She was 17, and it wasn't her birthday – part 1.

"But it's not my birthday!" Victoire cried exasperatedly for at least the 37th time that morning.

"You and I both know we Weasleys' never pass up the opportunity for a feast. You were at Hogwarts for your birthday, so we're making up for it now," Bill explained yet again, dragging Vic forcefully towards the Burrow, where a large banner reading "HAPPY 17th VICTOIRE" hung above the door.

She sighed and went inside, where an ambush of smiles and redheaded relatives swept her up.

Eventually she battled her way to the kitchen, where there was a bit of respite.

That is, until Teddy walked in with his current girlfriend, Estelle.

"Fancy seeing you in here," he grinned, "Not enjoying all the attention?"

"It is not my birthday," she said again, "And nice to see you, Estelle."

Estelle forced a smile and said nothing.

Victoire rolled her eyes; she had yet to meet a girlfriend of Teddy's that didn't hate her for being his best friend.

"We were just getting some butterbeer; want a drink?" Teddy asked.

"Sure."

As soon as Teddy's back was turned, Estelle stumbled and knocked a dish of beetroot dip off the bench and onto Victoire.

"Oh I'm so clumsy!" she exclaimed, smirking at Vic.

Vic sighed, surveying the damage. Her previously white dress now had a rather large purple splatter decorating it, and did not look all that reparable.

"Its fine, I think Grandma Weasley has some of my old clothes upstairs. Excuse me while I go change," Victoire hurried upstairs, vowing to get revenge.

She had promised Teddy she would try to get along with his girlfriend, but if Estelle wasn't willing to play nice then Vic was certainly not going to lie down and take it.

After pulling on the only dress she could find that still fitted (admittedly it was rather shorter and tighter than it used to be, but not in a take-me-now-I'm-yours way) and slipped back into the kitchen, where Grandma Weasley was serving lunch.

"Let me help with that, Grandma," Vic offered.

"Oh darling that's sweet, but this is your birthday lunch! Go sit down!"

"Nonsense Grandma, it's no trouble," she smiled, taking several plates out to the garden where the tables had been set.

She put the first plates in front of her uncles (namely, Uncle Ron) knowing that they would be hungry enough to sneak a few bites before every one else was served, and returned to the kitchen to grab some more.

This time, now that Grandma Weasley had left to serve drinks, Vic quickly slipped a small bottle of 'dragon tears' (the clear liquid Uncle Charlie brought back from Romania; Grandma used a few drops in her curries for extra spiciness) off the top shelf and emptied it into one of the meals. She mixed it in, and took the rest of the plates out, ensuring the...special meal ended up in front of her intended target.

Satisfied, she sat down next to her cousin James to enjoy the feast.

James launched into a vigorously detailed account of his latest prank on the Slytherins, featuring a multitude of feathery boa constrictors and a bunch of bananas.

Victoire feigned fascination while peeking at Estelle from under her lashes.

"…and it slid around his neck, and you should have heard the scre-"

"Oh! Hot! Water, I need water!" came the shouts from the other end of the table.

Estelle was hopping up and down, gasping and crying for water.

"Teddyyy!" she wailed, "help me!"

Victoire hid her smile behind a look of concern as she watched Teddy hastily pass Estelle a jug of water.

James cackled unashamedly as Estelle poured the whole jug into her mouth, splashing it all down her front in her desperation to quench the fire in her mouth.

Victoire waited gleefully until Estelle regained most of her composure to make a quiet escape inside before the screaming directed at her started.

Alas, her escape was not to be, as thundering footsteps chased her indoors.

"It was you, wasn't it!" Estelle shouted angrily.

Victoire whirled around.

"And what if it was?"

"How dare you! Teddy, did you see what she did to me?"

Teddy very uncomfortably shrugged, not wanting to get involved.

"You shouldn't tip beetroot dip on people if you aren't willing to be messed with in return," Victoire informed her.

"You're just jealous that Teddy is mine, not yours. Don't you know he'd never go for someone as stupid as you?" Estelle smirked.

Victoire stared at her, not understanding why no girlfriend of Teddy's had yet been able to accept they were just friends.

"I am not stupid," she glared.

"Oh please. Everyone knows you got through school by sleeping with the professors," Estelle laughed haughtily.

Victoire was barely restraining herself from slapping the other girl.

"Come on Teddy, let's get out of here," Estelle grabbed his hand.

"I think you should leave," Teddy said quietly, "And I don't think we can see each other anymore."

"What? Because of her?"

"No. Because I can't be with someone who talks to my best friend like that."

"Fine. I was going to break up with you soon anyway," Estelle sniffed and stormed out.

Victoire turned to Teddy, sadness all over her face.

"Do people really think that of me?"

"If they do, they don't matter," He replied firmly, "Come on. We need to cheer you up, and I need to drown my sorrows."