Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns Harry Potter.

Chapter 12

Teddy currently sat at the table looking at his watch. He was suppose to meet the person from the clothing brand, Isabelle. When Teddy called, an English woman had responded much to Teddy's surprise. She told him that the CEO would be available today and asked him to make reservations at a restaurant. It was now twenty minutes after their meeting time and this woman still had yet to show her face. Teddy wondered if this was just one big ploy and she was just going to blow him off to get back at him for the article.

Just as Teddy had almost given up waiting, a flustered woman came running into the restaurant. Everyone looked up at her before she made her way to the hostess. When the hostess pointed at Teddy, he was relieved, it seemed like she had indeed showed up. The woman had braided brown hair and was wearing a skirt suit.

"Are you Ted Evans?" she asked when she reached Teddy's table.

Teddy immediately stood up to offer her a handshake, "Yes, and you are?" Teddy had begun using Evans as a surname when he wrote editorials and such to keep his reputation as a serious journalist in tact. He decided to use Evans after Harry's mum.

The woman sat down, "Oh, right where are my manners. I'm Millicent Moreau."

Teddy scrunched his nose, "But the person who wrote the letter signed it as VW, you're not the person who wrote me the letter then."

Millicent nodded and placed her napkin over her lap, "Yes, I'm the person you talked to on the phone the other day. Vi," Millicent started but was cut off when the passing waiter spilled water onto her.

"I'm so sorry ma'am!" the waiter said apologetically while trying to dry her off with the napkins. Millicent held her two hands up as if to say it was okay.

"Sorry Mr. Evans but our CEO got held up this morning so she couldn't make it. She sent me in place, hope you don't mind," Millicent said in a business like voice.

Teddy shook his head, "S'no problem. Call me Ted. So what did you want to talk to me about?"

"Well you probably know why I'm here. That article really didn't do our company any justice and put us in an unfavorable light. As head of communications, I have to handle the press and such you understand," Millicent said. Teddy nodded for her to continue.

"I'm here to make a deal. You write another article about our company, one that is more accurate. In return, we can get you more stories in the fashion industry," Millicent started.

Teddy held his hand up, "Sorry to burst your bubble but I'm not interested in covering more tabloid news. The party was a one time type of deal."

"Right, I had a feeling you would say that, but, you don't necessarily have to be the one who covers the stories in the future. Think of it as an investment for your newspaper as a whole. I'm sure the arts and leisure section would be begging to get inside access to the fashion industry, especially since we have prominent connections in France. You're a guy, but I'm guessing there's a large target for news like ours?" Millicent said with confidence. She knew she had this in the bag.

Teddy looked at her warily, "I suppose I can do that. But I'll have to talk to my editor about it first."

Millicent nodded, "That's all I ask." Millicent waved to the waiter and asked him to bring over a bottle of chardonnay.

"Well, it's a pleasure doing business with you Ted," Millicent said as she stood up.

"Wait, you're not going to at least stay for a meal? You just ordered a bottle of wine," Ted asked.

Millicent pulled her purse up to her shoulders, "Consider it a gift from Isabelle. And I'd love to stay but I'm quite busy. We'll keep in touch though." With that, she whipped around and left the restaurant.

"You've got to be kidding me," Teddy chuckled.

"Wait, so she basically bribed you into writing another article?" Caleb asked in disbelief. Teddy nodded.

"And then she bought a bottle of wine and left?" Teddy nodded again and Caleb collapsed in laughter.

"Piss off you git," Teddy said as he rolled his eyes, "I've got to go talk to Mal about this now."

Mallory Greene was the editor in chief for the newspaper Teddy was working for in America. He was a stern man who did anything to increase his worth and the newspaper's reputation. Teddy had no qualms that Mal would indeed accept Millicent's proposal. After five minutes of explaining the set up to Mal, his boss had agreed and allowed Teddy to write another article and even praised Teddy for getting a follow up.

"It's a go," Teddy said as he gave a thumbs up to Caleb.

"Awesome, now let's open this baby," Caleb said as he popped the bottle of chardonnay.

Their celebration was cut short when Mallory almost walked in on the two of them taking sips of wine. Caleb decided that they would go to a club tonight since it was a Friday. Teddy agreed unwillingly, he had a knowing feeling that Caleb was trying to set him up again. This happened every time they visited the club, Caleb would get piss drunk and ask girls if they wanted to go out with Teddy. Teddy would always refuse politely before dragging Caleb home.

