J.K. Rowling owns.

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Teddy

The large group of kids made their way out to the tent in the garden. Although from the outside it looked as though it could hold no more than two or three people, inside was a much larger space, filled with cushions and blankets, comfortably fitting thirteen teenagers of varying age. They all found a space to sleep, but of course no one slept straight away, save the younger kids.

The older cousins sat in a circle, talking, the girls about crushes and gossip, the boys about Quidditch. Teddy didn't really pay much attention to it. He was more caught up in watching Victoire. He had had a conversation with Harry, which had put his thoughts into a whole new perspective.

"When you and Ginny got together," he had asked, "was it difficult going from being friends to being… more than that?"

Harry had considered this. "Well, yes, in some ways. She was my best friend's little sister, and I knew that I could never jeopardize my friendship with Ron. But when it actually happened… it felt right."

"But you were practically family! Did you ever worry about the risks?"

"Well, the risks weren't that great, I suppose. Well, the risk of death was definitely real. I didn't know if I'd survive what I had to do, and I couldn't put her in danger. We didn't know if we would live through the war. But we did and… we were lucky. We both felt the same way and we were lucky that we could be together. So the risk of losing my family wasn't that high." He looked knowingly at Teddy. "You know, no matter what happens, we will always be here for you," he said. "You are always a part of this family."

"Thanks," said Teddy.

"I'd tell her if I were you," Harry added, and walked away to speak to Ron before Teddy could protest.

So here he was, sat with his family, if only in spirit, thinking over this advice. Even when the last cousin had dropped off, Teddy was still awake, mulling it over.

Was it worth the chance of losing his family in the distant future, if he got to be with Victoire, right here, right now?

Yes.

But what if they broke up? What if things were so awkward that he felt pushed out, as though he could no longer attend family get-togethers because she would be there?

It might not end up that way. What if you stay together forever? Get married, have kids, the whole lot? That thought filled him with happiness, like a bubble.

But what if the worst happens, and you lose her friendship? There was no denying it. That loss would hurt more than losing the rest of the Weasley family put together. She had been his best friend forever.

But what if you get so much more than friendship?

Teddy got up, as quietly as he could, trying not to disturb any of the sleeping Weasley's. The tent, although larger than average, was too small to contain his whirling thoughts. He pulled on his Weasley jumper and let the tent, the cold night air hitting him like a slap to the face. The fresh air cleared his head. He ran a frustrated hand through his hair. He leaned against the fence that looked out to the field behind the house. How long he stood there, he had no idea. The same thoughts whirled around his head, making him lose track of time.

He needed to tell her. He didn't think he could hold it in much longer. He just needed to tell her. He needed to know, either way. If she felt the same (Teddy's stomach swooped) that would be… amazing. If she didn't… well, wizards had withstood much worse.

He wished he had asked her to the Christmas ball. That way she wouldn't have gone with Selkirk. Why had she gone with him? And if he had only asked her sooner…

"Couldn't sleep?"

Teddy whirled around. Victoire was walking towards him, in last year's Weasley jumper and her snitch pyjamas, her perfect hair waving slightly in the sharp breeze.

"No," he replied. It was difficult to make out her expression in the darkness. Their only light came from the distant moon. Teddy looked up at it. Tomorrow it would be full, a perfect circle. And he would be subjected to the horrible headaches. He was eternally grateful that the Wolfsbane potion had become more readily available; it was the only thing that helped.

"Me neither," Victoire said, standing next to him, gazing out across the field, shivering from the cold. "Do you remember when we were little and we used to stay up all night talking?"

Teddy nodded, his throat constricting slightly. He missed those times. "Things have… changed," he said quietly.

"I know."

They were quiet for a little while. Then Teddy plucked up the courage to ask something which had been bothering him for two days.

"What happened at the ball? Between you and Selkirk?" The change this brought over her was instantaneous. She seemed suddenly more withdrawn, closed off, and turned away from him slightly. Teddy wished he hadn't asked her, but he couldn't take those words back now. He carried on, "it's just that you seemed upset."

"I'd rather not talk about it," Victoire said, in such a small voice that Teddy kicked himself.

Teddy was angry now. If that arsehole had hurt her… "I'm sorry. Forget it. I was just…"

"I was such an idiot," she whispered, still staring out across the field. "I thought that he… liked me. That he wanted to get to know me. But he was just like all the others. Just better at hiding it." Although she wasn't looking at him, Teddy saw the moonlight reflecting off the tear that was sliding down her cheek.

