A/N: I'm sorry this chapter has taken so long, but as you can see it's rather long! Also, I do have valid excuses! For one, it was my birthday, and for the second, my drafts decided to have a fit and I had to write this chapter all over again, when I'd already written about halfway through it. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy it! The response to this fic has been really nice, thank you!


Previously on WTT: The kids return for another year at Hogwarts. The sixth years have their first day off to discuss career possibilities with their Head of House. Victoire, Abigail and Nora have their lives all planned out, but Carrie is still struggling to find something that fits. Abigail Runcorn is cheating on long-time boyfriend Rory McCormack with Slytherin hot-shot Donavan Crosse. Dominique confesses her jealousy of Victoire to Teddy. This reaches Victoire, and they argue on top of the Astronomy Tower. Teddy Lupin comes to a difficult realisation.

(Victoire Weasley)

Shell Cottage,
Cornwall, Tinworth,
England

Dear Maman and Dad,
I've settled in well. It's good to be back with my friends after being stuck with the Weasleys all holidays (I'm just kidding!).
I'm sure you've heard by now, but Fred and Lucy both got Sorted into Gryffindor. Teddy and I bet on which Houses they were going to be placed into. I won, obviously.
Oh, that reminds me! The sixth years had to plan their careers and classes with their Head of House on Monday. It was oddly scary.. I can't believe that in your generation you used to do it in fifth year. I would never have known what I wanted to do back then, even if it was only last year.
At any rate, I had a chat with Uncle Neville, and he said that being a healer at St. Mungo's is a lot of work. You have to have E's and O's on everything, I swear. The teacher's haven't been letting up on essays, either. I've been piled with tons of homework and it's barely been a week.
Anyway, all's right in that department. By this time I'm sure you've heard from Louis about Dominique and I. There's no need to worry. We haven't been dueling in hallways, as I'm sure Louis made it out to be. In fact, we haven't even spoken to each other. I keep trying, but she's finding more and more creative ways to avoid me.
I was the one who taught her how to avoid social conflicts, for Godric's sake!
At any rate, that's been my week at Hogwarts so far. How's everything doing at home? How about all of the family? Don't spare me any details - I miss home already!
Love,
Victoire

P.S. Teddy's been avoiding me as of late (I think he's upset about the whole situation with Dom), but I'm sure he'd have a go at me if I didn't add this, so would you mind telling Lily that Teddy and I say hi?

Victoire sighed as she finished off her letter with a neat loop, sealing it off and attempting to attach it to the leg of a tawny brown owl.

"Sit.. still," she told the bird in frustration. It paid no heed to her pleas, however, instead wriggling and pecking at her whenever she got remotely close to it. "I just want one letter delivered, you wretched thing! Is that honestly so hard?"

Before she could attempt to persuade the owl any further, a stifled snicker of amusement sounded behind her. Fully prepared to ward off some giggly, frightened first years, Victoire was suitably surprised to see none other than Teddy Lupin. He was trying (and failing) to look sombre as he stood at the door to the owlery. His hair was not a fun shade of blue, as per normal, but a deep cauldron black instead. It suited him - as did most things with Teddy - but Victoire found herself missing the vibrant, exciting explosion of colours.

"Hi Teddy," she said, trying not to betray her nervousness. Teddy hadn't met spoken to her since Monday, when they'd talked about Dominique. In fact, she was almost positive he'd been avoiding her on purpose. Maybe it was because he was mad at her for confronting Dominique so abruptly. She couldn't help but admit that it stung.

To her surprise, Teddy's face suddenly split into a grin. "Who even uses the word wretched any more?"

Victoire scowled and flushed a deep pink. She wasn't sure whether it was from embarrassment or just pure relief that Teddy had started talking to her again, but she knew that she couldn't let him get off that easily.

"I do," she sniffed indignantly. "Is there a problem with that, Lupin?"

He smirked at her in that familiar, infuriating way of his. "I think you've been hanging around Hermione too much."

They could most likely have gone on in that playful fashion for all eternity, but Victoire still had a burning question on the tip of her tongue.

She crossed her arms. "Why have you been avoiding me?"

