Hey there...long time no update! Sorry guys, my dad is in town for the week so I have been spending a lot of time with him and haven't had much time for writing, but here is a little holiday treat(whether you celebrate thanksgiving or not, it just be a random treat too)...over four thousand words!

TPOV

Stupid, stupid, stupid! I had the perfect opportunity to tell her how I felt and I chickened out! Fucking hell! Why didn't I just tell her that she had heard me perfectly when I had thought she was fully unconscious but apparently wasn't? Why didn't I say that yes, I had in fact told her that I love her, and won't ever leave her side? Because you're a wanker. Oh too true my friend, too true. I watched Vic disappear up the stairs and headed down to dinner. I had just stepped through the portrait hole when a hand came down heavy on my shoulder. I jumped and turned, drawing my wand.

"Relax, kid it's just me." Bill Weasely chuckled.

"I-I thought you had left…" I stammered.

"The others did, but I told them that I had forgotten something." He said mildly.

"And did you?" I had the oddest suspicion he hadn't.

"Not at all Ted, not at all." I nodded.

"I figured. So what is it that you want to talk to me about?" I asked, dreading his response.

"That would be my daughter."

"Oh," I shifted awkwardly. "What about her sir?"

"Teddy don't play dumb with me. It couldn't be more obvious if you shouted it from the astronomy tower.

"What exactly are you talking about?"

"Ted, you're a good guys and a great person. I know I can trust you with her…but if you hurt her…"He trailed of menacingly.

"Of course sir I would never-"

"Just take care of her okay?" He cut me off.

"Always," I would never hurt her or leave her alone and I think he knew that. Bill turned and left without another word. Did just say what I think he did? He did, didn't he? He just virtually gave me his permission to date his daughter. Well…that's convenient.

Dinner was a strained affair. The table felt oddly empty without Vic though it was full of rambunctious kids as ever. Mayris sat by me of course, cooing over my "incredible" catch of the snitch. Incredible? I had a clear shot. That was the easiest catch I had ever made. I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard however. The looks on the Ravenclaw's faces when Nicki bashed that bludger were bloody hilarious. Fuck, even I was amazed by her skill. The rest of the team sat clustered around and we were all still rather excited from our win. I managed to effectively ignore Mayris without being too rude and was extremely grateful to them for that.

We continued our celebration well into the morning when Professor Longbottom, our head of house came to tell us off, but ended up congratulating us and joining in instead. Who can say no to a good butterbeer? Several hours later however he said that he did think it best if we all retired to our beds so that Professor McGonnagall wouldn't be too cheesed off. I wearily climbed the stairs to my four-poster and fell into bed without fanfare or preamble.

VPOV

I slept through dinner and only woke up briefly when the other girls came in to bed. Apparently having your leg broken is quite taxing. I hadn't thought at all about today since I fumbled my words with Teddy. What sort of question was I even trying to ask? I rolled over in bed and felt my leg twinge a little. It barely hurt and would be okay to walk on today, but the effects of having your leg snapped in half don't disappear overnight. I hadn't slept particularly well. A certain blue haired seeker kept appearing in my dreams…and if anyone ever tells you guys are the only ones with dirty minds you should look at what my brain comes up with! Surely half of the things I imagined doing were illegal in several countries. I mean when he-um hello! Excuse me. What exactly are you doing having naughty thoughts about Teddy when you're supposed to be going on a date with someone else today? Ah, my inner bitch has come out to play. Sadly, she was correct…she usually was. I had to get my head in the game. Right. Now. I sat up and rubbed my hands together. It was my planning hand rub. The one I do when I'm up to something. I looked over at the clock. I was good on time. I had woken up at eight o'clock, early for me on a Sunday. I would have time to do something with my hair and wade through my make-up collection. What to wear, what to wear, what to wear…

The girls woke up just as I was putting on a pair of jeans. Kathy gasped in horror

"No, Vic!" She exclaimed.

"What?" I stammered. She had nearly given me a heart attack. "What's no?"

