Theodore and Tracey Apparated in an ally outside the gates of London Zoo. He grabbed her hand and started to lead her to his meeting spot with Chi. He immediately see the little girl and smiled. He noticed Su a second later and the smile dropped from his face instantly. The woman looked beautiful, yet annoyed. Was she always unhappy these days? Theo wondered as he approached the sisters.

"THEO!" Chi screamed at the top of her lungs.

"Chi! Quieter," Su chided as Theo let go for Tracey's hand and picked Chi up in a hug. "And do you have to cling to him like that?"

"He doesn't mind," the eleven-year-old retorted, hugging Theo.

"He's too polite to say he does. I'm sure--"

"Miss Li, I don't mind, truly," Theo cut in rudely, setting Chi down. "Now that I'm here, you see she'll be safe..."

Su looked over his shoulder. "Miss Davis I presume?"

Tracey's eyes narrowed for a second as she heard the beautiful young woman speak her name. Old flames of indignation burned through Tracey at the idea of someone like her speaking to she and Theo like that, but they were soon extinguished by the joy on the little girl's face and the look of adoration on Theodore's. She nodded, adding a forced smile, before reaching out her hand toward the witch. "Tracey Davis. I remember you, Miss Li, from school. A very talented witch, I recall."

"In school? Where we in the same year? I'm sorry I only recognize you from social events. You are in the press a lot, Miss Davis."

"Cut the crap, Su," Theo interjected.

"What? I'm just being polite. Oh, and is Miss Davis here joining you and my sister for your day at the zoo?" Su asked.

"Yes, she is."

"Did my parents approve this?"

"They trust my judgement."

"Do they? I hardly think they will find it comfortable that you bring... women on your days with Chi."

"They trust my judgement. In fact, I'm sure they would approve of Tracey above all other women."

"Is that right? Since when have you gotten so close to my parents to begin with?"

"Su! Can you just be nice to Theo for once?" Chi asked, looking near to tears in Theo's arms.

"Chi, I am being nice. I'm being as nice as I can be personally, considering the situation."

"The situation is fine!" Chi exclaimed.

Su glanced at her sister and frowned thoughtfully. "Fine. Just, Mr. Nott, in the future, will you please run by your plan on how to spend the day with my parents?"

"I have. They are fine with it. Now are we done?"

Su pressed her lips together. "Actually I need to have a word with you, in private."

Theo glared at her before glancing back at Tracey. "Can you watch Chi for a moment?"

Tracey was still a bit stunned over the words he'd used to describe her, 'above all other women', but she covered it well by grinning at the little girl and kneeling down by her side before flipping her hair back over her shoulder and turning to look up at Theo. "I think Chi and I will be just fine here, won't we, Chi?" The little girl smiled enthusiastically and Tracey giggled right along with her.

Su turned abruptly away and Theo followed her to where Chi was out of earshot. "What?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"What the hell do you think you are doing bringing Miss Davis with you?"

"She is letting me stay with her for awhile," Theo explained. "I already had plans with Chi and I wasn't going to cancel them."

"Because you are staying with her -- for whatever reason -- and now you have to bring her? That doesn't make sense."

"Chi likes her," he said, gesturing to the pair. Chi was giggling and smiling at whatever Tracey was saying. "I don't see the problem."

"Look, the only reason Chi gets to see you is because of what you did--"

"'Gets' to see me? What the hell is that about Su? You are not her parent."

Su glared at him. "She's my little sister. Not that you know anything about family," she added under her mouth.

"Fuck off," Theo said as he turned and headed back to Chi and Tracey. "Ready to go to the zoo?" He winked.

"Theo, did you know Tracey has never been to the zoo before?" the little girl chattered.

Tracey tried to looked scandalized but couldn't cover her laughter. "Chi, you promised you wouldn't tell. Sweet Salazar, I guess that means I get to eat your ice cream later.... no, no... I couldn't do that to you, no matter how much I love eating it."

Chi grinned. "Ice cream! I want strawberry." She reached up and grabbed Theo's hand. When Tracey stood up she grabbed Tracey's hand as well. "Bye, Su!" She started to lead the pair toward the gate.

"Be careful Chi! And Theo, don't screw up!" Su's voice yelled from behind them.

A moment later, as the three waited silently in line, Theo heard the distinctive pop of an Apparation and turned Tracey. "Ready to go?"

Before Tracey could say anything, Chi piped up. "I'm ready! I'm so excited it finally worked out. Su just had to be the one who dropped me off." The little girl rolled her eyes.

Theo smiled over her head at Tracey and mouthed, "Are you ready?"

Tracey nodded. She really was excited to show little Chi their world. After only a few moments Tracey could already tell that she adored the little one. It probably helped that there was a little deviousness in the plan... she may not have all the Slytherin qualities, but she wasn't a pure Poof, that's for sure. Seven years living with snakes, and years more being close to them had rubbed off on her more than a little and she was looking forward to doing something that she found enjoyable all the while loving that the fact that if goody-two-shoes Su Li ever found out she'd have a hissy fit.

