The Chapter you've all been waiting for! Hope you enjoy! Please review!
Victoire and Elaine were anxious once James had left. Speculation ran wild as to why James had reacted in such a way, from the most outrageous being that Edward Knots was a serial killer who knocked up women and then killed them and his children to the most normal being that he knew him at the ministry. However, all they could do was wait for James to return, hopefully with an address. And Victoire had already decided that if James could get her an address tonight, she would go.
In the meantime, Victoire and Elaine had decided to occupy themselves with dolling Victoire up. "Try this blue dress I got at a maternity store in Diagon Alley. I probably won't fit into it for a few weeks, but since the twins make you a bit larger than me, it should fit you perfect," suggested Elaine holding up a light blue dress. "And the purple robes you're wearing would look very nice over it."
"Fine," sighed Victoire. "But my hair, it looks like my Aunt Hermione's!"
"No, my mum's hair definitely only looks like that after half a bottle of sleek easy's!" came a voice from behind them, causing both girls to shriek.
"ROSE!" exclaimed the two pregnant women, redirecting their attention to the doorway where the seventeen year old was standing.
"Relax, the house elves let me in, just got home for Easter break, thought I'd pop in to see my favorite cousin-in-law," replied the sixth year tossing herself down in a chair.
"Ahh…" said Elaine, waving her wand around Victoire's head.
"Honestly, I don't know what you're complaining about, I inherited not only my mother's unmanageable curls, but the infamous Weasley red. Worst. Hair. Combination. EVER," pouted Rose. "My life was destined to suck."
"Like your life is half as tough as mine right now, Rosie," scolded Victoire putting both hands on her engorged stomach as if to emphasize her condition.
"Yeah, how tough can it be to be pregnant and pampered?" asked Rose sarcastically. "I personally enjoyed it this fall for the sixth year project. Malfoy treated me like a princess."
"Yeah, well the whole being pregnant thing is a bit tougher when it's for real and your father is trying to pressure you into telling him who the father is so that he can castrate the poor sod," retorted Victoire with a snort at the thought of being a pampered princess.
"There, your hair looks great, your make-up is amazing, and well that dress, maybe I should give it to you to keep," said Elaine stepping back from Victoire.
"Ohh, I do hope that James lets me go tonight, I want to knock him off his feet," said Victoire, grinning at her reflection.
"Yeah, some get all the luck when it comes to the gene pool. I got stuck with red unmanageable hair, buck teeth, thank Merlin mum shrunk em, freckles and skin that refuses to tan, and ears that blush!"
"And you also ended up with more brains than most quidditch teams possess as a whole, beautiful blue eyes, a very perceptive nature, more than your fair share of bravery, and a loving heart," quipped Victoire. "Your parents determine more than your looks."
"Yeah, not everyone can be dashingly good looking, hysterically funny, amazing at quidditch, brilliant in school," came James' voice from the door. He seemed to have calmed quite a bit, in fact, he seemed a bit too calm. "Not everyone can be James Potter."
"Yes, that takes a higher class of arrogance, a supreme idiocy, an extra strong neck to support a giantly out of proportion head, and of course a delusion to actually believe all that about yourself," tossed back Elaine. "Get a grip James. No one likes you that much, not even your wife." James stuck his tongue out at his wife whose eyes widened before smirking and giving him a look that made him cower.
"Whatever, get out of here Rosie, go home, your mum is probably worried that you decided to try out your new apparating abilities. There should be some cake in the kitchen that the house elves made today, bring it to your family, make sure your dad shares," said James authoritatively taking everyone by surprise. Rose hustled out of the room.
"What was that for?" demanded Victoire. "We were talking to her."
"Yes, and I needed to talk to you two in private," answered James. "Now, I believe I have an address for a Mr. Edward Knots in Egypt and an international Floo pass for you."
"EGYPT!?" exclaimed Victoire. "What is he doing there?"
"He works in the department of Gringots and Relations, thus he spends some time there."
"Teddy works for Gringots! Do you think they know each other?" asked Victoire taking the address that James had written down and glancing at it.
"Oh, I'm sure they know each other, in fact, I think they know each other quite, intimately," replied James slowly.