He looked appropriately surprised, although she noticed that his ears were turning a very uncharacteristic shade of pink. "I haven't been avoiding you."

"Yes, and my mum's a muggle," said Victoire, sarcasm dripping from her words. She shot him a fierce glare. If there was one thing she'd learned from the enormous band that was her family, it was that a Weasley never gave up. "Every time I try to talk to you, you mysteriously have to hurry to class or to bed. I've never seen you hurry to either of those things, so spill, Teddy."

"It's nothing."

They both knew that wasn't the whole truth. She'd known him long enough to tell when he was lying. It wasn't like it was a bad liar, either. He knew how to keep a straight face and an even tone and look her right in the eye. But she could see his dilated pupils, his pink-tinged ears, and the little tendrils of brown hair creeping into the black.

Still, she gave him a smile and clutched her letter closer. One day she'd get the truth out of him, but for now she had more pressing matters at hand. "If it was nothing.. do you think you could possibly make room in your large extension to be friends with me again?"

He rolled his eyes at her like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "We never stopped being friends."

The immediate happiness that bloomed was like a heavy sigh of relief. Merlin knew that Victoire couldn't handle silence from both Dominique and Teddy.

"In that case, do you think you could help me with this… thing?" She scowled and pointed at the owl, who somehow managed to look smug.

Teddy laughed out loud, taking the outstretched letter without question and striding over to the owl. He attached the letter to the bird's leg, ruffled it on the head and sent it on it's merry way, all without even a peck of resistance or complaint.

At Teddy's triumphant grin and raised eyebrow, Victoire huffed and crossed her arms. "Owls have it out for me. I think it's the Veela blood." Teddy only guffawed some more, and she reached over to shove him hard. "Get to class, Lupin," she ordered.

He saluted cockily. "Yes, Madame Weasley."

"Prat!" she shouted after him as he stumbled away (gracefulness was not his forte), but only the sound of his chuckles could be heard echoing around the owlery in response.

The Great Hall was busy by the time Victoire arrived. It seemed to be about the prime time for breakfast, because the tables were filled with students of varying Houses, all mingling and eating and laughing.

She spotted her friends just as owls started swooping through the windows, carrying letters and parcels to the awaiting recipients. She slid into the spot Nora had saved, trying not to roll her eyes at Abigail and Carrie's latest argument.

"Any mail for me?" she inquired lightly.

"A few," said Nora. She dropped her cereal-heaped spoon to wave some envelopes at Victoire. "I think mostly from your family, though."

Victoire accepted them with thanks, reaching for some toast and jam as she flicked over the addresses. Grandma and Grandpa Weasley, the Potters, and rather oddly, a prettily embroidered note from Tante Gabrielle.

"Who's that from, then?" asked Carrie, interest peaked. "A love letter from your latest admirer, hankering after the unattainable Miss Victoire Weasley?" She swooned dramatically, adding extra emphasis to her words.

"You're a git," Victoire told her promptly. Her friends burst into laughter (even Abigail, and she was notorious for being dry). She opened the letter gently, careful not to rip the extravagant decoration.

"Somebody obviously put a lot of thought into it," Abigail pointed out. She frowned, picking up a long piece of ribbon and studying it intently.

Dear Victoire Weasley,
You are cordially invited to the wedding of
Gabrielle Delacour
and Philippe Vicente
Saturday the twenty-fifth of September
at twelve o'clock in the evening
Château de Bellevue
Meudon, Paris, France

Victoire looked up from the card, clearly surprised. "I'm going to a wedding," she said dumbly.

As Nora and Carrie wrestled to look at the invitation, Abby pointed to a slip of paper that had fallen out of the envelope unnoticed, scribbled on in curly, neat scrawls.

"And it looks like you're going to be bridesmaid, too."

Victoire hadn't even known Gabrielle was engaged, and now she was going to be a bridesmaid at her wedding?

It wasn't that she wasn't happy for her aunt (because she was), but more so to do with the fact that she'd never even met this mystery man in the first place. And it might also have been due to the fact that this was, in fact, Gabrielle's third husband to date.

