I knooooow! I'm back! Only took me, what, a year? I promise you I never forgot about this story, or any of my stories really. It's just been a HECTIC year with so much going on. But I've been working on each story a little bit here and there when I've had a chance and now I finally can post this one! Chapters for my other stories will hopefully be coming soon! I hope this chapter is worth your patience!

"Are you sure he said I could come?" Blaise asked hesitantly. He sat on Hermione's bed, watching her as she carefully wrapped the present she had bought for Dean's mother, Carina (a beautiful set of lavender candles, which apparently was her favorite smell).

Hermione rolled her eyes with an amused smile. "For the millionth time, Blaise, yes. Dean personally said he wishes for you to go," Hermione said, laughing lightly at the worried Slytherin, though he kept the emotion from showing on his face. Hermione couldn't help but roll her eyes again. Slytherins.

"I just don't want to intrude on your time with your friends," he said quietly, looking down at his folded hands. "Honestly, I have no problem going back to Hogwarts. You've been kind enough to me."

"Blaise," Hermione said sternly, cutting him off and causing him to look at her quickly. "Shush." Blaise scoffed a light laugh at her response. "He's excited for you to go."

"He doesn't even know me," Blaise said disbelievingly.

"That's why he's excited," Hermione explained. "He wants to get to know you." Blaise still looked suspicious of this, and Hermione smiled kindly. "Blaise, believe it or not, you're part of my pack now. We're family."

Blaise stared at her, wearing his usual mask of indifference, but Hermione saw right through it. By the way his expression softened just a little bit and his eyes got a slight glow, she knew he was touched.

"Okay," he said quietly, and Hermione knew it'd be the end of the discussion.

xxXxx

"Oomph!" Rose and Harry grunted as they fell in a tangled heap of limbs on the ground. Hermione giggled as she watched them struggle to untangle themselves from one another, while Blaise just smirked, amused.

"I hate apparition," Rose mumbled angrily as Harry helped her off the ground after standing himself.

Remus chuckled, ruffling her hair as she scowled at him.

"You're here!"

Hermione turned to see Dean and Seamus both standing in the doorway of Dean's small cottage. Both boy's eyes gleamed with excitement and happiness as they started to run towards their friends. Suddenly Hermione found herself lifted off her feet as Seamus hugged her fiercely and a warm feeling of being at home took over her whole body.

"I missed you," Seamus said happily.

Hermione giggled, hugging him just as tightly. "It's only been a few days."

"A few days without Hermione Granger is like a century without Hermione Granger, okay? I missed you after a few minutes."

This caused Hermione's heart to warm even more. "I missed you, too," she said gently.

With one more last squeeze Seamus let her go. Not too long after Hermione was immediately engulfed in another tight embrace by Dean.

"I missed you, my highness," Dean said dramatically, kissing all over her face. "Never leave me again, my queen. I cannot live without you to serve!"

"Ergh, get off you goof!" Hermione laughed trying to push him away.

"Dean let the poor girl breathe," a gentle voice spoke from behind him. Hermione looked over Dean's shoulder to see his mother, Carina, standing in the doorway with Dean's youngest sister, Evie, on her hip.

Dean let Hermione go and turned to his mother with a charming grin. "Ma'am, yes, ma'am!" he said, saluting her. Carina shook her head at him with a small, amused smile.

Dean turned to Blaise, who had been watching the whole scene uncomfortably from the sidelines. Blaise stared at him warily as Dean looked at him curiously. The two stood there and seemed to silently size each other up before Dean's boyish grin returned sooner than it had disappeared.

"Welcome to my humble abode, mate! I'm Dean," he said with his usual chipper attitude, sticking out his hand.

Blaise stared at his hand for a moment before slowly taking it and shaking it. "Blaise Zabini."

"Zabini," Dean said thoughtfully. "Is that Italian?" Blaise nodded. "Do you speak it?" When he got another nod Dean's eyes lit up. "Oh, you have to teach me, mate! Do you have any clue the wonders it'd do on the ladies?" he said mischievously. Blaise couldn't help but smirk at the other boy's excitement. He could already tell that he'd end up liking Dean very much.

"Oh, shush, you," Carina said, lightly pushing Dean away by his forehead. With an amused laugh at his disgruntled face she turned towards the rest of her guests. "It's nice to see you all again, and to meet you, Blaise. The kids have all been very excited to have you all over." As if to prove her point both Dean and Seamus nodded excitedly from behind her, causing Hermione to giggle and Rose to roll her eyes.

"Thank you for allowing us all to stay over tonight, Mrs. Thomas," Hermione said politely.

Carina smiled sweetly. "It's a pleasure to have some of Dean's friends finally come over to the house. He never had many," she stage whispered the last part, causing Rose to snort.

Dean's eyes widened. "Mum!" he exclaimed indigenously.

Carina laughed. "Kidding, kidding," she said lightly. Rose was openly chortling at his discomfort and Dean stuck his tongue out at her.

Carina turned to Remus with a warm smile. "And thank you for taking these two troublemakers home with you tomorrow."

Remus chuckled. "It's a pleasure, honestly."

"He's lying," Rose whispered loudly to Dean.

Dean's eyes narrowed. "He'd rather take me home and leave you behind," he loudly whispered back to her.

Rose scoffed. "I'm better than you," she said bluntly.

Dean smirked. "In your dreams, sweetheart."

Remus shook his head as he watched the two children. "Good luck with these two. According to Hermione, they're a handful together." Hermione unashamedly nodded her head in agreement and Seamus laughed at her while Dean and Rose stuck their tongues out.

Carina smiled. "When you have six kids you learn to deal with handfuls," she said, looking pointedly at Dean, who smiled innocently up at her.

Remus laughed. "Well on that note, I will leave you." He bent down and placed a kiss on Hermione's head and ruffled Harry's hair. "Have fun and behave."

"Of course," Hermione and Harry said.

"Maybe," Rose said, eyeing Dean with a mischievous glint in her eye.

Blaise just nodded, his expression as impassive as always.

Remus shot the kids one more smile and Carina a farewell before apparating on the spot.

Carina turned to the children with a warm smile. "Who's hungry?"

xxXxx

"Wow," Dean said, throwing another jelly bean at Rose, who caught it in her mouth. Fortunately these were muggle jelly beans that strictly stuck with fruit flavours. "So you and Hermione are going to be siblings?"

"Mmhmm," Harry nodded happily, sitting on Dean's bed and flipping through one of his comic books.

"And your mom and Remus are finally getting married?" Seamus asked Hermione, who nodded with a wide smile. Seamus grinned. "You must be excited."

Hermione beamed. "I've been waiting for him to propose for the past three years. Of course I'm excited." Hermione laughed. "My mom would love all of you to come to the wedding."

"Really?" Dean asked, surprised.

Hermione nodded. "She says any family of mine is family of hers." Everyone in the room smiled at that. "I sent a letter out to Theo this morning asking him. I hope he can come," she sighed.

Blaise looked at her, his eyes shining with sympathy. "I wouldn't get your hopes up too much," he said, speaking for the first time in a while. "His parents…" he trailed off, looking deep in thought, "like to keep a tight hold on him," he finished hesitantly, as if it was a secret he was reluctant to share.

