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april 2004
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May and Ellen were thrilled to hear Theo had proposed to Rose. They all knew it was going to be a while until the wedding but they liked the idea that Rose was finally moving on from the mess the Malfoys had made. Jacob had made a face when the news of Rose and Theo's engagement was announced to him ― he did like Theo but he was always going to be very protective of Rose.
Jacob actually knew about Theo's plans to officially ask Rose to marry him. A few days before proposing, Theo had visited Jacob and asked his blessing ― Theo had asked this from May and Ellen as well.
A week after the happy news, Theo and Rose packed their bags and headed to Cambridge. Rose was nervous to go back for many reasons but the main was the Malfoys. She was aware they didn't live in Cambridge and would probably be in the dark of her arrival but still, she was anxious. But what was good about going back was the fact that Rose was finally able to see Inez.
"I am so glad you are back," Inez sighed when she and Rose walked down the corridors of Cambridge's University. "It's been so dull here without you."
Rose chuckled and wrapped her arm around Inez's shoulder.
"I'm glad to be back too. And I've missed you like crazy," said Rose.
"Well clearly. I mean you got engaged. Girl, you're insane," Inez grinned.
Inez was very supportive of Rose and Theo's future plans but she liked to make fun of Rose.
Rose rolled her eyes. "Very hilarious. But we're not getting married any time soon, if ever. Theo's up for the engaged forever thing."
"Good. I would hate to think I'm loosing you to marriage."
"Oh you will never loose me. I told Theo we need to get a flat big enough so you can move in. He knows we are a package deal," Rose said.
Inez sighed. "Poor Theodore Nott."
"Tell me about it," smirked Rose.
They walked all the way to the library and found their usual spot. Inez laid her books on the table like a hurricane had made its way through the library while Rose neatly placed her belongings on one of the chairs.
Some people might think studying was boring and sometimes even Rose thought so ― rarely but sometimes ― but now even the most dullest thing in the world would make her happy. She has gone through enough excitement and anxiety for a lifetime.
"I hate to bring this up but..." Inez said, her eyes glued to her book.
Rose lifted her gaze and frowned.
"What?" She asked.
"Malfoy dropped by a week ago," Inez muttered.
"Come again?" Rose wanted to make sure she had heard right.
Inez closed her book and turned to look at Rose.
"He came by. He thought you were home and he came there with his girlfriend, that brunette girl... I don't remember her name and that's not the point, the point is that he sort of wanted to check if you'd changed your mind," Inez explained. "I told him you were going to stay in Fjällbacka for some time."
Rose nodded.
"And then I told him that if he doesn't leave you be, I will kick his ass. And I won't need magic to do it."
"That's true," Rose sighed heavily.
"Was it okay? That told you this?" Inez asked.
"Yes of course. I just... I'm kind of torn," said Rose and turned to look at Inez again. "I'm not saying I regret my decision but it hurt me more than I though it would."
Inez smiled softly. "You really thought you would just move on? Rosie sweetie, you've never been able just to move on when it comes to important, life changing things. Remember when you found out how your biological mother died, or you thought she had died?"
"Yeah..." Rose mumbled.
"You got so caught up on that. You read books about the human body and pregnancy and delivery just to understand what had happened. And when you understood everything, you still didn't let it go."
"It was just a few months," said Rose in her own defense. "Otherwise I never even thought about her."
"I know but my point was that you can't let things go," Inez said.
Rose sighed ― Inez was right. She does have hard time letting things go but comprehending that, she felt better. It made her realize that perhaps the hurt she's been feeling every day since kicking the Malfoys away, was not because she felt bad or because she regretted her situation. But only because she truly has a hard time letting things go.
"That's true... God this has been the worst year of my life. And it's only April," Rose mumbled.
"But you will be fine?" Asked Inez.
"Yeah, totally."
Inez arched her brow. "Sure?"
"It's been tough and it all hurt more than I expected. I still don't know why but I'm getting better," explained Rose.
"So I don't need to worry?"
Rose chuckled. "You don't need to worry. It's all good now, everything's how it's suppose to be."
A ten minutes walk away, Theo was cleaning tables at work. It was a quite afternoon. Only a few costumers sat by their regular tables but there was one person who was not a regular ― a young man with blonde hair and a smug look.
Theo tried to ignore Draco the best he could. He avoided his table but couldn't help but to glance at him from time to time. Draco knew Theo was working, it was the reason he had come to Cambridge in the first place.
Draco wanted to talk to Theo for several reasons. He had visited Rose and Theo's apartment weeks ago but only met Inez who was not so pleased to see him. Draco knew Theo wasn't too happy to see him ― the whole ignoring thing kind of helped him realize that.
But he wasn't going to give up because ever since Rose banished him and the rest of his family from seeing her again, his life's been a disaster. He had hoped that for Rose to change her mind ― he liked the thought of having a little sister. And he knew how much it meant to his parents who've been absolutely destroyed by Rose and her decision.
It wasn't a surprise, Rose's decision and the way it made everyone feel was no surprise either.
"So how long are you going to ignore me?" Draco finally asked when Theo walked past his table. "Because that's not good costumer service."
Theo stopped and scoffed. "And what do you know about costumer service?"
"I read a book. Tori found it. It had a lot of information of muggle stuff," explained Draco. "I read it so I could actually have a conversation with Rose. That was stupid, right?"
"That was thoughtful," Theo admitted.
"Are you busy working or can you talk?" Draco asked. "I really haven't had anyone to talk to, besides Tori. I've talked to Daphne and Blaise as well but you know... they are as good as they can be but that's not enough right now."
Theo sighed. "So they know now?"