Still, it wasn't like she was unhappy about the decision. A couple of days off of school to dress up and attend festivities in the City of Love? Yes please. No school work or grumpy professors to be seen? That was practically heaven. Why shouldn't she take a small holiday and be happy for her aunt?

However, when she'd consulted Carrie about this, she'd merely been advised to bring back a couple of handsome French boys for Carrie to trial.

"Miss Weasley." A sharp voice cut into her thoughts. Victoire jerked up to see the hard stare of Professor Greengrass, potions teacher. She was alright in most terms - Uncle Ron claimed that she was certainly better than the teacher they'd been forced to endure back in their day. For a woman married to Draco Malfoy (hellspawn; from Ron again), she seemed decent enough. However, one thing she did not tolerate was foolishness or lack of attention in her classroom.

"Yes, Professor?" asked Victoire, voice small. All eyes were fixed on her, and a few sniggers erupted from the back of the room. She felt like sinking into the floor and never coming back up again.

"Would you mind repeating Golpallot's Third Law to the class?" Greengrass hovered next to the desk expectantly. Her long black hair swayed behind her.

"Well.." Victoire drew a blank, suddenly scrambling for an answer and panicking when she couldn't find one. She glanced beside her to Carrie for help, but the other girl only shrugged apologetically. Merlin, where was Abigail when you needed her? "Golpallot's Third Law is.."

"That the antidote for a blended poison would be equal to more than the sum of the antidotes for each of the separate components," a voice cut in swiftly. She only just managed to suck in her loud sigh of relief as the whole class swivelled to Victoire's saviour.

She was surprised to see that it was not a fellow House mate, but a brown haired, blue-eyed Ravenclaw with a (nice) jawline. She recognised him faintly as Alexander Merriweather, from when her dorm mate Silva Twycross had dated him briefly during third year. She'd seen him play for the Ravenclaw Quidditch team, but other than that they'd never really spoken.

Professor Greengrass seemed a little taken aback, but she pursed her lips and nodded. "While that is correct, Mr Merriweather, last time I checked you do not resemble Miss Weasley in any way, shape, or form."

"Sorry Professor." Alexander dipped his head apologetically, but when Greengrass turned around he shot Victoire a smile and a wink.

Feeling surprisingly warm, she smiled in return. Thanks, she mouthed over her shoulder.

(Teddy Lupin)

Meanwhile, Teddy was having some problems of his own.

Or more specifically, one problem by the name of Victoire Weasley. He was still trying to grasp what exactly had happened on Monday, and his rather unfortunate realisation about one of his best friends. Sure, he'd noticed she was a girl before. After all, she was a Weasley girl with Veela blood. She tended to get a lot of attention, whether she liked it or not.

He'd known Victoire for practically his whole life. He knew enough embarrassing stories about her to make her flush bright crimson, couldn't possibly count all the times he'd made her so mad she'd had steam coming from her ears (or vice versa, in some occasions). Sixteen years, and not once had Teddy ever thought of her as anything else than his friend.

Until now. And he wasn't sure if he liked it.

"Mr Lupin!" A book slammed onto his desk and he jumped. "Get back to work."

"Sorry sir," Teddy mumbled as Professor Vector strolled away.

He was certain that he was just going through a phase. He couldn't possibly like Victoire. After all, they were practically family.

Teddy,
We hope all is going well for you at school? All's fine here at home, although it's startlingly quiet without James. Lily misses him, but I don't quite think Albus can say the same.
At any rate, I know this letter is a bit early, but we just thought we'd better let you know that we've been invited to a wedding. Do you remember Victoire's aunt, Gabrielle? She's getting married again, and this time in Paris. Can you believe it? Naturally the Weasley-Delacours have been invited, but surprisingly we have too. (personally, I think Gabrielle's still got a thing for Harry, the prig. Can you tell I'm not excited for this event?)
We were wondering if you'd like to tag along for this event? We've asked your grandmother already, and we're pulling James out of school for a couple of days, so Harry and I figured that it wouldn't hurt to take you out as well. Hermione objected heavily, but you know what she's like with school.
If you decide to come, please let us know! I've attached the invite underneath, but I'm sure you can ask Victoire, Dominique, or Louis if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you!
love,
your favourite godmother,
Ginny

"I don't see why you don't want to go."

