(p.s references to play by euripides,
mention of a creature i made up called spinsters)

third person pov

The Black's heels click against the dry, stone floors of Azkaban. Glowing torches casting warm light on the cobblestone walls. Eerie sounds of mumbling prisoners in each cell she passed, some could be heard screaming from down below. All in equal amounts of torment. If it hadn't been enough to walk a watery path lined full of dementors on either side into the prison, one large dementor floated right next to her all the way up to the fourteenth floor. Even without meaning to, it's presence still put the young girl in a hanging sense of dread. Already depressive from the man she loves being imprisoned, these conditions not helping alleviate her pain.

There's one calming fact to this place, a hectic ocean full of stormy water sloshing against the sides of the fortress. Creating a tranquil sound in the midst of chaos. She runs her hand down Jade's head as the dog stays by her hip in a guarding stance, grateful for one presence of warmth.

A hissing sound leaves the dementor's lips, sending a chill down Rose's spine when she halts. Refusing to look at any of the prisoners in their cells, stiffly turning toward the ten foot creature.

Then, a man in dark clothing on her otherside, a part-time bodyguard used by the Black family, speaks up, "We're here."

The dementor lifts a bony, and abnormally large hand–holding up two fingers in her face. "It's saying you have two hours, Miss Black." He gently spins her away from the creature, "When time is up I'll come with the dementor for you, and then we'll go to the ministry for your appointment with Fudge. Is that clear?"

"Yes of course, but how do I know which cell Theo's in?" Her voice comes out strong, hiding the sheer shake.

"The dementor can't take you unless you want to run the risk of it feeding off of him, just walk straight and you'll find the boy."

"Okay." Rose deadpans, seeming to lack any semblance of light, "Jade, come." She calls while stepping forward, patting her hip until the dog nestles up against her side. With each step and echo of her boots hitting the floor, Rose breathes in and exhales. Almost as if being filled with more sorrow than when a dementor floated next to her as she prepares to see the condition Theo is in after forty-eight hours in Azkaban. She would've been here sooner because nothing, nothing in the entire universe, could keep her away from him.

But Dumbledore had locked Rose in his office, quite literally placed her there with an IV still pumping potions into her bloodstream after she tried tackling Theodore Nott Sr. to the ground in her hospital gown.

By hour five his office was destroyed.

By hour ten the boys managed to break in with Dobby's help, resulting in them all being locked in the office together. This did not save them from Rose's wrath, if anything made her angrier.

By four fifteen Blaise and Draco tried fighting each other.

By hour twenty-two Whitman forced Rose to take a sleeping potion.

By hour thirty-six Dobby came under Dumbledore's orders to bring them food. Getting so many spells shot at him that the elf apprated away with the door open and food falling all over the floor. It was feral, and beyond insane how they rushed to their dorm–packing up everything and leaving.

But Dumbledore gave in, letting them go freely and hold early access to Hogwarts express which wasn't meant to run for a few days. It would be useless to fight the group now.

Theo's the best they had, the best of them all. He had the worst home life if the Black were to be taken out of the equation, another reason why he never stayed at his manor. Despite this, Theo treated the world how he wished it would have treated him. Never letting any of his problems turn him into a spiteful person to the ones he held dear, because he already worked through that pain and came out on the other side to be everything his father despises. Even though he is such a dark presence, quiet, and villainous in many aspects that only needs to be pushed–he comes to life in a way that could never be mistaken for an act around those close to him.

It wasn't an act at all.

Rose would always describe him as a metaphor for the sun because his presence genuinely feels like the word warmth, and still–he's somehow everything dark and evil that she shouldn't want. You couldn't put Theodore Nott in a box, for he would never fit in one.

But one thing stayed true against time. If you wanted to see four people lose their minds, all you had to do was take something they valued most.

Eachother.

And right now Theo had been taken, leaving them to be willing to cross any line.

A plan had been set in motion. Rose going home, filling Kreacher in on everything and sending him to ministry with a strongly written letter. Showering before being welcomed by the sight of Kreacher breathlessly returning with her appointment time. Everyone had things to do, and promises to keep.

Of course, the others demanded Rose stay away from Azkaban, claiming it wasn't safe.

Of course, Rose didn't listen.

They were all willingly to do anything for Theo, but the measures she would go extended beyond lines the human brain could comprehend. Simply walking through Azkaban is miniscule when compared to what she would do in his name.

As it is constantly stated and a well known fact, Rose and Theo were always closer. Add being intangibly in love into that, it left the pair with a dangerous love for the world. If she had to burn each dementor with her bare hands, rip him from that cell, and kill every single member of the ministry—Rose would do it. Leave society behind and take him far away where no harm could be done unto him. That's only the second option, the third option is much worse.

Rose picked up her pace down the ominous pathway, swallowing when a prisoner she refuses to look at screams in agony.

But she eventually reaches the end of the hallway and finally sees Theo. There he is, sitting against one of the stone walls, his jumper tossed to the side and leaving himself in the button up. Arms resting on his knees as he stares up at the darkened ceiling.

"Theo," Rose speaks with a crack to her voice, fingers wrapping around the bars.

His head lazily lulls against the stone before turning toward her, "Bloody spinsters." He scoffs, instantaneously looking away.

"No, No, No," She murmurs repeatedly while sliding her hands down the bars, going into a crouching position to be level with him. "It's me, I'm here..."

Theo doesn't believe it for a second. The dementors were ruthless and thirsty for a new prisoner, messing with him relentlessly upon being placed in the cell. In all actuality the dementors were the least frightening part of this fortress. Unimaginable things lingering inside, magically entities he could not put into words. After forty-eight hours of no hydration or food, being plagued with creatures pretending to be Rose once seeing inside his mind, Theo wouldn't fall for another trick only for Rose to reveal herself as one of the spinsters meant to get his hopes up.

He sighs heavily, pushing off the ground and rolling up his sleeves as he goes to peer through the tiny triangle cut out on the wall. Getting a view of the vast but wild ocean.

"Teddy," Rose manages to plead, her body beginning to shake as she rises back to her full height. "Please, just–just look at me."

Now that word catches his attention, back muscles stiffening beneath the shirt. Those Spinsters were able to get into his head enough to find out who is most important to him, but he wasn't weak enough for them to be capable of knowing a name only Rose would call him. The only person he would ever let call him that, a nickname his mother used and Rose took to saying since she could speak as a young child.

Frankly, if anyone else in the world dared to say it, he'd punch them straight across the face. A silly nickname in all actuality, but something with an air of innocence reserved for the only two women who matter to him.

Rose's throat closes up as he turns around and moves toward her, for once not hiding the tears in her eyes as she cracks a breathless smile of relief. She can feel her body shaking but it doesn't really matter and there's no point of hiding all the emotion wrecking her, Theo knew deep down how truly soft she is.

His hands wrap around the bars above her head, forcing Rose to crane her neck up so she can marvel in the feeling of his hazy eyes meeting her own–bringing them an equal amount of peace and escapism.