"Well I needed someone to talk to. You weren't there," Draco said.
When Theo and Draco were children, they talked about everything. Theo complained about his father while Draco tried to make him feel better by telling stupid jokes that made no sense. They were like brothers and months ago ― before the whole Rose is Lyra situation ― Draco thought he might get his best friend back. Then everything went to hell and Draco lost his best friend and his sister.
"I'll tell Johnson I take my break now," Theo said.
Once he had done this, Theo took a seat across the table from Draco.
"So what now?" Asked Theo.
Draco rolled his eyes.
"Are you back for good?"
"I don't have to tell you that," said Theo and rested his hands on the table.
"Stop being a git," Draco muttered. "Things were good before this whole shit blew up."
Theo knew this.
"I'm aware but shit did blew up and there's nothing any of us can do about it, other than support Rosie," he said.
Draco gritted his teeth when Theo brought up Rose.
He wasn't angry at her, just upset. If Draco was being honest, he would had most likely done the same thing as Rose so he could hardly blame her for her choice. But her decision was still hard to live with, especially since it affected his parents so much.
"How's Lucius and Narcissa?" Theo dared to ask.
"Nice to know that you care so deeply about my feelings," said Draco.
Theo took in a deep breath.
"Fine. How are you?" He asked instead.
"I'm okay. It's not like she was my sister or anything," he snorted. "By blood yes but she never really was. I didn't know about her until now so my loss is not as big as some might think. Tori thinks this is a huge deal and will affect me sooner or later but she's wrong. I'm worried about mum and dad," explained Draco.
"They are better than before, I think. But they are still sad and mum she... I don't even know what she thinks or feels anymore. She mostly blames herself. It's no secret that she had been more awful to Rose than dad, prior the truth."
"Draco..." said Theo and ran his hands across his face. "Why are you here?"
"I told you, I'm here to talk," Draco said. "How's Rose?"
"She's fine," Theo said and looked down at the table.
Draco frowned. "Do you still lie and look down? 'Cause if you do, then you're lying about Rose."
"Rose's good now. So don't ruin it," Theo said sternly.
"Okay," Draco said and held his hands up as to admit his defeat. "Anyhow, Astoria was thrilled to hear who Rose really is. And so was Daphne. Blaise laughed, said that I'm going to kill you for dating my sister."
Theo huffed.
He was no longer only dating Draco's sister but he was engaged to her. He wasn't going to tell Draco that, not without Rose's permission.
"Well you haven't killed me yet so that's a good sign," Theo said.
"I figured she likes you too much and would just get even angrier at us if I kill you," Draco shrugged.
Theo rolled his eyes. "How touching, thanks. But ummm... really Draco, do you think you can leave Rose be? That your parents and grandparents can do that?"
"If it's what she wants, then sure," said Draco.
This surprised Theo. He has known Draco his entire life and knew that he was a selfish person. But there's been a shift in Draco's behavior ― he hasn't been as selfish anymore. Maybe if he had grown up with a sibling ―other than his best friend/brother Theo ― maybe he might had been less selfish growing up.
"It is, at least for now," Theo nodded.
"You think she will change her mind?"
Theo shrugged at Draco's question.
"I don't know Draco," admitted Theo. "I think not."
Flicker of pain traveled across Draco's face and Theo felt bad for the boy he thought of as a brother. He wanted to tell Draco that everything was going to be fine and that things were the way they're suppose to ― but he wasn't so sure if that was true.
Rose's been a mess and although she's much better now, Theo couldn't help but wonder did she make a mistake. He thought so for several reasons but also knew, that doing the opposite of her decision, might've not been the right choice either.
"I'm sorry though," said Theo sincerely. "I really am."
Draco waved his hand at the comment.
"I will be fine. It's mum and dad I'm worried about. And Druella, I've never seen her this upset. She actually said that she might die of a broken heart," said Draco.
"Oh c'moon. You can't say that and expect me to just drop it," Theo sighed.
"It's fine, really. They are all going to be fine, eventually. They lost her once already, they can go through it again. At least now they know she's alive."
"That's true," Theo said.
Draco grimaced. "Is she going to ask you to remove her memories?"
The question came as a surprise and Theo had to think about how answer for a while. Rose had asked him to do it but he said no. She hasn't asked it again but there's been a few times when she's initiated it.
"She has asked me but I said no. Despite everything, I know making her to forget about you and everyone, that won't do any good. She knows it too," explained Theo.
"I guess that's good. Mum and dad would like to know that," said Draco. "They were terrified to think that maybe Rose would ease her memories. Not that it matters because she's not going to change her mind..."
Theo sighed. "But we want her to be happy, right?"
"Yeah, we want her to be happy and if this is what it takes, then it's all good. I don't need a sister and my parents... they can live without a daughter. They've done it before so they can do it again."
Guilt traveled all across Theo's body. He knew Lucius and Narcissa, and knew how much it would've meant for them to have Rose in their lives. But it was fair in a way since they had been so horrible to Rose at first, Theo couldn't argue with that.
Theo glanced at the clock on the wall.
"I have to go now," he said and got up. "Listen, Rose told me that I can still see you and everyone else even if she doesn't. I'm not going to disappear again."
"Good to know," said Draco and smiled a little. "I would hate to loose another sibling again."
Theo nodded. "Right. Well, I'll see you around then."
"I'll see you," Draco said.
Theo left and went immediately to the back room to recover from his conversation with Draco. It was a lot and it was something Theo had not expected ― he thought he wasn't going to see Draco until he decide so.
A part in him wanted to tell Draco about the engagement. He was his best friend and Theo always imagined that if he ever gets engaged, Draco would be the first person he'll tell ― this was not the case now.