Theo grabbed Chi's hand again and nodded to Tracey. The three walked over to the nearest alley and Theo turned to Tracey, "Do you want to Apparate yourself or would you like me to Apparate you like I am Chi? I don't mind either way," he added, hoping it didn't sound like he didn't want to. In fact, he'd probably use any excuse just to touch her again. Chi squirmed and giggled at his side.

"I don't mind side-along, as long as you don't mind. I trust you, Theo, and I'd hate to end up in a shoe store or something... you never know with me." She gave him a self depreciating grin and held her hand to him.

He took it with a smile. "I'm sure your competent, Tracey." Holding both Chi and Tracey's hand, he Apparated them to the alley outside of The Leaky Cauldron. Chi was frowning when he looked down at her. "Chi, are you okay?"

The little girl looked up at him sadly. "No, no I'm not." Theo knelt down in front of her, looking at her in the face.

"I'm sure it's just the after effects of the Side-along Apparition. Do you want to go inside and get lunch?" She nodded. He glanced back up at Tracey. "Does lunch sound good now, Tracey?"

Tracey nodded, but gave a worried glance toward the little girl. She felt very protective of the little Muggle. The world must have overturned, but she did and it concerned her that Chi wasn't well. They walked together into the tavern and Tracey tried to remember her first time in The Leaky. It would be a completely different experience for Chi. All sorts of magic occurred behind it's heavy wood doors.

Chi brightened up almost immediately upon entering the tavern. "What's that?" she whispered to her adult companions as she pointed to someone in the corner.

"Chi, it's not polite to point," Theo told her. She dropped her hand. "It's a hag, I think."

"They exist?" Chi said grinning.

"Yes, they do. I told you dragons and unicorns exist too."

She nodded then made a face. "Su said I don't need to know of anything in the magical world and refuses to answer any of my questions."

"Su just loves you, Chi. She just wants to protect you," Theo said as they sat at a table. The waiter took their order and brought their drinks to them relatively quickly. The time seemed to move faster than it actually did because Chi asked so many questions.

Tracey turned down to Chi, who still held her hand. "So, Chi... where did you want to visit this afternoon? Theodore and I will take you wherever you want to go in our world." Tracey looked up and saw a smiling Theo. Her stomach flipped. When he smiled her heart began to pound rapidly and she felt like they were sharing in a giant joke on the world that people could be this happy together... and it hadn't been very long. Though, when she was being truthful with herself, she could see it had been a lot longer than he knew. Her eyebrows furrowed for a brief second before the lightness came back into her expression. He wouldn't ever have to know about that. Things were easy and light. She could do easy and light.

Chi shrugged. "I don't know anything about your world. But you do owe me ice cream."

Theo noticed the quick change in Tracey's expression. "Hey, Chi, do you mind if I have a quick word with Tracey alone?"

"Sure." The food came at that moment, occupying the girl for the moment.

Theo stood up and gestured for Tracey to follow him. Walking to where he could still see Chi, but not be heard by her. He reached over and gently pulled Tracey toward him. "Something wrong? You know you don't have to stay with us all day."

She hated that he could do that. And she loved it too. Schooling her features with a beautiful smile, she said softly so as not to draw attention to them, "I'm fine, really, Theo. Should we really leave her like that?" She began to pull him back toward the table before stopping mid-stride as she caught the last thing he'd asked and her mouth fell open before she could catch it and force it closed in a tight smile. "Oh. I can leave you here then, if you'd like. Let me just grab my jumper... no, you know, you can bring it with you when you come home-er... back to my house-our house. I'm just going to go." Her face was red and hot and she felt a little ill and it was all she could do to keep her face light.

Theo frowned at her. "Tracey, I want you here with us. That's why I asked you. But you don't have to be here." He looked over her shoulder. Chi was merrily eating her lunch. He reached over and grabbed her hand, pulling her toward him. "Tracey..." He didn't finish his sentence, she looked so beautiful and hurt, he just leaned down and kissed her softly.

Tracey's brain was shouting at her again to pull back and save herself the pain. Her heart liked the feel of his lips on hers and wanted him to continue, but this time, she let her brain win. She pulled away and ducked her head, hiding her embarrassment. "We should get back to Chi." She tried to walk back to the table but Theodore hadn't let go of her hand and pulled her back to him.

"Tracey, don't be like that. I'm not trying to be an arse here. I'm trying to be respectful. I sprung these plans on you. I really want you to spend the day with me. Hell, if I had plans with anyone but Chi, I would have cancelled them. But I care too much about Chi to cancel. Please, Tracey, if you truly want to, spend the day with us. Chi already likes you. And I love spending the time with you. Tracey?"

Her smile was back, but it certainly didn't reach her eyes. "I'll stay, Theo. I already like Chi as well. It wouldn't be right to leave her like this... not like this." She ran her hand through her curls and softly pulled her other arm from Theo's grasp. "I like spending time with you too, Theodore," she added quietly before leaving him and returning to Chi with an energetic, "You ate some of my chips... you naughty beggar!"