Theo leans closer, his lips cracking into that infamous lazy smirk. "Hey baby," He says, bringing warmth to her chest as a tear falls free.

She opens her mouth, no words coming out.

"Come to see how good your boyfriend looks behind bars?" Theo wonders in a gruff tone, bringing one hand down to tug at his collar, "They haven't given me the wondrous jumpsuit yet, must've feared you'd faint when you saw me in those stripes..." He finishes off cockily, wrapping his fingers around her own closely joined on the bars.

"Stop," Rose shakes her head adamantly, beginning to ramble like a worried mother, "Have you eaten? Had any water?! Are you even okay in—"

"My beautiful girl," Theo interrupts, barely managing to slip his forearm through the bars. Bringing a finger to the left side of her chest, "In here," He drags his finger up to her temple, "In here" Then, he gently cups her chin, dragging her face as close to his as it can get while he leans down. "Everywhere, a masterpiece that makes me believe in the forsaken gods."

Her bottom lip trembles, "I love you and I'm–" She choked up, "I'm so fucking sorry..."

"Don't cry and don't you dare apologize." He demands lowly, yanking her body against the bars and pressing their lips together with such ferocity she gasps.

It takes a second for Rose to relax, partly from the shock of him doing such preposterous actions and the cold bars pressing against her every limb but she does give in. Like a wave each time it rolls to the shore before slipping away, letting herself have this brief moment of coming home.

His lips leave her own for a quick pause, and Rose tries to move away but his grip refuses to loosen. "I hate this." Theo mumbles against her mouth, forehead pressing into the bars. "I just....I want, no, I need to hold you."

Rose carefully tears herself far enough apart to stroke the cheek of his hanging head. Her heart aching when his eyes close, "I know love but i'm going to get you out of here–"

"No!" He spat, hand slamming against the cool metal and stepping back so fast Rose flinches.

"Teddy," She breathes out.

"I'm not going to make you tell all of the wizarding world what happened to you just so what I did can be justified–"

"That is not what's happening." She interrupts sharply, seemingly forgetting about Jade until catching a glimpse of the dog laying on the floor.

"They aren't going to let me go free!" Theo's voice raises in a state of sudden anger, "I'll be damned before I let the one human being in this entire world that makes me a good person, let the woman I love be forced to stand in front of room full of people and share something she isn't ready to tell just so I can walk! I'd rather stay in this fucking cell than put you through that!"

"That's enough, Theodore." Rose cocks an eyebrow, too well versed on his spurts of anger. "Sit down."

He huffs in disbelief, throwing his hands up. "But, I–"

"I said, sit down." The Black demands, gesturing to the floor dramatically.

With a loud grumble Theo drops onto the floor, keeping one knee up to rest his elbow–needing the ability to rub his face in sheer aggravation.

Rose was quick to follow his movements, placing a gentle pat atop Jade's head before pulling the infamous velvety pouch from her wrist. Digging through the extension charm until latching onto a metal container, pulling out the sealed water.

Theo let's his hand fall down with a blank stare to hide his anger as the sound of metal scraping against stone rings out. He wants to yell some more, let every ounce of pissed off energy into the world but Rose is looking at him with rounded eyes–a slight curve to her lips as she slides the container through the bars.

"Drink for me, love." She murmurs softly.

His eyes narrow, then roll alongside a huff as he yanks the bottle up. "Using that damn name against me," He twist the cap off, tossing it toward her and becoming more annoyed when she easily catches it with an amused smile, "You're a menace in affairs of the heart, Black."

"Always and forever, Mister Nott." Rose shoot back. Sighing as she watches him bring the bottles to his lips, reaching through the bars to rub his knee the moment it becomes clear he hasn't had a sip to drink.

Waiting until he finishes all of the water, Rose carefully takes the bottle back. Scooting herself closer to run her nails down his arm which had fallen in place over his knee, "My sweet boy," She murmurs, holding a saddened smile at his tired gaze watching her through the bars.

"I'm in azkaban, love," Theo raises an eyebrow of disblief, "For murder."

A small laugh leaves her, not noticing how he shudders from the simple graze of her fingertips. "I'd take your blood stained hands over clean ones anyday, in any universe."

"It's rotten work, isn't it?" Theo mutters, his usual air of confidence slipping. Head shaking as he looks away, "Loving me..."

Her stomach drops, hallows out, and lips twist into a deep frown. "No, not for me. It never has been for me, Theo."

His jaw pulls together in a sharp line, throat visibly bobbing. Staying in a state of refusal to meet her eye, "Me and you, us being together is the reason I'm in here. Draco would be too if Lucius didn't care so much about their image, sure that man is finding some way to punish Draco right now." He scoffs, "They'd rather have their sons die then let us love you."

"We haven't done anything wrong by being together." Rose's voice comes as tranquil as the ocean, her fingers slipping upward to turn his face toward herself, "I want you to know that."

He curls her hand into a first, bringing his lips to her skin. Mumbling, "Why do they keep treating us like we have?"

"We were born into a sick, sick world." says Rose, "I'm a deviant in their eyes. Brutally honest, loud, a maddened woman–"

"But I love all of that about you, every tiny detail." Theo interrupts, "As much as it pains me to admit, I know Draco does too...he's my brother—I'd be a fool if I didn't notice."

"That's exactly my point. The love you two have for me extends beyond moral obligation, your care for them, and the beliefs you were taught." A smile spreads across her face, "It terrifies them to know that, but doesn't matter anymore. If I have to throw out every piece of moral fiber in my body, become a right hand to even someone like Voldemort–I will...I have more power than your idiotic father's in my pinky, and it's high time I started acting like it."

"I don't want you joining Voldemort. If we can't leave then we should be the ones to do that, not you."

"Listen, I have a meeting with Fudge in an hour. It's illegal for him to have placed you here before being convicted," Rose spoke as if she never heard Theo's words, "You'll be taken to a holding room at the ministry until your trial tomorrow. It won't be the nicest thing in the world but there's comfy chairs and books,"

"Ro–"

She continues talking over him, "I won't see you again until the trial tomorrow but whatever you do, don't confess or say a single word. I've got it handled, okay? Whatever happens, I will handle it. If you can't trust that, trying using your seer abilities to give yourself some peace of mind."

Theo tries taking in all the information at once, only able to focus on one thing, "You have to leave me?"

"I don't want to, love, but I can't let you sit in here with these dementors." Rose goes to rub his arm comfortingly, "Your father...he told them where to find the body and who did it...there's no other proof; my contact at the ministry told me. I can beat this."

His brow furrows, a signature sign of him being in deep thought, "Shouldn't that be enough to lock me up?"

"You forget who raised me," She says, "I'm going to do exactly what Walburga Black would."

He huffs out a dry laugh, "That's a dreadful thought"

"And one your father should be terrified of." Her lips curve into a smirk, giving him a wink before pulling away. Taking ahold of her velvety puch once more, "I brought you some crystals to keep the dementors away and spinsters from tricking your mind until the minstry comes to get you, it should only take an hour from the time I leave for them to get you moved."

