A.N: Hey guys, so I'm back :) This chapter is going to be a bit of a filler and also something that is kind of going to shape how i'll be writing the characters in the next and final chunk of this fic. It's kind of like a side story. Also I'd like to remind you to assume that most of this chapter is spoken in french, for obvious reasons you will soon discover. Thanks for the reviews and I hope 2012 will be treating you well! You're all amazing and I love the faves and alerts this is getting. So thank you.
That summer shaped her.
The Hogwarts Express had pulled into the station that June and Victoire, who had been sharing the compartment with her friends, said her final goodbyes and headed off the train. She stopped by Dominique's compartment, tapping on the glass to remind her and the rest of her cousins that their family was waiting. Dominique waved her on, so Victoire rolled her eyes before taking a step away. She was just about to leave when she remembered her book bag. She'd left it in the compartment in her hurry to find her sister. Letting out an exasperated sigh, she whirled around and made her way back to the room they'd been occupied in. She slid open the glass door and took a quick look around. Her bag wasn't on the seat where she'd left it and it wasn't in the overhead compartment. The nerves in her stomach clenched and she glanced around again, this time more desperately. She took a step backwards to turn into the hall and bumped into something warm and solid.
"Looking for this?"
She turned round to see who had spoken although she already knew without seeing. Teddy stood behind her, his trunk in one hand and her bag in the other. He was smiling smugly as if he had predicted she'd be there no matter what.
"What've you done to it?" she asked, narrowing her eyes but smiling to show she was joking while taking the bag from him.
"Ruined all your books, left a few dungbombs, dulled your quills..."
"The list goes on." she smiled, bumping his hip with hers and she scooted past. "Have you been off the train yet?"
"No, I was waiting for you." he said, glancing in the compartment Dominique had been in previously but it was empty so he moved on.
"Kind of you." she said, dodging a group of fourth years spilling out of their room last minute and laughing loudly down the train.
"I know."
She turned on him, quirking her eyebrow at the comment. A grin stretched over his face and she could have sworn his hair brightened a shade. "I mean, it was no problem, don't worry about it." he said jokingly, earning him a slap on the arm which made him chuckle. He opened the door of the train and the two of them blinked into the bright sun, squinting around in the light.
"Victoire!"
The blond flicked her head to the direction her name had been called and there in the biggest group of all the families on the platform, she saw the Weasleys. "There they are." she said to Teddy, who had just noticed them. She stepped off the train and grabbed his arm without thinking, pulling him along towards her parents who she could see had just stepped out of the crowd.
"Maman!" she beamed, releasing Teddy's hand and letting herself become embraced by her mother.
"I've meezed you so much." Fleur crooned into her daughters ear, stroking her blond hair. Out of the corner of her eye Toire could see Teddy being clapped on the shoulder by his godfather and Ginny holding Lily who looked like she wanted nothing more then to play with Teddy's hair.
"I've missed you too." she smiled, squeezing her mum before pulling away.
"You're nevar staying at zat school ovar Chreesmas evar again." she said, waving her finger. "I can't 'andle your absence."
"There she is." came a voice from behind. Toire turned and her smile stretched wider. Her father smiled back, his scars stretching in the expression and he held his arms open for her to run into them.
"Missed you dad." she said, feeling her eye water slightly at the sudden reunion. She'd always been close to her mum but it was her dad she went to when needing advice and someone to talk to.
"Exciting year?" he smiled, pulling away and brushing a strand of her hair out of her face.
"You wouldn't believe." she said, memories of the Tri-Wizard Tournament returning. "I met the most amazing people from Beauxbatons, you wouldn't believe how great they are. They all live in France, obviously, and-"
"Oh that reminds me!" Bill interrupted and she raised her eyebrows at this sudden pleased expression that appeared on his face. "Did your mother tell you the news?"
"What news?" she said, whirling on her mother who looked as if she had just rememberd.
"Oh yes!" Fleur announced, beaming. "Victoire you are goeen to be so excited." she smiled. "Zees summer weel be one to remembar."
