Chapter 2

"Tori, don't you think you've broken the flapjack into enough pieces?" Each time his daughter squished the edge of the delicacy Bill felt like his heart was being shredded. He yearned to snatch the plate away, to protect the specimen of food from her clutches and place it safely into his mouth.

But, sensing her mood, Bill allowed the torture to continue, just this once.

"I've been thinking about what you and mamma said last night," Victoire announced, interrupting his thoughts,"And I decided that you wouldn't have bothered to confront me about it unless you really did have my best interests at heart. So, I am going to take heed of what you have said and pursue my destiny." She raised her hand, as if to stop her father from replying, "No, I do not know quite what my destiny is yet. But as I have perfectly modelled here for the past year, sitting at home all day reading and wasting myself away is getting me no closer to whatever the future may hold for me. I am not going to discover anything if I don't put myself out there and go for it." She nodded to herself, pleasantly surprised by the tone of confidence and finality in her own voice. Bill reached out for her hand, an unusual gesture as Bill's father was normally not one for expressing in such an upfront way.

But he was doing it now, and so Victoire knew that he was sincere about supporting her with this.

"And your mum and I will be with you every step of the way- but bloody hell, do you make good speeches!" He said, giving her a quick hug. Victoire laughed along with her Dad- he was such a clown sometimes, but that was one of the many reasons she loved him.

"So I've made the decision," Victoire began, "To stay with Uncle Harry and Auntie Ginny for a while. I think I need a bit of space and with the connections Harry has with the world and it's mother, I'm sure he'd be able to help me out with this." Bill nodded at this, chewing his lip thoughtfully.

"No, I agree. I'm sure some time away would be good. But are you sure about this Tori?" He glanced up, trying to read her. "I mean, you aren't just doing this because you feel like a burden or some other stupid reason?" To Victoire's surprise her dad's ears glowed red- a Weasley trait that was a sure sign of either anger or embarrassment. Deciding on the latter, Victoire grinned and shook her head. "Well, that's alright then." Bill stood up, his hand resting on his rather protruding belly. "Now, I have an important question. You don't think I'm becoming- I don't know...silly question really...but, I still have my muscular physique, don't I?" He stood up straight, trying to suck in his stomach without his daughter seeing. Victoire suppressed her laughter as she shook her head with a grin that Bill wasn't sure if he should trust or not. Sheepishly, he just decided to go with it and laughed along with her.

"Are you sure you 'ave got everything?" Fleur wrapped her silk dressing gown tighter around herself, as the breeze coming from the fireplace she stood next to her was making her chilly.

"I'm sure... but it's not like I'm moving out. There's always the floo network, you know." Victoire hugged her mother, inhaling her familiar aroma of sea salt and fresh flowers- a scent that reminded Victoire of home and family.

"I know," Her mum sniffed, "But I am still going to miss you, Victoire. Eet 'as been a year since you 'ave been away from us and I 'ave gotten used to you always being around." She smiled fondly at her daughter, who was much like a younger version of herself. "Well, off you trot now. You are a few minutes late!" Giving Victoire a gentle push, Fleur watched as she disappeared up the chimney.

Within a few seconds, she found herself stood in the familiar fireplace of the Burrow, looking into the eyes of her Aunt, Uncle and Grandparents.

"Vic, how lovely to see you!" Grandpa Arthur exclaimed, throwing his long arms around her. Harry and Ginny also gave her a hug, and Grandma Molly a kiss on the cheek.

"Now, Victoire darling, I've knitted you another jumper since you do seem to like your other 5 very much, this one's a bit different though, it's got a rabbit on the front AND the back, and I've sewn-" Molly was quickly interrupted by Ginny, who rolled her eyes and levitated Victoire's bags.

"Let's just get you unpacked before Grandma delves into the history of cross stitching," She said with a wink, pulling Victoire upstairs. "I've cleaned up Ted's room quite a bit, and with him moving into his own place and all I thought it would be ideal for you to stay in here with your own bathroom." Victoire nodded eagerly- she was secretly dreading having to share a bathroom with James, Albus and Lily. Not to mention the fact that she knew she would feel closer to Teddy by staying there. Plonking herself on his bed, she sighed.

"DINNER!"

Grandma Molly's screech pulled her back to reality and knowing she must nudge those thoughts from her mind, she stood up quickly and ran downstairs to where her family sat down, tucking into a traditional Weasley Vegetable Casserole.

As she sat in bed reading that night, she heard a knock at her door. Harry poked his head round and grinned at Victoire clutching her book.

"You're just like a mini Hermione, Vic," He laughed, perching on the end of her bed. "But what I want to know is why you aren't putting all of that knowledge and talent that I know you have to full use." Harry looked at her questioningly, his glasses reflecting the light from the lamp. She fiddled with the corner of her book, trying to reply to a question she didn't even know the answer to.

"I just don't quite know which way to turn now, if that makes sense?" Biting her lip she glanced at her Uncle, who to her surprise, was nodding and smiling.

"I understand completely. There are just so many things you could do with your life, but it's just about choosing the one that you think you will get the most benefit from. Are there any specific things you would like to do, or to have?" He replied.

Her brows furrowing in thought, she answered, "I suppose I've always wanted to be fairly well off. And to something that I felt accomplished in, yet challenging. Something...exciting. Out of the ordinary, new..." Suddenly, she started spilling out things that she didn't realise where true until she heard them out loud. She told Uncle Harry of her childhood dreams of having a family of her own, of her desire to rid the wizarding world of dark magic, of dark thoughts and dark deeds... to maintain the order throughout the country that she had grown up with, even improving it. All this time Uncle Harry sat, grinning a toothy smile, his eyes shining.

"Victoire, I think it's about time you took a visit to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement." She bit her lip, unsure. But her face soon broke into a smile- one filled with happiness, understanding... relief.