Everyone's eyes immediately snapped to him and Blaise flinched at the sudden attention.

"You know his parents?" Hermione asked.

Blaise looked uncomfortable. "Purebloods, especially high ranking ones, tend to make it their business to know other purebloods. Dinners, galas, basically a lot of social gatherings ancient houses use as a way to show off their standings. And their kids, well, we're the unfortunate souls that get dragged along for show." Blaise explained, not looking any of them in the eye. Dean felt a pang of pity course through him for the boy who was undoubtedly wishing to be anywhere else right now.

"But have you met them?" Hermione urged.

Blaise shrugged non-committedly. "I've met them once or twice. At the gatherings us kids would be forced to hang out with one another. Theo was the only tolerable one."

"What are his parents like?" Hermione asked warily, fearing the answer but needing to know.

Blaise looked at her with his usual blank expression, but his eyes gave her the answer before he even spoke. They were filled with pity, and that worried Hermione more than she thought could be possible. "They don't really interact with him much at gatherings, preferring to talk to the adults. But when they do they're very . . . distant and . . . controlling."

Hermione could tell Blaise was being very vague with his description of the older Notts, and she knew there was more he wasn't telling her, and that scared her. She looked down, trying to imagine how Theo's vacation may be going. She shook her head. Hermione didn't want to imagine that.

Seamus started to laugh hesitantly, looking at Hermione. "I'm sure we're overthinking this. Theo's probably fine. He's probably sitting at home, reading a book, waiting to go back to Hogwarts and see us. Or maybe bored at some family function," he said reassuringly, but not looking all that confident.

No one responded. Instead they all sat in silence and mulled over the information that Blaise had given them. Blaise looked down at all the drawings on Dean's desk, not meeting anyone's eyes. He felt bad for ruining everyone's mood.

Suddenly the door slammed open, causing everyone to jump, and TT came running in. "The twins and I are starting a football game in the backyard. Who's in?" he asked excitedly.

Dean immediately perked up and a large grin came to his face. "That's a great idea! You guys ever play?" he asked his friends. Rose and Hermione were the only ones to nod. "Hermione?" Dean asked, surprised.

Hermione shrugged and got to her feet. "Football is the only sport I actually like. I'll play," she said, and TT beamed excitedly.

TT looked at Dean. "She's on my team!"

Rose walked to him and threw an arm over his shoulders. "Then so am I. Let's kick some butt," she said, motioning to Dean.

Dean scoffed. "As if. I'm the best football player in the family. Let's go," he challenged. "Harry you're on my team. You too, Blaise!" Blaise looked up, startled, but made no comment.

"What about me" Seamus asked in mock offense.

Dean scoffed again. "As if you'd play against your princess," Dean teased, motioning to Hermione, who blushed.

Seamus grinned and stepped beside her. "Too right, mate."

"Wait," TT said. "It's five against four if you have the twins. That's not fair!" he exclaimed.

Dean smirked. "What's wrong little bro? Don't think you can beat me?"

It was Rose's turn to scoff. "Puh-lease, we could beat you with our eyes closed."

"Yeah!" TT added.

"Bring it on then," Dean said, opening the door.

"Consider it brought," Rose said cockily, making her way out of the room. Everyone followed after her, Hermione shaking her head as Rose and TT smashed talked the whole way downstairs.

Dean stopped at the door and looked behind him to see Blaise still at his desk looking down at its contents. Tilting his head he made his way to the other boy's side to see Blaise holding a picture he drew of his family. They were all seated at the dinner table, his stepfather's back facing the picture at one end of the table and his mother's smiling face facing the picture as she sat at the other end. He and his siblings littered around the table between them. The picture showed the big family eating, talking, and laughing. It was a regular dinner in the Thomas house.

"Hey," Dean said gently, nudging Blaise's shoulder with his own. "You coming?"

Blaise nodded, his eyes still glued to the picture. They stood there in silence before Blaise finally said, "You're very good."

Dean smiled as he looked down at his desk that was covered in drawings. The pile was so thick you couldn't even see the desk underneath it. He had even more in books, draws, bags, and his favorites were taped to his wall.

"Thanks," he said softly. "My brain runs on overdrive. When I have too much going on in there putting it on paper helps. Everything I think, everything I see, and everything I feel I just want to put it on paper to clear up some headspace." Dean looked over Blaise's shoulder at the picture he still held. "My mum says that my dad used to draw and that I get it from him," he added quietly as an afterthought.

Blaise looked at him in thought. Dean seemed to have drifted off into a deep thought, a slight frown marring his face. Blaise decided he didn't like the look of Dean without the charming smile he always seemed to wear.

"I wish I could draw," Blaise said quietly, jerking Dean from his thoughts. "It'd be nice to get my thoughts out of my head and put them somewhere else.

Dean studied him for a long moment before his usual charming grin graced his features once more, much to Blaise's relief.

"Tell you what," Dean said. "You teach me to speak Italian, and I'll teach you how to draw."

Blaise looked at him as Dean met his eyes with a challenging spark in his own. It was clear to Blaise why Dean had been sorted into Gryffindor, but in that moment Blaise could see some Slytherin tendencies in the boy as well.

"Deal," Blaise said with a small smirk.

Dean's lips broke into a wide grin. "Good."

"Come on, losers! Hurry up!" Rose shouted up the stairs.

Dean laughed. "Come on. We've got a football game to win," he said, throwing an arm over Blaise's shoulders and leading him out the room.

"What's football?" Blaise asked.

Dean smirked. "Oh, I'm going to have fun with you."

xxXxx

"We won, fair and square," TT said cockily, putting some mashed potatoes on his plate.

Dean shook his head furiously. "No way!" he exclaimed. "If Rose hadn't had tackled me that goal would've been mine. You do know we're playing English football, not American, right?" he asked Rose sarcastically.

Rose smirked. "I did not tackle you," she said matter-of-factly while cutting her chicken. "I merely tripped and fell into you. It was purely accidental."

"Bull," Dean said immediately, stabbing into his chicken. Blaise, who was sitting on Dean's left, couldn't help but laugh lightly at Dean as he pouted. Dean glared at him, but it just caused Blaise to continue to laugh.

"Even if Rose hadn't fallen into you," TT said teasingly, sharing a mischievous glance with Rose, "Hermione still would have kicked your asses."

"TT," Carina said warningly.

"He isn't wrong," Seamus said smugly. "Hermione was a beast out there."

Hermione blushed and looked down at her plate as everyone turned to look at her.

"You know, for someone who doesn't like sports, you were amazing out there today," Harry complimented, smiling at his new sister.

Dean's frown slowly melted into an impressed grin. "Even I have to admit you played well today."

Hermione shrugged, wearing an abashed smile. "I said I didn't like sports, not that I couldn't play them."

Seamus grinned. "Well, you blew Dean's team out of the water," he laughed, and Dean stuck his tongue out at him.

Dean then turned to Blaise. "How'd you like it?" he asked.

