04. Concerned
Theo sat in the dark sitting room, what little light there was from the fire reflecting off his face as he studied the ice in his scotch glass. He wasn’t stupid. He knew from the moment his mark started getting darker the year before it was not something that could be ignored. Which was proven quite quickly. Traitors and deserters were all treated the same. Lucky ones were merely killed.
Simply backing out wasn’t an option, Theo had a family he had to think about now. He worked very hard to keep his illicit past from Holly, he was almost positive she would have never married him had she known. But even then, when they got married, it was in the past, something that didn’t interfere with his daily life anymore. Of course things could never stay that simple.
Fifteen years ago, he lived for this. The lying and scheming. It took talent to convince those around you that you were something you were not. That late night tasks for the Dark Lord, was really mundane overtime at the Ministry. But now, Theo no longer found it thrilling. It was merely stressful and causing his hair to grow grey. Fortunately he was at the very least good at what he did, and he found a way out. The tricky part was putting into place.
He was pulled from his thoughts as the couch cushion dipped next to him and the sound of his wife’s voice. “Hmm?”
“I asked if Iris was sleeping. I sincerely hope she is, as you are drinking.” Holly said inclining her head at the glass in his hand.
“She is. I put her down not to long ago.” he said taking a sip from his glass.
“Is everything alright? You’ve been acting off lately.” she did her best to keep how truly concerned she was out of her voice.
“Everything is fine, I’m just overworked. And unfortunately, I have to go take care of some business.” He said kissing Holly on the temple.
“So late?” Holly said watching him stand.
“Believe me, if were my choice, I wouldn’t even go.” He stole another kiss, this time on the lips. “But this is the last time, I promise.” Tonight, the Dark Lord would finally have the damned prophecy and would finally get his hands on that stupid boy and while he was busy basking in his victory, Theo would take the opportunity to take his family and leave the country. He wouldn’t be missed.
08. First Crush
Theo was tying his tie in the mirror when he heard the door open behind him. Looking up in the mirror he scowled at the sight and went right back to what he was doing. He did not have time to be bothered with his brother. He had to finish getting ready, after all he did have places to be.
“Are you wearing dress robes...wait, did you shave?” Rhys asked incredulously caught off guard at the sight of his brother. Last time he saw him in dress robes that nice, was on his wedding day and he bitched every moment. And he couldn’t even recall the last time he saw him clean shaven, always had some form of stubble going on. Something was up.
“What are you doing here?” Theo asked not looking up again.
“Your au pair let me in. What’s going on?” Rhys said stepping closer. He was almost concerned.
“That certainly doesn’t answer my question. So why should I answer yours?” He said irritated, walking away from the mirror. And his brother just stared at him.
“Are you seriously going to act like this isn’t strange.” Rhys gestured to him as a whole.
“I don’t see what’s so strange about it. The Minister’s Birthday Gala is this evening. I’m practically required to attend.” he hedged stepping around his brother. “And, you’ve yet to explain why you are in my house.”
“I told you I was coming. You’ve must’ve forgotten.” Theo scoffed at his brother’s words. Most likely he was hiding from Juliet. “Since when do you dress up like this for required work events? Its as if you were trying to impress someone.” And once Rhys had said it aloud, it clicked. “Oh. This is about that quidditch woman, isn’t it? She’s famous, you can’t have her killed off like---”
“I didn’t have Cordelia killed, it was just a happy coincedence---”
“All the same. What is even the point. Mother is dead, so its not like she’s pushing you to marry. You have an heir.” He kept pressing.
“It’s none of your concern. How about you go back to your wife. In France.” Theo grabbed his coat from the closet. And Rhys just stood stalk still staring at his elder brother. Oh. This was certainly a first.
“Oh Merlin, you fancy her, don’t you?”
“Goodbye Rhys. I sincerely hope you die on your way back to France.”
16. Wary
Theo was honestly and truly tired of studying and homework. It was Christmas Holiday, he should be out having some sort of fun, not sitting inside doing the ridiculous amount of N.E.W.T. related work he was sent home with. Currently he wasn’t doing much studying at all as he was using his open book as a pillow hoping that he could just some how absorb the information I needed. There was a tugging on the sleeve of his robe which he whole heartly tried to ignore, but then it was followed by at least twelve ‘Theo’s and two 'Hamilton's.
“What do you want, Rhys.” he asked not even bothering to open his eyes or hide the exasperation in his voice.
“You said you’d take me sledding.” Rhys said a bit louder now that he knew his older brother wasn’t actually sleeping.
“I’m studying.” Theo replied quickly still not opening his eyes. What was this sledding nonsense. Honestly what eighteen year old would volunteer himself for the horror of taking his eight year old brother sledding.
“It doesn’t look like your studying” Rhys insisted.
“That doesn’t mean I’m taking you anywhere Rhys. Leave me alone.”
“But you said---”
“Go by yourself, Rhys.”
“That’s not fair, Hamilton! You know mother doesn’t let me go anywhere unless someone goes with me.” he was on the verge of whining, and it made Theo just want to push him over.
“Tell some one who cares” Theo sighed turning his head away from him, frowning at the use of his firs name.
“You said you would take me as long as I didn’t tell mother about that new tattoo you got.” he said boldly poking his brother in the arm.
Theo’s eyes popped open at that and narrowed them as he turned to look at Rhys. Stupid obnoxious younger brothers. What was even the point of having another child ten years after your first other than to ruin their lives. Children got into everything and couldn’t keep their mouths shut to save their lives. Which meant Theo had to do stupid things such as this so he didn’t have to worry about Rhys running his mouth when he shouldn’t.
“Fine.” He said evenly, standing up from his seat with a stretch, acting as though his brother didn’t have anything on him. “An hour is all your getting.” Partly because he detested the idea of going out in the cold and watching his brother sled down a hill (he would not be participating thank you very much) and partly because he really did need to study if he wanted to graduate at all.
He followed reluctantly as his brother raced down the hall to get his sled and coat. Maybe the outing wouldn’t a complete waste and the sled would crash into a tree, then he wouldn't have to worry about it anymore. One could only hope.