"Hmm…" said Victoire, studying her appearance. "Do you think this looks good enough to see him?"
"Yup, just make sure you bring your wand, and maybe you should do that whole scary veela attack overreaction thing you and your mum do."
"I DO NOT OVERREACT! I have never overreacted in my life," exclaimed Victoire indignantly.
"And you've never been escorted out of the ministry by security either," quipped James with a sarcastic smirk.
"I DO NOT NEED THIS FROM YOU!" huffed Victoire, placing her hands on her hips angrily. James let out a small chuckle, infuriating her further. Spinning on her heel, she headed out of the room with barely a glance at Elaine who had retreated to a chair tiredly.
"What, no thank you for all the help I gave you? Who found Edward for you?" called James, watching her disappear down the hall. Smirking, he turned to Elaine. "So, now that we're alone, do you want to revoke what you said about me earlier?"
"What? About you being a pompous prat?" asked Elaine. "I meant every word… you are my pompous prat."
Victoire stalked from the room fuming about James. She did not overreact. And he was stupid. Didn't even give her any details about what to expect, but then again, did she want them. A plan formulating in her mind, she apparated to the International Floo Port.
James hadn't even told her why he had reacted like he had, did he know this Edward? By the time she had made it to the service desk, she was practically growling at the thought of how stupid her cousin was. Just giving her a pass with his stupid name on it. That wasn't an international floo ticket.
Victoire may not have realized it, but as she made her way through the flooport, men stopped and stared. Her long blond hair streaming behind her was a beacon of silvery light, and anyone who looked at her face couldn't help but see the intensity. Her bright blue eyes were glittering in a dangerously attractive way, and her delicately sharp features became beautifully intimidating. Her slightly swollen belly only attracted her more attention and added to the interest of the stunning veela who was practically throwing fire as she stormed through the building.
Coming to a halt at the counter, she tapped her foot impatiently as she waited in line. Smoothing her robes and tugging at the pale blue dress, she fidgeted for several minutes before finally getting to speak to the man at the counter.
"Welcome to the London International Flooport, how may I help you?" drawled the man behind the counter lazily.
"I need to get to Egypt," snapped Victoire, unintentionally directing her anger at the man. Looking up, he squeaked. "It's an emergency, and I thought I had a ticket, but my idiot cousin just gave me his stupid signature. Pompous idiot."
"Mr. Potter?" questioned the man nervously.
"Yes, James is such an idiot sometimes… wait how did you know?" asked Victoire as she realized she hadn't mentioned James' name.
"Aa-and are you Mm-Miss Victoire G. Weasley?" stammered the man as he glanced away from her face and noted her 'delicate condition'.
"Why yes, I am," said a surprised Victoire. How did he know who she was? She was one of the lower profile members of the Weasley-Potter clan and didn't attract much attention. After all, her father wasn't the next likely candidate for Minister of Magic, Harry Potter-Savior of the Universe and Auror, the owner of Weasley Wizarding Weezes, Ron Weasley- War Hero Extraordinaire/Harry Potter's best friend and Auror, or a Famous Dragon Keeper. Her mum wasn't a former international quidditch player, or the most brilliant witch of the time. Her parents were in fact, the least famous of all the Weasley men and women, an ordinary banker and his abnormally beautiful veela wife.
"Mr. Potter said to take extra good care of you, Miss Weasley. Please follow me, you will be taking the Auror Port." Coming around the desk, he offered her his arm and gestured for another woman to take over his post. "Now, you should be able to leave in about ten minutes, if that is alright."
"Yes," replied Victoire, mystified at how her cousin had arranged this.
"Would you like something to drink before you go? Tea, coffee, pumpkin juice?"
"I'm fine thank you," replied Victoire, amazed by the service. So this is what it was like on the other side, when you were as famous as James, Rose, Uncle Harry, Uncle George, Aunt Angelina and all of them.
"I'll leave you in the capable hands of the Auror Port Captain Byrd. Here is your ticket, and enjoy your trip."
"Thank you," replied Victoire. Wow, normally she hated international floo ports, but this was quite nice.