The club was in full swing by the time Teddy and Caleb arrived. As usual, Caleb pulled Teddy towards the bar and ordered two shots for them. "So, see any girl who might have a chance with the Ted Lupin?" Caleb teased as he nudged Teddy.

Teddy downed the shot; "We're not doing this today."

Caleb feigned disappointment, "C'mon man, you've been here for over a year. American girls not to your taste?"

Teddy chuckled before signaling the bartender for another round. "Don't mess around mate."

"You see that's what I'm talking about. Chicks dig that!" Caleb said excitedly.

Teddy gave a confused look, "Chicks dig me saying mate?"

Caleb shot Teddy an obvious look, "They dig the British act."

"I'm not acting British, I am," Teddy refuted.

"C'mon, I dare you to ask one of these girls out," Caleb suggest as he pointed around the room. Teddy shook his head and chuckled. Caleb was exceedingly persistent today and was surprised that his friend was less drunk then he was by the time their conversation ended. Caleb had been too busy trying to convince Teddy so Teddy drank enough for the both of them.

When Teddy had one too much drinks, he suddenly felt overly gallant. "Hey Caleb, which one of these girls did you say would like me?" Teddy slurred.

Caleb smile grew into a large grin, "How about that one," he pointed to a red head dancing in the corner.

Teddy squinted to see before he shook his head, "No, not her."

"Well how about that one?" Caleb suggested to a brunette that was sitting at the other end of the bar. Teddy shook his head once more.

Caleb searched the room before his eyes landed on a blonde that was dancing on the floor, "That one."

Teddy followed his friend's gaze and found the girl that Caleb was pointing at. Teddy took another sip of his drink before he got off the stool and started making his way toward the girl.

"Do you want to dance?" Teddy asked the blonde, he made sure to emphasize his English accent.

The girl looked ahead of him before smiling at him, "Sure." Teddy was caught off guard when she suddenly pulled him closer and started grinding on him. Despite being drunk, Teddy was slightly embarrassed at the girl's forwardness but he had to admit, it felt nice to be this close to a girl. He had been so focused on his career that he never had time for a social life anymore. And for some reason, she made it easy for him to enjoy himself; she had this allure about her that made him want to dance with her instead of all the other girls Caleb had suggested.

Suddenly he heard someone from behind him scream. When Teddy began to turn his head to see who was calling from behind, the girl turned to face him and pulled him down for a kiss. Teddy instinctively closed his eyes to sooth into the heated kiss. It lasted for only a few seconds but Teddy felt more then he ever felt with Kenzie or with any other one-night hook ups he had. But before he got a chance to do anything else, she pulled apart and leaned up to his ears. "Thanks for the dance," she said in a husky voice that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand. She let go of him and winked before running out of sight.

Teddy stood there speechless. He felt a tingling sensation in his stomach, his heart fluttered fast, threatening to explode at that moment. However, his daze was broken when someone pushed past him. The guy shot a killing look at Teddy before he left the same way the girl had gone.

Teddy remembered very little the next day. To his surprise, Caleb had actually been the responsible one for once and brought the two of them home. Teddy was drunk out of his mind but there was one thing he did remember, the girl who took his breath away.

Victoire's POV

Victoire was about to leave the office to meet the writer from the newspaper. She had pulled on her coat and grabbed her purse. She even made it down the elevator before Leon stopped her at the lobby. Victoire had stopped in her tracks when she saw her ex-boyfriend standing in the middle of the lobby. Victoire immediately started to turn away but unfortunately, Leon had spotted her.

"Victoire, wait!" he shouted.

Victoire stopped walking and took a deep breath. "It's alright Vic, you can handle it," she reminded herself before turning around to face him.

"Leon, I have a meeting right now. Can we deal with whatever excuse you're about to spute later?" Victoire said in a nasty growl.

"No, I'm not leaving until we talk," Leon demanded. He reached to touch her cheeks but she slapped it away.

"Don't touch me. We are not together anymore. It's over and I will never come back to you," Victoire snarled.

Leon calculated his thoughts, "Zen at least let me take you to lunch, I just want to talk."

Victoire threw her head back in submission, "Fine. But I have to do one thing. Wait here, I need to tell Millicent something."

Leon smiled and Victoire stepped back into the elevator. When she reached the top floor she looked around for her friend. "Millie, can you go meet that writer? Leon just showed up," she said while giving Millicent a knowing look.

"You sure you're going to be okay?" Millicent asked in a worrying tone. Victoire nodded silently before Millicent agreed to take her meeting.

