Hey :) First of all: English isn't my native language hence it's not perfect. Sorry :/

If there are any mistakes, please don't hesitate to tell me. :)

Staying Alive

1. Chapter

Swooosh

"About time", Daphne murmured when she heard him stepping out of the fireplace behind her, "Where the hell have you been ? I've been waiting for – Merlin !"

She froze when her eyes fell on his torn robes and his bloody face.

"Theo !", she rushed forward just in time as his legs gave way and he sank to the ground, "What happened ?"

She grabbed his face with both of her hands and forced him to look into her tearing eyes.

"We failed", he gasped before starting to cough violently, "We – we lost Longbottom. The O-Order knew. They t-trapped us and freed him. Flint is – he's dead."

Again he begann coughing, his eyes tearing up.

"The Dark Lord was not pleased", he continued, "He tortured us."

Daphne closed her eyes in pain.

"How often ?", she asked stiffly.

"13 times", Theo answered, "Draco got worse – he was in charge of the mission."

Daphne shook her head, tears streaming down her face.

"We should get you into bed", she finally said and helped him getting up with an effort, "I'll find you a Healing Potion."

Theo nodded and let her drag him into their bedroom. She helped him taking off his clothes and then put him into bed before hurrying out of the room.

She came back five minutes later with a Healing Potion and a Sleeping Draught. She lay down next to him and it didn't take long until Theo drifted off to sleep.

But Daphne couldn't fall asleep at all that night. She couldn't stop thinking about their life and everything that had happened to them since Theo took the Dark Mark three years ago, a few months after their graduation from Hogwarts. He had been so proud.

They had moved into the flat in Diagon Alley shortly after.

But as the war kept going somehow everything got worse. Diagon Alley was crowded with Death Eaters now, watching every move. Theo had to go onto more and more deadly missions, leaving Daphne nearly going insane while she kept waiting for his return night after night, not sure if he would even come back.

But lately it seemed that the missions got worse and more things went wrong. It wasn't rare now for Theo to come home hurt and tortured by the Dark Lord's hand.

Daphne started to wonder how long it would take until Voldemort decided to get rid of Theo.

And with those thoughts swimming through her head nearly every night now she couldn't help but wishing that Harry Potter would finally make his move and defeat the Dark Lord.

After four years of war, Daphne Greengrass had eventually had enough.

And so did a handful of other Death Eaters.

"Are you okay ?", Daphne asked the next morning while eating breakfast.

"I'm fine", he answered before scanning her face, his brow furrowing, "What about you ? Are you alright ?"

Daphne hesitated and kept her eyes on her plate. But when she finally looked up tears were streaming down her face again. "No, I'm not."

She hid her face in her hands and began to cry, her body shaking uncontrollably. Theo jumped up from his seat and pulled her into his arms.

"It's alright, love", he said soothingly and cradled her head against his chest.

"I'm so scared", Daphne sobbed, her hands clasping tight into his shirt, "I – I never know if you come home to me again or if – if – Theo, please .. you have to get out."

"You know I can't", he sighed, "The Dark Lord would hunt me down. He would hunt you down. He'd hurt you and I can't let that happen. I promised you I would watch out for you and keep you safe."

"But I can't lose you", Daphne whispered, drewing back so she could look up into his grey eyes, "Please. Think about it – we could ask Draco to help us."

"I don't want to drag him into this", Theo said immediately, "He has enough on his plate already."

"He already is in this", Daphne countered, "He's giving information to the Order, you know that."

Theo kept silent for a few minutes. Then he sighed and kissed her forehead.

"I'll think about it."

"Thank you", she took his face in her hands and kissed him softly on the lips, "I love you."

"I love you, too", he smiled, but then his face turned serious again, "Listen, love – you won't like this very much, but I have to tell you something. I – I need to go on a mission tomorrow -"

"Theo -"

"No, just hear me out", he interrupted her, "I have to go, it's important. Though I can't tell you what it's about" - he added when her eyes lit up with curiosity - "Draco and a few others are coming over tonight, we need to talk it through."

"And who exactly do you mean by 'a few others' ?", she asked irritated.

"Crabbe, Goyle, Montague, Dolohov", he stopped for a second and then avoided to look at her, "My father."

"Just fucking great", Daphne mumbled before stepping away from him, "Fine. I'll prepare something to eat then."