The ten minutes before she flooed were very nice, a floo attendant treated her like first class, pestering her until she finally accepted a cup of tea. The floo was very smooth, almost more so than normal. Then again, they had had someone to catch her and prevent her from falling or anything at the other end.
After brushing off the very little soot that was on her, Victoire headed out into the foreign city. It was later here, already dark. She glanced at the address before deciding it would be best to take whatever sort of wizarding transportation was in Cairo. Heading back into the flooport, she asked an attendant. Five minutes later she was on the Egyptian version of the Knight Bus, and headed to Edward Knots' home address.
The building was dingy, dark, and utterly disgusting. Why anyone would want to live there was beyond Victoire's comprehension. The staircase that led to the door was vile, and she had to prevent herself from looking too hard because she knew she wouldn't like what she saw. The open air hallway was deserted, but the hot dry evening air seemed like an oppressive companion breathing down her neck as she went to knock on the door. She had felt entirely relaxed and calmed from the convenience of the flooport, but gradually, the disgusting building was getting her irritated.
BANG BANG BANG!
Restlessly, she paced in front of the door. Casting a human revealing spell, she knew he was home.
Teddy Lupin moaned softly.
BANG BANG BANG!
What was taking so long? She had waited a full two minutes before knocking again. He might be in the bathroom, or in the middle of something.
The noise startled the unconscious man, causing him to fall off the couch, into a painful heap on the floor. Groaning, he clutched his head, registering that there was a large bump. What the fuck had happened? Was there a particular reason that James had decided to beat the shit out of him?
BANG BANG BANG! "EDWARD KNOTS?!" came a voice.
Now she was just impatient. Couldn't he answer the bloody door? Or maybe he was ignoring her until she left.
"Shit," murmured Teddy, trying to ignore the pounding in his head that the loud noise caused. Opening his eyes, he realized it was quite dark in his apartment, but he did notice a cold pack lying next to him. Sitting up, he grimaced, realizing how sore his entire body was. He should see a healer. Slapping the cold pack to the part of his head that was pounding the hardest, he staggered to his feet.
BANG BANG BANG! "EDWARD KNOTS! OPEN THIS DOOR RIGHT NOW! I KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE!" came the angry voice again. It sounded like the annoying secretary from the Gringots branch that he had to do all of his fake Gringots paperwork through. She would probably ask him why he was so beat up… muggles? That sounded wimpy but oh well.
"I'm a coming, stop yer caterwauling!" he muttered to himself, reaching for the locks, feeling totally disoriented. What time was it? How long had he been passed out? Had he missed work?
"I HEARD THAT KNOTS! OPEN THIS DOOR RIGHT NOW!" screeched the female on the other side of the door. Sighing, he opened the door a bit and leaned against the frame, resting the icepack on his head.
"Merlin woman, shut up!" he gritted out as her shrill voice funneled right into his ear.
"SHUT UP! SHUT UP?!" screeched the woman as he opened the door further. "YOU FUCKING BASTARD!" and suddenly, Teddy was under attack again, and all he could see was a bright silvery blur.
"Expelliarmus!" she shrieked, throwing him backwards, his wand flying out from wherever it had been. Teddy landed with a crash on the coffee table, feeling like he had broken his back.
"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL!?" he cried.
"YOU BASTARD! YOU COWARDLY IDIOT! YOU DUTY SHIRKING PRAT! DO YOU REALIZE HOW LONG I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU!? DO YOU REALIZE HOW INCONSIDERATE YOU ARE!? NO OWL COULD FIND YOU! YOU FUCKING BASTARD!" screeched the woman, picking up books that were laying around and throwing them around the room, some aimed at him, some not. He winced as she threw the teapot of his mother's at him. He couldn't help but sigh with relief as he caught it, jumping up to catch it. Even if it hurt like hell and his muscles protested the movement.
Once again on his feet, he finally got a good look at the blond storming around his apartment screaming about responsibility. Suddenly she turned on him, a flash of bright light coming from her wand as she shot a bat bogey hex his way. He barely dodged it, fearing for his well being. What was up with crazy people today? However, just as he dodged the spell, the woman stepped into the moonlight coming through the only window of the apartment.
