Chapter 3: Pointless
It was still cold on the grounds, but the ice had melted off the lake and the spring flowers were beginning to bloom. An icy wind swirled through the grounds as Victore Weasley made her way toward the lake. There was barely any light left in the sky and if it had been anyone else she would have stayed in the castle. As she drew closer she noticed that his hair which had been blue with blonde tips this morning was now a steely November gray, it made him look old and tired. He was tossing stones into the lake and he didn't acknowledge her presence as she sat down next to him.
"So I hear you've had a bad day."
"That was quick."
"Yeah well your fan club is really excited. They're all worked up about how you're available now." Teddy groaned
"I don't know why they bother"
"Well you do get rather entertaining around the full moon, and according to them your soo hot" she teased
"Yeah, that's what I want to be known for, being an idiot every month" he said sardonically
"Oh Teddy you know we love you, even during the 329 days that your normal." She grinned at him
"Yeah but that apparently doesn't matter much." He said chucking a rock into the lake.
"You want me to hex her for you?"
"Accio rock, no Vic it's not worth it."
"But I think I'd enjoy it." She said smirking, he smiled slightly
"Yeah but are you going to hex the whole wizarding world?" he said viciously chucking the rock out into the lake.
"That would be harder…" she paused for a moment "what's the wizarding world got to do with anything?" He didn't respond he just called back the rock and hurled it into the lake. They sat in silence a moment before Teddy shouted
"I hate this!" Vic jumped in surprise
"What's wrong Teddy?"
"Everything's wrong!" he said rising to his feet with agitation "Why's it always got to be like this!"
"Ted what did she say to you? What's got to be like this?" Vic asked scrambling to her feet
"She got the job at the ministry and broke up with me because of my heritage!" he whirled around pitching the rock as far as he could. Anger burned inside of Vic
"I am going to hex her." Vic promised Anna was stupid to think blood status meant anything anymore.
"What's the point, she's right. It follows me wherever I go. My mother should have never convinced him."
"Ted Lupin stop that!" Vic demanded pushing at his shoulder, turning him to face her.
"Why!" he shouted "the whole thing was pointless. They got themselves killed to save the future. But look, nothing's changed! The auror office didn't close, and it's still mudblood to guys like Pete!"
"You'd rather Voldemorte was running the show? Uncle Harry dead, our family persecuted and murdered and you and I as second class citizens?" Vic asked incredulous. "There will always be bad people and bad things will happen. But you can't say that this reality is no better than that one."
"But what's the point?" he said turning away from her and tearing at his hair in anguish.
"Just because Anna Corey is a toerag doesn't mean everyone is like that. Your one of the most popular kids in school . . ."
"That's here," he interrupted, "it's different at Hogwarts" he said his shoulders slumping his back to her.
"I refuse to believe that." Vic said with defiance in her voice.
Teddy whipped around lunging at her, eyes golden, his face shadowed in wolfish features and snarled at her. She yelped with surprise and fell backward. She sat on the cold hard ground fighting back the tears welling in her eyes. Teddy restored his face and looked at her with smug satisfaction in his eyes.
"Is that what you really want? To be right!" She yelled. "You want things to be horrible?"An angry sob broke into her voice. "Is that really how you feel or are you being all lunar on me!" crestfallen Teddy looked down at his feet.
"Cuz it's fine with me!" She said launching to her feet and pointing her wand into his chest.
"I won't have to defend you anymore, or make excuses, or comfort you, or look out for you, or deal with any of your crap Ted Remus Lupin!" The sobs were clear in her voice now even though she was shouting at him.
"Vic I'm sorry. . ." he trailed off.
"Then take it back! You're not allowed to say stuff like that anymore you promised!"
"I'm sorry."
"Sorry, sorry, Vic I'm sorry. You're always sorry. Don't be sorry just don't say it!" tears and anger were beginning to choke her voice.
"Tori," she turned away from him "stop. I, I shouldn't have scared you. It was stupid. I'm stupid. . ."
"Don't!" she warned
"I'm just sad and angry." He said placing his hands gently on the ends of her shoulders. "You know how much I loved her." Vic nodded.
"You know any sane person would have left you out here to freeze on your lonesome." Vic said turning to face him again, Teddy let his hands fall.
"I know. . . I don't deserve you."
"Oh shut up, you're stuck with me."
"I didn't say I wasn't happy about it." He joked
"Oh Teddy your incorrigible." She said and rested her forehead in the middle of his chest for a moment.
"It's cold out here can we go in now?" she asked. Teddy chuckled and they began to walk.
The sun finally disappeared from the sky on their way back up to the castle and a bitter wind hurried their steps. Vic watched Teddy as they ate a quick supper and wished there was a Potter in school because she was dying to know the phase of the moon. She had managed two good looks at the ceiling without Teddy's notice and the weather was not cooperating it had been cloudy both times with no moon in sight. The Potter children on the other hand never had to look they just always seemed to know.
"Are you done?" Teddy's voice brought her out of her thoughts.
"What?"
"Are you done eating?" she could tell that Teddy was very agitated.
"Yeah sure let's go."
Teddy nearly ran out of the great hall and Vic began to notice the whispers, turning heads and darting eyes that were following him out of the room.
"Sorry." She said as she gave him a quick one armed squeeze around his middle. A smile flickered over his face but it didn't brighten his mood. They walked in silence to Gryffindor tower.
"Hey Ted." Pete called as they entered through the portrait hole.
"Hey Pete." Teddy answered solemnly. He scanned the room for a moment then said "I'm going to bed. See you tomorrow Vic." He held her gaze for a moment then headed for the stairs.
Vic flopped down on the couch next to Pete. It was only seven o-clock but she was exhausted.
"He's not taking it well is he?" Pete stated more than asked.
"No." Vic responded
"Don't worry Tori, Ethan is up there now. We'll make sure he's okay."
"Yeah." She hoped everything would be better in the morning.