Teddy and his friends sat around a table in the library during their free period. Trevor Creevey, with his closely cropped black hair and playful personality, and blonde haired, grey-eyed Winter Daniels. Jamie was off chatting up some pretty brunette, but otherwise Teddy considered the gang to be pretty much together.

Teddy frowned as Winter grabbed for the letter to read it for himself. "What do you mean by that?"

"I mean, you've got the chance to go to Paris, and you wanna stay here and do school work?" exclaimed Trevor, shaking his head as he munched on a Pumpkin Pasty. Technically food wasn't allowed in the library, but Trevor had never been one to stress over rules.

"Quidditch season's coming up," Teddy tried to reason.

Trevor scoffed. "Yeah, in November. That's a right two months from now."

The time Winter cut in, blinking as he handed the letter back. "Jamie won't kill you if you miss out on a few practices," he said.

"You clearly don't know him very well then," joked Trevor.

Teddy rolled his eyes. "It's not Jamie I'm worried about. I don't even care about the school work."

The group let out a laugh as Trevor gasped in mock horror.

The librarian, Esmeralda Sloper, immediately appeared around the corner. She hissed at them to be quiet, fixing them with her deadliest Librarian Glare through her glasses. "This is a library, gentleman," she growled. "Be quiet and study, or be hexed straight through to next Wednesday."

Trevor gave a low whistle as Sloper stalked off, no doubt to scout for her next victim. Teddy shook his head, even though he was grinning from ear to ear, and instead continued their conversation. "It's the Weasleys I'm really scared of."

Winter's brow knitted in confusion. "I thought you were friends with the Weasleys," he said.

"I am!" corrected Teddy. "They're like.. They're almost like family. But things are a little dodgy between me and Dominique right now." He frowned suddenly. "And maybe Victoire. But I'm not sure about her. She's a bit of an odd bird, that one."

"Says you," Trevor snorted. Charming, he could almost hear Victoire say, in the wry tone she saved especially for him and his friends. Trevor leaned forward, looking as if he were about to spill some scandalous gossip. "Half the students here don't think they're odd. Well fit, according to the rumours. I reckon it's the name, y'know? They all want a piece of that Potter fame."

Winter's head lifted from his book. "I think it's the Veela blood. Their mum's quarter Veela, did you know?"

Teddy knew all too well. He'd gotten used to the constant staring whenever he was around the Weasley-Delacours. Ron still jumped a metre high whenever Fleur entered the room unexpectedly, much to Hermione's chagrin. Teddy found it funny, although considerably less when one of the girls decided to dress up prettily. God forbid he ever meet their grandmother, who was half Veela and apparently astonishingly beautiful even in her old age.

"Guys, can we talk about my problems?" he whined impatiently. "I have 'fig next and McGonagall won't be pleased if I miss class again."

Winter took up an expression that suggested he was thinking hard, but Trevor just snapped his book shut with a loud thump and shoved the letter towards Teddy.

"Go on the bloody trip, Ted. If not for yourself, then for me. I can't deal with all these crises," he grumbled loudly.

As if on cue, a loud shriek was heard from around the corner. "That's enough! Get out of my library! Out, out, out!"

"It ain't your library, Miss," Trevor pointed out. "It's Hogwarts's, innit?"

Before he could do anything worse, like land them in detention with McGonagall, he was hurriedly shushed by Winter and escorted out with his mouth firmly closed.

(Nora Clearwater)

It was almost last period, and Nora knew for a fact that she had Arithmancy next. After all, she'd done the responsible thing and memorised her time table. And of course, she'd taken the liberty of remembering everybody else's schedule as well, for insurance purposes.

So this was why, as she wandered her way down to her next classroom, she knew that Gage was supposed to be heading downstairs to the dungeons for Intermediate Level Potions.

Not making a beeline for her, as he was currently doing.

"Nora! Nory!" Gage broke through the crowd and stopped in front of her with a smug grin, effectively halting her in her steps as they paused in the hallway. This did, of course, stir up plenty of annoyed looks from the students trying to get past.