Victoire thought of all the plans she had for this summer, all the ideas and plots and stored charm she'd saved up for all this time she'd be spending with Teddy. Three months with Teddy and Teddy alone. It was going to be marvelous.
"Why, is someone coming to visit?" Victoire asked, her mind still on her summer plans and what swimsuit she was going to wear.
"Quite the opposite." Bill said, casting a glance at his wife. Something stirred in the back of Toire's mind and she looked up, her brows creasing.
"What then?"
Fleur looked as if she couldn't hold it in much longer.
"Your aunt Gabrielle eez getting married!" she burst, her face lighting up as she said so. "We aare spending zee summar in France!"
Victoire's smile froze on her face just as Teddy's head turned in their direction, his face wearing a similar expression from overhearing their conversation.
"We leave in three days." Bill smiled.
And just like that, Victoire's summer plans vanished.
She didn't want to admit she loved France, but after the first couple of hours at her aunt's, she knew for sure that she was falling in love.
Gabrielle's fiancee's estate was a villa in the South of France. Upon arrival, Victoire could barely believe her eyes at the sight that awaited her there. Acres and acres of grapevines all belonging to the family. The villa was massive; a beautiful Terra Cotta building that looked like it belonged in the vineyards of Italy, but instead fit right at home nestles in the french valley. Also as expected, they spoke nothing but french. The moment they apperated they were flocked with dozens of french cousins, aunts and uncles. Toire caught sight of her uncle-to-be, a man by the name of Terrance LaRoux. Bill looked a bit lost in the middle of it but Fleur had taken his hand and guided him around, introducing him to all her relatives and guiding the conversations towards more basic subjects that he could understand in his limited knowledge of the language. Dominique seemed to fit in quite well also, the other twelve year olds whisking her away to the fields out back to play games with their wands and they were all quite impressed when she presented them with her stash of Weasley Wizard Wheezes products. Louis was asleep in his mothers arms, an adorable three year old, he was the center of attention when awake however few those moments came. Victoire, it seemed, had been left behind. As the rest of her family was swept away into the magic of the warm french countryside, she stood in the courtyard abandoned, longing for home where she could be herself and see her friends. She didn't even want to think of all the things she was missing out on, all the inside jokes that would be passed round when she returned, all the games and Quiddich matches, not to mention the upper hand Teddy would get on her with one on one. Teddy. Even the thought of his name brought longing to her heart and she couldn't begin to imagine a whole summer without him.
"You've Victoire, right?"
The voice came from behind her and she turned, startled. There, watching her, was a group of girls who looked to be about her age, all startlingly beautiful. The tallest was the plainest of the group, which wasn't to say she wasn't good looking, just that the other two stood out more. She had sun kissed skin and chestnut brown hair tied into a bun at the nape of her neck. The other two, a blond and a brunette who Victoire thought her hair would have been black if the sun didn't reveal it's true colour. She couldn't tell which of them had spoken and recognized the blond one faintly. On her guard, she answered the question.
"Yes, I am."
"You're right Clarisse, she is gorgeous." the tall one muttered to the blond who nodded and smiled kindly. The name rung a familiar bell in the back Toire's mind, and after taking a second glance at the blond she finally placed it.
"Clare?" she asked, and the blond nodded her head. "My God you look different." she grinned and the blond stepped forward to hug her.
"You see, I told you my cousin would recognize me." Clarisse said to the two other girls who were looking less suspicious and friendlier by the second. Victoire, who wasn't used to so much girl time with people she didn't know very well was slightly taken off guard but recovered herself quickly. "Look at you." Victoire smiled. "You look amazing. How have you been?"
"Bored out of my goddamn mind." Clare laughed, throwing her head back with the noise, her Veela beauty illuminated in the sun. "What about you, english girl? I see you haven't lost any of your talent for the language."