As Blaise looked at him he could see a slight twinge of hope shining in Dean's eyes, and he understood that the other boy really wanted Blaise to like his favorite muggle sport. "It was really fun. I see why you like it so much," he replied, and surprisingly it wasn't a lie. Blaise had actually really liked playing football. He didn't like Quidditch all too much because he wasn't really into flying. It was fun being able to play a sport of the same nature (minus the bludgers and the snitch) on the ground.

Dean beamed happily. "Great! We can play again at Hogwarts. I'll bring my ball back with me," he said excitedly, and Blaise couldn't help but grin knowing Dean wanted to hang out with him when they got back to school.

Hermione smiled happily as she watched the two boys converse with one another. She could already see the beginning of a beautiful friendship beginning to form.

"Deanie says you're really smart," Dominic said shyly from her left, and Hermione smiled down at him.

"That's very nice of him to say," Hermione said kindly.

"He also says you're the top of your class," Dominic added almost admiringly.

"They call her the brightest witch of her age," Seamus said braggingly, causing Hermione's cheeks to redden even more.

"Yeah? Who?" Cierra said doubtfully, staring angrily at her plate.

Seamus raised an eyebrow. "Only the whole school," Seamus said as if it was obvious. Cierra huffed and shot a glare Hermione's way that she just barely caught. Hermione furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, wondering what she'd done to make the younger girl dislike her.

"That's so awesome," Dominic said in awe, missing his twin sister's actions. "I'm second in my year," he said with a pout. Hermione almost laughed at the Dean-like action. "Samantha Pierce is first," he added, practically spitting the girl's name out.

Dean rolled his eyes, tuning into the conversation. "Samantha Pierce has been first in Dom's year since they started school. She's his 'arch nemesis'," he said mockingly, using air quotes.

Dominic glared at him heatedly. "She is! She's a demon! She always rubs it in my face that she's so much smarter than me, and she always tries to get me in trouble in every class we share! Just the other day during break she snuck back into the classroom and wrote my name in red marker on every single desk. I had to stay after school and scrub them all clean. She's the devil, I'm telling you!" he ranted, banging his fist on the table and breathing heavily.

"Dom," Carina said exasperatingly.

"Oh, look what you did, Dean. You got him all worked up," TT laughed.

Hermione shook her head at the laughing Thomas boys and laid a gentle hand on Dominic's shoulder. "Dominic, listen," she started, gaining his attention. "In my muggle school I used to get picked on all the time. The kids thought I was weird for preferring to read and do my school work than going out and playing. It took me a long time to realize that in actuality they were all just jealous of how smart I was. I believe the same goes for your situation with Samantha."

Dominic raised an eyebrow, obviously doubtful. "You think Samantha is jealous of me?"

"Why wouldn't she be?" Hermione asked. "You're the second top student in your class. She's most likely threatened that you'll take her top spot and she's doing everything in her power to make sure that doesn't happen. And you know what, she should feel threatened. If you ignore her mean acts and continue to work hard, I believe you could easily take the top spot."

Dominic looked up at her with both hope and hesitation. "You really think so?" he asked. Hermione nodded confidently. Suddenly Dominic's face set in determination and Hermione almost grinned triumphantly. "Okay, I'll try."

"You can do it," Hermione said, patting his shoulder. "Just keep your head in the game."

"I'll keep my head in the game," he replied confidently.

As Dominic turned back to his food with a happy smile, Hermione met Carina's eyes down the table. Carina shot her a small, thankful smile. Hermione returned it, not noticing Cierra's heated glare.

xxXxx

"How were they?" Remus asked hesitantly as they all met him outside the next day. Hermione had happily skipped into Remus' arms and Moony growled contently.

Carina laughed. "They were great, Remus. An absolute pleasure to have over."

"Some more than others," Dean said, with a pointed look towards Rose.

Rose put a hand to her chest. "Aw, Dean. I'm flattered that you enjoyed having me over the most," she said happily.

Dean rolled his eyes, but couldn't help but grin.

Carina shook her head with an exasperated smile. "Good luck with those two. The banter goes on every two minutes," she laughed lightly.

Remus smirked. "Rose is the same way with Calvin, so it's nothing new."

Dean raised an eyebrow. "So you're like this with every handsome man in your life?" he asked in fake shock.

"If I ever find myself with some handsome men, I'll let you know," Rose wittingly replied with a smirk.

Hermione rolled her eyes at the two, while Seamus and Harry laughed from either side of her. "They could stand here and do this all day, so I suggest we get a move on before we end up here for hours listening to them," she said, ignoring the light glares they sent her way.

Remus chuckled, "She's right, Jocelyn has lunch waiting. Thank you again for having them over."

"Again, it was a pleasure," Carina said, smiling.

"Bye, Hermione!" Dominic said, coming forward and giving her a hug.

Hermione smiled and hugged him back. Dominic had grown quite attached to Hermione over the course of a day, and the closer he got, the more Cierra disliked her. Said girl stood in the doorway of their house, arms cross and a displeased scowl on her face. Hermione still couldn't understand why Cierra disliked her so, especially since she hadn't interacted at all with the girl in her short time there.

Separating from Dominic, Hermione placed her hand on his shoulder. "Goodbye, Dom. And remember what I said一"

"Keep my head in the game," Dominic said determinedly.

"Exactly," she said and they high fived.

"See you later, Rose," TT said, holding out his fist. "Make sure to keep Dean on his toes for me."

"With pleasure," Rose said, bumping her fist against his.

"And where's my loving goodbyes?" Dean said incredulously, holding out his arms in question.

"Eh," TT and Dom replied, walking back to the house.

Dean dropped his arms and shook his head dramatically. "Love you guys, too!" he shouted tearfully, and his siblings all laughed at him.

"I'll miss you, my sweet boy," Carina said, kissing Dean's forehead. Instead of getting embarrassed, like most young boys would, he beamed lovingly up at her. "Be good."

"Anything for you, mum," Dean said, causing Carina to smile widely. With a last departing hug, he picked up his trunk and joined the others.

"Okay," Remus said, taking an old, tattered hat out of his coat and holding it out, "everyone place a finger on the hat and no matter what, do not let go."

Rose's face scrunched. "I hate portkeys," she groaned, reluctantly placing a finger on it. "Even more than I hate apparating."

"Why?" Harry asked as everyone copied Rose's action. He didn't get an answer as the hat started glowing. Suddenly it felt like the ground had been swiped from underneath them and they all started spinning wildly in the air. Dean, Harry, and Seamus all shouted in surprise. Hermione closed her eyes tightly, trying not to get motion sick. As soon as it started it ended and they all found themselves detaching from the hat and flying in all different directions. Everyone but Remus and Blaise landed sprawled on top of the snowy ground of the Granger's backyard.

"That's why," Rose groaned while slowly getting to her feet.

"How did you land so gracefully?" Dean asked Blaise from his spot sprawled out in the snow."

Blaise smirked and held out his hand, which Dean took. Helping the boy to his feet, he said, "I've been taking portkeys for years. You get used to them eventually." Dean scoffed in disbelief as he dusted the snow off of him.