"What did he do to you?" Teddy whispered.

"He didn't hurt me. Not… physically anyway."

"Please tell me," Teddy begged. "I'll imagine the worst."

"The truth isn't much better," she replied.

Teddy listened in anger as she told him what had happened. How he had taken her to an abandoned classroom, tried it on with her. In Teddy's opinion, she was lucky to have escaped.

"I should have realised what he was up to," Victoire continued. "But… I wasn't… in full control of my senses."

"What do you mean?" Teddy asked.

"Well, he… I'd only had one drink. He put something in my pumpkin juice. It wasn't his fault because I agreed, but he did sort of… blackmail me into it. But after that I didn't have any more. Or at least I thought I didn't."

"Are you saying…"

Victoire nodded, another tear leaking from her eye. "I was stupid enough to let him get me more drinks, and I only had pumpkin juice but he… he put alcohol in them anyway."

"He did what?" It took a lot of self control for Teddy to not shout that. That little piece of hippogriff dung.

"It was my fault really. I should have got my own drinks. I was stupid."

"Seriously Vic, this is nowhere near your fault. When I get my hands on that arsehole-"

"Please don't do anything?" Victoire begged. "You'll just make things worse. Just let it go, please."

"The guys spiked your drinks Vic, and you want to defend him? Really?" Teddy put his hand on her shoulder. "Listen to me. This was not your fault. Don't you think for a second that it is."

"But I suppose I did make it seem like I wanted to… you know. But I didn't, I really didn't. It was the alcohol, I wasn't thinking straight, oh no he's going to tell everyone and they'll all think…" She was really upset now. Teddy didn't know what to do, so he did the only thing that felt right. He pulled her close to him, one hand in her soft, smooth hair, one on her back, and let her cry into his shoulder.

"It's okay," he whispered into her flowery hair. He breathed in the scent softly, and felt a shiver that had nothing to do with the icy night air. She mumbled something into his chest, but he didn't quite catch it. Instead he held her closer, stroking her hair, whispering soothing words until her tears had subsided.

She pulled away slightly, and looked up at him, her tears glittering on her face. "Thanks Teddy," she whispered. "I know this seems silly… but now that I've let it all out…"

She was too close to him, her blue eyes sparkling in the moonlight. Their breath misted up in front of them, mingling together. Teddy couldn't help himself. He leaned closer to her. She closed her eyes, and Teddy closed the gap between then. Their lips met.

In that moment, the second in which their lips touched, Teddy felt as though fireworks were exploding inside of him. He couldn't think, couldn't comprehend anything other than the two of them. This feeling was amazing, fantastic… he would have said magical, but no spell that he knew could create such a perfect happiness as this. He felt her arms entwine themselves around his neck as she pulled herself closer to him, deepening the kiss.

How long they stood that way, Teddy didn't know. It could have been seconds, minutes, hours, and he wouldn't have noticed.

However, Victoire ended the kiss, by pulling away suddenly, breaking the spell. Her hand flew to her mouth and she backed away, stumbling over a dip in the grass. "I-I-I'm sorry," she stammered, turning around and almost running to the tent.

"No, wait, Vic," Teddy protested, but she was already at the tent opening. She turned around before entering, and the look she gave him almost broke his heart.

"I'm sorry," she whispered again, before ducking into the entrance.

Teddy sighed. His feet were frozen, but he didn't care. What had he just done? She had wanted a friend, and he had crossed the line. She had just opened up about her first romantic encounter, and the ordeal that had been for her, and instead of listening and being there for her, he had completely betrayed her.

But those swirling thoughts slipped away at the thought of the kiss, the feel of her warm body in contrast to the ice-cold air, the feel of her lips pressing against his, kissing him back, he was sure of it.

He would talk to her in the morning. He was tired, cold, and emotionally exhausted. He was about to make his way into the tent, when the image of both himself and Victoire, lying wide awake, knowing the other was also awake, without speaking, made him head for The Burrow.

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So, I've updated. Sorry to leave it hanging there! I'll be back in about a week or so.

Good luck to anyone collecting GCSE results tomorrow. Hope you all enjoy your last week of August.

Lots of Love

RoLouG