One of the girls cleared her throat and Victoire remembered they were there. It was the dark haired one, probably the most striking of the group, her beauty dark and smoldering as opposed to Clare's innocence and the taller girl's simplicity. "Are you going to make introductions Clarisse, or are we going to stand here all night?" She smiled while she said it and Victoire saw that this girl seemed to be someone who was used to getting what they wanted. Whether this was good or bad she wasn't sure. Either way, the girl was the image of confidence.
"Oh, of course." Clare beamed, not bothered by the tone in her friend's voice. "Victoire, these are our new cousins, relatives of Terrance's." Both girls nodded to Victoire but didn't extend their hands to shake like Toire usually would have.
"This is Belle," she said, and the taller girl waved. "...Terrence's niece. And this is Fifi, Belle's cousin." The darker haired girl smiled. "It's short for Josephine. I hate it, but it sticks." she said, rolling her eyes.
"I met a girl from Beauxbatons this past year named Josephine." Victoire mused, and Fifi quirked an eyebrow.
"We all go to Beauxbatons. What year is she in?"
"Senior I think. She came over to Hogwarts for the Tournament." Belle's expression changed to one of great interest.
"Oh I'm so jealous." she sighed, and the next thing Toire had noticed they had fallen into step with one another and were walking across the courtyard towards the gardens. "I wanted to watch it so bad, everyone said it was amazing."
"Oh hush, you just wanted to watch that Alexandre Marlow." Fifi scoffed to which Belle blushed a bright scarlet.
"You mean Alex?" Victoire said, glancing over at Belle who froze as she said his name. "You know him?" Belle asked, seemingly riveted.
"Well... yes. I helped him with the tournament. He game me his address when I wrote him telling him I was coming up to France, told me to drop by sometime-"
Victoire was interrupted as Belle let out a strangled sort of squeal, causing her to jump a bit in shock. "Oh my GOD please take me with you!" she squealed, clutching Toire's arm with more strength then she was expecting.
"Christ, you harpy, get your talons out of the poor girl." Fifi scolded, swatting Belle with her arm and causing the girl to remember her place and settle down. There was a slightly awkward silence until Fifi turned to look at Toire and gave her a blinding smile.
"So." she said, her eyes gleaming curiously. "Are you up for an adventure?"
The village was ablaze with life.
Toire followed Fifi and the girls through the crowded streets of Nuipale, the neighboring town to the villa. It was a Friday night, and as Fifi had said, the night of adventure. Victoire wasn't exactly certain on what that was all about until Clarisse explained in as they got ready in Belle and Fifi's room.
"Every Friday since I've gotten here, we always head into town. Fifi's got it all sorted out. Each Friday we have to complete the list."
Victoire was in no way used to spending time with sophisticates. Not that Ginger and Marcy weren't mature. They were English girls. Different in comparison. Fifi was born and raised in Paris. Claimed the city ran through her blood. She had a craving for trouble and adventure, and every week she insisted the girls accompany her as she got her fix.
"What's the list?" Toire asked, baffled at this complicated system the girls had come up with.
Fifi reached for something tacked to the wall and handed it to Toire wordlessly while continuing to apply her makeup. Victoire glanced down at the paper and read.
~Friday Night Adventure List~
To maintain a successful Friday night, one must complete AT LEAST five of the following items.
- Dance with 5 different boys
- Snog at least three
- Receive 8 compliments min. (whistles don't count.)
- Have someone buy you a drink WITHOUT ASKING
- Be complimented on your snogging abilities
- Be asked for your number min. 5 times
- Make it to 2nd base
- Make it to 3rd base
- Do something illegal
- Visit someplace you've never been before
- Other (this space is left empty for any other significant act of brilliance you have the power to prove.)
Victoire put down the list and stared at all the girls openly. "You can't be serious." she said finally, still not believing what she was about to partake in.
"Why ever not?" Fifi asked from the mirror, still not breaking concentration on her mascara.
"Well..." Victoire was at a loss for words. "Well... because it's ridiculous! I mean how could you possibly pull any of this off?"