"Oh, you're home!" Jocelyn said happily, practically skipping out of the back door. Remus immediately engulfed her in a hug and kissed her forehead. "How was yesterday?" she asked Hermione as she hugged her, before moving to hug the other children.

"It was so much fun!" Hermione said excitedly.

"Hermione beat Dean's behind in football!" Rose bragged.

"Rose cheated!" Dean whined.

"It was purely accidental," Rose said innocently.

Dean scoffed. "Accident my a-"

"And so it begins," Remus chuckled.

Jocelyn smiled. "Well, come on in sweethearts. Let's get you out of the cold and get some food in you."

"That's the best plan I've heard all day," Seamus said, rubbing his gloved hands together.

The group moved inside, the kids all talking excitedly about their day yesterday.

Hermione squealed as she was suddenly lifted in the air and twirled around. "Little one, I missed you so much!"

Hermione laughed. "Calvin, I was only gone twenty four hours," she said, but still accepting his hug.

"Uh, twenty six hours, thirty eight minutes, and seventeen seconds to be exact," Calvin said. "Way too long of a time to be parted. What are you trying to do, woman, kill me?"

"Jeez," Hermione said sarcastically as she was finally placed back down on her feet, "I don't even want to know what you're like during the school year."

"I don't eat, I don't sleep, I can't see out of my right eye, I'm losing my hearing, I think I'm hearing voices, and I'm pretty sure I'm going insane," Calvin said nonchalantly with a shrug. "I'm fine, truly." Everyone laughed at his antics. Suddenly he looked over Hermione's shoulder and gasped excitedly. "Little me!" he exclaimed, pointing towards Dean.

Dean returned the gesture just as excitedly. "Big me!"

They then proceeded to run towards one another and do some complicated, dramatic handshake that ended with them doing a twirl and pointing at each other with a big "whoop!"

Everyone just stared at them in amusement.

Rose rolled her eyes and turned towards the table full of food. "Ridiculous," she muttered.

Everyone chuckled and moved to sit around the table.

As they all dug into the food on the table while chatting happily, Blaise stared at the food in front of him, perplexed. While the table held some things he'd obviously had eaten before, like fruit and vegetables, there were a lot of different foods he'd never seen in his life. He poked his fork into one of the toasted, crispy, pillow shaped dough, bringing it to his face and sniffing it lightly before eyeing the cylinder shaped, crispy, crumbly things in another bowl.

"Blaise, honey, is something wrong?" Jocelyn asked kindly, looking down the table at him. Blaise looked up, abashed, as he realized he'd been caught.

"No ma'am," he said politely. He held out his fork. "I was just wondering what these were."

All at once everyone seemed to stop and stare at him incredulously.

"You've never had a pizza pocket?" Dean asked in shocked disbelief.

Blaise raised a single eyebrow in confusion. "What's pizza?"

Dean, Seamus, and Calvin all gave horrified gasps.

"Please tell me he did not just say that," Seamus said, holding his hand to his heart.

"Is he real?" Calvin dramatically whispered, earning a smack on the shoulder from Hermione.

"Blaise, mate," Dean said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "How have you never heard of pizza?"

Blaise shrugged, a little hesitant under everyone's stares. "The wizarding world doesn't have pizza. Pureblood, remember?"

"You poor, unfortunate soul," Dean said, shaking his head sympathetically. "You're being deprived of everything good and right on this world. Don't you worry, Blaise. As your new friend it is my duty to gift you with a free, all expenses paid ride straight into Thomas College, where you will receive the best muggle-cation there is in the world."

"Oh, God," Rose muttered before stuffing a grape into her mouth.

"Your first subject: food. The muggle world's most prized dish is that in which we call 'pizza'," Dean said, channeling his inner McGonagall. "Pizza has been around for centuries, bringing joy to muggle families across the world. With its crispy crust, delicious sauce, gooey cheese, and hundreds of different toppings, it has earned its title as best food in the world." He snatched Blaise's fork away from him and gestured to the pizza pocket still staked on the end. "What we have here is what we call a 'pizza pocket', a pizza made into smaller, bite sized pockets for snacking." He suddenly brought the fork in front of Blaise's face, and for a moment Blaise went cross eyed. "Open," Dean demanded. Blaise opened his mouth warily, if not a little fearfully. Dean shoved the pocket into his mouth, causing Blaise to close it in shock, and removed the fork. "Chew."

Blaise, kind of scared, hesitantly started to chew. They all watched as Blaise's face slowly morphed into an expression of pleasant surprise. "That's good," he mumbled.

Dean grinned. "Oh, Blaise," he said happily, piling his friend's plate with pizza pockets and tater tots, "just wait until you try tater tots."

xxXxx

"Have you come to your senses, boy?" Thaddeus Nott sneered as he entered his son's room. Though he'd never show it, Thaddeus was shocked that the boy had lasted as long as he did. He had been starved and beaten, trapped and isolated. Thaddeus had expected him to break soon, like he always did whenever he'd defied or disappointed his father. But not this time. If anything he'd taken everything in stride. Everyday Thaddeus came to his room to hopefully beat some sense into him, but after the first few days he'd stopped crying, stopped begging, hardly making a sound. He'd stayed up in his room doing Merlin knows what without making a peep, only leaving for the one meal he was allowed everyday. If it was for any other reason, and against any other person, Thaddeus thought he may actually be proud that his son wasn't as much of the coward he thought he was.

Theo stayed silent, sitting on the edge of his bed, staring out the window. His body ached, his head was pounding, his lip still bleeding, and he was sure he had a few broken ribs. But he sat with his back straight, refusing to shake, to flinch, to whimper in pain like he wanted to so badly. No, he wouldn't give his father the sick satisfaction.

Thaddeus sighed as his son stayed silent, as if it pained him to have to beat him. "Is this filth really more important than the reputation of your family?"

Theo continued to stare out the window into the night sky. "She is my family. The mudbloods, the blood traitors, the poor, the filth. They all are."

Thaddeus' expression became thunderous. "Get up," he spat, taking off his belt.

Theo calmly stood and moved to the center of the room, his back to his father.

"Off," Thaddeus demanded.

Theo slowly took off his shirt, trying not to cry out as the fabric dragged across the still fresh wounds on his back. Long, raw scars and welts covered his entire back, running deep and red.

"Count," Thaddeus said as he held the belt in a loop. With one last disappointed sigh Thaddeus drew back the belt before forcefully swinging it back down. The belt harshly smacked down against Theo's back, the loud sound reverberating through the deadly silent room.

"One," Theo grunted as his eyes watered. He refused to let the tears fall.

Thaddeus once again brought the belt down upon his back, and Theo fought to hold in his cry.

"Two."

xxXxx

"Ok, Blaise, next subject: sports," Dean said, placing a laundry basket full of clothes onto the coffee table in the living room.

Blaise raised an eyebrow at the basket. "Is that Mrs. Granger's laundry?" he asked curiously. "Muggles come up with the strangest things."

Dean laughed. "There's not an actual sport that involves laundry, Blaise. I'm just using it to show you how to play basketball, seeing as we can't really play with the snow in their backyard." It was times like these that Dean really appreciated the field behind his house that his step father always kept cleared for them.