"Baby," He deadpans, "Although I adore your wacky mind...crystals are not going to work against those creatures, and it's only an hour."

"Don't question my methods." Rose sasses, rolling an ensemble of colorful and jagged crystals through the bars. "And even an hour alone in this place is wrongful, take my crystals or I'll force myself through these bars."

*

Sitting at the food of the bed, Draco stares off into the burning embers behind Rose's forest green couch. A simple piece of furniture that held more memories than one could count. Draco wouldn't ever admit it, nor would he want anyone to know—but he is truly one of the most sentimental people. From the stupid little trinkets Rose would give him, to the insanely colorful paintings she would make upon mastering the craft; each of them hung around his bedroom in great contrast to his usual stylistic choices that surely wouldn't be there if they didn't make his lips quirk every time he passed by. Even something as simple as a worn photograph of Rose or their friends, Draco kept everything. Clinging onto the idea of objects with hidden meanings, memorabilia for the few people walking on earth he gave a damn about.

And that's why it's saddening almost, to sit in Rose's dark bedroom covered in boxes. The couch, bed, and hundreds of books being the only things not yet packed away for moving day. There's no life story hanging across the walls in the form of pictures anymore, no obscene amount of scattered cauldrons or alchemy table, no more parchment spread on the shiny floors, no altars to the forsaken gods she so foolishly believed in...her paintings are gone too—

I hope she starts painting again, He thinks to himself. Minding darting in a million different places from the state of the bedroom. Rose was one of those people that you wouldn't know from looking at her, but take one step into her room and you'd be overwhelmed from every aspect. Different parts of her personality all smashed into a single space, a comforting place to be at that. She used to explain to him it was the only corner of the world Walburga couldn't reach her, somewhere she wanted the boys to feel safe coming to as well. Untainted by the spoils of the earth. He can remember chasing after her through this room as a young boy, turning around and doing the same many years later in a different way.

Childhood. Growing up. Heartbreak. Yearning. Tears. Happiness,—every inch of these walls have watched them go through those motions together. It feels as if he can hear the melodic sound of Rose's laughter bouncing off the walls, a sad smile painting his face as he recalls how the sound changed throughout the years. A record forever burned into his brain, something he had been striving to hear come from her lips since the beginning and made sure to always hold dear.

Each time he would step through that doorway an overwhelming piece of warmth would fill him, entering a little safe haven.

But right now it's cold, feels too empty, and all overwhelming. Whether it be the mass of boxes he's staring at or the embarrassing ache in his chest from missing her presence that became a flame in his world of dark. He never meant to become reliant but had, overtime leaning on Rose and letting her lean on him. As much as they tried to fight it, to stay away, the two were in a constant state of pushing fate to the side and clashing back together in cosmic way.

After all, they were one. Burning together until the end of the time, a love greater than any inside the books taunting him from across the room. His ego never wanted to admit that he, a cold-cold man, had been relishing in her warmth since the beginning. That he, someone meant to turn away from Rose, never wanted to be rescued from the intoxication of her love.

And finally, years later, Draco finally gained enough strength to drive a dagger through his pride. Refusing to let the demons Lucius had implanted into his mind win as he took Rose by the hand with no things left unsaid, promising himself to hold on forever.

Draco dropped his head into a hand, leaning over his knees. Looking downwards as Nyx nudges his hip, "I know, Nyx." He mutters, "I miss her too..."

Nyx makes an estranged hissing noise, sliding over his lap eagerly. Draco would forever be her favorite, even if she had no way of truly communicating with him. From the age of ten, Draco talked a mile a minute to Nyx. She enjoyed it beyond belief, and felt a sense of safety with the boy.

"Look at us," Draco scoffs to the air, reaching a free hand down to pet the snake. "Two sopping beings with attachment issues."

Although Nyx doesn't understand what he's saying, she's come to know his body language over the years. Lifting her body up to nudge the Malfoy's chin, finding humor in how annoyed his tone of voice sounds.

Draco tilts his head downward with a scowl, "Don't give me that look, Nyx. We best put a tracker on that girl, she could be playing jump rope with dementors for all we know..."

The door creaks open at an insanely slow pace, Rose stepping through with the most dramatical breath possible. She slams the door shut by pressing her back against the wooden surface, hand coming up to run along her jaw. He finds humor in the dramatic flair she holds even when believing no one to be watching.

Draco gently lifts Nyx off his lap, beginning to roll his sleeves up as he stands. "Rosie?" He calls midway through, voice gruffer than ever.

Her head snaps toward him. A shopping bag he hadn't noticed falling from her fingers as she sees him through the flicker of flames and moonlight shining over his blinding hair from the opened balcony doors.

"Draco?" She breathes out.

His lips quirk at the repetition, arms crossing upon finishing the mission of rolling up his sleeves. "Yes, darling?" 

He barely has a moment to blink as she rushes across the room. Crashing into Draco's steady chest, her arms securely wrapping around his neck. It knocks the wind out of him, but he doesn't move from the forcefulness; only brings his own arms around her body.

"I didn't want to make you come here tonight," She mutters, "But you're the only person I wanted to see, needed to see."

"You are not a chore, Rosie." He states sternly, "You don't have to make me do anything, I want to be here with you—you fool."

He feels her smiles against his skin, her words falling out breathily, "I really am glad you're here."

It's impossible for him to refrain from his own smile breaking loose, baring a kiss to the top of her head. "I'd be glad too," He mumbles against her hair after a moment, "If you'd change so I can throw you into the bed..."

Rose pulls back enough to screw her chin up to him defiantly, "Why can't you just be sappy with me?"

Draco attempts hiding his amusement as he brushes the loose strands from her face but completely fails, "Shall I write you sonnets? Will that be sappy enough, love?"

"Yes, actually."

His smirk deepens, fingers trailing beneath her chin, "I'll write them on your body if you lay down with me"

She yelps in excitement, jumping away and bringing two fingers to her forehead; saluting him. "As you wish!"

Draco laughs breathily.

"Did you get Theo out of Azkaban?" He calls as she begins walking toward the closet.

Rose throws a hand up in the air, making the fire and each unlit candle on the bedside tables roar to life. He flinches at the sound and power that casts around the now warmly lit room, releasing a shuddering breath; Draco didn't know if he would ever get used to her casually holding so much magic.

"Yes!" Rose spoke angrily, yanking open both closet doors. "Theo's now in a cozy little room at the ministry, can't go in there though! Has about ten guards outside of it!"

He cocks an eyebrow, dropping back onto the edge of the bed. "I'm assuming Fudge put up a fight against you?"

The chandelier inside the closet flicks on, giving Draco a glimpse of light before Rose slams the doors close behind herself. "He acted so surprised that I knew he put Theo in Azkaban to await the trial!" Her voice flows from behind the wood, sounds of haste footsteps ringing within the closet space. "Dumb little cunt is what he is! Tried to tell me I have no right snooping around ministry business as if he wasn't breaking the law!"

"Hm," Draco hums, wringing his hands together, "Tell me how you got him to agree."