Belle whipped her head around from where she was using the mirror on the opposite of the room. "Are you daft?"
Victoire frowned, feeling insulted. "No. I just don't see how you could manage to pull five of these off in one night."
"Fifi pulled off the whole list in a night at least four times. Once before midnight." Clare said, not trying to take sides but defending her friend all the same.
"So of course it's possible." Belle stated as if to finalize the subject, her tone not as kind as Clare's. Victoire stood there for a moment as an uncomfortable silence settled around them. She was embarrassed and tired and wanted to go home to her family. She missed her grandparents and her aunts and uncles and cousins and Teddy. How she missed Teddy...
"Now wait a minute girls."
All heads turned in the direction of Fifi, who had just spoken.
"I think I see what's going on here." She put down the mascara and spun in her seat to look at Toire head on, who suddenly felt like she was on the chopping block at the ministry. Fifi studied her quietly before opening her mouth to speak.
"You've got someone back home."
She says it like a statement, not a question and Victoire wasn't ready for it. She started at the words and the slow Weasley blush crept up her face. The last thing she wanted to do was discuss her relationship, or lack there of, with a group of girls she didn't know, let alone trust. But it was too late. They'd seen it on her face and Fifi now wore an expression that make Victoire uneasy.
"He must be something special to make you like you are." she said, not unkindly.
"What do you mean?" Victoire asked, cautious.
"Look at yourself Victoire." Fifi said, leaning back and crossing her legs. "You're sixteen years old. It's clear you've been after the same boy for most of your life and you've got absolutely no skill to win him over. What kind of mentors do you have down on that English farm of yours?"
Victoire was baffled, her mouth open and gaping at Fifi's bold statement.
"I've got a proposal." Fifi said, ignoring Victoire's expression. "I'll skip the Friday Night ritual if you agree to let us help you."
"Help me with what?" she managed to say amidst all the embarrassment.
"Your guy scenario. The wedding's in three weeks. I can give you my word that if you follow my advice and practice, you'll have him in no time when you see him again."
The room was silent once again, the girls waiting for Victoire to answer. Did she really need help? Or could she say no, leave the girls, go her own way with Teddy. Be his friend.
But that was her problem, she told herself. She was always his friend. Nothing more. Sure, she gave him some hints, and the ball had been magical but when it came to flirting, with the exception of a few bursts of improv, she was a dud. She relied on her looks, and even those she wasn't too confident about. Here was Fifi, handing her a free pass to girlhood. She would be a fool not to take it.
"Okay." Victoire said slowly, and the girl's eyes lit up. "But I've got some boundaries." she said, raising her hands as Belle made a clicking noise and rolled her eyes. "First... nothing too heavy. I don't want to change who I am. Just learn a few tips."
Fifi looked slightly miffed but nodded all the same.
"Second," Victoire went on, feeling a bit more confident. "No "third base" or anything like that. I'm not getting into that. No chance."
"What about second base?" Belle asked from her spot on by the mirror.
"What's that again?"
"Oral."
"Oh, Merlin NO!" Victoire said, waving her arms and trying not to make a face that showed her immediate displeasure. Maybe this was a bad idea. These girls weren't anything like what she was used to and she didn't exactly want to be like them.
"I get it." Fifi said, sliding off the chair and putting on her slingbacks. "You're the girl next door type. You want to keep things simple. I respect that. Now let's go."
"Wait," Victoire said, as the girls made their way towards the door. "I thought we weren't going to the whole Friday Fun thing or whatever."
"Of course not." Fifi said, half way out the door. "But that doesn't mean we're passing up a night in town. You'll learn on the go. Come on."
So there she was on the streets of Nuipale, the bustling crowds squeezing and slithering past her, causing her to trip over the cobble stones in her flats and baffle at how Fifi and the others could stay so upright in three inch heels. She was falling behind in the crowd, lost in the glow of the paper lanterns that were strung over each street and the smooth language that seemed to flow through the crowd like the wine at the LaRoux's vineyard. Suddenly she felt something sharp dig into her arm and looked down to see it was Fifi's red manicured nails, getting a hold on her and dragging her forwards to where the girls stood.