Blaise shook his head. "Dean, we've got to get ready for the Granger's New Years party," Blaise said. Usually the family went to the annual New Year's Eve Festival, but seeing as their little family had seemed to grow they decided to start a new tradition and throw their own party this year.

"We've got hours to get ready. We're not girls," Dean scoffed, picking up a pair of rolled up socks from the clean laundry basket. "Okay, so the first sport I'm going to teach you is basketball. The objective of basketball is to get the ball, or in this case the sock, into the basket."

"Sounds easy enough," Blaise shrugged.

"Not quite. The other team's job is to make sure you don't get it in the basket and steal the ball to score themselves," Dean explained. "But the biggest thing about basketball, in my opinion, is the color commentary. It gets everyone excited and into the game. If you can live up to the hype, you've got it made. Watch." Dean moved to beside Blaise, who backed away a little. He starts running behind the couch, "Thomas sees an open lane," he says with a commenters voice, before skidding around the couch, "he drags card from the boards," he takes a big running leap into the air and lands on the couch, "leaps over Shaquille O'Neal, kisses it off the glass and," Dean throws the 'ball' and it lands perfectly in the basket, "he scores!"

Blaise watched the whole thing with wide eyes. It wasn't the small scene that amazed him, it was Dean. After living in solitude most of his life, then being surrounded by tense Slytherins, it was amazing to be around someone with so much energy and life. From on top of the couch Dean grinned brilliantly and Blaise huffed out a small laugh.

"I could never do that," Blaise said, his head shaking.

Dean scoffed, "Of course you can. Give it a try." Dean jumped off the couch and held out the rolled up socks to him.

Blaise hesitantly took it while looking at him warily. "I'm not familiar with the terminology. Like, what's a Shaquille O'Neal?"

Dean let out an amused laugh. "He is a basketball player. A really famous one."

Blaise raised an incredulous eyebrow. "That's a person? Who would name their child that?"

Dean laughed again. "Americans. Now c'mon. I'll do the commentary and try to block you. You just try to get it around me and in the basket."

Blaise nodded in understanding. Dean stood in front of him before dropping into a defensive crouch, causing Blaise to jump a little. Blaise slowly moved to the left and Dean scuttled to block him.

"Zabini is triple teamed at the timeline," Dean started. Blaise moved to the right and again Dean scuttles to block him. "He breaks the trap, heads to the top of the key, and leaps towards the basket," Dean continues as he blocks Blaise's attempt to casually move around him again, "doing a spiralling tomahawk three-sixty. Slam dunk!"

Blaise sighs. Obviously he wasn't going to get around the boy, so he decided to just throw the bloody thing. With precision he didn't even know he possessed, he threw the 'ball' casually over Dean's head, and it landed perfectly in the center of the basket.

Dean watched with wide, impressed eyes. He turned to Blaise with a wide smile. "Alright, Blaise!" he exclaims proudly and holds up his hand.

Blaise immediately flinches, a knee jerk reaction, and Dean furrows his eyebrows. Blaise stares at his hand, waiting for the other boy to do something. He looks at Dean, confusion written clearly on his face.

"Hi-five?" Dean asked with uncertainty.

"Hi-five?" Blaise repeated, looking back at the still raised hand. "I've heard of it . . . never done one before."

Dean's eyes widened. "You've never hi-fived someone before?" he asked incredulously, and Blaise shook his head. "Raise your hand like mine," Dean instructed, and Blaise followed suit. Dean then slapped his hand against Blaise's, his smile big as Blaise's eyebrows furrowed.

Blaise brought his hand in front of his face and observed it. "I don't understand the big deal."

Dean laughed. "It's not a big deal, just a small way to celebrate with someone."

Blaise put his hand down and looked at Dean. "Hm," was all he said, and Dean laughed again.

"You have the potential to be a real basketball player," Dean said happily.

Blaise scoffed. "I threw a sock into a laundry basket. I have real potential of being a maid."

A chuckle came from the archway leading to the hall, and both boys turned to see Calvin leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets.

"C'mon kid," Calvin said happily. "Have more confidence. Some of the best basketball players started with laundry-ball."

"Yeah," Dean said confidently. "You should listen to him. He's basically the older me and I strongly believe that the older me is very wise."

"Hell yeah I am," Calvin boasted with a cocky grin. "Though, word to the wise, neither one of you will ever be as good as Harry."

"Damn right," Harry said smugly, suddenly appearing at Calvin's side. "It's due to years of Dudley playing Harry Hunting." No one asked what Harry Hunting was. To be honest, they all already knew. "Also, don't tell Hermione I swore."

"Yeah, same," Calvin quickly said, suddenly looking wary. They all started to laugh. "C'mon, boys, we've got a party to get ready for."

Dean, Blaise, and Harry all smiled before following him upstairs.

xxXxx

Hermione sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a new royal blue, cold shoulder, lace skater dress with black slip ons. Her wild curls cascaded around her shoulders, for once not a bushy mess. One side was clipped out of her face with the glass rose barrett Theo had sent her. It was almost time for the New Years Eve party and Hermione was nervous. It wasn't her first party, but it was her first party at home with friends. Did she look okay? Should she put her hair up or wear it down? Maybe she should have let her mum straighten it. Was her dress okay? She thought it was pretty, but what if no one else did? She should probably change. Oh, what if the party was a dud? What if her friends all hated it? Would they not want to be friends with her anymore? What ifー

"Uh oh," Remus said as he stood in the doorway, "you're wearing your 'what if' face."

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him in the mirror, causing him to laugh. He entered the room and walked to stand behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders. He looked at her fondly in the mirror. "You look beautiful sweetheart. Stop worrying so much."

Hermione blushed and looked down at her dress, smoothing out non-existent wrinkles. "I'm just nervous. This is the first party I'm having with actual friends. What if they don't like it?"

Remus smiled gently at her. He turned her to face him before kneeling down before her. "You know, you may not be my biological daughter, but you are very much like me. When I was your age I had all the same fears. I constantly felt alone and unwanted when I was a child that when I actually made friends I was so scared I'd do something to mess it all up. I was always wondering if they actually liked me or would just be waiting for the day where they'd just up and leave me. It took a lot of convincing from them for me to believe that it was all very real and very permanent, and eventually I learned a very valuable lesson that I'm going to teach you. You listening?"

Hermione nodded enthusiastically, her full attention trained on him.

Remus smiled and held both of her hands in his own. "Real friends will accept you for everything that you are. Real friends will never abandon you and will always stand by your side. Real friends will make you feel at home. If a friend leaves you because of the way you look, or because of your personality, or because of a party, then they weren't your friend to begin with."

Hermione smiled, feeling lighter than she had before. "Thank you, papa," she said softly, not even noticing the title she'd called him.

But Remus had. His eyes widened a little and became glossy. The wolf inside him barked happily and it took all his might to keep his grin under control. "Of course, pup," he said quietly. "Besides, I don't think you'll have a problem with any of those kids downstairs. They all seem really great and anyone with two eyes could spot the bond you all have."

Hermione smiled happily as he stood to his feet. Thinking of her friends gave her a warm feeling, and now she felt kind of stupid for doubting them.