"I'm a highly educated woman! He fell into line real quick when I gave him a simple conversation!"

"By simple you mean threatening?"

"What else?!" Rose shouts, making Draco snort as he hears her loudly slamming the glass drawers. "He's a blithering idiot, Draco! Thinks he's actually in control of the ministry! Doesn't he realize it's people like us who control him?!"

Draco scoffs, "What a fool, love."

"I know!" She continues on, "Your father and grandfather, Theo's father, and all those other men are the ones he answers to illegally! Wish the world knew how much their minister likes getting paid under the table, not to mention how much of a little bitch he turns into the second your father steps in his office! Pathetic, I'm not even scared of Lucius Malfoy!"

The possibility of Draco holding back his laughter slips away from her words, "Just a little bitch boy disguised in man's clothing, eh?"

"Damn straight!" Rose flings the closet doors open, keeping hold of one handle as she gestures to the silky tank and shorts on her body. "Do you want to know the best part?!"

Draco's eyes fall over every inch of her. Going to rub his jaw with a forming smirk, "Tell me, darling."

Her voice levels out, "He thinks he's so high and mighty, prancing around the ministry halls in his shitty suits that cannot fool anyone..." She scoffs loudly, "You want to know how I spot his shitty suits?"

"The stitching?" Draco quizzes with purposeful interest to make her happy, already knowing what the response is going to be.

"The stitching!" She repeats, letting out an exasperated breath before heading towards the blonde. Her eyes rolled, "My dick is bigger than his."

And Draco laughs, again and again.

"You don't have a dick." He says, lifting his chin up as she nears.

"Exactly." Rose sasses, going to carefully step in between Draco's spread legs when he wraps his fingers around the back of her thighs—yanking her forward. "Draco!"

"What?" He murmurs softly, a widespread smile across his face. Fingers turning possessive, "I feared you wouldn't come close enough"

She leans forward, dipping her head so their faces were mere inches apart. "Or you just wanted an excuse to touch me..." Rose trails off, pushing a hand through his hair.

"You're mine." Draco's fingers trail up to the hem of her shorts, "I don't need an excuse to touch you anymore."

Rose shoots him a crooked grin, "Partly yours"

His face drops with a grumble, hooking a hand underneath Rose's knee and pulling her leg to rest by his hip, "Don't remind me."

"You don't like sharing me?"

Draco scoffs at her teasing tone, his eyes rolling as he glides both hands up her hips, "I'd throw Theo off the face of the earth if I could."

An amused laugh left her, tugging on his hair to brush their lips together. "Your birthday's coming up...what do you want?"

"You." He breathes out.

"I can arrange that," Her teeth graze his bottom lip, "All night, if you'd like..."

He doesn't wait another second, bringing their lips together like a man starved for far too long. Leading her to tighten the grip she held on his hair, meeting him back just as desperately. With how much she's pushing against him, her tongue gliding across his lip—Draco moves his fingers up her arm; leaving a trail of warmth as he tugs one strap of the tank top down.

But before he can even manage to revel in how easily the strap falls, Rose pulls back suddenly and forcefully. Grasping his shoulders with a breathless head tilt, "What day is it?"

"Who cares?" Draco mutters, cupping her face and bringing their lips back together.

"Wait—" Rose whispers confusedly, tugging his head back. She casts her eyes toward the door leading into Whitman's room. "Whitman!" She yells, "What day is it?!"

"Love...." Draco murmurs, dropping his head against her stomach as she continues holding onto him and staring off.

There's a bit of clattering against the wall separating the two bedrooms, and Rose realizes Whitman is crashing into the door before his voice floats through, "The seventh!"

Rose gasps, pulling a groan from Draco as she yanks his head from her stomach. Slowly turning her focus back onto him with widened eyes, "We missed your birthday!"

"Huh?"

"It's the seventh!"

Shock flashes across his features momentarily. "Oh," Draco raised an eyebrow of interest, "Next year then? I seem to have forgot as well"

"Next year?!" She spoke baffled, throat closing up at the idea of them all not realizing, "It's Dumbledores fault! Your birthday was the day after the tournament, I knew that! But—but we were locked in that room and,"

"Rosie," He quickly interrupts, trying to not laugh at how glassy her eyes turn, "It's fine, I swear. We were all delusional and haven't got a second to sit down until now, like I said, I forgot too."

The door behind Rose swings opens, sending a vibration through the home as Whitman tumbles in. "Your birthday!" He shouts, seeming almost as horrified as Rose. Blaise follows right behind, mouth covered in guilt.

Draco sighed. "Yes, yes but it's fine."

"It's not fine!" Rose protests, cupping Draco's cheeks and shaking him. "Your birthday, of all days!"

Whitman all but runs over, taking a seat next to the blonde and forcing him into his own chest. "This is awful..." He mutters, holding onto Draco despite how much the boy grumbles.

Blaise nods along as he moves next to Whitman, "How did we miss it?!"

"It's just a birthday." Draco huffs, tearing himself free. "And we can wait until Theo gets out to celebrate anyways." He says, pulling Rose into his lap greedily.

"I feel so..." A tear fell from Rose's eye, "Your eighteenth birthday!"

Draco can't help but laugh as he swipes the droplet for her with his thumb, "It's fine, love. I swear it."

"Well we can all hangout tonight as a pre-celebration." Whitman affirms, his eyes instinctively staring at Draco's arms around her waist.

"No..." Draco grumbles, because frankly he has been rudely interrupted. Having to let his head fall into Rose's chest when no one moves.

As a back forth begins to brew between Rose apologizing and Draco trying to make her understand how he's not angry, Blaise leans into Whitman's ear with a whisper, "You can't prevent them from having sex, idiot."

"Watch me." Whitman mutters before grabbing onto Rose's arm, "We'll stay with you guys all night actually, make sure to celebrate now instead of waiting, okay? When Theo gets out we'll have a real party for Draco."

"Okay..." Rose sniffles, and her agreement sends Draco into a groan as he buries himself against her chest.

Whitman hides a grin while standing up and offering a hand, "Help me get his presents?"

"Yeah, okay." She says, slipping her fingers into his and getting dragged out of Draco's vice grip. Amusement is a nine letter word to describe how Blaise feels when Whitman scoops the girl up, spinning her around as he rushes into his own bedroom.

It all clicks for Draco right then, "He did that on purpose, didn't he?"

"Oh yeah." Blaise assures with a snort, "Definitely."

*

Sat the island in the Black's kitchen, Draco stirred his tea at a groggy pace. Exhausted from the night before, and annoyed with Blaise who sat next to him; the boy tapping his fingers against the marble countertop impatiently. In all fairness, Blaise had been consumed by the smell of sizzling food when walking into the kitchen.

Now ten excruciatingly long minutes of them watching Whitman tend to the pans passed, humming to himself as a record played across the kitchen.

"Oi!" Blaise called as Whitman picked a piece of bacon fresh off the pan, holding it up for Jade to jump and catch in her mouth. "Don't feed her bacon, well all be dead if Rose finds out!"

