Teddy was laid on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. He didn't know what to do about Victoire.
He'd always been friends with her; she was practically his cousin, and as children they had spent the majority of their time together. Nothing had changed as they'd grown up, the two staying as close as ever during their time at Hogwarts. Well, thought Teddy, saying that nothing had changed wasn't exactly right. He didn't feel the same way about Victoire anymore. She had always been the most important person to him, but now, now she was all he could think about.
He didn't know how it had happened, and he didn't know what to do about it, and he just felt lost.
Of course, if there was a chance that Victoire might like him back (he wouldn't use the word love, he refused to get his hopes up) he wouldn't feel so bad. But there was no way, was there? She was so perfect, and she'd only even seen him as plain old Teddy. And now he had to face her almost every day, loving every moment that he spent with her, but also hating the fact that he couldn't tell her what he was really feeling.
A soft knock sounded at the door. He knew who it was as soon as he heard it. It was almost as though thinking about her too much had brought her to him.
"Teddy?" she called. "Can I come in?" He sat up and crossed his legs.
"Yeah," he replied. She came in and closed the door behind her, before sitting next to him on his bed. "I thought you were helping Gran with dinner?" Sunday dinner at the Burrow had become a tradition amongst the Weasley/Potter clan, and Victoire was often persuaded into helping in the kitchen.
"She told me that she had it all under control. Honestly, I think she finds it easier without me in the kitchen. I don't know why Mum always makes me help." Teddy smiled half-heartedly, and she looked at him with concern. "Are you okay, Teddy? Recently you've been a bit... quiet." Teddy forced a smile onto his face.
"I'm fine, Toire. I'm just a bit..." he trailed off, not knowing how to finish the sentence.
"Well," started Victoire, "Mum thinks you're lovesick." She peered into his eyes. "Ah yes, I can see it now- the dreamy far off look, the stars in your eyes- you're clearly in love." Victoire was obviously playing, but Teddy shifted uncomfortably. She caught the movement and raised her delicate eyebrows, a grin spreading across her face.
"Aha! I do believe I have found the root of the problem. Our young Mr Lupin is in love! So who's the lucky girl?" she asked, leaning forward. He stared at her.
"I- I'm not- I don't-" he could feel his cheeks going red. Hell, he suspected that his hair was turning red too. Victoire grinned and shuffled closer to him on the bed.
"Go on, Teddy. You can tell me." He looked her in the eyes and made a snap decision. What the hell, he thought, why not, and leant forward to kiss her.
To his relief, she leaned in too. He smiled against her lips, his hands stroking her silvery blonde hair, hers twisting into his now crimson locks.
"EWWWW!" They broke apart, to see James stood at the door. He screwed up his face. "What are you doing? That's Victoire, Teddy, ewww!" Teddy couldn't stop grinning.
"It is Victoire, James, well done. Amazing skills of deduction." James wrinkled his nose at him.
"That's gross!" he turned away, leaving the door open behind him and stomping down the stairs.
"Well," said Victoire, "I got the answer to my question, anyway." Teddy grinned even more widely.
"It looks like everybody else will in a minute," he said, gesturing towards the door, through which they could hear James' excitable voice drifting up the stairs. She smiled and reached behind her to close the door.
"Everybody else can wait," she said. "It seems that we've got a case of lovesickness to cure."