Chapter 1

Watching the Hogwarts Express pick up speed, Victoire Weasley gazed after the train that had carried her to her second home twice a term since she was 11. She felt like jumping onto the tracks and running after it- it was so strange to be once again an onlooker of the hundreds of witches and wizards that travelled to Hogwarts- she remembered the year that she had watched in awe at James, Uncle Harry's son, as he struggled with his trunks and owl. Smiling fondly at the memory, she shifted her eyes to where her dad and two uncles stood, who were currently making small talk with one of their old school friends Michael Corner, a former Ravenclaw. Rose walked over to them, catching their conversation.

"Lily has one year to go, and so does Hugo," Harry explained, when Michael had asked why they were here.

"Sometimes I lose track of all the kids you lot have," Laughed Michael, the rest of the adults politely joining in. As nice as Michael was, Harry, Ron and Hermione had never quite been on the same page as them. Not to mention his irritating, squeaky laugh that sounded like it should belong to Lavender Brown. Suddenly they heard a screech.

"HARRY!" With a red face that matched her hair, Harry's wife hurried to him. "Lily forgot all the money we got out from Gringotts for her Hogsmeade trip. She was supposed to stock up on ink when we didn't have time to get some from Diagon Alley!" She fretted, pacing up and down. Harry placed a calming arm around her shoulder.

"Don't worry so much Gin, we'll just owl her some later tonight," He said, smiling up at his tall wife.

"You're right," She replied, looking at Harry with a small smile. "I suppose I just want this year to be perfect, what with it being her last year. Just think of it; This time next year, who knows where she'll be?" Fleur, looking flustered, came over to the group.

"I 'ave just checked, and 'arry your parking ticket eez about to expire. You better 'urry to the car park, I spotted the Warden not far off." Fleur panted, giving Ron, Ginny and Harry a kiss on the cheek. Her mother was so very French sometimes, Victoire sighed.

Ginny smiled in appreciation. "Come on Harry, we best be off. Teddy's got his first day at the Ministry and we wanted to see him off." She pulled him away impatiently.

"Alright then, bye everyone. Michael, good to see you, remember to floo by soon!" And with that they left, along with Michael who thought it best to get back home to his family.

Looking around the empty platform, Victoire felt a wave of sadness wash over her. It had been a year since she'd left Hogwarts, and she missed it terribly. Bill, sensing her mood, guided her away towards the exit.

"Come on, let's get home." He said.

After apparating home, Victoire curled up on the sofa to read the book Aunt Hermione had passed down to her, Hogwarts: A History. It was one of her favourites, and she never once grew tired of the battered collection of parchment which described the familiar corridors, classrooms and towers that were so close to her heart. She loved the ever interesting pictures and the sentimental value Victoire could sense the moment she held the book. But it wasn't long before she found herself disturbed by her parents, who came over and sat either side of her. Bill gave Fleur a knowing look, and she glared back at him. With a sigh, he began.

"We don't want you to take this the wrong way, Tori. We...we do love having you still living here with us, of course. But your mother and I came to the conclusion that it would be with your best if you started...you know, looking for your own place." He said, uneasily. Victoire looked from him to her mother with a blank face. Clasping her hand, her mother continued.

"What has 'appened to you, Victoire? You used to be so...motivated. A little break after you left 'ogwarts- that eez what you said to us. And we understood. But a year? You 'aven't been to a single interview, or even considered what field you wanted to be een. You are tres intelligent mon Victoire; you know that because you always 'ave been. But do you not want to make something out of your life? 'Ave a reason for your existence? You could do anything et be anything if you wanted, ma fille cheri." Her dad nodded in approval as Victoire continued to stare at her parents, shocked to the core.

"I...but...I do try! I looked with Teddy last year, remember?" She stammered, unable to even convince herself. Bill looked down, his toes wiggling awkwardly. "Mamma? " She whispered, "Dad?"

That night, Victoire tossed and turned in her bed. She could not help but feel like a failure. "So young, and so promising... "People would gush, muggles and wizards alike. She cried into her already sodden pillow, her body numb with a feeling of worthlessness.

Victoire awoke early that morning, fully clothed and feeling like a vomit flavoured Bertie Bott. But she knew, from the moment she rose out of bed, that she needed to take action. She thought of Teddy, only a year older than her yet so much further than she. He was undergoing training as an Auror, tracing his godfather's footsteps smoothly- whether it be his exemplary seeking skills, his talent in Defence Against The Dark Arts, or just being his kind and caring self, he truly was Harry Potter's godson in every way. Comparing his life to hers, she realised how insignificant her place in the world really was. And with that infamous Veela stubbornness, Victoire decided she was going to make that change.