Remus grinned down at her and held out a hand. "Ready?" he asked

Hermione nodded and took his hand. With one last look in the mirror they headed out.

When they reached the backyard the party was in full swing. Music was blasting, magic had been used to clear all the snow and make it warmer (much to the confusion of the muggles around), lights were hung through the trees, small tables were scattered throughout the yard, a whole food and beverage table had been set up, and there were different games going on. There were more people than Hermione expected, some she recognized as family friends and neighbors, others she had never met before. Everyone was talking, laughing, or dancing and Hermione was filled with a giddy excitement.

"There's your friends, pup," Remus said, pointing to the food table where all her friends were standing around laughing and munching on chips. "Why don't you go hangout with them. I'm going to go find your mother."

"Okay," Hermione said happily. With a departing hug she made her way towards her friends.

Rose, who was in the middle of the group, spotted her first and grinned. "Hermione, you look so pretty!" she exclaimed. Rose herself was wearing a purple skater dress and white converse shoes with her hair falling down her shoulders in wild, but pretty curls.

The group as a whole turned to look at her and they all smiled. Seamus, who had been in the middle of dropping a pretzel into his mouth, paused with wide eyes and a gaping mouth before dropping his plate of snacks all over the ground.

"Seamus," Rose groaned while the other boys just snickered.

Seamus blinked a few times at Hermione before a large grin came to his face and he stuffed his hands in his pockets. "My love, you are looking gorgeous tonight," he said charmingly as he sauntered forward to stand in front of her, stepping right over the mess he made.

Hermione blushed and gave him a shy little smile. Here she was, four months later, and still not used to Seamus flirting with her. "Thank you," she said softly.

Seamus' eyes glittered happily. "No, thank you for gracing us with your beautiful presence. The air is a little fresher, the light a little brighter, and-"

"And I'm going to stop you before you suffocate my best friend with all the charm you're laying on a little thickly," Rose interrupted, coming to Hermione's side, whose face was beet red. Seamus, unaffected, just continued to smile like a dope and Rose rolled her eyes.

"Hermione!" Fred and George yelled happily as they came to stand on either side of Seamus before her, each with a plate full of muggle treats.

Hermione grinned happily. "Fred, George, so glad you came!"

"Thank you for the invite!" the exclaimed.

"Mum was surprised when we told her we wouldn't be spending New Years Eve at home," Fred said.

"Nearly threw a fit. But I think she was relieved to get us out of the house for a little," George continued.

"Tried to get us to take Ron and Ginny,"

"Even after we explained it'd be rude since they weren't invited."

"In the end we had to sneak away."

"She'll have our head, but we'll live."

"Nice home by the way."

"Nice mum. Very kind."

"Super kind. Less batty than our mother,"

"And less hostile,"

"Yes, very less hostile."

"Muggle food is amazing,"

"We just can't get enough of it."

"What is this?" George asked, holding out a popcorn.

"It's popcornー"

"but cheesy."

Hermione laughed at their antics while Rose rubbed her forehead as if her head hurt.

"That's Smartfood. Its cheddar flavored popcorn," Hermione explained.

"Brilliant," Fred said.

"Absolutely delicious," George added before they both threw a handful of the popcorn into their mouths.

Rose groaned as she finally looked up at them. "This is not the night to get a headache. I must get away." Suddenly the song changed to a very fast paced one and Rose grinned. "Would you look at that? This is my favorite song! If that's not a sign from Merlin to go dance, I don't know what is. C'mon Mia!" Rose exclaimed, grabbing Hermione's wrist and pulling her towards the dance floor. Hermione laughed happily as she was dragged through the crowd, waving back at Seamus, who was still wearing a dopey smile.

Dean laughed as he clapped a hand on his friend's shoulder. "You good, mate?"

Seamus gave an over exaggerated sigh. "I'm in love, Dean."

Dean snorted and shared an amused glance with Blaise and Harry. "Anyone with two working eyes can see that, mate."

Seamus' grin just widened. "I'm going to marry her."

Dean laughed and shook his head before grabbing his friend's arm. "C'mon, mate, let's go dance with your future wife," he chuckled before leading them all into the crowd.

xxXxx

Calvin breathed heavily as he finally fought his way out of the dance floor. He'd just spent the past hour jumping around with Hermione and her friends and needed a break to drink something. As he made his way towards the food table the sight before him made him pause and his breath catch. He blinked a few times, making sure that what was in front of him was real.

He knew that pink hair.

He'd wondered and daydreamed about that pink hair.

And those scrappy brown boots.

He'd laughed remembering how they tripped on the way to exit the shop.

It couldn't be her.

He cautiously made his way to the table and stood a couple of feet away from the girl. As he reached for a cup he stole a glance at her and nearly dropped the cup in his hand.

It was her.

It was the girl from the shop in Diagon Alley.

How? How could she be right there right then in his second home?

He'd spent the last few months wondering about the mysterious, clumsy girl he'd met in Madam Malkin's and now here she was suddenly beside him. Something close to excitement but totally different and more terrifying fluttered in his stomach as he once again glanced her way. For once, he had no clue what to do.

Well, you can't just stand there pretending to get some fruit punch, glancing at her like a weird, timid school boy, he thought to himself, shaking his head. Just be yourself. Act cool, make a few jokes, and just don't say or do anything stupid. Calvin nodded at his plan and took a deep breath before turning to face her while leaning sideways against the table.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't my clumsy, mysterious friend that I met in Diagon Alley," he said smoothly, crossing his arms over his chest. He grinned as she turned and her eyes widened in surprise when they landed on him. A small happy smile came to her face, and the fluttering in his stomach intensified.

"Calvin," she stated, inching closer.

"No Name Girl," Calvin said, and the girl blushed while looking down at her plate, abashed. "You know, of all the places I'd imagined meeting you again, my second home was not one of them. I don't need to file a report for a case of stalking, do I?" he said, a teasing smile gracing his face.

The girl laughed, her face lighting up. "I was invited by Kingsley."

It was Calvin's turn to look surprised. "Oh? And how do you know my probable future stepfather?"

The girl looked shocked. "You're Armelle's son?"

Calvin held out his arms. "The one and only."

The girl shook her head in amusement. "She's very lovely, I met her earlier. She's a great fit for Kingsley."

"He's a great fit for her," Calvin said, looking over at his mother with a fond smile as she laughed at something Kingsley whispered to her.

"I work with him," the girl said, drawing his attention back to her. "He's training me to be an auror and eventually I'll be his partner."

Calvin smiled. "An auror, so the wizarding version of the police," he said, and she nodded. "I guess it wouldn't be good for you if I reported you for stalking, huh?" he teased and the girl laughed while shaking her head. "I guess I can do you this one favor, but you owe me, missy."

The girl just continued to laughed while shaking her head, her eyes lighting up mischievously. "Did you end up getting that pink dress?"

Calvin's smile widened. "Nah, the color really washed out my skin, and I'm such a lovely shade of chocolate," he said while going to lean one hand against the table. Instead of it landing on the table, though, his hand landed right in the middle of one of the bowls of chip dip, making an awful quenching sound.