"I'm sorry, love", he apologized sadly.

Daphne sighed. "I know."

Evening arrived far too quickly for Daphne's taste and before she knew it Death Eater after Death Eater walked out of their fireplace and into the living room.

"Daphne", Draco greeted her and gave her a peck on the cheek, "Sorry we had to bring them all here, I know you hate it."

"It's fine", she sighed, shrugging her shoulders. They were all seated around their living room table, when again someone stepped out of the fireplace. Someone Daphne hadn't known they would be coming. Someone she definitely didn't want to have in her flat at all.

"Daphne, you're looking good", Cassius Warrington smirked, his eyes roaming over her body while he walked towards her. Before he could reach her though, she turned around and looked at Theo.

"Kitchen, now", she said through gritted teeth and walked out of the room.

"You heard the lady", Theo forced a grin and then headed after his girlfriend and into the kitchen.

She waited for him, one foot tapping impatiently on the floor, hands on her hips, her face furious.

"What is he doing here ?", she asked angrily. Theo didn't have to ask who she was refering to.

"I'm sorry", he said, "I didn't know he was coming until Draco sent me that owl half an hour ago."

"And you couldn't tell me ?"

"I didn't want to upset you -"

"Oh and him stepping out of our fireplace without my knowledge wouldn't upset me ?!", she almost yelled, glaring daggers at her boyfriend.

Theo turned around and waved his wand, putting a Silencing Charm on the kitchen door.

"I know you hate him -"

"Hate ?", Daphne interrupted, seething with rage, "I don't hate him – I'm affraid of him ! Every time he sees me he's trying to touch me, trying to lure me away from you – you know he wants me."

"Yes and I sure as hell don't like it", Theo snapped, losing his patience, "But he knows you're with me. And I won't let him near you again. I promise you. Now please let me get back to them, the sooner we get this over with the better."

Daphne nodded. "Alright. Could you send Draco in later ? I wanted to ask him something about the Sleeping Draught Pansy wants me to make for her."

Theo scowled. "I could help you with that."

"No offence, baby, but Draco had always been better in Potions than you."

"Whatever", he said before stumping out of the kitchen.

"Daphne ?", about an hour later Draco poked his head through the doorframe, "Theo said you wanted to ask me something about a potion ?"

"Oh, right", she motioned for him to come in and he obeyed. Daphne put a Silencing Charm on the door and then turned to look at him.

"I do need your help, Draco", she said nervously, her hands shaking, "But it's not about a potion."

"What's going on ?", Draco asked suspiciously. Daphne's eyes were tearing up and she hastily wipped away her tears.

"I want you to get Theo out of here", she finally said, "Please. It won't take long until the Dark Lord will want to get rid of him for all his failures. I can't let that happen. He won't listen to me – for now. But I thought if you could talk to him – then maybe -"

She broke of, shaking her head as more tears began to run down her cheeks.

"I'll talk to Blaise", Draco said, pulling her into a hug, "Tell him to ask the Order for help and protection for both of you."

"No", Daphne said immediately and took a step back, "Just him. I – I need to stay with Astoria."

"Daphne -"

Draco couldn't finish his sentence. Theo had just opened the door with a loud bang and came swearing into the kitchen, his face contorted with anger.

"I hate this son of a bitch", he shouted while sitting down on a chair, "Who does he think he is ?"

"Who are you talking about ?", Draco asked, eyebrows raised, at exactly the same moment as Daphne said "Language, Theodore ! I know you don't like your father, but -"

"I'm talking about Dolohov", Theo rolled his eyes and the other two instantly shut up.

"Oh", they said in unison.

Theo wanted to roll his eyes again when he finally noticed how close Draco and Daphne were standing next to each other.

"Draco, why are you standing this close to my girlfriend ?", his eyebrows rose, "Did I interrupt something ?"

This time it were Draco and Daphne who rolled their eyes.

"And this is my cue to leave", Draco said smirking, "Daphne, maybe you should blow him, might lighten his mood – and gets his head cleared for tomorrow."

"Out, Malfoy !", Theo roared and jumped up from his seat. Draco laughed loudly.

"See you in the morning", he winked and then went into the living room to use the fireplace.

"Calm down, baby", Daphne said smiling before walking over and kissing him, "You know" - she started undoing his trousers - "I actually think it's a good idea..."