11. Theo & Kenneth | Meeting by chance after tribulation at St Mungo's

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Who | Kenneth Towler & Theodore Nott
When| Wednesday afternoon
Where | St Mungo's
What | Chance meeting
Rating| R? Mental health issues
Status | Closed, incomplete



While the things said in the infamous Witch Weekly article hadn't specifically tipped him over an edge that he was forever balancing on, the idea that someone would be at all interested in his life made him feel exposed. The knowledge that getting into his records with St Mungo's wasn't exactly hard made him feel like he had a target on his back wide open for anyone to poke at with nothing he could do about it. He felt guilt knowing that just his presence in his best friend's house had caused speculation of a kind that he thought made Draco uncomfortable and the thought of all that gossip made him exhausted. He'd decided, at around the time that he started hearing the sounds that permeated the Nott house coming from the furniture in his room (his room) at Draco's place, that he needed to pop back into the Janus Thickey ward, just to resettle himself.

He'd ended up having a shaking, hyperventilating fit and blacking out. When he came to he'd been trying to do something inappropriate with the therapist and had bitten arcs into his own arms where he'd turned and attacked himself. It wasn't unusual for him to flashback when he was visiting the Ward as he only did it when he felt like he was slipping, and the Healer he saw was used to the episodes. He'd been dosed with some kind of calming potion and after a couple of hours rest he'd been redosed and allowed to leave.

He left St Mungo's on foot, feeling wobbly and disconnected and heedless of the cold that bit through into his tiny, skinny frame, unprotected by a cloak. He moved like he was half asleep and when he walked into someone else it took him a minute or two after lifting his hands defensively to gather the wits to apologise.

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Theo cringed back from the hands reaching out to his arms, although he didn't pull away from their grip after the fact. The wounds he'd bitten into himself weren't healed - he never let them heal the self-inflicted ones unless he had no choice but to let them, head wounds, severed digits and so on - but they simply stung where the stranger's fingers caught them.

He moved like he wanted to curl his arms in to himself, make himself small enough to fit in the places between the sofa cushions like a forgotten penny, tiny so that he could slip away under the door and leave, disappear entirely along with everything else about him. He blinked, twice, and once again, but his vision remained foggy around the outside and he remembered then the potion he'd been given to take. He nod-nod-nodded but he didn't move back from the man who'd caught hold of him, like his body couldn't let his head lie.

He shivered like he had nerve damage, the way the fingers on his left hand had done just before he'd blacked out or whited out or whatever had happened to him to make him lose a fifteen minute chunk of his life. Disoriented and confused, he reached and curled his fingers into the stranger's sleeve as though that would give him some kind of clarity. "Sorry, I'm sorry." he said, sounding clear if quiet and still a little disfocused.

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Concern rose up sharply in Kennie as he noticed how the young man who'd collided with him acted. Eyes narrowed in suspicion as he looked the guy over again, noted how his eyes didn't seem to focus, he shivered as well. And the hand on his sleeve...

Raising a hand up he pressed it to the guy's forehead, checking for a fever, but there was none to be found. Still, he was concerned. "Hey, no worries, it's okay. Though if you're going to walk around without a coat you should really use warming charms." He eased his wand out to start casting said warming charms for him, something he'd learned to do rather efficiently when he had been on the run from Snatchers back during the war.

"You don't look quite right, is there someone I can contact for you?" Yes, because despite any suspicions Kennie might have, he was a good guy and would help even a stranger when in need.

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The potion was working so harshly that Theo didn't notice he was being given a once-over, but still an uneasy feeling crept up through his stomach. He ducked when the stranger lifted a hand towards his head, too addled to rein in reactions that had been smacked into him and had been impossible to pry back out; all he could do was disguise them, but he was too sedated to think to do so.

He let the hand land a second after and the touch was somehow not as awful as he'd been expecting. He looked down, realising then that he'd left his coat on the back of the chair in the waiting room he'd been sitting in before being seen, only to start when he looked back up to see a wand being pulled out at him. This time he did pull back, uncomfortable at seeing the wand but too uncoordinated to pull his own, although his hands did flutter to his sleeves like they were looking for something in a fog.

"No!" he said, his voice sharp and just on the edge of a plea and then, "no." much calmer, more normal. "I'm okay, just, just chto-tovrachi dali mne " and who knew why he'd slipped into Russian? "Just, I'm just a little bit... I'll be fine." he was about to confess to a weakness and his sense of self-preservation stopped him saying that he was just a little bit dizzy, a bit weak, just before he said it. He rubbed at his face like a lost rabbit; of course, the potion wouldn't have had this much of an effect on him had he actually eaten that day. "I'm sorry to have bothered you." he said, tried to close up the conversation but didn't seem to be able to follow through.