"First thing's first." Fifi said, glancing around at the throng. Victoire tried to follow her gaze and noticed she was checking the premises for guys. The closer Toire looked, the more of them she could see and the more of them could see her. She swallowed her nerves and waited for Fifi to go on.
"Guys don't want a girl who acts like a guy." she said to Toire, giving her a pointed look. "They want something they're not used to. Someone who'll push their boundaries to the right point, without making them feel stupid or weak."
"Huge egos." Belle noted from Fifi's right.
"It's the testosterone." Clarisse added to Toire's left.
"Right. So to get someone to like you, first you need to stand out."
As if on cue, Clarisse broke away from the group to go over to one of the drink vendors set up on the street. Her sapphire blue sequined dress flashed and stood out among the crowd of blacks and browns, the sequins catching the light and making her sparkle every which way. Victoire watched as a group of guys around their age standing off to the side were watching her, and how they pushed one of their friends over to her direction.
"Standing out, check." Belle said, a smug smile curling her mouth.
"Once you've got their attention, you've got to hold it." Fifi continued as the guy walked up to Clare and leaned against the side of the booth, striking up a conversation. "Don't play dumb with them. That's too easy and it's what they expect. You need to either do something bold or stun them with your charm and wit. You have to be unforgettable."
"This is easier for Clare then it is for most though." Belle added, scowling slightly.
"Why's that?" Victoire asked, pulling her eyes away to take in Belle's miffed expression.
"She's Veela." Belle said, as if it were obvious. "Just needs to work up a bit of magic and she's good."
Victoire stood there puzzled. She was just as much Veela as Clarisse, if not more. Why didn't she know about any "veela magic"?
"I don't think there's such thing." Toire said without thinking. Fifi glanced over at her.
"You went to the Yule Ball? That comes with the Tournament, yes?"
"Yes..." Toire said, unsure of where this was going.
"How many invites did you get?" Now it was Toire's turn to blush. Fifi took that as her answer. "Quite a bit, I'm guessing." she said, turning her attention back to Clare who was now allowing the boy to buy her drink for her. "Definitely above average. There was a reason for all those invites Victoire. Your Veela blood can work even when you don't want it too."
She stood there shocked. She guessed this should have made her feel pleased, happy that she was so lucky as to always be considered beautiful. But all it did was worry her. What if that was the only way Teddy had been looking at her the way he had the past few months. Because of something she couldn't control, something in her blood.
"You seem like a smart girl though. I trust that your boy can see deeper then that when it comes to you." Fifi said, as if reading Toire's mind. She spoke the words in her same high end accent, but Victoire sensed that she was trying to make her feel better underneath the cold tone she always had to her voice, and she appreciated it.
"Here, look." she said, pointing back to Clarisse, who was now leading the boy away from the stand, downing the drink in one. "Once you've got him stuck and interested, you show him a good time." They watched the couple disappear down an alley way that led to who knows where as Fifi turned to look in another direction.
"They'll be gone for awhile. But when the time is right, she'll break away. It will be flawless, and he'll forever be left wanting more. This is what will draw him to her."
She blinked as if snapping out of a dream and turned back to Victoire. "And there you have it. That's the basics of capture."
"That's it?" Victoire asked, staring at her new acquaintances.
"Well, it's harder then it looks once you start." Belle commented, eyeing one of the other boys in the group the boy Clare had gone off with had come from.
"So let's get over that bump, shall we?" Fifi called, and the girls turned to see her in the middle of the street, the crowd seemingly moving around her, everyone turning heads to catch a glance of the beautiful girl. She couldn't have looked more at home.
