Hyacinth POV
Breakfast at Hogwarts was loud the way it always was when summer was right around the corner. The Hall buzzed with conversation as cutlery clinked against plates, owls swooping in with end-of-year letters, and Lockhart strutting along the staff table like he thought he was on stage. I half expected him to trip over his own peacock-blue robes, and honestly, I almost hoped he would, the man was a bloody idiot.
I slipped through the doors with Neville at my side. Draco was already leaning against the wall near the entrance, with his arms folded like he was trying to look casual, but his eyes darted to me the second we spotted each other.
"Not here," I muttered, while jerking my head toward the side corridor. Neville followed along without question, and Draco fell into step behind us a moment later. The hum of the Hall dulled behind us until it was just the three of us standing in the shadows near a dusty suit of armor.
I fiddled with my sleeve, as my nerves started prickling under my skin. "I talked to my dad," I finally said in a low voice. "About Theo."
Draco straightened up at the news, his eyes sharpened and his shoulders tensed all at once.
"He's not going to leave him behind," I went on, pushing the words out before I could lose my nerve. Even though this was good news, it still made me nervous. "Dad already started talking with the others. They'll handle Nott Senior. One way or another, Theo's not staying in that house alone. Dad also said he's welcome to come with us if he wants to."
Draco's shoulders sagged like he'd been holding his breath for weeks. I could tell how much this news meant to him. Because his usual smirk didn't grace us with it's snarky presence. It was something quieter. His expression that caught me off guard, it was almost like raw emotional relief. "Thank Merlin," he muttered. "He... he won't believe it if it comes from anyone else. So, I'll tell him myself."
Neville stepped forward, with his hands shoved in his pockets. "Theo's a good one. Did you know in first year, when everyone thought I was hopeless? He didn't join in on the group teasing. He helped me, him and Blaise. He even gave me notes for Herbology once, said I should prove everyone wrong. It was nice to know that someone saw me as more than just a failure." Neville's mouth twitched, into something that wasn't quite a smile. "He deserves better than what he's been dealing with."
That tightened something in my chest. I hadn't even really talked to Theo, not properly, but hearing Neville say it like that made it more real. Not to mention seeing the lengths Draco went in helping him.
"I just..." I rubbed my arm. "I didn't want you thinking I forgot. Or that Dad didn't listen. So, I thought it was better to let you know that he listened. He always does."
Draco met my eyes, when he said. "Then I'll make sure Theo knows. He'll pack what he can when the time comes. Just... tell your father thank you." His voice cracked a little at the end, but he cleared his throat quickly, shoving his hands in his pockets like he could hide it.
I nodded, my head in understanding because if it was one of my friends I'd do whatever I could to help them just like Draco is doing.
We walked back toward the Great Hall together, the noise spilling out again through the open doors, plates clattering and owls hooting. Draco peeled off toward the Slytherin table, and I caught sight of him leaning close to Theo, his hand tight on his shoulder as he said something to him. I assumed it was about what we'd just talked about, because after he straightened up I noticed Theo's shoulders didn't look quite as tense, and that made me smile.
Theo's gaze flicked up once, across the Hall. His eyes met mine for a heartbeat, they looked wary, but grateful before he looked back at Draco.
I slid into my seat between Neville and Hermione, trying to pretend my chest wasn't buzzing like I'd swallowed a hive of bees as I looked to Neville and said, "We seem to have everything right on track now for a gallant exit. What do you think, Nev?"
Neville just smiled back at me. "That does seem to be what we have planned. Thanks for helping where you can, Cinthy. It means a lot."
The day went by quickly after that.
I had Potions with Slytherin, and Snape was actually... nice, in his own way. Thank you, Mum, I thought as he carefully explained the steps to brewing a Dittany Balm instead of just barking orders. For once, my potion came out exactly the way it was supposed to.
Next was Charms, and let's be real, that's one of my favorite classes simply because Professor Flitwick is a fun teacher. He even clapped when I managed a particularly tricky charm and gave me five house points.
Then I rounded my day out with a grueling Quidditch practice. By the time I dragged myself through a post-practice shower and up into the tower, my muscles ached but in a good way.
I settled in with my mirror on my lap, as it pulsed before my dad's tired but steady face filled the glass. The second he saw me, though, his eyes softened.
"Well hello there, daughter mine," he said.
I couldn't help it, I giggled. Dad just had this way about him that made me chuckle. "Hi, Dad. I just wanted to call and say goodnight. I also wanted to let you know that I talked to Draco about what we discussed, you know about Theo and how we plan on helping him. I think I saw him tell Theo afterwards, and his shoulders relaxed. So... how was your day?"
Dad sighed but smiled, so I knew it wasn't bad news. "Well, kid, we've been busy. Your Uncle Remus, Grandpa Nicolas, and Newt have been dragging me all over the place gathering last-minute supplies for the animals, as well as plants and seeds for potions they might need after we leave. Meanwhile, Lucius keeps dragging me to the Ministry for house-elves, because god forbid we have to wash our own socks one day."
I burst out laughing at the thought of Uncle Lucius or Aunt Narcissa dressed in their acromantula silk robes, bent over a washboard just to have clean socks. "I think Uncle Lucius would rather cut off his feet before having to wash his own socks, Dad."
That set him off. He laughed so hard it was a full-body thing, nearly tipping his chair back. Watching him try and fail to stop made me laugh harder, until both of us were red-faced idiots giggling through the glass.
It was nice to reset from the stress with a good joke and a nice conversation.
When he finally calmed down, wiping at his eyes, he said, "I needed that. Thanks, Cinthy. Well, I best let you get some rest. Goodnight, daughter mine. Sleep tight, don't let the Nargles bite."
I snorted. "You've been spending too much time with Mr. Lovegood. But I'll be careful. Night, Dad. Love you."
He smiled, softly and said. "I never get tired of hearing that. Love you too, Princess."
The mirror dimmed, and I tucked it under my pillow, heart lighter than it had been in days.
For the first time, it felt like everything was sliding into place.