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Being a victim of abuse, Kennie knew the signs when he saw them, and the signs showed clear as day with this guy. This meant that, when he likely should have backed away, he didn't. There was no way he was just going to walk away from someone in need! He knew he wasn't the strongest, or bravest of people, and most just mistook him for a goofy nerd. But he would never leave a poor soul to suffer. He was fairly certain the guilt of doing such would eat him alive.

"Hey, hey... calm down, it's alright," he said, putting away the wand and holding out his hands to show they were empty. But he kept them close, because the guy still seemed pretty unstable on his feet. "I don't know you, but I can tell you're not alright."

He chewed his lip a moment, thinking, and then held out his hand for shaking. "I'm Kennie. Kennie Towler. I own a pet shop in Hogsmeade. I was just going to return there, I live above it, you see. If you want you can come there, sit down, have some tea and play with the animals some until you feel better and are steady on your feet. It'll be warm there too."

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Seeing the wand withdraw made Theo's hackles lower, relieved that it wasn't about while he was still too drugged to put up what he would consider an adequate defence; it always seemed to come down to a fight with him though and he was tired of it.

He didn't so much as twitch at the hand that was held out to him this time, reaching out to grasp it in his own cold fingers and shake it like he'd been taught to do among polite company. Most of the time, any other time, Theo would have turned down the invitation and kept going on his own, walled in by paranoia, defended by mistrust, wary of letting himself be on someone else's home turf while he was so diminished himself, but fuck did somewhere to sit in the warm sound good. At that point, with nausea roiling in his stomach, things blurring around him and his head feeling like he'd have the most epic of headaches later on, the offer of sanctuary and solace from a stranger with a kind voice was appealing enough that he'd run the risk of being captured and Crucioed.

"I'm Theodore." he offered sans last name because he didn't want to think about the man and he didn't think he could cope with the possible accusations of 'Death Eater bastard' it could provoke. "And I am sorry. I'm not normally-" he indicated the entirety of himself with the deprecating wave of a hand. "But I think I could use a sit down?" Despite the offer, the response still came out as a question, Theo always unsure when kindness was offered over a cruelty, a state of affairs that was just sad really.

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Kennie's smile brightened a bit as the man - Theodore - seemed to ease up some, and even accepted his invitation. It was truly a selfless invitation, offered in kindness. There was no malice, and there was no intention of causing pain or cruelty. No doubt his friends and family would tease him, saying how his penchant for taking on strays had now bled over to humans, but still that wouldn't stop him from doing this.

"Good." He then slipped out of his coat and, moving slowly, draped it around Theodore's too thin shoulders. "There. It is really very cold in Scotland. I'll just cast charms on me then." He eased his wand out, pointing it at himself, and casting the needed warming spells. He then pocketed it again before putting an arm about Theodore's shoulders and ushering him over to an apparation point near the main entrance to St. Moungo's in Diagon Alley.

"I'll take you side along, alright?" He waited for Theodore to give his consent before appaparating them on to Hogsmeade, to a point not too far off from his shop.

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Theo hunched into himself unthinkingly as Kennie sacrificed his coat for him, automatically reacting to offer a smaller target although he didn't need to. He flinched as the wand reappeared but it was nothing as bad as he had previously and seemed just the remains of the confusion he still seemed to be under. He pulled Kennie's coat around him further, thumb and finger stroking the lining in a kind of wonder at Kennie's kindness. He murmured a thank you and then tensed as the friendly arm came about his shoulder's, too unused and uncomfortable with contact to relax into it the way he would have done around Draco or Blaise, arms that he knew. He hated it though, but trying to force himself to relax just made his tension worse.

He nodded his agreement to being transported and held his breath for the tug of apparating, something he was used to doing. Still, when they reappeared on the other side he stumbled into his new friend, gripping the other man's arm for stability and swallowing hard to stop himself throwing up. "Sorry." he said immediately, his face gone pale. "Just, the potion, must be." he tried to explain, not feeling good enough to use full sentences. If he'd been in his right mind he would have been horrified at his rudeness and the fact that he was being so weak in front of a stranger. Then again, if he was in his right mind he probably wouldn't have given the kind wizard a chance.