"The night is young." she called, a smile on her face now as the warm summer wind blew past them, catching up ribbons that hung from the buildings and sending them sailing through the air. Fifi reached out and caught one and then Belle did the same, giving Toire a look that meant she should follow. Victoire reached out her hand and felt a smooth strand of material float into her hand. She glanced at the bright teal ribbon; the exact same colour as Teddy's hair, and without having to know it was what she was meant to do, tied it round her wrist.
"You've got lots to learn!" Fifi called again, disappearing down the street, leaving the two girls to follow her. A church bell chimed somewhere in the distance and a band started to play, the sweet music swirling through the air and making the city dance and spin. "Come on English girl!" came Fifi's voice from farther down the street and in spite of herself, Victoire smiled.
It was going to be an interesting summer.
It was. Each day Victoire woke, and each day she was pampered and treated to good food and company by her french relatives. She'd had time to take trip up to Paris to visit with Alex and Josephine, both of whom seemed more in love then when she'd last seen them. She learned more and more about the people around her. Terrance, her soon to be uncle, was friendly and chivalrous. He reminded Toire of the fairy tale princes one would see in the muggle fairytales her grandfather used to read her, making him the perfect match for the gentle Gabrielle. Belle wasn't really as cruel as she seemed, just incredibly insecure about her future, something Victoire discovered during a drunken game of truth or dare a few nights into her stay. Belle had no problem with getting boys to look at her, but always feared they wouldn't stick around long enough to give her what she really wanted: a committed relationship. Clarisse was an angel, and Victoire often thought that if she didn't have the habit of hooking up with random guys every time they went out, she would fit in with Ginger and Marcy quite well. She was amazing with Louis, and always offered to help out with the kids when the adults were tired. Fifi was like no one Victoire had ever met before. She was glamorous and serious, but always on good terms with everyone. She had a way about her that oozed class and confidence, a trait that drew everyone to her.
She also stuck to her deal. Instead of teaching Victoire how to hook up with strangers, she showed her the basics. Simple things like different ways to wear her hair, or tricks with makeup to make her eyes seem brighter. She taught her the difference between when a guy was actually interested or when he just wanted to get into her pants. She taught her how to hold her liquor and techniques to use to disguise the smell of alcohol so her parents wouldn't be able to tell the difference. She showed her how to make jello shooters and on one rainy night when everyone was asleep except for the two of them, she showed her how to make the best chocolate chip cookies Victoire had ever tasted. "It's not just an old wives tale." Fifi explained while putting the cookies in the oven to a pyjama clad Victoire who sat on the counter, scraping the rest of the dough out of the bowl with her finger. The rain pattered on the windows of the quiet house. Everyone was sleeping except for the two of them, and Victoire felt nothing but comfort in this old house, surrounded by family. Fifi closed the oven and pulled her long dark hair back into a ponytail, reveling her face which was for once, not covered in makeup. She looked younger. Less severe and mysterious. More like a girl you'd see buying flowers, or chatting with the neighbors. "For some people, the way to a mans heart is through his stomach." she smiled, and Toire noticed the dark circles under her eyes. All those nights out didn't include sleep, she supposed. "It's good to know at least one recipe to keep them around."
The day of the wedding came in a rush.
"Get up! Get up! Only four hours till it starts!" called Clarisse as she stormed around the room, throwing open windows and opening curtains. Belle let out a groan and shielded her eyes from the glare of the sun. The previous night, Gabrielle had invited all the girls sixteen and over out for her bachelorette party. Victoire had steered away from the alcohol, knowing about the early morning and all the work they would be faced with in the hours leading up to the wedding. Belle hadn't been so thoughtful.
"Do you have your dresses?" Clare called from the dresser where she was scrambling to find her push up bra.
"On the door of the wardrobe!" Victoire called, swinging her legs out of bed and padding her way across the hall to the showers. In the bathroom she recognized Fifi's painted toenails protruding from one of the shower stalls. The villa was built in a way so everyone shared all their space together. It was meant to be a group showers, but there had been some walls and curtain but up to provide people the privacy they needed.
