A/N: This took a lot longer than I thought it would to be able to post. It was one of the few files on my laptop that were in Microsoft '07 format and I didn't have that on my computer ever since it got fixed and completely emptied of any programs. Luckily, right before my trip I convinced my mom to let me have her disk for it so I could register this on my laptop again. Now I'm home and ready to post it. The next (and last) chapter will be out within the week.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize from the Harry Potter world. And I don't own the prompt ideas; those belong to this complete odd ball that's called Brandon, even though I constantly call him Brian instead. :P

Chapter 10: Chicken
Ages 14 & 12

Victoire woke gasping for breath. That had been one of the scariest, weirdest dreams she'd ever had. A giant killer chicken? Who dreamt about things like that? Even with the absurdity, she found herself looking around the room, using the pale moonlight to allow her to see. When she was secure in the fact there was no chicken intent on pecking her head off while she slept she laid down again. She had a hard time getting back to sleep as she was surrounded in the silence of the night. That's until she started to hear creaks and bumps from what she assumed was the hallway. Her eyes popped back open, staring at the door as if she were willing her eyes to be able to see through it.

You're being silly, she told herself for the second time that night. No one unpleasant is in the house. It's probably just the wind knocking things over through the open window in the hall. She snuggled back in bed content with the excuse, but still her nerves didn't rest. It was this house she decided. It wasn't hers and she wasn't used to it. She regretted not joining her family immediately on their visit to France, but her closest girl friend was having a big birthday party and she didn't want to miss it. She was to join them in two days time and she hated the thought of staying another night here.

It felt like no time had passed when she heard the noise again and couldn't help but be frightened. She knew the only way she'd fall back asleep was going out there and making sure there was nothing to be afraid of. Standing just in front of the door, ready to reach up for the handle, she told herself nothing was going to be out there and then she'd be able to go right back to sleep. With a brave nod she reached for the handle and opened the door. She looked left down the hall and sighed happily; nothing that way. She turned to look to the right and only just stifled her scream. Someone, or something, was coming towards her from the far end of the hall.

"Hello?" she heard whoever it was ask quietly. "Is that you Victoire?

"Teddy?" she asked anxiously, recognizing the voice, but still not certain.

"Yeah," he said back softly. "It's me."

"Oh Merlin," she breathed in relief.

"What are you doing up?" he asked.

"Had a nightmare," she muttered embarrassed at the admission. "Then I heard noises in the house. Creaks and bumps. I thought…"

"You thought what?" he asked gently when she stopped talking, sensing she was nervous.

"That there was a giant killer chicken," she mumbled.

"I'm sorry," he asked stepping closer. "You thought there was what?"

She sighed, raising her voice slightly so he could understand her. "In my dream; there was a giant chicken. It pecked people's heads off and killed them."

Really, she gave the boy a lot of credit. How he managed not to laugh at her she'd never be sure. Instead he gave her a familiar smile and held out a hand to her. "I was just heading down for a snack. Care to join me?"

She nodded and accepted his hand, allowing him to lead her down the dark staircase. He didn't let go of her hand until they reached the kitchen and a light was lit. Silently, they moved to the cupboards and she poured them each a glass of juice while Teddy opened a tin of biscuits and selected a few for their plate. They didn't talk, instead each grabbing a biscuit and eating with the silent company. Though Teddy's company had always been comfortable, she found her self oddly unsettled with this situation. It was the middle of the night and the silence almost made it feel like they were sneaking around or some such rubbish. She half wished she'd just taken to her parents' first decision and stayed with one of her Aunts and Uncles or at her Grandparents. She hadn't done that though, she'd put up a fuss to be able to stay with Teddy and his Grandma since he'd be attending the party as well. She knew she'd be able to stay at the party longer and have more fun if she were allowed to stay until Teddy was since he was older and had different rules. Now, however, the silence made her wonder if staying here had been the best option.

When Victoire couldn't take the silence anymore she spoke up. "Do you know what you're wearing to the party tomorrow?"

He blinked, being drawn out of his thoughts, and looked up at her. Shaking his head he answered, "No, I'll probably just wear whatever's clean."

"You're such a boy," Victoire rolled her eyes teasingly. "I'm wearing my blue dress."

Teddy stared at her for a moment before responding. "You have a blue dress?"

"Teddy!" she scolded. "Weren't you sitting next to me when I opened my birthday presents?"

"Sorry if I don't remember all your clothes," he remarked dryly. "I'll try harder to remember."

"See to it that you do," she smirked. "My point," she went on, "is that you should wear nice clothes. Not just any old thing that smells okay."

"Got it," he nodded. "Of course, you know don't you, that my best close are my school uniforms?"

"Don't you lie to me Teddy," she laughed, knowing he was just trying to get a rise out of her. "You and I both know you have a nice button up shirt Aunt Hermione gave you for when we go to Muggle towns."

"That black and grey one?" he wrinkled his nose. "I don't want to wear that."

"First, it's more of a white than black and grey," she told him. "Second, you look nice in it and you know you'll end up wearing it anyway. Third, well, I have no third because I grouped it with two."

"Fine," he sighed. "I'll wear the shirt, but I'm not wearing dress slacks with it."

"Deal," she beamed. "You can wear jeans." She went back to eating her biscuit all too aware of the fact Teddy was still looking at her. When she lifted her head to meet his eyes she saw his amusement clearly written on his face. "What?"

"Oh nothing," he smiled.

"Tell me," she half whined, half demanded. He didn't relented and eventually sent her back up to bed, saying she needed her rest for the party tomorrow.

It was after the party and Victoire was fully exhausted. She couldn't wait to just stumble into the guest room she was staying in and collapse on the bed, possibly even sleeping in her dress. There had been so many people there and she'd stayed out longer than she was used to. It was tiring, she decided, having a lot of friends. Though she didn't consider all the party guests her friends, she was friendly with them all for the sake of her best friend. She'd ended up being the "go to girl" so to speak at the party. "Vic can you help me with this?" "I'm not sure, ask Victoire." "Oh no, Sam's coming over here. Quick! Victoire, tell him you don't know where I went." She wasn't complaining of course, this was her best friend and she did what she could to make the party a success for her, but it was a draining job, being best friends with the birthday girl.

It was with a little sigh of happiness that she bid Teddy goodnight and opened the door to her room, kicking the shoes from her feet towards her bag of stuff. She removed the clips from her hair as she moved towards the dresser and ran a brush through the soft strands. When she replaced the brush on the dresser she decided that was all the bed-prep she was up for and walked sleepily towards the bed. Pulling the covers back, she stifled a scream at the sight that greeted her. There, lying without a care against her pillows was a stuffed chicken. She never seen it before and its appearance, after last night's nightmare, was startling. It wasn't until she picked it up between two fingers, with every intention of removing the offending thing from her room, that she saw the note resting beside it.

Thought you could use this chicken to scare off the killer ones.
Sleep tight,
Teddy