'I'm going to give you a chance to explain yourself,' Harry said to Teddy firmly,

'Nothing happened,' Teddy demanded, 'I promise,'

'You're sure?' Harry asked,

'Positive,' Teddy said, '…I can't believe everybody just assumed that,'

'Well what else could they assumed?' Harry sighed, '…two teenagers… spending the night together… wearing nothing but underwear-'

'That was just her-' Teddy intercepted,

'And then she comes down to breakfast in your jumper,' Harry said, 'it does have certain… implications,'

'It's just so...' Teddy began, 'so, embarrassing,' he cringed,

'I can't even fathom how awkward that must have been for the pair of you,' Harry said, 'although I almost believed it for a second,' he added honestly.

'What?' Teddy exclaimed,

'Well it was only yesterday that you expressed to me how strongly you felt about her,' said Harry,

'And you think I'd be able to wriggle her into bed just hours after that?' Teddy gasped,

'My sources do tell me that you're a bit of a ladies man,' Harry said, 'I wouldn't put it past you-'

'Downstairs,' Teddy spat, 'in the Burrow… with everybody staying upstairs,' he shook his head, 'who do you think I am?'

'You have a point-' Harry began,

'What kind of twisted world do you all live in?' Teddy exclaimed, 'as far as you're all concerned, we're practically related… and she's fifteen! I can't believe the thought even crossed anyone's mind!'

'You're right, Teddy,' Harry sighed, 'I'll talk to everybody later,'

'Thanks,' Teddy grumbled, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

'But I think you may have to deal with Bill, regardless,' Harry added quickly, looking away,

'Oh for fuck's sake,' Teddy hissed under his breath.

'Come on,' said Harry, 'let's join the others,'

The family sat awkwardly around the Christmas tree after Victoire's outburst. Mrs Weasley looked like she was close to breaking point, her fists clenched tightly on her knees.

'Right,' she said sharply, 'I think seeing as Hugo is so desperate, he deserve the first present,' she said, handing the jittering red head a parcel. He tore the paper from it excitedly, revealing a bright turquoise bobble hat, which he enthusiastically jammed on his head.

'Yes,' he exclaimed, grinning.

'Right,' said Grandma Weasley, 'as always there's a special present for everyone,' she said, handing out the lumpy packages. Victoire ripped hers open, revealing a pale blue jumper with a golden snitch knitted into the front, obviously a form of congratulations on making the team from her Grandmother. Everybody had his or her own jumper, as always. Victoire watched as Teddy unravelled his.

Peeling away the sheets of shining Christmas paper, Teddy revealed an emerald green sweater covered in bears. Teddy bears. It was an in-joke. He chuckled to himself lightly before pulling the jumper over his head.

'How do I look?' he asked, pulling a humorous pose,

'It doesn't matter how you look in it,' Dominique sneered, 'it'll be on Victoire by the end of the night,'

'Dominique, be quiet!' Fleur raged. Dominique froze.

Aside from the minor drama, the rest of the present wrapping went fairly calmly. Victoire was pleased with her presents, which lay lined up before her. She of course wore the pale blue snitch jumper, along with a brightly coloured pair of woollen socks. Her mother had bought her some expensive looking French perfume, which was stored in a delicate twisted class bottle, a dainty pink ribbon tied around the nozzle. On her wrist she wore her fathers present- a silver bracelet, threaded with clear beads, which claimed to go red when you've forgotten something. It was said that the design was based on the Rememberal. Harry and Ginny had bought her an expert broom-keeping kit- with special brushes and waxes for the broomstick to keep it in tip-top condition. Hermione had given her a shouting revision diary, 'in preparation for her O.W.L.S' which Victoire had nearly forgotten about until that point. After being given Hermione's gift, Ron had handed her a parcel containing a few chocolate frogs, apologising for the nature of his wife's present and mumbling something about 'not ruining Christmas,' George and Angelina gave Victoire her usual box stuffed full with Weasley's Wizard Wheezes products, it brought a smile to her face. Percy and Audrey's present was, as usual, based strongly on her studies. She was given a stack of books that Percy had said would be useful for background reading while doing her exams. Victoire pretended that she was thrilled with the gift. Last, but not least, Charlie had bought her some excellent dragon tooth earrings from his travels, which were encrusted with glittering gems.