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When Theodore stumbled Kennie reacted to stabilize him. His arm tightened about the thin shoulders of the shorter man, tucking him in close to his side. worry was clearly etched on his face now. What potion could he be taking to effect him like this? Nothing came to mind, but then he wasn't too knowledgeable when it came to potions.

"Hey, don't worry. Come on, lets get inside." He then ushered the younger man toward his shop, but took him around back to the outer stairs that led up to his flat. Pulling the door open, he got Theo in first and then closed the door after him. His wards automatically locked into place. Strong wards, erected after his ill-fated relationship ended. Wards that saw to his protection.

Here we are. nice and warm." He took the coat from Theodore and put it on its peg. Meowing and barking could be heard as a crup came over hesitantly to sniff out the newcomer, and the pure white kneazle peaked around a corner with too intelligent eyes. "Hey there guys." He dropped down to pet the crup, scratching him behind the ears. "This here is Dasher, he's a crup. And the white kneazle is Hime. Guys, this is Theodore."

In typical magical creature fashion, they checked out the newcomer until they were certain he provided no threat to their owner. "So, tea! You can go sit in the living room while I make us some."

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Theo wasn't feeling much of anything, but he still felt a reassuring warmth from Kennie's non-threatening arm pulled over him. Kennie had the kind of home that Theo had only read about in books, small but cosy and something that actually felt like a home and not a mausoleum. He didn't feel the wards lock down the way he might have done usually, the potion still keeping him buzzed and pliant, but he would have appreciated and recognised the sentiment.

He was cold again as Kennie hung the coat up but not so much that he shivered. Well, not hard anyway. He held still as the little dog came up to sniff at him, not wanting to be taken as a threat and spoil the harmony he was already feeling in the flat. He watched Kennie pet the dog but didn't bend to do so himself, always unsure of how animals would react to him as much as he liked them and never certain that he could pet a dog without express permission first. He blinked slow at the kneazle in the way he knew seemed to relax cats and jumped a little as Kennie broke him from his reverie with cheer.

"Thank you. I'm really very sorry about all this." he said as he moved off, his legs feeling wobbly underneath him after the potion and the side along travelling. "I don't mean to put you out." he looked about as he spoke, interested and curious in that fatal way of his, indulging in the new feeling of a home with some life to it.

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"you're not putting me out," he said as he disappeared into the kitchen, Hime snaking around to follow on his heels. Once inside he set about making some tea for them. He chose on of the herbal mixtures his mom kept stoked at his house for when she came by for visits with his da and brother. It was suppose to be energizing without the caffeine of other teas.

In the living room where Theodore currently was, Kennie's muggle heritage showed through. Comic book figurines were on display. Book shelves with muggle books and comic books right alongside wizarding books. He even had a television and dvd player, both modified to work with the added magical presence. At least enough to watch DVDs. But being in a wizarding village pretty much guaranteed no tv stations. There were posters on the wall, some moving, some not. The furniture was good, but not new or fancy, in reds and browns, and there was a hand knitted afghan on the back of the couch.

After getting the tea made, he came out with a pot and two mugs on a tray - compliments of his mother - alogn with some cookies and muffins he kept in residence for his own snacking, and for when Gabi came by for visits. "Here we are." He set the tray on the coffee table and went to sit by Theodoe on the couch. "Feeling better yet? Any warmer?"

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Theo was bewildered by the tiny people he saw standing around and he half-thought they were tiny frozen people until he peered closer (getting up carefully to do so) and realised they were fake. He appreciated all the books there, excited despite himself about the titles he saw that he didn't even recognise - he was a voracious reader and wouldn't discriminate on author, although he had no idea that some of those books were Muggle in origin.

He'd curled up (without putting his feet up of course) on the sofa and snuggled back against the material that was there, and he was tilting his head at the TV in bemused consideration at what the hell it could be when his altruistic host appeared with tea and food that he wouldn't think to touch.

He thanked Kennie again and reached for a cup, the porcelain warming his hands and the drink warming everything else as he sipped at it, cup clutched in both carefully so that any leftover shakes didn't spill it. "Much warmer." he agreed, although he wasn't much more clearheaded. Whatever they'd given him at St Mungo's was making him a bit groggy and soporific and much more relaxed than he'd usually be. "Thank you for this. For everything. I really appreciate it."

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Kennie smiled, but he saw the shaking. That concerned him. If those shakes were not from being cold, then what was causing them? He wasn't anyone in the medical profession, so he couldn't really have the knowledge to understand. However he was still rather concerned.He took up his cup and drank from it.