"Vvv..Vi-Victoire?" he stammered, seeing the woman's face, and finally placing the angry voice. She however, didn't hear him and was now spouting spells. Dodging them, he dove across the room, avoiding a rather nasty stinging hex.
"I SHOULD BLOODY KILL YOU!" she screamed, causing Teddy to fear for his life. Victoire was scary, like her mum, when she was angry. In fact, she looked like she was about ready to start throwing fire any second now. She was, after all, sporting veela claws.
Another bright spell flashed near his ear, terrifying him. That one was definitely something she had made up, which meant it was probably a combination of pain and embarrassment. Dodging to his left, he thought about a way to get out of here, the secret door. He continued dodging around the room, throwing himself into spectacular dives, rolls, and jumps, until suddenly, he realized that the spells had stopped. Victoire was standing stock still.
"Teddy?" she asked in a small voice, the tip of her wand lit with lumos. He let out a relieved sigh and slumped into the chair behind him.
"Vic," he whispered.
"OH TEDDY! I'M SO SORRY!" she wailed, flying across the room, wrapping her arms around him, checking him to see if he was alright. He remained silent as she inspected him, using a spell on the blood from his fight with James, and fixing his split lip. She murmured some magical words and the pain from the bump on his head subsided. She wasn't a healer for nothing.
Teddy however was wrapped up in looking at her. It had been months since he had seen her. First was the embarrassment of James' wedding, and then, well. That was what he couldn't stop staring at. The pronounced bump seemed misplaced on Victoire's small body. He had known she was pregnant, but actually seeing it was different. He had an overwhelming urge to feel it, just to see if his eyes were deceiving him, because, they just had to be.
"Poor Teddy, I'm so sorry, I didn't think I hit you with anything," she said, crying as she healed him.
"Wasn't all you," he said reassuringly. She gave him a confused look through her tears. "You only got me with that expelliarmusspell, the rest, the rest was someone else."
"I'm, I'm just so… I thought you were someone else. I thought you were Edward Knots," she said, an embarrassed flush covering her cheeks. Teddy's shoulders sagged. This was when he had to come clean.
"Vic," he said, causing her to look up from the spot she had been staring at on the floor. She was kneeling next to his chair, getting up he ran a hand through his longish hair. "I am Edward Knots."
"W-what?" she said blankly as he paced the room.
"I'm so sorry, I'm the one who should be apologizing to you. I am Edward, he's my alias in Egypt. I'm not really working for Gringots, I'm a spy for the ministry that was planted in Egypt. That's my false identity. And, well, I… I should have come clean the morning after James' wedding. But, you, you are you, and I'm me, and I panicked, and then after you saw me, you just rushed out, and I couldn't bear to hurt you more. And I just couldn't face you, I, I couldn't handle losing you. I've lost too many people I love to lose you too, even if it meant lying to you. And then, and then…."
"You're Edward?" she asked in a small voice.
"I morphed… it was panic, I'm so sorry," he said hanging his head. "I just, I just, I love you so much, Vic. And we were trashed, I don't remember it if it makes you feel better, but I know that must have been… I have loved you for so long, and I'm sure it's my fault. I… I was just too afraid you would reject me and then I'd lose my best friend," he said. "And then… well… I couldn't face you, and then… well then… It's all my fault."
"DAMN RIGHT IT'S YOUR FAULT LUPIN! YOU FUCKING BASTARD! HOW COULD YOU!? HOW COULD YOU LIE TO ME, AND THEN JUST LEAVE ME LIKE THAT? YOU KNEW! YOU KNEW! HOW COULD YOU JUST LET ME WONDER!? YOU'RE WORSE THAN I EVER THOUGHT YOU WERE! HOW, HOW COULD YOU! YOU KNOW ME!?" exclaimed Victoire getting to her feet.
"Vic," said Teddy, cautious as she grew upset again. "I'm sorry I lied to you, but I figured… I understand... I understand you may never want to talk to me again, but I love you… and well, even though… well I did the math, and I wrote you a letter. Can…. Can I get it? Cause, even though they aren't mine, I… I would do anything for you… and your babies… And…" he stammered, trying to calm her down, hoping he could get her to read the letter he had written.