"Gage." She smiled at him, hugging her books to her chest happily. "Has Peeves blown up the dungeons again?"

"No," said Gage without further explanation. He leaned down expectantly. "Aren't you forgetting something, Nors?"

"Sorry." She leant up on her toes and pressed a chaste kiss to his cheek. To her surprise, he seemed a little disappointed.

"That's all I get?"

"We are in the middle of the hallway," she pointed out, "and I do have class in about.. five minutes."

Like she'd been summoned, Abigail appeared at her side, breaking off from the crowd. "Hey Nora." She pulled a face. "Hi… Gage. Are you coming to class, Nora?"

When Gage's arms snaked around her waist, Nora threw Abigail an apologetic look. "I won't be a minute," she promised. "Save me a seat? And take my books with you?"

"Sure, lump me with all your stuff," Abigail grumbled good-naturedly. She juggled the excessive amount of books she now had in her arms. "I'll see you later."

Abigail had barely been gone a minute when Gage pulled her into a proper kiss, threading his fingers through her chocolate curls.

"That was lovely," she told them as they pulled apart, "but I have to go to class now."

"Oh, come on. You don't need class, do you? Stay out with me." Gage smiled so winningly, Nora almost crumbled.

"But.. I'll get in trouble," said Nora dumbly, eyes wide.

"So? It's only one measly little hour. What harm could it do?" Gage asked. His fingers tangled through hers, no doubt to help persuade her. "Besides, you've been neglecting me recently. You ought to be a better girlfriend."

That wasn't true, Nora knew it wasn't true. When she wasn't with her friends or in class or sleeping, she was with Gage. They'd spent so much time together that she'd forgotten what life without Gage Notts was like. Still.. she debated, suddenly feeling worry gnawing at her stomach. Maybe she was being a bad girlfriend. Would Gage break up with her? He wouldn't.. would he?

"I suppose one hour couldn't hurt," she conceded slowly, even though Nora Clearwater had never done anything remotely rebellious in her life, let alone skipped a whole period of class. "Arithmancy is quite boring."

Gage grinned. "Atta-girl."

(Victoire Weasley)

Victoire made her way down from the last class of the day, immediately brightening up as she spotted Abigail and Carrie coming back from their own classes. Upon spotting her, they waved her over and waited for Victoire to catch up.

"Where's Nora?" Victoire asked curiously, looking around for their caramel-skinned friend.

"Yeah, I thought she had Arithmancy with you," agreed Carrie, giving Abigail a friendly nudge.

Oddly, Abigail seemed rather glum. "She did. Only she didn't show up. I had to partner up with McLaggen. He 'accidentally' spilt pumpkin juice on me. We don't even use pumpkin juice in Arithmancy!"

Victoire tutted sympathetically. McLaggen was a Ravenclaw sixth year. He might have been intelligent, but he was sleazy at his finest, and he had an attitude so pompous that anyone with a working brain was repelled away.

Carrie, however, seemed less then sorry. "Where's Nora then?" She promised me we'd go down to the pitch and practice a bit. Don't say she's gone and bailed on me!"

"She won't have bailed on you," said Victoire, confident in her assumption. Nora, while sometimes a little ditzy, was never late for anything. She had an odd mannerism in which she liked to learn everybody's schedule. According to Nora, it was so she knew when it was a good time to steal somebody away, but Victoire just found it amusing. "If Nora wasn't in class, she was probably pulled out to talk to a teacher or something. Routine check, maybe? You know Nora."

"Maybe.." Abigail considered doubtfully.

Carrie bit her lip, obviously frustrated. "Look, maybe I should just - "

Suddenly, a loud commotion interrupted her, further down the corridor. Immediately the scores of students wandering the corridors surged towards the drama like moths to a flame. The three were no exception, Victoire and Abigail lagging behind after their athletically-inclined friend.

They rounded the corner, only what they saw was met with obvious surprise. Being reprimanded by Professor McGonagall was none other than Nora Clearwater and Gage Notts.