Lunch was torture. Victoire sat opposite of Leon, mostly staring at her food and listening to Leon apologize and explain his side of the story. But it didn't matter what he said, it went in one ear and out the other. Victoire had decided that she didn't want Leon back and if it took her sitting through a whole lunch with him getting whatever he wanted to get off his chest, then she would.

"Well thank you for lunch," Victoire said in a robotic tone as she stood up to leave.

Leon looked at her with an odd look and before she could stop him, he had lunged forward and kissed her. She struggled a bit before she could pull him off of her. Victoire slapped him with such force that she hurt her own hand. "Don't ever kiss me again!" she raged before she stomped out of the restaurant. She didn't care how many people were staring; her anger could no longer be suppressed.

Millicent had to lock Victoire in her office when she returned to the building. Victoire was showing serious signs of her veela temper and that was not the kind of display she wanted the others to see, especially since most of them were muggles. When Victoire had finally calmed down, Millicent fetched her a glass of water, "So that scum just kissed you out of no where?"

"I'm starting to seriously wish for his early death," Victoire said while she gritted her teeth.

Millicent rubbed Victoire back giving her a weak smile. "Hey how about we go to the club today and get drunk." Victoire couldn't help but smile at her friend's attempt at cheering her up.

Victoire immediately ordered three shots when she arrived at the bar. She needed to cool down and just wash away her feelings after the day she had. "Come on, let's dance," Victoire said boldly and pulled Millicent with her to the dance floor. The girls dance for the next hour, just letting loose. They had also gotten a few offers from men who had been watching longingly to dance. And each time, Victoire just shrugged and agreed to dance with them. Millicent had apparently picked up a suitor she actually didn't find annoying so she left early. Victoire decided to stay longer, she needed to get everything out of her system.

She continued dancing until suddenly, she spotted the one person that enter the club who would make this cleansing night a waste; Leon had just walked into the club much to her dismay. Victoire decided that she wasn't going to leave on his account; she was there first and was determined to continue her fun. And she mostly hoped that the club was big enough for her to evade him. However, despite the fact that the club was relatively large and was very dim, Leon had spotted her once again. He was now heading towards her and she tried to plan her escape.

Victoire must have been concentrating too hard because she didn't even notice that a guy had just walked up to her. "Do you want to dance?" the man asked with a slurred speech. And however loud the club was, she noticed that he was speaking in an English accent. He was emphasizing it heavily, and perhaps it was just another American trying to impress her with an accent but she took it anyways.

She looked behind him once more and saw that Leon was currently preoccupied with trying to squeeze through the crowd. This was the perfect opportunity to distract herself and she hoped that Leon would take the hint. "Sure," she said before she pulled him closer to her. She turned around and started grinding on him to the music. Despite being so forward, she knew no guy could resist her and she was right. The man placed his hands on her hips and they swayed to the beat.

For some reason, the man's touch burned Victoire and it sent shivers up her spine. She had danced with many men tonight, but none of them managed to provoke the intensity she felt right now. Unfortunately, Leon had caught up and he was close enough that she heard him when he screamed. As much as she wanted to keep dancing in the man's arms, she had to leave before Leon caught her.

She decided to take things into her own hands; she turned around to face the man. The club was dim but even so, she could see his handsome features. He had brown hair, a strong jaw and was quite tall. She could tell because usually, her head would reach their noses but this bloke was actually a whole head taller then her. It was quite refreshing for her to not be with a guy where she was almost as tall as them. Victoire pulled his head down and kissed him, and it was enough to prove her initial thoughts. The kiss made her stomach lurch and as much as she wanted to continue to explore, she saw from the corner of her eye that Leon was coming.

Victoire pulled apart and leaned toward his ear, "Thanks for the dance," she said in her husky voice, the tone that she used when she wanted a guy to yearn for her. She had been doing it unknowingly all her life but it wasn't until Millicent had told her that she found out how useful it was at making men want her.

Her friend had asked her how to do it so she could attract more men to which Victoire embarrassingly revealed that it just came naturally to her. Millicent had understood and claimed for her that it was just one of the many tools in her repertoire of man catching tactics that Victoire had been graced with because of her veela blood. And her friend had been right and Victoire found herself using it more often. But this time in particular, she thought was most appropriate.

Victoire winked as she let go of him. Without another word, she ran through the crowds to escape Leon when he finally made it past the crowds separating the both of them. Despite being drunk, the passionate kiss had awakened her. Victoire didn't know why but for some reason, that kiss had left her with a familiar feeling. She couldn't quite place her finger on it, but she had felt the same way once before after she had been kissed.