"Just no," Monique chimed in. Beck and Mackenzie nodded their heads knowingly. I realized they were talking about my choice of clothing. I scrunched up my nose and glared at them.

"Here sweetie," Monique jumped out of bed. "Let me." She patted my shoulder and went to rifle through my trunk. I don't think I have or will ever again see her move that fast at eight in the morning.

"I call dibs on Makeup," Kathy squealed.

"I'm doing her hair," Mackenzie informed us.

"So…what are you doing Beck?" I asked.

"Who me?" She laughed. "I'm going to help you keep your sanity.

At ten o'clock I was ready to scream. I had been pinched, prodded, and polished and I was beginning to wish I could just go back to bed. I was about to say so when Monique gasped.

"What is it?" I whipped my head around. "Did my hair get burned?"

"No, no," she waved my questions away and looked at me through teary eyes. "You're just…so beautiful."

"Bloody hell Monique! You can't just say things like that to me!" She grinned sheepishly.

"Sorry,"

"No you're not." I laughed.

"Okay, not really." We all burst into giggles and descended the steps to catch a late breakfast.

TPOV

When Vic entered the great hall I just about lost my shit. Never, in all my seventeen years of knowing her, had she worn anything like this. She was looking innocently around. Innocent? Hah! She ran innocent over with a bulldozer. She was wearing a deep plum sweater dress that complimented her pale skin and left nothing to the imagination. Her legging clad legs were tucked into a pair of black boots. And her hair? Who the hell did her hair? She looked like she had just been thoroughly shagged and loved every minute of it. I liked that look on her. As long as I was the one who caused it…Whoa there, down boy! No funny business this morning. Apparently my brain-dick connection was malfunctioning. I adjusted in my seat awkwardly as she came over to the table. Conner and Malcolm were sitting across from me, looking at me shifting around and crying with silent laughter. I would kill them later.

I swear every male head in the hall turned to look at her as she sat down a few seats diagonal from me. I had the perfect view of the low scoop of her dress, revealing just enough-erhem, wanna stop there before you go any farther buddy? Not really, but I guess it's in my best interest. I was mentally slapping myself when Kevin sat down beside Vic and put his arm around her. He leaned in and said something to her, probably telling her how gorgeous she looks which I couldn't really begrudge him since it was true. I still wanted to sock him a good one. Wouldn't be such a pretty boy with blood spurting from your nose now would you? Em, violent much? It's not like I'm actually going to do it.

"Hey Teddy bear," Mayris kissed me on the cheek and took a seat beside me. Call me that one more time…I dare you.

"Hi Mayris," said, intentionally avoiding using her pet name. She didn't seem to notice or care. "What's doing?" She looked at me blankly. I have a habit of using a lot of obscure slang. Of course Vic would have known what I meant… "I mean what's up." I explained.

"Oh," She wrinkled her nose. "Not much, just looking forward to our date." Well, that makes one of us. "What are you looking at?" She asked noticing my lack of attention. Shit.

"Nothing," I snapped my gaze away from Vic. I felt a little guilty for ogling a girl who isn't my girlfriend, not to mention is someone else's. But she is my girl. Yeah right! My pessimistic side snorted at me. She's only your girl in your convoluted, fucked-up fantasies.

"Ok," She said a little suspiciously. "If you say so."

"Sooo,"I turned the conversation in a safer direction. "Where do you want to head to today?" Pleas not-

"I was thinking Madame Puddifoots sounds lovely." Bloody hell.

VPOV

When I caught Teddy staring at me at breakfast I started to reconsider my decision to let the girls have free reign over my appearance. Teddy has never looked at me like that before. It must look like I've grown two heads. Being part Veela and all I have always felt the pressure to look perfect…I just usually don't want to put forth the time and effort it takes to do so. Teddy very rarely sees me in anything other than jeans and a t-shirt, sometimes his old t-shirts. The only times I really dress up are holidays and the first day of school. The dress I am currently squeezed into is one my Maman gave me for my birthday. I think she hopes that by buying me nice clothes I might feel guilted to wear them and thus be at least a little fashionable. I do feel honestly bad for my mom sometimes. I mean she has two daughters and neither of us will so much as go shopping with her most days.