Whitman laughed dryly, keeping his back turned away while scooping up a cup of coffee. "So don't tell Ro, Blaise. Just because her and Nyx want to be weird vegetarians doesn't mean little Jade can."

Blaise grumbles, beginning to increase the speed of tapping his fingers, "Where even is that woman?"

"She left before we woke but Kreacher went with so it's fine" Whitman replies before casting a glance over his shoulder at Draco, "Do you want toast too?"

"Don't care." Draco mumbles, holding his chin up with a hand.

Blaise leans toward the blonde with a wide spread smile, dropping an arm around his shoulders. "Yes we would."

The Malfoy's gaze honed in on Blaise's fingers, left eye twitching as the sound kept coming and coming.

"Blaise!" He finally snapped, making Zabini flinch away.

"What're you yelling at me when it's eight in the morning for?!"

Draco stared at him unblinking, "Your fingers! Make it stop!"

"Oh..." Blaise grinned sheepishly, "Oops?"

Draco narrowed his eyes before blowing out a deep breath, forcing Blaise's happiness to flip into a frown.

"Are you actually...mad at me?"

"Mad?!" Draco blinked in disbelief, "Blaise, I—" He stops himself, patting the boy on the back. "I'm not mad at you."

A look of relief flowed across Blaise's features. "Good." He nods, nudging their shoulders together.

Whitman snorted at the interaction, both boys eyes snapping to him instantly. Draco internally begging Whitman to leave it be, not in the mood to deal with a wounded Blaise.

"What's so funny?" Blaise asks.

"Nothing," Whitman reassures, holding back another laugh as he focuses on the burning bacon, "Draco, grab some plates."

By the time they heard the front door open then slam shut, Draco and Blaise were already eating the full breakfast made for them. Whitman on the other hand leaned on the opposite side of the counter, a slight grimace on his face as he watched on. He didn't want to say anything aloud, but it felt impossible to eat until knowing Theo would be safe.

"Morning," Rose calls as she walks into the kitchen, taking everyone by surprise to see her fully dressed. From head to toe, every inch of her appearance perfected. There's an unmissable stack of sealed files tucked beneath her arm, a singular piece of parchment laying atop with dark inky scribbles.

Jade rushes over, getting a pleased smile from Rose and loving head-scratch. "Smells good in here," The Black remarked.

Draco took a quick sip of tea. "Where have you been?"

Rose ignored him, tossing the files onto the counter and stopping at the sharp corner of marble. Her lips twist into a smile, "Notice anything different about me?"

"Hm..." Blaise hums, playing into the act and tapping his temple. "You wore four ruby necklaces instead of one?"

She huffs at his games, and reaches up to grasp the layered necklaces. "Leave my ladies alone!"

Blaise laughed. "What do you expect us to say?"

"I got a blowout!" Rose gestures to her hair dramatically, chin screwing upward, "Isn't it amazing?! The Black family curls will not cause me frizz today!"

Draco's lips twitch. Although he keeps a blank expression, "Getting a blowout to walk in a courtroom? Completely logical..."

She leaned on the counter momentarily. "Fuck off, blondie." Rose rolls her eyes mid-sentence, "If I have to go defend my man in court, I'm going to look good in the process."

"Well, you look beautiful." says Whitman, pressing up off his elbows.

Blaise side-eyes Draco, who seemingly did the action at the same time toward him. "He just had to make us look like the bad guys, yeah?"

Draco huffs in agreement.

"At least he's not blind" Rose states as she crosses over. Stopping next to Whitman and looking down at the bacon on the boys plates, grimacing at the sight. Her eyes flick back up with distaste, "Bacon, really?"

Whitman grumbled in response, latching onto her hip and tugging the girl in front of him. Truthfully, he did not want to be ranted to at this hour. So, while ignoring Rose's yelp, he stretches an arm over her shoulder; sliding the bowl of fruit closer.

"Shut up, and eat your fruit." Whitman demands.

Rose goes to protest, halting the idea when he settles against her back. She would have if Whitman moved away but he's warm and it's comforting to have him so close, making her fear he would leave if she dared to speak.

Instead, Rose decided on an annoyed eye roll and simply plopped a slice of orange into her mouth. The loud voice of Narcissa and Miss Zabini floated from the lounge floo, sending Draco and Blaise out of their seats. Both speaking words that didn't reach her ears, too focused on the scarred arm hanging over her shoulder.

Waiting until the two disappeared, Whitman spun Rose around and kept her pinned to the counter. His eyes scanning the look across her face which told him a million thoughts were swarming inside that head, "What's wrong?"

"Miss Theo..." She mumbles, "Ready to move out of here too. Feels haunted, you know? I hate it, I hate every corner of this house."

He understood. Despite only arriving home yesterday, Whitman realized how every inch of these walls must mock her existence. The room where Orion's body hung, Walburga's lingering presence, and the millions of other deaths or memories embedded into the molding. A place she once loved even after everything, now stood as an awful reminder.

And Theo's too much of a touchy subject.

Therefore Whitman spoke quietly about something to bring her a semblance of hope, "I'm ready to move too." Even if it's going to bother Rose, he pushes a strand of hair behind her ear before continuing, "Just promise me this surprise estate or manor, wherever you're taking us, isn't actually just one of the Black manors. You deserve to be somewhere new."

"I don't want to move into any of those..." Rose catches his wrist as it falls, "I want to move somewhere that feels like a real home. Unstained by family. Something light, and—and near the ocean."

He smiled. "Is that a hint?"

"Maybe" She murmurs, "Would you be okay with moving before Italy instead?"

"I'll go with you anywhere, anytime. Okay?"

"Okay." A smile graces her features, eyes trailing around the kitchen as she toys with his shirt, "Did you know the minister has multiple mistresses?"

Whitman began to laugh until realizing what she said, head tilting in confusion, "Did you just....?"

Rose grins almost maliciously, slipping away from the boy and taking the stack of files with her.

Draco, along with Blaise, returned shortly after. Filling everyone in on what their mothers said through the floo network, and what the two women were going to do.

"I don't need their help." The Black spoke almost defensively, cutting Blaise off mid-sentence, "Just you three. This is an us thing, not their responsibility."

Blaise spoke, "Well, what do you need? We want to help."

All at once her face perks up, taking the parchment off the stack and setting it to the side. "Did you know our minister had a kid with his one of his mistresses?" She gestures to the thickest sealed folder, "Many other things too...that's not even the worst of it."

In a sadistic way, Draco's lips curve up. "I'll take a wild guess and say each of those folders has information about the people sitting in on Theo's court and the minister"

Rose makes a noise of delight, reaching over to pat his cheek, "You're brain will forever be genius"

"Yeah yeah," Draco brings her hand down into his own. Raising a brow, "What is it you need us to do?"

"Glad you asked," She winked, taking the piece of parchment full of names and gliding it toward Draco; pointing at the ones circled. "You, my extraordinary lover boy, will go use that Malfoy name to get a file made on the names circled"

His eyes rolled at the nickname, but adamantly scan the page, "You want everything I can find on them?"