She showered quickly and by the time she'd returned to the hall clad in a sundress to keep her decent before it was time to get changed everyone was a bustle. Children were running about like mad while their parents tried to tie their ties, the muggle caterers had just pulled up to the front of the villa and everyone was trying their best to get everything done as fast as possible without them noticing the floating stacks of laundry being driven by wands. Someone let out a call from behind and Toire turned to see what it was just in time to be blinded by a flash bulb as one of the photographers apologized, dragging his huge muggle camera after him.
"Come on Victoire, the bridesmaids are all meeting in the courtyard!" Clare called from below, and Victoire rushed along the hall to the grand stair case to meet them.
Four hours later the ceremony was in action. The friends and family of the happy couple were seated so they had a full view of the ceremony which was to be held on the yard looking over the acres of grapevines. Victoire stood at the front of the aisle next to Belle and Fifi, the photographer insisting that the two brunettes shouldn't stand next to each other, with Clarisse to Fifi's left and the closest to the aisle. Terrance faced the priest as the music started playing, and finally Gabrielle descended. Her dress flowed behind her and she seemed to be floating on air, her train being carried by Fleur who acted as her maid of honour. Three year old Louis had woken up long enough to be ring bearer, wobbling down the aisle with his tiny suit on all while being watched carefully by Bill. Finally Gabrielle arrived at the arch, and the wedding began. The vows passed quickly but Victoire had time to look out at the sea of guests. It looked as if half of Nuipale was in attendance, and all of them were teary eyed at the ceremony that passed before them. Couple exchanged their vows and the audience erupted into applause, just as a huge gust of wind flew over the wedding party. Caught up in the moment, Victoire reached for her wrist where the teal ribbon was still tied. She pulled it from her wrist and the wind swept it out of her hands, carrying it out of sight in mere seconds. Fifi was watching her and when she caught her eye Toire watched as Fifi did the same, then Belle and then Clarisse. Victoire felt tears stinging the back of her eyes at the friendship she'd made with these girls over the mere couple of weeks she'd been in France and even though she missed England terribly, she knew she would be incredibly sad to say goodbye to France.
But that day came. It was just as sunny and warm as the first day. The Weasleys stood in the courtyard, their luggage at their feet as they hugged everyone goodbye.
"We'll miss you." Belle said, embracing Victoire and squeezing her tight. "Sorry I'm such a bitch."
"Shut up you." Toire said, squeezing Belle's hand. "Come visit me sometime, I'll hook you up." she smiled, earning a laugh from Belle. "Look how confident she is." Belle trilled, stepping back to Clarisse could get her hug in.
"We might come down for Christmas. I'll try to convince my parents." she said, pulling away. "I'm curious to meet this boy of yours."
"And maybe I'll teach you a little something of what us English witches are known for. I'd love to see you try Quiddich." Toire teased, and then laughed when seeing her horrified expression. Finally she turned to Fifi. She was looking at her with a sort of bemused expression, and just when Toire thought she wasn't going to hug her, she pulled her forwards into one.
"I'm going to miss you." Victoire said, blinking back tears at the parting.
"I'm glad I met you Victoire." Fifi said, pulling away and smiling. It was a real smile, not one of the ones she reserved for her admirers. "You're an amazing friend. I wish you all the best."
"I'll see you again." Victoire said, reassuring Fifi and herself.
"Maybe next time with your new boyfriend." Fifi smiled. "I look forward to meeting him, especially after all this trouble he's caused you."
"I can't thank you enough." Victoire said, catching a glance from Bill that told her they were leaving. "Send me an owl won't you." she added.
"Every week." Fifi smiled. "And you send me some. It gets lonely at Beauxbatons."
Victoire backed away to stand with her parents, Dominique and Louis who was sleeping once again.
"Ready to go home?" Bill asked her, turning his gaze to his daughter. Victoire cast a final glance over her new friends and family. She would remember this summer for the rest of her life.
"Yes." she said finally, still not taking her eyes of her friends. "Now I'm ready."
They disapperated.