I felt an arm settle around me and looked up to see Kevin now sitting beside me. Yippee-kay-fucking-yay this was going to be a long afternoon.

We breakfasted and talked for about an hour, during which I did my absolute best not to catch sight of Teddy and Mayris from the corner of my eye. Sometimes I really wonder how he stands her. I really do.

"You about ready to go?" Kevin asked.

"Er…yeah I guess." The sooner you start this the sooner it's over. I told myself in what was meant to be an encouraging tone. It wasn't. You're the one who wanted this. Yeah well I was mentally unstable at the time during which this decision was made.

Your first few times in hogsmeade village are truly magical, after that it sort of starts losing its appeal. You can only see the shrieking shack so many times before your interest becomes feigned. Honeydukes is good for a bit of a pick me up and quality quidditch supplies is always nice for a look, but by your sixth year the only real reason you go is to sit in the Three-Broomsticks drinking butterbeers with you fiends and escaping from the school atmosphere.

I can still remember my first hogsmeade visit. Teddy had been so excited to show me everything. Since then we had come together on every hogsmeade weekend if only to sit in the pub. That is until this year of course. Now we were both here…but with the wrong people. I just dearly hoped that he and Mayris didn't show up in Madame Puddifoots.

"Here we are," Kevin grinned as he held the door to the tea room open for me. I smiled and thanked him as I stepped into the stuffy little parlor and sealed my doom.

We were led to a little corner table and Kevin pulled my chair out for me ever the gentlemen. We were pouring over the drink menus when I heard a little bell tinkling. I looked up involuntarily and blanched. There stood Teddy hand in hand with Mayris who was giddily requesting a table for two. I forced my head back down and bid myself to concentrate on the coffees, camel macchiato…apple cinnamon…almond and vanilla…oh shite their table is directly across from ours! This was so not going to be good. "Are you okay?" Kevin asked. I smiled tightly and nodded my head jerkily.

"Yep," No! No, curse me now!

A plump, older woman came over to take our order. She was dressed in shades of sickly pink and presumably Madame Puddifoot herself. Instead of telling her to piss off like I wanted to I ordered a pumpkin pie latte. Once she had taken our orders and our menus we sat in uncomfortable silence. What was I supposed to say, 'so how about those venomous tentaculas'?

"So…how about those venomous tentaculas in herbology," I said awkwardly.

"Yeah, real pieces of work aren't they." Oh my god! I'm on a date and I start talking about school!

"Do you have any idea what you want to do when we get out of here? I'm hoping to go into healing." Hey, at least I'm not talking about the weather, yet.

"Er…well I'm really good at charms…I'm sort of interested in the accidental magical revearsal squad."

"Sounds like a great plan to me. Teddy wants to be an aurror but I think he should play pro-quidditch or go into advanced healing. He's the one who splinted my leg you know."

"Oh," Shit! Can I not stop thinking and therefore talking about Teddy for two minutes? "That's cool, I guess." I was thankfully spared continuing this line of conversing by Madame Puddifoot arriving with our drinks. I immediately tucked in to mine with vigor.

"Mmm," I commented. "This pumpkin pie latte is sooo good! Do you want to try it?"

"I'm more of an apple spice man myself, but I suppose I could hazard a taste." As we traded cups for a sip I chanced a look up and saw Teddy looking at us with distaste. It's not like he has any right to look at us that way! He's not jealous. He's just being an ass! "That is pretty good." Kevin said appreciatively.

"Yours too," I replied, trading back cups. I looked up and caught Teddy's eye, but jerked my gaze quickly away. He was now holding Mayris's hand across the table. I felt sick.