"Hey, so long as you're alright." Around this time, Hime jumped up onto the couch and approached Theodore, cautious and sniffing before deciding Theodore was alright and butting at his arm for rubbing - the prima donna. "But are you alright, really? Did the hospital give you something?" Because if they did, he would have words with whoever sent this man home alone! He needed someone to make sure he got round alright with whatever they gave him. Hell, he doubted the guy could apparate with how he was, let alone get around the floo. Shoddy, that.

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That was a dubious statement if one was ever made, but Theodore didn't say anything against it, at least not until his host queried. He was distracted by the fluffy Kneazle poking its way towards him, his affinity for animals not diluted by the potion's fog on him - he still reached out to rub over the soft ear and pet the cat like it seemed to want.

He wasn't expecting Kennie to push on that matter. His experience had left him with the knowledge that such questions were never meant with genuine interest, but Kennie actually seemed to want to know and, his tongue loosened and his mind a bit scrambled, Theo actually replied. "Some kind of Calming Draught, always makes me a bit..." he trailed off, unable to think of a word to describe the haze he was under. He was loose-limbed and still clumsy, most of him wanting to curl up and snuggle against the sofa cushions, some of him still wanting to throw up. He put his cup down as his always weaker spell-damaged left hand began shaking, although it was barely noticeable against the shudders that still ran through him without warning.

"It will wear off." he assured, although he wasn't sure when. He wasn't surprised or angered that he'd been allowed out and about under the influence like this. The Healers time was precious, their space limited and some of the staff there preferred to see him suffer anyway. If it hadn't been for Kennie he would have stumbled somewhere warm eventually; the other man had still probably saved him from mild hypothermia and possible accidents though, and for all his anxieties and neurotic paranoia it was still nice to be in caring company when you felt as sick as Theo did.

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A calming draught did this? It had to be some kind of strong version they hadn't taught at Hogwarts, because he certainly didn't remember any of the side-effects that this guy here was exhibiting. No, certainly not.

Never once did he wonder over this, or think that this could be bad. That there could be something dangerously wrong with this man to warrant some enhanced and strong version of said potion. He was just the trusting type, and while he was no fool... he just knew that right now, this man wasn't a danger to anyone.

"Well, until then... What would you like to talk about? Oh, and please help yourself to the snack. They're from this rather awesome bakery in the village." Sitting back in his chair, he took another drink from the tea cup and relaxed. As far as he was concerned, he had mad himself a new friend.

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His attention diverted to looking at the cat, oblingingly scritching at it when it turned it's head to offer another place to pet, seemed to make it easier for Theo to converse.

"Thank you, but I'm sorry, I don't- I don't think I could eat right now." Apart from his never-present appetite the potion also had his stomach feeling delicate and the last thing he wanted to do was throw up in Kennie's house and add more insult to injury.

There was, however, something that interested him far more than any offer of food could. "Are these all your books?" he queried, tipping his head in the direction of the bookcases (and then lying it back on the sofa back as the slightly sharp motion made him feel dizzy).

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"Ah, right." He nodded. Not that he knew that, per say, but it made sense. There were some muggle medicines he had taken before that did not lend itself well to eating. Made one queasy and all, so he could understand it being the same with some potions. Made sense, so he thought nothing of it.

He then brightened up as his books were pointed up, and he kinda did a bounce-turn in his seat to look at the shelf. "Yup! All mine. I've collected them for as long as I can remember. They're all kind of random, I guess. I buy whatever I like, and I tend to like a lot. Like... High Fantasy, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Comics, Action & Adventure... Muggle and wizarding authors..."

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Kennie became animated at the topic and Theo could see that he'd hit the right note with his question. He let the cat climb into his lap like it belonged there in that way that cats had and let his more stable right hand stroke in sure, soothing motions over it's head and back. Hime was warm on his lap and he soaked it up into his cold bony frame.

"Muggle authors?" he queried, interested despite himself. Okay, so he didn't tend to trust Muggles as far as he could throw them, but that suspicion applied to everyone else too; Theo lived in a world about to hurt him. He'd always believed in knowing your enemy though and he'd never been able to bring Muggle literature into the Nott House, even after the war.

"Do you only read fiction? I have a library. Some of them might bite but you can have as many as you like. Possibly not the ones in skin though." It sounded like his usual crazy babble, not that Kennie would have known what that sounded like, but though his sentences were a little disjointed he was actually just stating fact for once. Some of the books did snap shut on unwary fingers and the skin he was referring to was the only Muggle thing in the library.