"No, no. Just the worst of the worst." Rose corrects while soothing down his hair, "Use your never ending superiority complex to get this done, okay? I give you full permission to be a cunt to any and everyone regardless of who they are"

"I get to be mean for no reasons?" Draco smirks, his eyes practically twinkling, "This is the best day of my existence..."

Whitman laughs, "Feel bad for whoever has to deal with you"

"Don't we all?" Rose adds on, "Now Blaise, you'll be doing something completely different—"

"Wait," Blaise interrupts in confusion, "You're planning to blackmail the whole of Wizengamot?"

"So funny, you think it's that simple." Rose giggles under her breath. "No offense but I'm much smarter than all of you, and my tactics are way too complicated for any of you to comprehend....so just do the set tasks, okay?"

Each of the boys look to one another with matching expressions of offense. They shouldn't be surprised, but the words still force them into a moment of disbelief.

Blaise's head slowly turns to Rose, blinking at the smile across her cheeks, "You're a real bitch sometimes, you know that right?"

"Bitches get things done, Blaise dear." Rose spoke softly, hand falling across her heart. Then, all at once, her face turns blank. "Now shut up and listen to me."

*

The chair in which Theodore Nott's arms were strapped too could only be described as purely uncomfortable, not to mention the heavy shackle chains around his wrists and ankles. Although this would be a closed trial, there's plenty of noise as the people of Wizengamot take seats on rowed benches. Theo's head turns to the left, spotting each of the boys and their families. Whitman doesn't appear to be okay, if anything but well as he leans forward—head shaking.

Theo tries to send Whitman a nod for solace, not expecting it to do much. Most would fear for their future in a situation such as this, not Theo though. Whether he would be set free or sentenced to life behind bars, Theo knew Rose would handle it. There is a sense of tranquility when you hold the knowledge someone out in the world would do anything to protect you, no questions asked.

Rose is that person for him.

Except she's not here.

She's no where in sight.

And that makes him worried.

One of the few citizens allowed in particularly that sticks out; his father. Seated next to Lucius Malfoy with a face of ridicule.

Theo wants to shout, scream at the man that this is all his fault.

But he doesn't.

Only rolls his eyes, and focuses straight ahead. It's rather sickening as he sees the people seated above; fifty in total. All wearing plum-colored robes with an elaborately worked silver W on the lefthand side of the chest. Staring down at him in distaste, or pure shock that the Nott heir had gotten himself into such an awful situation. Clearly pictures of the dismembered body were shown to each from the horror Theo could spot laying in their eyes.

Cornelius Fudge sat in the center of it all, wearing blackened robes and a tall hat. The poor minister having to fill in for Barty Crouch, recently murdered ministry official who usually held these trials.

Rita Skeeter also appears to be one of the few allowed inside the courtroom. Seated on the lowest bench, her floating quill scribbling quickly across a pad as she stares at Theo.

An odd pit of dread comes over Nott as Fudge slams the gavel down, making the chatter slowly turn in to a resounding silence. Despite this, Theo watches the minister in boredom. Eyebrows raising in challenge as Fudge turns scrutinizing eyes turning down toward him.

The gavel echos one last time before Fudge began speaking, "We will now start the trial of Theodore Nott Junior for the first-degree murder of Cedric Diggory—" A door slams from the back of the courtroom, quieting Fudge.

A sliver of worry fills Theo as he hears heels clicking down the steps behind himself and in between the empty benches. But then, he realizes exactly who they belong to as the faces of the jury contort into one of discomfort.

Because in Theo's mind Cornelius Fudge knows that Rosalie Black just became judge, jury, and executioner.

The heels halt atop the bottom step. Rose's voice floats across the room stronger than ever, "Permission granted to come to the stand as a witness?"

Fudge spoke, "Miss Black—"

"How very sweet of you." Rose interrupts, stepping onto the intricately designed marble floor.

The minister's face flickers with spite, but he forces a tight-lipped smile, "You've caught wind of our need to move the trial up, yes?"

Without a word of response she strutted in, not as if she owned the place, but as if she could burn it to the ground. And every person present did not doubt that fact as the young Black came to stand in front of Fudge with her hands pushed in coat pockets. Appearing as the image of wealth and utmost perfection, holding the ability to make every juror feel less than as her cold gaze moved across each attendee. Power in every form radiating from the girl's skin.

It was almost unnerving for even Theo when she spared him a glance, feeling as if the devil danced in her eyes.

Like the devil was taking him by the hand, saying to trust her. And Theo feels safe with that knowledge, safe knowing he is the devil's most loved.

A reckoning was coming, in the form of an very angry teenage girl.

"May the witness state their full name." Fudge began loudly, his hands gripping onto the edges of the podium. Needless to say, the man is already pissed off by her presence.

"Rosalie Aries Black." Rose states unblinking, "Charges?"

Fudge adjusted his glasses, picking up a sheet of parchment. "Charges against the accused are as follows; on the night of June third he took Cedric Diggory to the seventh floor corridor of Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. Committing first-degree murder by dismembering the student's body, and then proceeding...." Fudge trails off, unnerved by the last words scribbled down.

"Speak up." Rose demands sharply.

With a sneer Fudge lifts his head to her, "Proceeding to etch the words rapist across what was left of Mister Diggory's forehead."

The proclamation sends a wave of murmurs throughout the whole of Wizengamot.

"Hm..." Rose hums, still staring at the minister. "Proof? Or is this going to be another failed trial from our legislative system?"

"Silence!" Fudge shouts, slamming his gavel down once again. He waited until the jury quieted before speaking, "The proof is a signed statement from an anonymous source who claimed our defendant to have murdered Mister Diggory, and told us where to find the body," Fudge leans forward slightly, "The proof, Miss Black, is this source was right. We found Mister Diggory exact where they told us he would be."

"That's all? Really?" Rose let's out a dry laugh. Slowly, she begins walking the outer edges of the circular floor, "Considering your source clearly made a deal to stay anonymous, would you please tell us if this person is a student at Hogwarts?"

"No ma'am!" The minister raises his voice, stupidly thinking she wouldn't hear with her back turned to him, "Although they were told by the defendant, and are a close related source!"

"And? What type of proof is that?" Rose spoke blankly, continuing her slow walk, "Could you tell us if this source is a grown adult or a teenage friend to Mister Nott?"

"A grown adult. A very trusted one at that."

"Ooo.." The Black whistles, "So are you, Minister of Magic, telling me a grown man or woman roamed the halls of Hogwarts without the headmaster knowing?"

Offense consumes the minister's features, and the hairs on Theo's neck rise as she passes his back.

"State your point, Miss Black!"

"Gladly." Rose stops right next to Theo's chair. Head tilting up at Fudge, "On the night of June third a party with each house took place inside the room of requirement at Hogwarts. With you saying this source is an adult, you're telling everyone in this room you are believing someone who was at place where teenagers would've been vulnerable. What if a young girl was walking back to her dorm? She could've easily been taken advantage of....really makes you wonder the intentions of this source for being at Hogwarts." She finally pulls a hand from her coat pocket, grabbing onto the top of Theo's chair. "You are sitting here accusing this young boy of murder when you should be questioning what business an grown man or woman had at Hogwarts."