On the other hand, Teddy's presents were just as satisfactory. Harry and Ginny had given him a new leather bound journal, with 'T. R. Lupin' inscribed into the front. Teddy took a moment to admire it, the smell of the fresh indigo leather one of his favourites in the world. Fleur and Bill's gift to him was an expensive French designer shirt, Teddy wasn't sure when he'd wear it, but nonetheless, the thanked them. George and Angelina gave him an identical gift to Victoire, although his package contained a higher ratio of stink bombs- and his present from Audrey and Percy was similarly a pile of revision books. Hermione had taken the chance to enchant a rucksack with the extending charm; ready for the year of travelling Teddy had planned for after he left Hogwarts. Teddy thanked her for the excellent thought.

After the present opening, Victoire decided it was about time she took a stroll in the back garden- to clear her head and get some fresh air. She was absolutely mortified by the morning's events. Teddy didn't feel much better about them either.

'I'm sorry about earlier,' Teddy panted, running after her,

'You didn't provide much help at the dinner table,' Victoire snapped, although she wasn't actually angry.

'I didn't know what to say,' Teddy retorted, 'it was a bit of a shock,' Teddy was relieved when Victoire chuckled.

'It's fine,' she shook her head, 'as long as everything's cleared up with the adults…'

'I can't believe they'd even suggest that!' Teddy shook his head,

'It's ridiculous, isn't it,' said Victoire. Teddy nodded,

'God,' he exhaled, 'your dad's going to kill me,'

'He wont,' said Victoire. It was silent for a long while, giving Victoire the chance to ponder what had happened that morning. Was it really such a ridiculous accusation? Well… of course they wouldn't have done it in the Burrow… but would she have protested elsewhere? God. What was she thinking? This is was stupid- of course she would have protested! She'd only just broken up with Drew… and Teddy was like a brother to her! Besides, they'd only just made up. And she was fifteen, for Christ's sake!

'Good,' Teddy breathed, 'So I guess it's own rooms tonight, then,' he said,

'Sadly,' Victoire mumbled,

'Sadly,' Teddy teased her, 'can't get enough of me, can you?' he winked,

'You're just as bad as the adults!' Victoire exclaimed,

'I'm kidding!' Teddy exclaimed, 'Somebody's a bit touchy…'

'I'm not touchy!' Victoire demanded, crossing her arms. Teddy raised an eyebrow at her.

'So, what now?' he asked,

'What do you mean?' Victoire sighed,

'What do you want to do for the rest of the day?' he asked,

'I dunno,' Victoire mumbled, 'avoid my parents at all costs?'

'We should go for a walk,' Teddy said, 'up that hill,' he pointed into the distance.

'Just me and you?' Victoire asked,

'Yeah,' Teddy shrugged, 'it could be fun,'

'I don't think they'd let us,' Victoire blushed, 'not after this morning's debarkle… I'm not sure everyone's entirely convinced that nothing happened,'

'How about we bring some of the others then?' Teddy said, after a moment of thought.

'Who?' Victoire sighed, Teddy shrugged.

'Just the older ones,' Teddy said, 'Me, you, Fred… maybe Dominique, Roxy and Molly?'

'Dominique,' Victoire groaned, Teddy frowned.

'She's a pain, I know,' Teddy sighed, 'but she'll demand to come even if she isn't invited.'

'You're right.' Victoire grumbled.

Within the space of an hour, Victoire found herself trudging up Morn Hill with her sister, Roxy, Molly, Fred and Teddy. Albus and James had begged to join them, but Harry had bribed them to stay at the Burrow with a game of Quidditch in the garden. Dominique, Roxanne and Molly strolled behind a few paces, nattering and gossiping about the numerous boys that Dominique had claimed to have asked her out during her term at Beauxbatons.

'She seems popular,' Fred muttered, Victoire laughed.

'Mm,' she said.

'How are you and that Jordan girl?' Teddy asked Fred as they walked single file up a steep path,

'Liza Jordan?' Fred asked,

'That's the one,' said Teddy. Fred shrugged,

'I dunno,' he said, 'I kinda like her, I guess,'

'Was she the one you took to the Yule Ball?' Victoire asked, 'with the braids?'

'Yeah,' said Fred, 'she's pretty,'

'I liked her dress,' said Victoire absent-mindedly, remembering Liza's electric blue frock. Fred nodded.

'How about you and Drew?' he asked,

'It's over,' Victoire sighed. Fred looked shocked.

