Theodore, it was true, had grown up in a country manor. But it was almost an entity more than a structure, shambling, with jagged teeth of graying wood and fingernails of rusting screws. In common parlance, it had been a dump. But Theodore's and Sebastian's father had shared in common the Dark Lord's vision, and that had united them, that and blood status, much more effectively than the trappings of wealth had. "My sixteen-year-old self would probably be horrified at what I've become, though maybe a little proud, too, despite himself," Theodore said after a moment.
"In a way, for a while, we were all one another had. Sebastian had some family troubles around the time I met Jamie, so I doubt it was very much on his mind at the time. But after, the following year, well, the things with his family had changed him some. I think he began to see the changes in me, too. I was less..." How to answer that question? What had Theodore been like, truly? "I was less creepy, I think, for lack of a better word." He laughed. "I always kind of kept to the shadows but really was nasty to anyone I could get away with being nasty to. It didn't help that I had a speech impediment, was sort of short and wore outdated clothing because my family were poor. I think, well, I think Sebastian liked that I relied on him, and was resentful when I no longer needed to. But...I never did ask." It was the closest he would get to regret, because it had been so long ago, and there would've been no Jamie, had he continued to cling to Sebastian.