"WHAT!?" she screamed. She had paced the floor, obviously restraining herself from strangling him as he talked.
"I… it would be easier if I just let you read the letter," he replied dejectedly. Getting up, he cautiously made his way to his secret door, and into the other apartment. She followed him, unreadable, and he quickly retrieved the letter, handing it to her. Walking into the other room, he sunk onto the comfortable couch as she paced and read the letter. Teddy was embarrassed, bracing his head in his hands. "I wasn't… I wasn't sure if I was going to send it yet. I think… I would have waited until right before… to give the father, a chance to step in," he said as she read. This was awkward. He felt pure shame at being caught as Edward, and now having to tell her that he loved her when she obviously wanted to kill him.
Suddenly she was looking up at him, her eyes filled with tears. "You bloody idiot!" He winced. "You ARE the father!"
"What? No, I did the math, you can't con… not that you… I'm not stupid Vic, as much… as much as I wish they were mine," said Teddy.
"TEDDY LUPIN! THESE BETTER BE YOUR CHILDREN!" she exclaimed clutching her belly. "BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH I DON'T ACTUALLY REMEMBER SLEEPING WITH YOU, I KNOW I HAVEN'T SLEPT WITH ANYONE OTHER THAN EDWARD KNOTS!"
"What? But you're due August 1st. That's a month too early for me to be the father," argued Teddy, not wanting to believe it. He had already had his hopes dashed once.
"TEDDY!" laughed Victoire although Teddy couldn't see the humor in the situation. "I'M HAVING TWINS!" He stared at her blankly. "Twins are born early! I won't be able to carry them full term, my due date was September 1st, but it got moved to August when we found out it was twins. They are your children!"
"Really?" said Teddy, his face brightening. It made sense. After all, sixth year, Orion's twins were born before anyone elses' children. Of course he was stupid. That was nothing new.
"Yes!" exclaimed an elated Victoire. Grinning, Teddy launched to his feet, sweeping Victoire into his arms. "Believe me, there is no other possible candidates for the father. At all, ever."
"Vic, I'm soo sorry, I never would have… I would have come forward months ago. I'm so sorry you had to go through this alone, but… I… I didn't want to step in where I had no business until I was sure that any other man was out of the picture. I didn't know if you loved him, and I didn't want… I wanted you to be happy, even if it wasn't with me, as long as you were taken care of," he rambled.
"How could I love another man? I've always loved you!" interrupted Victoire. "Since at least third year!"
"What?" interjected Teddy. "I… Me? Third…" Victoire silenced him with their first sober kiss as a couple.
After Teddy had caught on, and they breathlessly broke apart, Victoire smiled up at him. "Oh Teddy, I can't believe you are that dumb…"
"Hey! I did discover a cure to lycanthropy," he protested.
"Yes, you did…" replied Victoire. "So did you mean what you said in that letter?"
"Every word."
"I love you too, Teddy Lupin," said Victoire, causing Teddy to look surprised yet again before he smiled and kissed her soundly.
"Merlin, we were stupid," murmured Teddy as he kissed along her jaw. "I wish I remember what happened that night, what kind of confessions must have occurred."
"If we had remembered it the next morning we could have gotten together months ago. After Edward, or who I thought was Edward, I decided I would date other guys to make you jealous, but that didn't work because you weren't around. And then well, I found out about these two," replied Victoire, startling slightly as Teddy let his hands feel the bump that was their growing family. It was almost surreal, impossible that the twins in there were his.
"I avoided you. I was embarrassed that I had probably taken advantage of you in your drunken state, and then I just wrapped myself in my work to try and forget about you."
"You didn't take advantage of me, believe me, it would have been mutual."
"I'm so sorry, Vic," said Teddy, tears filling his eyes unbidden. "I love you, so much."
"Teddy Lupin, I've waited years to hear those words. I love you too," whispered Victoire, tears running down her cheeks as she embraced her longtime friend and love. Teddy grinned as he kissed away the tears.
Meanwhile, James Potter was sitting in bed, a forgotten magazine in his lap, staring at his wife with a dumbfounded expression.
"You want what?" he asked incredulously.
"Melting chocolate and pickled pigsfeet," confirmed Elaine as he visibly winced.