Fudge's lips pursed together. "I can say this source was not present at Hogwarts when the murder took place."

"Sounds like you have a whole lot of nothing then." Rose raises an eyebrow, "Fingerprints anywhere near the crime scene?"

"No." says Fudge, unknowingly starting a rapid fire of back and forth with the girl.

"DNA?"

"No."

"Any other witnesses to place Mister Nott at the crime scene?"

"No, but—"

"Clear answers only. That's your rule minister, if you can remember." Rose interrupts, her fingers turning white as she grips the chair tighter and tighter. "This is almost comedy. Anyone could've killed Cedric Diggory. The witness of yours, a random Hufflepuff student, a Ravenclaw..." She pushed off the seat, hand gliding back into her pocket while stepping forward, "I could've killed Cedric Diggory. You could've killed him, even Albus Dumbledore could've murder the boy. Do you see where I'm going with this?"

"But the witness—"

"The witness was not at the scene therefore holds no viable proof in the eyes of the law!" She raises her voice to speak overtop of him, nearing the podium once more.

Fudge turns to the lady in plum robes next to himself, giving her a nod and waiting for the woman to look through a stack of papers.

Eventually, the juror looks up with a shaky voice, "It is not viable, sir."

"No..." Fudge spat, raising from his seat. Yelling forcefully toward Theo for the first time, "Did you or did you Nott murder Cedric Diggory?!"

Rose's head snapped around, lifting a finger toward Theo, "Don't answer that baby."

As if arrogantly, Theo relaxes into the seat, a smirk playing across his lips for the minister to see.

All of the sudden Fudge began shouting, "I will not have you come into my courtroom and make a mockery of it, Miss Black!"

"If anything, you are the one making a mockery of yourself." Rose scoffs as she turns on her heel, "Do you have the time of Mister Diggory's death?"

The words come in the form of a snarl, "Eleven-thirty at night."

"Why didn't you say so?" The Black goes right back to holding Theo's chair, "This all could've been easily avoidable, Mister Nott was with me."

Whispers break out instantaneously, and questioning looks are shot towards the girl standing tall with an unwavering expression.

"Rather convenient, isn't it?" Fudge pointed out as he settles into his seat, "Did you and Mister Nott attend this party you speak of?"

"Yes sir."

"And was there any alcohol at said party?"

"Obviously, you old fuck." Rose deadpans, sending Theo's eyes up to her face in confusion. He didn't question her reasoning of belittling the old man, just curious where this was supposed to lead to. "It's what teenagers do. I thought you knew that? With your teenage daughter and all...the one you don't want anyone to know about? I believe her name is Leigh Bargdo? Hidden under the guise of her mothers maiden name, of course."

Now this—this sends the man into a state of fury, and the court into a collective gasp.

Rita's pen moves quicker than ever, gathering every moment of chaos erupting.

"I will not be blackmailed in my own court!" Fudge finally yelled, banging the gavel down like a maddened man. Showing all of the anger Rose wanted to the world to see on his part.

She smirked, in the most wicked way. "By definition, blackmail would be me promising to not reveal information in exchange for a benefit. This is quite the opposite, I simply informed everyone about your bastard child as an example of you understanding how teenagers work. Unless you are not involved in said child's life?"

The minister doesn't mean for it to happen, but he speaks through gritted teeth as the room falls silent, "Did you consume any mind-altering substances on the night of June third?!"

"I know what you must be thinking, what you've read from our dear Rita Skeeter, but I am proudly sober these days," Rose all but chirps, "You see, being in a relationship means responsibilities." She begins to smile dreamily up at the ceiling, "Young love, how truly life-changing..."

Somewhere up on those benches Whitman nudges Draco, "What is she doing?"

"I don't know," Draco murmurs, leaning forward on his knees, "But it's working on the jury."

Sure enough the moment Whitman glances at the people covered in plum robes he can see plenty of them appearing much less fearful; more so sympathetic at the idea.

Fudge scoffed. "And what time did you leave said party?"

"Ten at night."

"And where did you go after?"

"To my dorm with Mister Nott. Emotions were running high, sir. I was about to risk my life in a tournament the next day." says Rose, "Wanted as much time together as possible, lucky we did so considering I did in fact almost die only for you to rip my boyfriend away from me without any proof before I could even wake up."

Sympathy: check.

Theo felt the sensation of a scratch across his brain, a classic move of Rose's when she wanted to enter someone's mind. His eyes pleaded for her to look at him but she still refused to do so. Leaving him with one option, let down the occulmency walls and hope no one else tries to get inside his head at that very moment.

She says one singular sentence while staring ahead, and the words echo in his mind.

'It's about to get very off-putting, but just trust me. Put your walls back up.'

He does exactly as she demands, unable to manage a nod before Fudge begins speaking again, "How long we're you two in the dorm together?"

"All night." Rose promises.

"Doing what? And where are the witnesses to this?"

"Do I really have to tell you what we were doing?"

"I would think so, Miss Black!"

"He was tied to my bed, sir." Rose cocks an eyebrow, every jaw in the room dropping; including Theo's. "Would've been quite impossible for him to go anywhere considering he was spellbound to my bed frame...there were two witnesses to that act; our friend group is very close if you hadn't noticed." She just kept going, saying things that no one expected to fall from her lips.

Theo had looked down at his legs, muttering, "Oh Merlin..."

Rose used the arm on Theo's chair to clutch her shaking forehead, "This is so awful..." She says loud enough for the room to hear before looking back at Fudge and the jury, "I feel...violated, per say. Here I am, a teenage girl, being forced to describe my private affairs for a group of adults to prove the innocence of young man who we've clearly stated has no evidence against him. Why is this trial even going on still? To further embarrass him?"

Fudge doesn't respond.

And he doesn't even attempt to as Rose walks forward, her eyes glassing over with tears. "Can we end this now? Whether you send a innocent boy with a promising future, who mind you has excelled in his schooling, is the heir to a prominent family that funds the seats you all sit on, and someone I know has never spoken a word to this Cedric Diggory person—" She begins carefully pacing in front of the jury, "Or if you send him to life in Azkaban for a crime he didn't commit, this has to stop. We've learned nothing from this trial except the flaws of our ministry for putting someone in chains without concrete proof, the bastard child our minister has been hiding, and the habits of an adolescent girl." Rose stops right in front of Fudge, letting a tear fall, "This trial is a mockery to our world and made me lose hope in any bright future for the people we voted to be in charge. It's saddening to witness such horrible stances. So please, let us stop here..."

A woman, sat on the front row, spoke up amongst the resounding silence, "Those in favor of convicting the accused..."

Not a single hand goes up.

Not one, until Fudge raises his own and casts a look that threatens the livelihood of each worker.

Even then, very few hands raise.