"When I received notice of two students missing class, I did not think that I would find it to be you, Miss Clearwater. I'm sorely disappointed in you," McGonagall said sternly. "As for you, Mr Notts, I'm sure that you are aware that this has not been your first rodeo. However, dragging Miss Clearwater along with you is most unacceptable."

"Sorry, Professor," said Nora and Gage together. Nora looked genuinely upset, voice small as she stared down at her feet. Clearly, being watched by all these students wasn't helping either.

McGonagall opened her mouth to say more, but Professor Ellwood (DADA teacher) stepped forward and patted her consolingly on the arm. "They can serve detention with me. The trophies room is in dire need of cleaning. I'm afraid that both of you are going to miss out on your Quidditch practice. Rather disappointing, seeing as you are both valuable players - the seeker and the captain."

"But Professor," Gage protested loudly, but Ellwood seemed content to ignore him.

"You're both dismissed. Go and wait in my office, please."

"Thank you, Padma," McGonagall said as Ellwood lead her back to the former's office. "I think it's about time for me to retire."

"Good luck," Victoire murmured to Nora as she walked past, but the other girl refused to meet her eye.

"I knew Notts was rotten," Abigail fumed as soon as they were out of earshot and the excited buzz of students had drifted away once again. Carrie nodded in agreement, but Victoire shook her head, feeling oddly guilty.

"Maybe it was an accident," she suggested.

"Please," Carrie raised her eyebrows, "as if they just happened to have missed an entire class."

"But that's not like Nora," mused Victoire worriedly.

"People do stupid things when pressured," said Abigail evenly. "It's a proven fact."

"Maybe…" But Victoire was still rather unconvinced. She didn't know why Nora skipping class had bothered her so much. It was hardly the worst thing that had happened in Hogwarts history. But for some odd reason it just rubbed her the wrong way. Nora was the sweet one! She'd never broken a rule in her life!

"Great, now I've got to practice Quidditch without her," Carrie groaned, but Victoire hardly paid her friends any attention, because someone familiar had caught her eye.

"Hey, I'll see you later," she said distractedly, not sticking around to listen to Abigail and Carrie's confused protests. She hoisted her books up a little higher in her grasp and approached the Ravenclaw boy with a smile already prepared.

"Hi Alexander," she announced her presence, shifting awkwardly from one foot to the other.

Alexander Merriweather glanced up quickly, obviously surprised to see her. "Oh hey, Victoire."

Without quite thinking, Victoire blurted out: "How do you know my name?"

Alexander raised an eyebrow. "You're a Weasley. I think practically the whole Wizarding World knows who you are."

Victoire flushed in embarrassment, and immediately cursed herself for doing so. She was a Weasley - what was she doing blushing madly like she'd just seen her grandmother naked? Making an immediate point to try and come back to herself, she held her head high and promptly said: "Sorry."

Nailed it.

To her surprise, Alexander merely laughed friendlily. "No, it's fine! At least you don't brag about it like.. erm.. someone I know."

Victoire rolled her eyes, although her lips were curved in amusement. "If you mean James, it's alright. He's a git, but he has good intentions. When he's not being an incessant prat, that is - just, don't tell him I said any of that. Don't want his head getting any bigger than it already is."

Alexander laughed again, and Victoire silently congratulated herself. "My lips are sealed," he said, eyeing the books she was struggling not to let slip out of her grasp. "So, to what do I owe the pleasure of a visit from Miss Weasley?"

"Oh, I just wanted to say thank you," she said hurriedly. "For helping me back with Greengrass, that is. I tried to stop you after Potions, but you looked like you were in a hurry and I didn't want to make you late for the next period."

Alexander looked faintly surprised at being thanked (although she liked to think he looked pleased, too). "It's no worries, honestly."

"No, I want to thank you!" pressed Victoire. "It's just, I'm horrible at Potions and I had a lot on my mind and I thought I was going to get detention for sure, but you practically saved my life so thank you."

"Well - I mean - I could tutor you, if you liked," Alexander offered unexpectedly. Victoire paused and studied him to see if he was joking. Not once in her life had she ever been offered tutoring. Everyone seemed to think that because she was a Weasley child she was perfect, but there was a reason she hadn't been placed in Ravenclaw.