TPOV

Mayris reached across the table and I took her hand grudgingly. I couldn't believe Vic over there, smiling and laughing, trading cups and being all chumy; she hates this place! We used to make fun of the all the couples in here. I seriously wanted to punch this Kevin guy. I was doing my best to keep my cool and focus on Mayris. Maybe if I looked like I was having an okay time this plan would still work.

"Are you okay Teddy?" Mayris asked. "You look a little strained." I laughed nervously and saw Vic look up. She knew my nervous laugh all too well.

"Of course I am," I smiled. "Just a bit tired after last night's celebrations."

"Oh right, naturally." She giggled. Madame Puddifoot arrived with our food and we dropped our hands. I was extraordinarily thankful that my friends were not here. They would never let me live it down. Here I am with a heart-shaped puff and a pink cup of who-knows-what to drink.

As we ate in silence I seethed. I couldn't believe he brought her here of all places. At least I would have known better than to bring Vic here! And that matters how, exactly? It doesn't.

"You look really nice by the way." There, that sounds like something a boyfriend says.

"Thank you," Mayris giggled in her cute little way. Or at least I used to think it was cute. I sighed in relief when Vic and Kevin left. No more watching him fawn over her. And then it hit me. I now have no idea what they're doing. They could be shagging for all I know now! "Teddy, are you sure you're alright?" I looked around and saw that I had jumped out of my chair.

"Yeah, fine. I'm just going to the loo." I hurried off and barricaded myself in a stall of the men's room. Had I really just used the "loo" line? Oh god I did. This has to stop. It has to stop now! So maybe if I just follow them and-no! There will be no stalking. I sort of hate my sense of reason.

I returned to the table and sat back down. "Sorry."

"It's alright. Are you ready to go?" Was I ever? Hopefully the cold will shock me back to myself…okay, so maybe I was hoping to keep tabs on Vic. Either way I was well shot of the tea room. I held the door and breathed deeply for the first time in an hour. Oh the sweet smell of fresh air. Or more correctly sweet lack of smell of vanilla and chocolate. "Where would you like to stop first?" Mayris asked as she grabbed my hand.

"Why don't you choose?" I should have known better than to say this. You give a girl free reign over shopping and you're lucky to escape within a few hours. I just smiled and nodded at everything she held up and waited patiently lost in my thoughts about how Vic doesn't like shopping much. Why can't all girls be more like her?

"Is there anything you need to get?" Mayris asked finally after three hours of torture.

"Er…I could use some broom polish." I knew that the store would bore Mayris out of her mind but it would also give her nothing to talk about and no way in bloody hell was I going to spend any more time making conversation. I had been lucky to survive so far. Vic is the only one I have ever been able to talk to for an unlimited amount of time. We never run out of topics and the long talks never feel pushed. We just start-up and three hours later realize that we're still going.

"Oh," Mayris wrinkled her nose. "Okay." She stepped through the door to Quality Quidditch supply like a curse would be set off when she crossed the threshold. As we entered I scanned around for my real reason for wanting to come here…it just so happens to be Vic's favorite store. I located her and Kevin over by the Nimbus display. She was happily chattering about the latest model while he stared dumbfounded. He looked as bored and Mayris. Ha! He's bored now? Vic can go on for hours about broomsticks. I taught her everything I know. At least I know now that they aren't off shagging. I made my way to the polish as slowly as possible, keeping my ears open to their conversation. Mayris dragged her feet behind me. I took as long as was possible to pick out a jar of broom shine and by the time I had checked out I was reasonably sure that Vic and Kevin weren't going anywhere anytime soon.

"Teddy bear," Mayris said as we left the store walked down the lane.

"Yes,"

"Can we go back up to the castle?" Greatest idea you've had all morning.

"Sure," I checked my watch. It was already four o'clock so I wasn't complaining. I would be thrilled just to sit down.