The girl gasped and covered her mouth, obviously trying very hard to hold in her laughs. Calvin closed his eyes and groaned, not believing that just happened.

So much for not doing anything stupid.

"That's the salsa, isn't it?" he asked, opening his eyes to see the girl nodding, her hand still over her mouth. Calvin sighed and slowly lifted his salsa covered hand out of the bowl, chunks of tomato sliding off. The girl took one look at his grimace and burst out laughing.

Though he was extremely embarrassed, Calvin couldn't help but grin at her laugh. It wasn't a giggle or a light tinkling, it was loud and boisterous and the snort halfway through made him want to dip his hand in the bowl all over again to make her continue laughing.

"You know, that went a lot smoother in my head," Calvin said, staring at his hand in both amusement and embarrassment. "God, I'm such a dork."

The girl smiled as she finally calmed down. She grabbed a stack of napkins and walked towards him. When she was a few inches away she gently took his wrist in one hand and started to clean his messy hand with napkins in her other hand. Chills traveled up the arm she touched and he stared down at her, completely smitten.

"It's okay, I'm a dork too," she said softly, gently wiping his hand. "The amount of times I trip over my own two feet or face plant in public is ridiculous."

"Maybe, but you're cute when you're a dork," Calvin said softly. The girl paused from wiping his hand, her hair turning a vibrant shade of violet. "Whoa," Calvin said, his eyes wide.

The girl smiled. "I'm a Metamorphmagus. I can shift my features to look like whatever I want. My hair color is kind of uncontrollable, though. It changes with my mood." The girl looked around warily, hoping none of the muggles had seen the accidental spout of magic.

Calvin cocked his head to the side. "And what does violet mean?"

The girl blushed, and ducked her head to try and hide it. "I guess you'll just have to get to know me to find out," she said, eyes trained on his hand.

Calvin smiled. "I'd love to. Maybe starting with your name?" he asked, shooting her a teasing look.

The girl smiled softly. "My name is Nymphadora Tonks," she said softly. "I go strictly by Tonks, though. Call me Nymphadora and I will be the last thing you ever see on this earth."

She said it softly, almost nonchalantly, but the threat was clear. To anyone else she may have seemed intimidating, but to Calvin she was just cute.

"I don't think that'd be so bad," he said softly. Tonks looked up at him, looking at him as if she was seeing him for the first time. As Calvin looked down at her, the fluttering in his stomach coming back.

Damn, he thought, I'm in trouble.

xxXxx

"It's almost the New Year!" Jocelyn suddenly yelled happily, gaining everyone's attention. "Countdown will be starting soon. Everyone gather around the front yard for the fireworks!"

Excited chatter ran through the group as everyone gathered together in the front yard. Hermione smiled happily as she took a look around at everyone she loved. The party had been better than expected and she was sad to see it ending.

"Hey," Seamus said quietly as he appeared beside her.

Hermione gave him a dazzling smile. "Hi," she said softly. "Did you have a good time?"

"Always when I'm with you," Seamus said, and Hermione rolled her eyes in amusement. Seamus laughed and looked out over the sea of people from where they stood on the front steps. "I'm being honest. When I'm with you or anyone from our little group I'm happy. I didn't think I'd have many friends coming to Hogwarts."

Hermione looked at him in surprise. "Why not?" she asked.

Seamus shrugged, trying to come off as nonchalant, but Hermione sensed a rare case of vulnerability rolling off the boy. "I didn't really have any friends in muggle school. I was a troublemaker and a class clown. People thought I was funny and liked me well enough, but I didn't have anyone I would have called a friend. I just thought it'd be the same at Hogwarts." He looked towards where Harry, Rose, Dean, and Blaise were standing off to the side. Rose and Dean were, as usual, bantering back and forth while Harry just laughed and Blaise shook his head in amusement. Seamus smiled fondly as he watched them. "Being with you guys it feels like I have finally found where I belong. I feel accepted."

"Of course we accept you, Seamus. You're amazing. You in all your goofy, fire hazardous self," Hermione said, and Seamus threw his head back and laughed.

Once he calmed down he looked at her with a grin. "Muggles have this tradition they do where they make a new year's resolution, yeah?" he asked, and Hermione nodded. "Well, my new year's resolution is to make sure that this never changes. That we always stay together as not just friends, but as family. To make sure that I protect everyone. You guys are the most important people I have in my life, and I don't want to lose you."

Hermione stared at him, her eyes watering.

"What's your resolution, Hermione?" Seamus asked softly.

"It's time to count down!" Jocelyn exclaimed excitedly.

"Ten!"

Hermione looked towards her mother, who was snuggled into Remus' side. They gazed at each other lovingly, Jocelyn's smile wide and happy. Hermione thought about how everyday she prayed that they'd live happily ever after. They both deserved a happily ever after, and Hermione would be damned if they didn't get it.

"Nine!"

Hermione looked at Calvin, who was nervously standing besides Tonks. Tonks, the only girl that could ever make Calvin flustered and act like a complete dork. The girl that Calvin has thought non-stop about since the moment he laid eyes on her. Hermione thought about how badly she hoped they'd work out because Calvin deserved to be happy and in love, and Hermione would move mountains to make sure that happened.

"Eight!"

Hermione looked at Kingsley, who was slow dancing with a laughing Armelle in the corner, both oblivious to the world around them. Hermione thought about how perfect the pair of them were for each other and could only hope they'd stay in love for the rest of their lives. God, what she would do to make sure nothing ever came between them.

"Seven!"

Hermione looked towards Rose. Fierce and confident Rose. The girl she'd looked up to since the day they met. The girl Hermione always thought about when she aspired to be better or needed a reason to be confident. The girl who had never faltered from Hermione's side. Hermione hoped that would never change. She hoped the light in her friend's eyes and the fire in her veins would never be diminished. She promised she'd fight to make sure Rose never changed.

"Six!"

Hermione looked at Dean. Sweet, creative, excitable Dean who just wanted to love everyone. Who just wanted to cover the world in art. Who just wanted to protect his friends. Who just wanted to make everyone as happy as he always was. Hermione hoped that light in his heart would never dim. She'd make sure that light never dimmed.

"Five!"

Hermione looked at Harry. Her new brother. A boy who had been neglected and abused his entire life. Harry who was still learning what love truly felt like. Hermione promised to spend every day showing him and making sure he never felt alone again.

"Four!"

Hermione looked at Blaise. Quiet and aloof Blaise who had never truly belonged anywhere in this world. Who had spent most of his life completely alone. Who had gone through things that made him hesitate to trust. Hermione promised to make sure that he knew he now and forever would have a group of people to call family. To call home.

"Three!"

Hermione thought about Theo. Poor Theo and his troubled home. Theo who was going through God knows what right now. Theo who put his whole life at Hogwarts at risk to be her friend. Who stood by her when his very upbringing begged him not to. Who put his foot down on his houses views and chose her. She'd fight the world to protect Theo, and she had no doubts he'd do the same.

"Two!"

