He was running late, and seriously, he never ran late. But he felt a little stupid showing up all empty handed. It wasn't until Theodora that Matthias had ever thought he himself might not be good enough for a girl. So he had back tracked on the way to Hogsmeade to pick up some flowers. He bought a rare breed of color changing tulips, as they grew they changed from lighter to darker colors, starting at a clean white, going from yellow, blue, then red, as well as many various other colors before dying black.

He wondered what was wrong with Theo's letter, it seemed very shaky, and he assumed perhaps she had written it in class, under a teachers nose, perhaps nervous of being caught. Really, he hadn't thought much of it at all. Stupid boys. Felicia suggested she had jitters about the wedding,and he decided it could be that too, his mother offered the excuse of the stress of planning. He figured between the two of them they knew more about women than he did so he took their advice. He hoped the flowers would cheer her up.

He walked swiftly through the door of Madam Puddifoot's and looked around. He didn't spot Theodora at first, he was expecting someone more dressy, perhaps that nervous smile he so loved. But no. He did a double take, closer this time, and saw Theodora, but not as herself. She looked as though she had gotten up this morning and said to hell with appearances. Not that she looked terrible, mind you. He walked to her, smiling despite himself, and handed the flowers to her.

"Hope you like them," he told her putting a hand through her hair sitting down. "What did you need to see me about?" he said raising his eyebrows. It was then that he really took the time to look at her. He furrowed his brow, "What's wrong?" he asked.


i'll be sure to stay wary of you
love to save the pain of once my flame and twice my burn