When we reached the Gryffindor common room it was still deserted. Everyone was either still in hogsmeade or they were cramming in a bit of studying for tomorrow in the library. I waited as Mayris deposited her many bags in her room and came bouncing back down the stairs. Sometimes I wonder where she gets all her energy. I wonder if there's a charm for that…

"So Teddy…" Mayris sat down next to me on the couch and rested her hand on my bicep. "What do you want to do?" She asked with plenty of innuendo.

"Well I need to work on my Transfiguration essay." I said lamely.

"You didn't have anything a little more fun in mind?" Well I could do my charms homework…

"Not really."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, actually I think I'll run up and grab my books." I ran off to my dormitory before she could get in another word. She looked thoroughly put out when I returned with my schoolbag. "So yeah…er I guess I'm off to the library then if you want to come.

"Oh, no not really. I might write home and then spend some time with my friends."

"Good, yeah great." I took off as quickly as was possible without being rude. I was going to shamelessly lock myself up in the library and hopefully avoid both Mayris and Vic for the rest of the night. Dinner? Well I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

VPOV

I had talked about brooms for just about as long as I could stand…and that's saying something. I knew that I had lost Kevin's attention about an hour in but didn't have the heart to care. I wasn't used to fishing for topics. With Teddy conversation comes naturally. We can talk for hours without realizing it. Kevin? Not so much. He wasn't a big talker and he wasn't well versed in quidditch so I ended carrying on a very verbose conversation about brooms with myself. Teddy came in at around three thirty and bought some broom polish. Funny, I thought he had a full bottle in his trunk.

"So there you have it," I told Kevin as we left quality quidditch supplies, "the complete history of the nimbus line."

"Fascinating," Kevin smiled at me gently. He really wasn't mocking me but he also wasn't being truthful.

"Look Kevin," I pulled him off the road and over to a small clump of trees. "I know I've been boring the pants off your for the past three hours." I stated plainly.

"No you haven't." He objected.

"Yes, yes I have." I held up my hand when he opened his mouth to disagree. "It does no good to lie Kevin." He shrugged sheepishly.

"So maybe it wasn't the most interesting subject in the world, but I did learn something. It wasn't that bad." We both laughed. I leaned up against a tree trunk.

"So," I began. "What's the plan now?"

"Well," He walked toward me. "I was thinking this," He said placing his hand on either side of me against the bark, "and then maybe this." He leaned in closely. Let him do it. Just do it! And I did. He closed the distance between our lips and I didn't move. I just stood there like an unresponsive statue. Nice. His lips were warm and soft against mine but I didn't feel anything else just the facts. Kevin pulled away and I stared hard at the ground.

"I'm so sorry." The words tumbled from my mouth like vomit. "I really am I just don't…feel anything." I grimaced. To my surprise Kevin wasn't upset.

"You know I really hope he figures out what he could have." Kevin said with a small smile.

"What?" I asked nonplused.

"I've always known you're in love with him, but I hoped that maybe you would feel something once you got to know me a little more. Hell I wondered if it would even matter who I was. I'm not him."

"I'm really sorry-"

"Don't be," he cut me off. "It's fine. It really is. My expectations weren't high." I heaved a sigh.

"If it's any help, if it was anyone other than him it would be you." I said.

"That's nice I guess." Kevin laughed. "Anyway," he held out his hand, "friends?"

"Friends," I confirmed shaking it. "Do you want to walk up to the castle together?"

"Sure," We talked as we walked up to castle. We spoke so much more freely as 'just friends'. I could really see Kevin as a good friend. "If there's anything I can do, just let me know." He said as we reached the common room and parted ways to get ready for dinner.

"Thanks," I said, really meaning it. "Oh Kevin," I stopped him as he reached the stairs to his dormitory. "Abigail Mason," I said smirking. "She has a really big crush on you. She's been giving me the stink eye all month." And with that I skipped up the steps to my room leaving Kevin with his mouth agape and without a chance to reply. Even if I didn't have Teddy I was better off single…but who says a girl shouldn't have friends?

There it is, the long-awaited hogsmeade trip. What do you think of Kevin now? Leave some love while I try to get the next chapter up for you soon!

XOXO,

Batty