Chapter seven: Aftershock


(Teddy's POV)

"Is that paper what this is all about?" I replied slightly petrified. "All this, what is love? It's about me and Vee?"

"I really was interested…. In both things" said James sincerely. I could tell. "You really love her don't you? You really do…"

"Yes, I do…" I admitted. It wasn't like I could deny it any longer. I gulped, nervous about what was next but surprisingly, not a single snappy or devious reply came from James. "No retort?"

"You ash.. assi.. assume too much, Teddy" said James. I was completely gobsmacked by the way he was taking this. "So that's love… but I don't get it, you still aren't talking. Did you tell her how you felt?"

"Not completely… I'm waiting for the right time…"

"Well, you're running out of time" said James maturely. "It won't be too long until someone else comes along and feels the same way."

"I know" I said. I knew if I didn't move now someone might take my place. I'm just hoping that maybe she feels the same way I feel about her and maybe she'd know no one could be as right for her as I am.


(FLASHBACK)

"I refuse to believe that this kind of behavior could erupt from Gryffindor… and from a PREFECT!" said Headmistress McGonagall outraged. "He was chosen as a prefect because we knew he was perfectly capable of leading his peers but certainly this was not the manner we had foreseen!"

"I'm quite sure he understands exactly what you mean, Professor" replied Harry Potter uneasily. "He acted on impulse and I promise you it's not something we take lightly…"

"Well, you better make sure of that, Potter-or else I'd have to deal with him myself" she added still pacing around the hospital wing.

"It really wasn't his fault, professor… he never would have been involved if it wasn't for me. I should be the one taking the blame, not Teddy". Victoire Weasley was tinkering with one of the several get-well-soon cards sent from all over Hogwarts. She laid her eyes guiltily on Teddy who had been asleep for almost an entire day.

"We'll deal with the punishing after Lupin regains consciousness. We won't have to bring him to 's, do we?"

"I don't think so, Minerva… as long as he's consistent with the potions I don't think he'd need a healer" said Madame Pomfrey as she poured a rancid olive concoction strait into Teddy's mouth.

"Good" said Professor McGonagall covering her nose with her sleeve. "The paperwork would have been horrible"

Madame Pomfrey drew the curtains to let the morning sunlight strait into the wing. Xavier Leighton was brought to 's only moments after the encounter although he was in a slightly better condition than Teddy.

"I think he's starting to regain consciousness!" exclaimed Ginny brightly as Teddy eyes opened the slightest bit. She lost her self-control and immediately squeezed Teddy. "Oh, Teddy bear!"

Teddy jerked in pain since he was, obviously, sore all over. "Ginerva! Restraint, please!" roared Professor McGonagall as she pulled Ginny back. "Ted, it's Harry, can you hear me?"

"Yeah" he mumbled as he slowly opened his eyes. "M'fine except for this skull-cracking headache… and my mouth… what is Merlin's name?"

"It's supposed to make you feel better" said Madame Pomfrey fixing up the clutter on the table. "After taking an aimed bludger strait at your head, don't be surprised you have a headache"

"Oh yeah, bloody hell… What happened after I got hit?" asked Teddy wearily. He turned his head to his left and saw a blurry version of a person attacked a bit too strongly by the light.

"Xavier took the fall but I heard he's doing alright, You, on the other hand, need a lot of rest after what you've been through" said Victoire.

"Oh" was all Teddy could muster. Everything was still quite awkward and even Harry noticed that.

"You're a lot more like Remus that I thought you were" said Harry tapping the top of Teddy's head. "He never really was one for the rules… nor was my dad" he added smilingly comfortingly at Teddy.

"And I thought you'd be furious" said Teddy with a slight rush of relief.

"Well, It was what was INTENDED but OBVIOUSLY," Ginny said clutching Harry by the shoulder. "That doesn't seem to be the case" she said firmly.

"Whaat? I mean, I'm sure the physical pain is enough, I don't have to scold him" said Harry pleadingly.