The same woman opens her mouth once more, "Those in favor of clearing the accused of all charges..."

As if in a wave of uproar, hand after hand rises into the air. All spectacularly moved, and in a way horrified at what they had just put the innocent young couple through.

There's this single second where Whitman holds his breath, waiting for the moment to hear what he needs.

Fudge begrudgingly picks up the gavel, full of distaste at the hands around him. "Cleared of all charges." He says spitefully, banging the gavel down.

Chatters breaks out on the once tense room, and Rose keeps on her look of grief until slowly turning around. In pridefulness Theo's gaze trail from the heel of Rose's boots, all the way to her face. A grin more sadistic than she could ever manage spreading across his lips as their eyes meet and he witnesses her wipe the fake tears.

But she does manage one almost as cruel when her heart skips a beat, giving Theo nothing except a wink before walking forward to exit with hands gliding back into their respected coat pockets.

She doesn't look at Draco.

She doesn't look at Whitman.

She doesn't look at Blaise.

She doesn't look at the two mothers.

She doesn't even look at Lucius in victory.

Rose looks Theodore Nott Sr. straight in the eye. Using all of the magic in the world to push into his head so forcefully no occulmency walls could withstand her abilities.

And she says one simple word with a full smile,

'Checkmate.'

But when Rose reaches the first step to leave, she paused and turned around to find Fudge staring directly at her.

"I want him out of those chains, Fudge!" Rose shouts, almost in the identical demanding way in which Walburga Black would, "I want him out of them now!"

Then, just like that, she's gone.

*

Given Rose's early exit, she was the first to reach the room where Theo would be taken to sign papers before being cleared. Standing in a particularly narrow hallway, and a dark one at that. Covered in shiny black marble, the material cool against her head as she leans on the wall. Waiting impatiently, and staring at the single door which Theo stood on the other side of.

When the door opened and Theo walked out with that stupid sweater hung over his shoulder, an even more annoying curl hanging across his forehead—Rose froze. Maybe she's the most dramatic person in the world, but seeing him without chains or bars laying between them feels like the freshest breath of air.

His usual dead eyes come to life at the smile on her face, a dark world becoming bright all at once. There's barely two feet between them in this tiny hall, "My girls a force." He says, full of pride.

She pushes off the wall, going to open her mouth but is too late. His hands fiercely grab onto her hips, forcing Rose right back against that wall; pressing their lips together as if it's the first time he's ever been allowed to do so.

The fact they were in a ministry hall, and he had just been freed from a murder charge became a mere memory as she melted into him. There's nothing gentle about this either. It's heated with teeth, tongue, nipping—foreheads pressing together. Hands reaching to graze the shell of her ears, desperate even. Holding onto Rose like she's water flowing from his fingertips, marking each divet of her skin with a greedy touch.

Neither could name how long their lips stayed pressed together, the world falling too quiet to realize.

At some point Theo pulls back just enough to mumble against her mouth, "I've been wanting to do that for precisely theee day, I believe."

"Poor thing," She rasped as her teeth graze his lips, "How deprived you've been."

"I'm taking you home, love."

"I don't think I'm allowed at your home," Rose murmurs, her forehead pressing against his as they fought the urge to give in; finding it too hard with their lips touching. "Forbidden lovers and all that other stuff..."

His fingers trailed up into her hair. "You're going to help me torture my father" He breathes out, slowly sucking in her bottom lip.

She pushed back a groan, "Cruciatus curse?"

Theo hummed, pressing her hip impossibly deeper into the tiled wall. "I'd like hear him scream, wouldn't you?"

"I love when you talk crazy," Rose smiles breathlessly against his lips, "What does a newly freed man plan to do after?"

"I'm actually going to tie you up to my bed." He says before fully kissing her again, mumbling in between, "Have to see if your all talk or not."

"Please do," She pleads, attention getting stolen by the sound of rapid and loud footsteps in the once empty hallway. Rose's eyes switch to the left as he begins reverently kissing her—instantly shoving him away with all the force in the world.

Theo breathed deeply with blown pupils, and flushed cheeks. "Did you...push me away?" He asks, touching his chest as if she shot him.

Rose, just as breathless, points to the three men quickly approaching. "The boys are coming!"

"So?" He cocks an eyebrow, "They can watch, isn't that what you just told the world?"

Her eyes turn into saucers, the girl covering her mouth in shock. "I saved you, arsehole!"

A smile breaks out onto his face, "And you did a damn good job, baby."

She waves him off pompously, "Oh please, it's no big deal..."

Theo laughs deeply at her acting skills, head shaking when suddenly two large bodies crash into him.

Draco and Whitman.

They hold onto Theo for dear life, and Rose settles against the wall once more with crossed arms as she looks over to Blaise, "It's gonna be a while before that ends, their undying love needs a moment..."

"Blaise!" Draco calls, "Get your arse over here!"

In a flash Blaise has joined their odd little embrace. The sight brings a sense a nostalgia to Rose, along with an undeniable amount of warmth.

She sighs up to the ceiling with a teasing voice, "How could I forget your all in love?"

A hand outstretched and yanks her in. Making Rose yelp, "No, please! I don't want to join!"

"Too bad!" They all seem to chorus together as she shrouded in darkness from being forced into the center of them.

Home.

________________________________

A/N: omg my loves, i missed you guys !! i was lacking a little motivation for this chap bc im just ready to get to the part with my the character i have a love and hate relationship with iykyk

—wait until you all see what Rose got Draco for his bday I've been laughing abt it

—one of my favorite things about rose is her collecting dirt on people in the form of perfected folders lollll

—i saw an edit of bruna marquezine as Jude Duarte and now i want to change her to be Rose's face claim because she's just it and I DONT THINK I CAN BE STOPPED THIS TIME AROUND (someone needs to stop me I've already downloaded her scenepacks)

—next chap is on new house and some other stuff, but do you guys want visuals for the house with the chapter or just leave it up to your own interpretation?? personally i hate illustrated books because i like coming up with my own version mentally but i figured i should give you the option since some people have a hard time visualizing??

—i have so many headcannons abt the group that aren't blatantly obvious because I like for you all to imagine things how you wish but i will forever swear by Whitman being Draco's soft spot

—someone give me a British actress that you think fits how you hear Rose's voice?? im doing that little trailer bc it's fun but i obvi can't use her American voice

RETURN OF THE MEMES:

rose after calling theo baby during his murder trial:

Whitman trying to keep his cool every time Rose is touching someone else:

Theo every time the spinsters tricked him into thinking Rose was there:

The jury when they saw Rose walking in (they knew they were fucked) :

Draco trying to keep it together when no one will leave him alone to have Rose on the one night Theo isn't around:

Rose in the salon while Theo's sitting in chains awaiting for life in Azkaban:

Rose walking out of the courtroom after ruining Fudge's life and lying about her friends sex life:

Theo after getting off scotch-free because he decided to fall in love with an actual GIRLBOSS:

me when theo kissed rose through the bars:

^^that moment will stick with me for some reason it was so....

xx bri