'What?' he exclaimed, 'but I swear everyone thought you were perfect together,' something in Teddy's gut twinged.

'I thought we were,' said Victoire, 'but I was wrong,' she shrugged,

'When did it happen?' Fred asked,

'The Yule Ball,' said Victoire, 'it's no big deal,' she added casually. Teddy felt his insides roar with happiness at Victoire's claim that she was over the break up.

'And how about you, Ted?' Fred asked,

'Nothing's going on,' Teddy said,

'Pfft,' Fred spat, 'I haven't known you not to be seeing a girl since you were in second year,'

'Shove off, Fred,' Teddy semi-joked, Victoire looked at him poignantly.

'Oh really, Teddy?' she asked,

'Come on,' Teddy exhaled, 'I thought we were over this,'

'We are,' Victoire said. Fred looked at them suspiciously,

'Sooo…' he began, 'what did happen last night?'

'Nothing!' Teddy and Victoire said in unison, flushing pink.

'If you say so,' Fred muttered.

Once the six of them had clambered the hill, the stood at it's peak, staring over the tranquil landscape. They could just about see the Burrow- and tiny fly-like specs floating around near it. Harry and the boys.

'Let's sit,' Dominique demanded,

'That's a good idea,' said Teddy, walking over to some open space. The six teenagers gathered round in a circle, hunched close to each other to protect them from the sharp breeze.

'So,' Victoire began, waiting for somebody to initiate conversation, 'how is everyone?' An awkward murmuring flailed in the air for a second before disintegrating.

'I'm going to write a letter to Jean Paul later,' Dominique giggled, directing her comment at Roxy and Molly.

'Who's Jean-Paul?' Fred asked,

'A boy,' Dominique smirked,

'Evidently,' Victoire rolled her eyes, 'is he your boyfriend?'

'No,' Dominique flicked her hair out of her face, 'it's early days,'

'What about Samuel and Ric?' Molly asked, 'didn't you say it's early days with them too?'

'It is,' Dominique shrugged, 'I can talk to as many boys as I like,'

'Kiss as many boys as you like,' Roxy giggled,

'What can I say,' Dominique shrugged, 'it's not like I'm going out with any of them… I can do what I please,'

'I don't know… you don't want to get yourself a reputation, ' Victoire said, although directing her comment at Teddy subtly,

'Victoire,' he groaned, 'when will you stop bringing that up?'

'Bringing what up?' Dominique snapped.

'It doesn't matter,' Victoire said, looking at Teddy.

'Tell me,' Dominique demanded. Victoire stayed quiet.

'I found myself in the same situation as you this year, Dom,' Teddy sighed,

'Oh,' Dominique giggled, 'don't worry about Victoire… she's just jealous,'

'Jealous of what?' Victoire spat,

'You want Teddy all for yourself,' she jibed.

'What?' Victoire felt her face burn,

'I think last nights activities say it all,' Dominique said cruelly, Roxy giggled lightly.

'Nothing happened!' Teddy said angrily, 'I thought that was made clear,'

'Pfft,' Dominique shrugged, 'that doesn't change the fact that you used to have a crush on him,' Victoire gulped. How on EARTH did Dominique know about that?

'What are you talking about?' Victoire said quickly… almost too quickly.

'Ooh I lurrve Teddy,' Dominique mocked her, 'but he can't ever ever know,'

'Dominique!' Victoire shouted,

'Don't try to deny it,' Dominique said with a self-satisfied grin, 'I know it's true,'

'How could you possibly know that?' Victoire demanded,

'You wrote it in your diary!' Dominique giggled,

'You read my diary?' Victoire cried, feeling more hatred towards her sister than ever before.

'So you're not denying it, then?' Dominique hissed,

'I can't believe you read my diary!' Victoire exclaimed, 'That was private!'

'You had a crush on me?' Teddy turned to her, smirking.

Victoire practically died on the spot.

So, a bit of a cliff hanger there! Thanks so much for your reviews recently (and sorry I didn't update until late today- I was at work all day!)

Please let me know what you think- I've loved hearing what you have to say up until now- and I take everything into account. If you tell me in a review there's something you'd like to read about, I'll almost always put it into the next chapter (providing it fits in well)

So yeah... don't be shy! Tell me everything- ask questions if you want... I'll always PM back!

Lots of love darlings,

Em x