"This is why I should be the one wearing the trousers in this family" said Ginny rolling her eyes. "You really shouldn't have done that, Teddy… we were surprised"

"I wasn't" muttered Harry as Ginny nudged him in the ribs. "Ow"

"Violence is never the answer, you should know that by now"

"'Hear, 'hear!" Harry added cutting Ginny off. "So… Ron is dying to know, which spells did you use and in what order? Who bled first and who won the affection of the audience?" he said jokingly. Ginny's face turned sour and glared at Harry as he laughed.

"I think I should tell you that when she isn't here" said Teddy cautiously. "You know, for your sake"

After a few minutes of how-are-you's and a shock rush, fatigue started getting to Teddy and was ordered rest. "I'm so sorry" whispered Victoire, when Teddy stared nestling himself in his bed, while a tear fell right after Teddy closed his eyes.

All of this is my fault thought Victoire. Why is it always him that gets hurt when i'm around?

A number of things happened while Teddy was once again back to sleep. Professor McGonagall was off to her regular business. Harry and Ginny left Hogwarts after promising Teddy's good behavior for the rest of his schooling years. Pierce and Jacob came in for a visit, and so did the rest of the Quidditch team, except Xavier obviously, who would probably be banned from setting foot in the Quidditch pitch until forever. Victoire, unlike everybody else, stayed watching over Teddy strait until through the night until dawn.

Teddy jolted and faced his rude awakening better than he did earlier the other day. He rubbed the sleep off his eyes and got a clearer view of what was around him. It was still a tad bit dark. Had he slept the whole afternoon and evening away? He let his hand fall from his face and was dumbstruck when he realized the weight on his legs. "Blimey…," he uttered, trying to fix himself up. Victoire's head tilted to the left exposing the right side of her face. She was as beautiful as ever. Teddy just stared out worried any sudden movement might wake her up, but the chilly wind did just that. "Vee?"

"Wha?" muttered Victoire opening her eyes. "Teddy, you're a'right…" she added, stating the obvious. She was shivering like mad; she was freezing all over.

"Come under the covers" Teddy said gesturing to the blanket. He lifted it up waiting for her response but she was hesitant. "Come of it! You're going to freeze to death and no, that won't make us even". A smile erupted on her face and sat next to Teddy tugging the blanket up to her neck.

"I'm really sorry about everything, Ted… I'm sorry I got you into this but you know, you shouldn't have done what you did…"

"Why? You didn't want Xavier to hurt himself?" added Teddy with a slight hint of bitterness.

"I didn't want you to get hurt" she said, avoiding his gaze. They sat there for a few minutes staring into nothing. "I'm sorry about Elle… that was just stupid. I should have known better, God, I'm such a dimwit… I really didn't think Xavier would break out into that"

"Well, none of us woulda known he was true blue pisshead" Teddy added lightly. "Next thing you know, Pierce would turn out a bit wonky". Victoire laughed and that made things a lot easier to talk about. "Anyway, how badly is McGonagall punishing me?"

"Oh, you have no idea and I think it's better that way" said Victoire standing up.

"Where are you going?" blurted Teddy. Wow, desperate

"I have a lot of things that need to be done before the winter break begins…" said Victoire smiling slightly. "Teddy, I really am sorry about everything… I could give you a hundred reasons why I owe you thousands of apologies"

"And I wouldn't be able to give you any" said Teddy. "I have nothing to be sorry about…" he added with a glint of pride.

"Of course you don't" said Victoire, thinking she deserved having it rubbed in. She slowly walked away while Teddy's attention spun somewhere else.

"You know what" continued Teddy from out of the blue. Victoire turned around to catch what Teddy had to say. "Now that I think of it, I do owe you an apology, I am sorry for something"

"What is it?"

"I'm sorry I've fallen for you" he said, looking straight at Victoire. "But I wouldn't have it any other way"