Finally she looked at Seamus. Sweet, charming Seamus who did everything in his power to make her happy. Who took time out of everyday to compliment her and make her feel worth something. Who made it his mission to make her smile and laugh at least twice every day. Who was looking at her right now as if her thoughts meant the world to him. She'd make sure he knew how much he meant to her, to all of them. She'd make sure that he never felt alone or like he didn't belong.

"One!"

"My new year's resolution is for all my loved ones to be happy," Hermione said softly.

"Happy New Years!" everyone screamed, and they all cheered as fireworks lit up the sky. The two looked up, watching the array of explosive colors, basking in the moment.

Hermione looked at Seamus, who was watching the display with awe. Hermione smiled contently before softly placing a quick kiss on his cheek. She heard Seamus inhale deeply before turning to look at her in awe and shock. Hermione giggled softly before looping her arm through his and resting her head on his shoulder.

"Happy New Years, Shay," she said quietly, staring up at the fireworks.

Seamus smiled down at her contently, resisting the urge to touch his cheek. "Happy New Years, Hermione."

For the rest of the display the two stayed like that, happy and content.

xxXxx

"Hermione, please stop bouncing. He'll be here soon," Rose groaned from where she sat on one side of the compartment.

Hermione pouted, but ultimately stilled. She stood at the compartment window, searching the train station for Theo. The whole group was antsy to see him, but none more than Hermione, who had been worried for him all vacation.

"He should be here by now," Hermione huffed, turning and falling back into the opposite seat. "We're about to leave."

"He's still got time," Harry consoled from beside her, looking up from watching the game of exploding snap that Dean and Seamus were playing. "For all we know he's already on the train and is looking for us."

Hermione sighed and nodded, deflating in her seat. "Maybe. I just hope he's okay."

Seamus smiled at her. "I'm sure he'sー"

Seamus was interrupted by the compartment door to reveal none other than Theodore Nott himself. They all inhaled deeply at the sight of him. For anyone who glanced at him quickly he looked at put together and pristine as usual. But everyone in the compartment could see the bags under his eyes, how his hair looked a little less tidy than usual, and how his clothes were a little bigger on him.

Hermione took all of this in in a few seconds before relief at just the mere sight of him overpowered her worry. "Theo!" Hermione yelled happily, and quickly launched herself into his arms. Theo let out a quiet hiss of pain, causing Hermione to frown in worry. She went to back away, but was quickly stopped by Theo's arms wrapping themselves around her body and pulling her tightly against him. Hermione gasped as he buried his face in her neck, but quickly re-wrapped her arms around his neck. The fact that he was hugging her so openly and so tightly surprised her, since before vacation he had been taking baby steps into feeling comfortable with human contact. Though the hug filled Hermione with warmth, it also made her a little scared, especially since she could feel how much he'd thinned since their last hug. What could have happened over vacation that made him almost desperate for her touch?

"Theo," she whispered into his ear, and she felt a chill run down his body, "are you okay?"

Theo nodded, finally breaking away from her and holding her at arms length by her waist. "Yes, of course. I just really missed you," he said softly. His eyes roamed her entire being, as if to make sure she was okay and actually there.

Hermione smiled gently, not at all believing him but also not wanting to push him right now in front of everyone. "I really missed you too," she replied.

"Me too, man!" Dean yelled with fake tears. He pushed past Hermione, who huffed indignantly, and threw his arms around Theo. Everyone caught the grimace on Theo's face before he quickly hid it. Dean, who felt Theo tense, quickly got off him and grinned. "It's great to have my piece of sanity back. It was hard dealing with these nutters all by myself," he said, taking Theo's trunk and throwing it on a rack before the boy could protest.

"Yeah, we're the nutters," Rose scoffed, and everyone chuckled.

Theo gave a small smile, feeling happy and content for the first time in weeks.

"I'm going to head to the bathroom really quick, now that I found the compartment. When I come back you all can tell me about your vacation. Or at least the scarce details Hermione didn't write in her book long letters," he teased lightly, smiling at a blushing Hermione as everyone else laughed.

"I'll come with, mate," Blaise said, standing from his place next to Dean.

Theo looked at Blaise warily. Sure, when they were smaller they were forced to hang out at galas, and they could only really tolerate each other out of the group of children, but that didn't make them friends. They didn't really know each other at all. But they knew each other's families and what they were like, and the knowledge that Blaise had about his home life, especially his father, is what worried Theo.

The two left the compartment full of worried friends behind and made their way down the corridor. They made it to a section that just held windows and no compartments before Blaise gently stopped him.

"How bad is it," Blaise said quietly, looking into Theo's eyes. Theo wanted to look away. Blaise had always been a perspective person, being able to read people even when he was just a young boy. His eyes had always intimidated Theo. He always felt like Blaise was looking into his very soul whenever they made eye contact.

But as they stared at each other all Theo saw was understanding shining in those eyes. Of course Blaise would understand. He was a pureblood, dealing with one abusive stepfather after the next, and a mother who practically acted as if he didn't exist. If anyone was going to understand what he was going through, it'd be Blaise Zabini.

Theo sighed, grimacing in pain as his sore ribs moved. Anything broken had been reluctantly healed by his father, but any pain, scar, or bruise was his own to deal with. His father didn't worry about him going to any kind of authorities. His standing in the Ministry was just below Lucius Malfoy, so he could basically get away with anything.

"Bad," Theo said reluctantly.

Blaise frowned and looked around, making sure no one was around. "Theo, I know we've never been very close, but I understand what you're going through. If you ever need to talk about it you can talk to me and everything will stay between us. And if you ever need to escape, Zabini Manor is always open to you."

Theo studied the other boy closely. Hermione had written him about how Blaise had come to be a part of their group. He was proud of her. Blaise was a good guy, and he deserved to belong somewhere.

"Thank you," Theo said quietly.

Blaise nodded. "And here," he said, reaching into his robe pocket and taking out two potion bottles. Theo took them and read the label. His eyes widened and he looked back at the boy in front of him. They were healing potions for scars and bruises.

"How did you get these?" Theo asked.

"Hermione's father," Blaise said. Theo's eyes widened in panic and Blaise quickly shook his head. "I told him they were for me."

Theo furrowed his eyebrows in concern. "You didn't have to do that."

Blaise shrugged. "I don't think he really believed me, but he didn't push it or ask any questions."

Theo looked down at the potions and clutched them tightly. "Thank you," he said sincerely.

Blaise nodded. "Do you need help putting some on?" he asked hesitantly after a moment, his hands buried in his pockets.

Theo sighed and admitted defeat, his shoulders slumping. "Yeah," he said reluctantly.

Blaise didn't show any sign of pity. He just nodded down the corridor and led the way. Both felt a little lighter at the possibility of having a new friend within each other.

There you go folks! Hope you liked it and that it was worth waiting for! Please review and let me know what you thought and if you have any theories about the future or what you hope to see! The Thomas family is very dear to my heart so you'll definitely be seeing more of them in later chapters. Also, for anyone who's read my other stories, you know I absolutely adore Dean, Seamus, Neville, Theo, and Blaise, and I feel as though they are very underappreciated characters, so they'll all definitely have huge storylines in this story.

Hope to hear your feedback!

Oliviaa Rose