Chi giggled as Theo sat down. The little girl glanced from Tracey to Theo. "Everything all right?"

Perceptive one... Theo thought with a sigh. "Everything's fine."

Chi didn't look convinced. "Tracey, are you mad at Theo?" She ate one of her chips.

Tracey laughed. It was well schooled, and Tracey knew that even Theodore would recognise it as one of Pansy's great lessons, 'How to Laugh on Demand'. She'd spent enough time drilling it in to the rest of the girls during school. Hell, most of Tracey's facade was due to that witch, so it suited that she use this lesson to cover how she hated herself for being irrational and weak. "No, Poppet. I'm not mad at our dear Theo." It's more like mad 'about', but yeah, she thought to herself. "He and I were discussing where to go next, and we had a differing of opinion. We're all sorted now, right, Theo?" She looked toward him and begged him with her eyes to just agree and have done with it.

Theo nodded. "Right."

Chi tilted her head as she looked at Theo. "I don't buy it." She ate another chip. "I haven't seen Theo so uncomfortable since I first met him. Even with Su... He's normally just mad around Su now. But yeah, he's not happy, Tracey. He's not angry though."

Theo laughed, but it was without humour. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm 11. I'm not a baby. I'm not stupid either."

"We didn't say you were."

Chi shrugged. "Suit yourself."

Theo had the urge to yell. She was so like her sister, yet she denied it. That had been Su's favourite response too. "Chi, just eat."

"I'm done. I need to save room for the ice cream you promised me anyway." She turned to Tracey and leaned toward her, whispering, "He's really a nice guy, Tracey. I promise. And he really fancies you if he brought you along."

Tracey smiled at the not so little girl, and said slyly, "I really fancy him too, and I'm glad he brought me along. Otherwise how would I have got to meet my most favourite Muggle?" making sure to grab her jumper off the chair as they stood, Tracey found herself within close proximity to Theodore, who'd stayed back to pay the cheque.

Theo reached out and grabbed Tracey's hand. "Don't be mad," he whispered her ear, not knowing anything else to say to make it better yet not knowing what he'd done wrong to begin with.

"Ice cream!" Chi said enthusiastically.

Theo grinned at her, extending his other hand to the little girl. "Ice cream," he agreed. After squeezing it once, he dropped Tracey's hand. She looked at him through guarded eyes. He seemed so careful and precise and yet he twisted her heart into something she couldn't recognise. Something she was afraid to let be. Tracey hated feeling wretched and if she continued with what her head was telling her she would soon find herself sobbing on Blaise's duvet cover again. Making her decision, she didn't let him get too far. She managed to put her arm through his free one and placed a small kiss on his shoulder. "I'm not angry, prat. Now about that ice cream..." And she held him there next to her. They walked out into Diagon and Tracey's heart was happy, even if her brain was terrified it would be broken.

The day went well. Chi was ecstatic to see the magical shops and people. She was full of bubbly chatter all day, pointing out things that excited her. She wasn't scared of the goblins at Gringotts. Instead, she walked right up to one and stared at in the face, making Theo pull her back. He seemed more concerned for her safety then she was. Tracey had on all happy mask the whole day, but Theo could see the cracks -- the slight unhappiness, the confusion and little peeks at the self loathing. He didn't know why, since whenever she looked at Chi she was genuinely happy. He figured he must have done something or said something to irritate or worry her. He wondered, whenever Chi was prattling on about something, what he had done.

Theo bought Chi a fake wand after she promised to hide it from Su. The little girl seems excited to be keeping something from Su and Theo had already gotten her parents permission to buy her pretty much anything she wanted and he was willing. It was nice to have free rein with the girl despite the deception. Chi nearly screamed when she saw all the animals, some outwardly magical, in the pet store. She begged for an owl for herself, but Theo refused, reminding her about Su. Chi only pouted until Tracey took her to Olivander's to look at all the wands there (even when Chi couldn't use one).

After Theo and Tracey dropped Chi off with Su at the gates for London Zoo. They walked through the gates at the Park just as the sun was low in the sky. "Tracey, thank you for spending the day with me," Theo said almost inaudibly once they'd closed the big doors behind them. He gently pulled her toward him and Tracey's heart flipped with uncertainty again. When she looked up at him with her dark green eyes that seemed finally happy again, he lowered his mouth to hers and her breath was taken away. He kissed her gently and she leaned in to him, stretching her arm around his neck. The only experience she had, she'd learned in the last day, but she was a quick study and could recognise that Theo liked having her hands in his hair as she kissed him.

They probably would have stayed like that longer, but the large clock in the foyer began to ring and the house-elves had begun to billow into rooms getting the house ready for the later dinner they had planned for the couple. Tracey pulled away and smiled shyly before murmuring something about dinner and having to eat.

Obviously preoccupied with what they had been doing, Tracey absently walked into the dining room with a dreamy smile on her face, leaving Theo to watch her go. Theo's only thought as he watched Tracey walk to the dining room that he was in over his head with the witch.



(Summary: Theo and Tracey spend a day at Diagon Alley with their favourite Muggle.)