"Wait - really?"

Alexander nodded, digging his hands into his pocket. "I mean, if that's alright with you. I know working with a Ravenclaw might be counted as enemy fraternization or something but I assure you I have no evil intentions. But only if you want to," he added hurriedly.

"No, no, that sounds great!" Victoire nodded before she could really think too hard about it. "I really need the extra work, to be honest, especially with NEWTS."

"Tell me about it," said Alexander seriously. "Well, I have Quidditch practice on Wednesdays and Saturdays, unless my captain changes her mind. Other than that my schedule's free."

"I have Charms Club on Tuesdays and DADA on Thursdays," she informed him, "but any other day is great."

"Should we trial it on Saturday, then?" he asked. "After Hogsmeade, of course."

"Oh - right!" Victoire nodded earnestly. She'd completely forgotten about the first weekend trip down to Hogsmeade, although now that she had been reminded a swirl of excitement rushed through her. This would be her third year of going down, but she knew James was beyond excited for his first official visit (although she had a sneaking suspicion that he'd snuck down to the village before). "So, is five o'clock alright then?" she inquired politely.

"Sounds good to me."

The two shared a grin, and then Alexander was called away by his impatient friends, waving apologetically at her as he left.

As soon as he'd gone, Carrie and Abigail had advanced up to her. Carrie looked childishly excited, while Abby harboured a more reserved look.

"Victoire!" Carrie grinned widely, shoving her in the shoulder. "Just wait until I tell Nora about this!" Obviously she had forgotten about being mad at Nora for not being able to make it to Quidditch practice.

Abigail gave Victoire a once-over, and suddenly Victoire felt a little self-conscious.

"What?" she said hurriedly.

"Nothing." Abigail shrugged, looking thoughtful. "Since when did you start getting cosy with Merriweather?"

"I wasn't getting cosy with him," Victoire said defensively. She started walking very quickly, so that Abigail and Carrie were forced to hurry after her at an untimely pace. "We were just talking."

"Mhmm." Abigail looked unconvinced. "If you say so."

"Talking? About what?" Carrie pressed.

"Tutoring lessons," Victoire mumbled, suddenly flushing lightly. It wasn't exactly a secret that she was disastrous at potions, but it still felt embarrassing and degrading to say it aloud, all the same. "He said that he would help me with Potions."

"In exchange for what?"

Victoire shot Abigail a sharp look, getting increasingly more annoyed with her friend's scepticism. "Not everybody has an agenda, Abby. He didn't want anything in return. He was just being friendly."

"Everybody wants something in return," cited Abigail smoothly.

Victoire ground to a stop and whirled to face Abigail, finally snapping. She was tired and stressed about the whole Dominique situation, not to mention the wedding that was coming up shortly. Couldn't she have the simple pleasure of something nice without backlash?

"Maybe in your world, Abigail. But not in mine," she said nastily and stalked off, immediately regretting her words but too stubborn to turn around and apologise.

(Teddy Lupin)

It was dinnertime by the time Teddy, Trevor and Winter saw Jamie again. He came down and took a seat next to Winter with a nod and a small smile of greeting to his friends.

"So, how'd it go with Shaeya Lockhouse?" Trevor asked cheekily.

Teddy stifled his laughter as he scooped a helping of mashed potato and peas onto his plate. Jamie chose a portion of chicken and leek pie, rolling his eyes heavily.

"Her name's Freya Lofthouse," he corrected, "and she's fine. Kind of dull, though. I don't think it's going to last very long."

"She's right fit, though," Trevor pointed out.

"Haven't you run out of girls to date yet?" asked Winter, blinking innocently as if he truly was curious.

Teddy really did snort this time, and Trevor had to thump him on the back hard to stop him from choking.

"Haha," Jamie said drily. '"Yes, very funny, Teddy. Isn't it funny that I don't see any of you with a girlfriend?"

"Oi!" said Trevor in indignation. "I'm getting there, mate. Callidora Fincher? She was totally eyeing me up in Charms today."

"You mean she was staring in horror at the rat you'd somehow managed to give eight legs and fangs," corrected Winter, a soft smile curling his lips.