"That's just plain disgusting. I refuse to enable you to eat that."
"But you got it for me last time," whined Elaine giving him a pouty look that he wouldn't be able to resist. He winced remembering the time during their sixth year pregnancy project when they had been partners.
"Last time was the last time I get something like that for you. It was disgusting then too, honestly, I can't believe I catered to your cravings like I did," he protested.
"But James!" she said sweetly with a hidden mischief in her eyes. "When you got me chocolate covered pickled pigsfeet at three in the morning, that's when I knew you weren't just any other guy."
"I'm still not just any other guy," he retorted, very much not wanting to go to the muggle grocery at this time of night to pick up something that disgusting which he would then have to watch her eat with relish. "I'm your husband."
"You got it for me last time," she pouted prettily. Sighing, he finally gave in.
Standing, he reached for his wand so he could get dressed to go out. "Last time I spoiled you," he muttered, pulling on a pair of jeans. From the bed, Ellie smirked contentedly. He couldn't help but want to smile as he saw her, propped up against the pillows, a big book in her lap. Unable to help himself, he leaned across the bed, placing a kiss on her smirking lips. Shoving his wand in his pocket, he headed for the door, wanting to pick up his jacket which was downstairs.
"James," she said, stopping him. Turning he looked at his wife, her long brown hair up in a messy ponytail and wearing his old Gryffindor Lions House Team T-Shirt. "You know you wouldn't be breaking the vow if you told me what was up with Edward Knots?" He nodded. "Why did you react the way you did?"
"What if I told you that Teddy Lupin has been utterly lovesick over Toire since about fourth year?" asked James, skirting the question.
Elaine gave him a funny look before grinning at something. "I'd say that I already knew that. Mark my words, all that sexual tension will build up until one day… BANG! Victoire will start to tear Teddy's clothes off with her teeth, or maybe her veela claws. One of the two."
"What if I told you that Teddy Lupin has a secret identity because he's working as a spy for the ministry in Egypt, and that he uses his Morphing abilities to maintain this secret identity?"
Elaine gasped. "NO!" James smirked, happy to know something that his wife didn't for once. Sometimes she was a bit of a know-it-all. "His alias wouldn't happen to be Edward Knots?" James laughed at her expression.
"Your face!" he laughed loudly, unable to help himself from amusement at her shocked expression.
"You do realize that they are probably tearing off each other's clothes with their teeth right now?" pointed out Elaine with a raised eyebrow after his mocking laughter had subsided a bit. James face fell and went from one of amusement to murderous rage and horror.
"Your face!" echoed Elaine laughing.
"NOT FUNNY ELLIE!" he stormed. "BAD MENTAL IMAGES!"
"Nevermind James, just go get my chocolate covered pickled pigsfeet." James seemed to concede and left the room looking shell shocked and more than a bit upset. Elaine looked back down at her book, shaking her head and smiling slightly.
"Do you really think?" asked a frantic James a few seconds later, causing Elaine to look up and see that he had returned… without her pigsfeet… obviously.
"James, if they were us, what do you think we would be doing?" she said exasperatedly.
"I'm going over there!" he declared rashly, pulling out his wand as if in preparation for an emergency apparition to the flooport, or the creation of an emergency portkey.
"JAMES!" exclaimed Elaine, launching herself out of bed very quickly for a pregnant woman. "What do you really think you're going to do?"
"Victoire! She needs… I need to make sure they don't do anything stupid!" he proclaimed as if he was going to be his cousin's knight in shining armor.
"James… I know this may come as a bit of a shock to you," said Elaine patronizingly. "But you can't get pregnant while you're pregnant." James gave her an even more petrified look.
"But…"
"She'll be fine. Teddy loves her, she loves him. He's one of your best friends, and she's a more than capable witch no matter what happens. Honestly James, she's already pregnant, what other shenanigans do you really think they could get up to?"
Please please review! BTW I stole that last line from JUNO, so if you recognized that. I couldn't resist using it... Thanks for all your wonderful support to help me write this chapter. It's the hardest chapter I've ever written. Anyways, thanks again for reading and reviewing! :)
Elaine A.