prepare for the second task of the Tournament.
Bullshit.
On the Saturday morning, when Draco missed their weekly flying session, Theo decided he had enough.
He was now pounding on the Potions classroom door. “Draco, I know you are in there. Open the door.”
He kept pounding on the door until it opened on a disheveled and scowling Draco.
“What is it?” asked the Potions master harshly.
“You didn’t show,” stated Theo. “I made you uncomfortable, fine, I know I shouldn’t have, but you can’t not show.” His tone was icy, his eyes cold and determined.
“Look, Theo, I’m busy, okay. I have lots of things to do for the bloody task, I don’t have time for this.” He went to slam the door but the Transfiguration professor blocked it.
“Fine, then, I’ll help you. I got an O in Potions, I can help,” he pushed the door open and stepped in. Draco mumbled something but speed to the side to let him through.
Theo took a couple of steps inside the room before stopping on the spot.
“What are you brewing ?” He turned to Draco to ask the question.
Draco scoffed but his eyes avoided the blue pair.
“You got an O on your N.E.W.T., you can figure it out,” spat the blonde.
Theo took a deep breath. He already knew the individual scents, but together, they were heavenly: coconut, old books, iodine and leather.
“Amortentia,” he murmured, his eyes still fixated on Draco.
“Don’t ask me, McGonagall asked me to brew it for the task, I have no idea what they plan to do with it,” shrugged the potioneer.
Draco walked around him to get to his brewing table, turning his back to Theo.
“You aren’t even going to ask?” Prompted Theo.
“Asked what ?” Draco was busying himself crushing whatever ingredient he got his hands on.
“I smell coconut, old books, iodine and leather,” he simply said, getting closer to the blond.
At the mention of the last two scents, Draco’s back straightened, tensed.
A long time ago, Theo had told him that he smelled like a summer breath on the seaside.
“You can’t say that to me,” murmured Draco.
“I promised I’d never lie to you,” said Theo, his hand now reaching for Draco’s.
Draco’s eyes were closed, as if refusing to take in the confession.
“I don’t understand…” he finally looked Theo in the eye.
Theo leaned in and kissed him lightly on the lips. When they parted, Draco’s eyes were full of unshed tears.
“Take the time you need, but when you're ready, we’ll be there, Hermione and I. We want you Draco, if you’ll have us.” Theo whispered in his ear.
Draco was so engrossed in his emotions that he didn’t realise that Theo had left the room. His heart was beating fast, tears were running down his cheeks and the potion laid in front of him.
Fuck. What was he supposed to do now?
The potion took priority. He couldn’t mess it up because he was experiencing feelings he didn’t know he could. Then, he’ll figure out a way.
That evening, when he entered the Great Hall, late for dinner, he was surprised to see that neither Theo, nor Hermione were in attendance.
“I think Hermione is sick,” explained Longbottom.
He barely stayed long enough for dessert before taking a French exit.
When he reached the door to the joint chambers, he stopped a second, hesitating. But bloody Merlin, Theo had told him they wanted him. Both of them wanted him, Draco Malfoy. He didn’t understand how, or why, but he was a selfish bastard and he couldn’t refuse the possibility of being with them, so mustering all his courage he knocked.
Hermione opened the door. She was surprised to see him but gave him a bright smile. “Are you ready, then?” she asked.
Draco didn’t reply, he simply stepped in the room, grabbed her face in his hands and placed the most delicate kiss on her lips.
The castle was buzzing with excitement. The Yule Ball was mere hours away and everyone was getting ready.
Theo and Draco had decided to get ready in the latter's chambers before they picked her up. Hermione had laughed at their cheesiness but was now finding herself even more giddy than when she had attended the ball as Victor Krum’s date. This time, she didn’t have one, but two wonderful dates. People would probably talk, but she couldn’t care less.
When she heard them knock, she took a last glimpse in the mirror before rushing to open the door. Upon seeing her, her dates gasped. Her cateye eyeliner was perfect, her locks put together in an elegant updo and her emerald dress was falling perfectly, hugging her chest and hips before flaring until it reached her ankles, showing off just the point of her silver stilettos.
“You’re not so bad yourselves,” she teased.
“Well thank you, darling,” smirked Draco. Hermione flushed at the pet name.
“Let’s get this show on the road,” smiled Theo, reaching for both of their hands.
The Hall was full. Students and professors alike, waiting for the three champions and their escorts. No one paid them any attention at first, but when mistletoe bloomed above Hermione’s head right by the doors and both Theo and Draco kissed her passionately, whispers all around broke out while the pair progressed in the room in direction of the rest of the staff.
“Well I guess we all owe money to Minerva,” commented Neville Longbottom with a conniving smile.
“She better use it to refill the liquor cabinet in the lounge,” remarked Theo with a toothy grin.
Hermione simply laughed, happy and at peace, in her forever home.