"Whatever." Trevor shrugged it off, clearly unfazed as he stole a chip from Winter's plate of fish and chips. "Anyway, have you made your mind up about that trip, Tedmeister?"

Jamie looked up from his plate. His eyebrows raised in curiousness. "What trip?"

"Teddy's been invited to a wedding with the Potters," Winter explained. "You know Victoire and her siblings? Yeah, well their aunt's getting married in Paris and she wants them to come along. Only he's not sure if he wants to go because he's in a tiff with Dominique and maybe Victoire."

"Wow, you guys actually listened to my whining." Teddy blinked, genuinely surprised.

"If you're worried, why don't you just go and talk to Victoire?" asked Jamie. He nodded to the Gryffindor table and Teddy, following his line of vision to see the eldest Weasley herself sitting all alone and looking rather irritated as she alternated between stabbing at her bowl of ice cream and reading a book.

"It's not that simple," he protested, but soon enough he was sliding into the seat next to hers anyway.

"Hi Teddy," she greeted sulkily.

He cocked an eyebrow at her and reached to examine her book, which read 101 Magical Remedies For Beginners. "Something wrong? You're not mad at me, right?" he worried suddenly.

"No."

Surprised by her curt response - Victoire was never blunt - he offered a friendly smile. "What's it about, then?"

Victoire dropped her spoon into her bowl with a loud huff. "Well, I was so busy thinking about Tante Gabrielle's wedding in Potions that I got called out by Greengrass, who asked me to answer a question but I couldn't, only Alexander Merriweather stepped in for me and I got out of trouble. Then I stopped him later to thank him and he offered me tutoring lessons and I accepted and then Nora got put in detention and I feel like Carrie and Abigail are judging me because I'm so terrible at Potions, so I was really mean at them and now I've got no friends."

All this was said so quickly that it came out in one blurred word rather than a paragraph, and for a few moments he was silent as he tried to process it. Then, unexpectedly, he started to laugh, which was obviously the wrong move as proved when Victoire picked up her book and thwacked him with a strength that was totally not fair for a girl who played no sport.

"You - are - not - helping - in - the - slightest - Edward - Lupin," she said fiercely in between hits.

"Ow, okay - stop, I'm sorry!" he managed, holding his arms up in defence, even though he was still grinning. "I wasn't laughing at you, honest."

"What were you laughing about, then?" Victoire fixed him with a stony glare.

"Just - um - nothing," he said rapidly, his previous words fading as he saw her expression. Eager to change the conversation, he added in surprise, "wait, Clearwater has detention?"

Victoire nodded, seeming relieved by the change in subject. "She got caught by McGonagall skiving class with Notts."

"Notts? As in, Quidditch Captain Notts?"

"That's the one."

"Blimey." He considered it for a second. "Clearwater's the goody-two-shoes, right?"

"Mhmm," Victoire nodded.

Teddy would have been perfectly content to just sit there and talk about Victoire's problems all day, but a vigorous thumbs up from Trevor forced him to take action. Sighing begrudgingly, he leaned forward on the table. "So, about this wedding…"

"Oh, yes!" Victoire brightened. "My aunt's throwing a wedding in Paris and we're invited, obviously." She suddenly pulled a face, picking at the sprinkles on her ice cream. "I'm sure it'll be boring, though, especially since Dom's still furious with me. I wish you could come."

"That's the thing.." Teddy said slowly, "I've kind of.. sort of been invited to tag along with the Potters."

Victoire's smile suddenly grew about a million times bigger. "Really? That's great! It'll be so much better now that you're coming… You are coming, aren't you?"

Teddy shrugged, an apologetic smile on his face. "I don't know if I'd really be welcome.."

"Of course you'd be welcome!" she said insistently, her fury at him apparently long forgotten. "You're Teddy Lupin, aren't you? Golden boy of our generation and all. Everybody loves you, Teddy. If anybody tries to tell you otherwise, I'm sure the Potters will happily beat them up."

He laughed, and sitting there in the Great Hall, it was decided. If Victoire wanted him to go to the wedding, he supposed that he would.